New York City, also known as the Melting Pot, is a city home to hundreds of small to big neighborhoods which are spread across the city’s 59 districts and five boroughs.
One of the five boroughs of New York is Brooklyn, with a total population of approximately 2.5 million, making it the fourth-largest population in the United States.
Not only is it known for the best New York pizza, which we call Brooklyn style pizza, but also its brownstone districts, creative artists, diverse communities, and cultural attractions.
Among its popular neighborhoods are Williamsburg, Coney Island, and Park Slope, Dumbo, which offer countless opportunities and things to do whether you’re a local or tourist. Most tourists are familiar with Brooklyn’s notable attractions including the famous Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and Prospect Park, one of the famous parks in Brooklyn.
However, Brooklyn is more than these top attractions as several of its small lovely neighborhoods offer local and unique interests and activities.
If you want to learn more about Brooklyn’s neighborhoods, here is a simple map of Brooklyn neighborhoods. The map features Brooklyn’s major neighborhoods that are worth visiting for every tourist.
In a nutshell, the map features these neighborhoods according to regions:
North of Brooklyn
- Greenpoint
- Williamsburg
- Bedford–Stuyvesant
- Bushwick
Northwest of Brooklyn
- Brooklyn Heights
- Brooklyn Navy Yard
- Clinton Hill
- Downtown Brooklyn
- DUMBO
- Fort Greene
- Prospect Heights
- Boerum Hill
- Carroll Gardens
- Cobble Hill
- Gowanus
- Park Slope
- Red Hook
East of Brooklyn
- Brownsville
- Canarsie
- Cypress Hills
- East New York
Central Brooklyn
- Crown Heights
- East Flatbush
- Flatbush
- Kensington & Parkville
- Prospect Park
- Prospect Park South
- Prospect Lefferts Gardens
- Windsor Terrace
South of Brooklyn
- Barren Island
- Bergen Beach
- Brighton Beach
- Coney Island
- Flatlands
- Gerritsen Beach
- Gravesend
- Marine Park
- Midwood
- Mill Basin
- Sheepshead Bay and Madison
Southwest of Brooklyn
- Bay Ridge
- Bath Beach
- Bensonhurst
- Borough Park
- Dyker Heights
- Fort Hamilton
- Sunset Park
(Image by Peter Fitzgerald via Wikimedia Commons)
Discover What Brooklyn Neighborhoods Has to Offer
If you’re looking forward to exploring what Brooklyn has to offer, here are some fun facts and general information about each neighborhood.
These neighborhoods offer a variety of international food, noteworthy attractions, and not your everyday entertainment.
North of Brooklyn
(Image by NYC Planning via nyc.gov)
- Greenpoint
- Williamsburg
- Bedford–Stuyvesant
- Bushwick
Located in Northern Brooklyn are four neighborhoods: Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Bedford–Stuyvesant, and Bushwick.
Greenpoint is known as Little Poland since it has a huge Polish community. Thus, it’s no surprise it’s filled with Polish restaurants, coffee shops, and markets.
Williamsburg is a popular location worth visiting as it is teeming with vibrant art scenes, hip coffee shops, lively bars and clubs, and vintage stores. Visitors have incredible sights of Manhattan skyline and waterfront views of the East River.
Bedford-Stuyvesant is known for its rich African-American heritage and culture and historical architecture.
One of its iconic sites is its genuine brownstones, a must-visit for every history enthusiast.
Bushwick is a town with a mix of nationalities, where it used to be mostly German and Italian immigrants.
If you’re ever in Greenpoint, shop at the Greenpoint Terminal Market, go thrift shopping, and go bar hopping in the evening.
Should you decide to visit Williamsburg, I recommend having a hearty brunch among Williamsburg’s finest restaurants, drinking in wine bars, strolling through parks, and playing games at barcades.
Northern Brooklyn has one of Brooklyn’s trendiest spots for creating incredible artists, having gorgeous bed and breakfasts, and shopping districts.
Northwest of Brooklyn
- Brooklyn Heights
- Brooklyn Navy Yard
- Clinton Hill
- Downtown Brooklyn
- DUMBO
- Fort Greene
- Prospect Heights
- Boerum Hill
- Carroll Gardens
- Cobble Hill
- Gowanus
- Park Slope
- Red Hook
The neighborhoods in northwestern Brooklyn are some of the most desirable places to live, for several reasons.
From historic mansions to peaceful streets and parks – these are some of the many factors why people choose to stay in the area.
For instance, Park Slope is filled with several historical landmarks including historic brownstones and Victorian mansions.
It’s also the best place for more outdoor spaces for having a vast green oasis in Prospect Park that is perfect for exercise, relaxation, or picnics.
DUMBO as one of the best neighborhoods in Brooklyn for families is the center of almost 25% of the city’s tech industry, while Cobble Hill is home to the historic Cobble Hill Cinema. If you’re in Carroll Gardens, you’ll find several Italian American restaurants and shops.
Heading toward Downtown Brooklyn leads you to skyscraper buildings and several educational institutions such as New York City College of Technology, Long Island University, and Brooklyn Law School.
Some other places to look forward to are the Prisons Ship Martyrs Monument in Fort Greene, Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club in Gowanus, and Louis Valentino Jr. Park & Pier in Red Hook.
Red Hook offers one of the best spots to see the Brooklyn sunset, the Manhattan skyline, and a sight of the Statue of Liberty.
Prospect Heights is one of the most attractive places to live since it offers affordable rental spaces.
Moreover, it’s a quiet charming neighborhood that is home to some local favorites including mom-and-pop shops, Barboncino Pizza, Brooklyn Central Library, and Ample Hills for the best ice cream.
East of Brooklyn
(Image by NYC Brooklyn Community Board 16 via nyc.gov)
- Brownsville
- Canarsie
- Cypress Hills
- East New York
East Brooklyn has several residential neighborhoods including Brownsville, Canarsie, Cypress Hills, and East New York.
Brownsville is mostly populated by Black and Latinx communities. It has several parks and recreational sites including Lincoln Terrace Park, Brownsville Recreation Center, and Zion Triangle.
The neighborhood is also considered to be one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in New York. In the southeastern area, Canarsie is another residential neighborhood with a suburban feel.
It is a bustling amusement community flourishing with local businesses and places of interest including Canarsie Pier and Jamaica Bay District.
Living in Cypress Hills is a part of East New York that offers a quiet place with affordable and larger spaces to live. However, there are only a few job opportunities and places to dine and drink. Some of the best local restaurants to eat at are Caterina Pizza, Momo’s, and Tacosssssss.
Close to Jamaica Bay in East New York, with a population of 180,811 residents. The neighborhood has several subsections including Cypress Hills, City Line, New Lots, Spring Creek, Starrett City, and The Hole.
Some of the best places to eat here are BKLYN Eats, Sea Island, Fusion Eat, and Manley’s Eat to the Bone.
Central Brooklyn
- Crown Heights
- East Flatbush
- Flatbush
- Kensington & Parkville
- Prospect Park
- Prospect Park South
- Prospect Lefferts Gardens
- Windsor Terrace
Most of the neighborhoods in Central Brooklyn are populated by African Americans, Caribbean American immigrants, and Hasidic Jews, making it one of the most diverse regions of the country.
Central Brooklyn includes several neighborhoods such as Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Kensington & Parkville, Prospect Park, Prospect Park South, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, and Windsor Terrace.
Crown Heights is an emerging neighborhood with several historic sites, diverse establishments, and botanical gardens.
For instance, you can taste Caribbean food at Gloria’s and Mandela Halal Buffet or something kosher at Benz’s Fish and Basil Pizza & Wine Bar.
Visiting Flatbush and East Flatbush is also a mix of communities including African Americans, Pakistanis, Jamaicans, and Latinos. It’s a place where you can find Victorian mansions, theaters, events, and several hidden attractions.
Windsor Terrace is bordered by Prospect Park, Kensington, and Park Slope with a total population of 20,988 people. It is home to a variety of communities including Irish, Polish, Italian, and German Americans.
The small neighborhood is known for horse stables, Bartel-Pritchard Square, and Farrell’s Bar & Grill.
In Kensington, about half of the population is White and the rest are a mix of races. Should you spend a day in Kensington, I recommend unwinding in a Turkish bathhouse, exploring different cuisines, and heading over to Green-Wood Cemetery.
The Prospect Park area includes Prospect Park South and Prospect Lefferts Gardens, which are one of the best residential neighborhoods in New York for their diversity, fauna and flora, local attractions, and landscape.
South of Brooklyn
- Barren Island
- Bergen Beach
- Brighton Beach
- Coney Island
- Flatlands
- Gerritsen Beach
- Gravesend
- Marine Park
- Midwood
- Mill Basin
- Sheepshead Bay and Madison
Southern Brooklyn encompasses several diverse neighborhoods including Barren Island, Bergen Beach, Brighton Beach, Coney Island, Flatlands, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend, Marine Park, Midwood, Mill Basin, and Sheepshead Bay and Madison.
Most of the neighborhoods are nestled along Lower New York Bay and Jamaica Bay, making them the best spots to have stunning bay views.
Coney Island is an entertainment mecca that includes the private gated neighborhood Sea Gate, Manhattan Beach, and Brighton Beach, two of the best beaches in Brooklyn.
Explore; Coney Island Travel Guide + Things To Do In Coney Island
As a seaside location, visitors can expect boardwalk attractions, amusement parks, famous eateries, and beach activities.
Some of the most recommended places to visit are Brighton Palace Pier at Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach Pier, and Manhattan Beach Art Center. Other places with beaches and piers are Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend, Barren Island, Mill Basin, and Sheepshead Bay.
Gerritsen Beach is not only a fishing destination but also for sports having the Gerritsen Ballfields. Mill Basin is popular for its several parks and one of the few bowling alleys in Brooklyn called Strike 10 Lanes.
Sheepshead Bay is another fishing destination in Brooklyn and consists of several waterfront restaurants.
In the inner southern Brooklyn are neighborhoods Marine Park, Midwood, and Flatlands. Marine Park is considered one of the safest and friendliest neighborhoods in Brooklyn with several outdoor entertainment and parks.
Midwood is the best location for several shopping districts in Brooklyn including Kings Highway, Flatbush Avenue, and Coney Island Avenue.
Southwest of Brooklyn
- Bay Ridge
- Bath Beach
- Bensonhurst
- Borough Park
- Dyker Heights
- Fort Hamilton
- Sunset Park
Southwest Brooklyn includes Bay Ridge, Bath Beach, Bensonhurst, Borough Park, Dyker Heights, Fort Hamilton, and Sunset Park.
Sunset Park, Bay Ridge, and Fort Hamilton are along Upper New York Bay, whereas Bath Beach is part of Lower New York Bay. The inner neighborhoods of Southwestern Brooklyn are Bensonhurst, Borough Park, and Dyker Heights.
More reading; A Complete Bay Ridge Guide + Things to Do in Bay Ridge
Bay Ridge is a historical town with several old landmarks including 8200 Narrows Avenue House, 69th Street Pier, and Owl’s Head Park.
Based on Bath Beach’s name and seaside location, you may think Bath Beach is a beach, however, it is not. Bath Beach used to be one before Shore Parkway was built. Today, it’s a place for parks and recreation, as well as several local restaurants.
Known as Little Italy and Little Hong Kong, Bensonhurst is home to one of the largest Italian American and Chinese communities in Brooklyn.
Thus, you can expect to find the second Chinatown here and several Italian-family businesses. It has several notable landmarks worth visiting including Lenny’s Pizza and New Utrecht Reformed Church.
Away from the seaside, Borough Park has a large population of Orthodox Jewish settlers and is nicknamed the “baby boom capital”. Thus, you can find a plethora of Jewish stores, kosher items, and kosher hotels.
Sunset Park is divided into Sunset Park West and Sunset Park East, which are primarily composed of Asians, Hispanics, and Whites.
Final Thoughts
Explore Brooklyn using the map of Brooklyn neighborhoods. From international cuisines to seaside attractions and historical architecture – it might become your new favorite destination.
Are you from Brooklyn? I’d love to hear about your most recommended neighborhoods to visit by writing in the comments section below.
Planning to visit Brooklyn anytime soon? I’m quite positive you’ll love Brooklyn’s sites and things to do. If you found this map helpful, let us know in the comments section below too!
Pin it!
