
Beford-Stuyvesant
As one of Bed-Stuy Brooklyn’s newest residents, thanks to Massada Home Sales Inc., I am positively thrilled with my new Brooklyn home and my new urban surroundings.
On moving day I decided not to tire myself out trying to unpack in my new Brooklyn home. I would not have even made a dent if I attempted to unpack at five o’clock after the movers left on moving day. There were boxes piled high and wide casting shadows of doubt in my mind as to whether or not I’d ever unpack them all, but just as quickly as that burden emerged, it retreated as I remembered I set up my wireless internet connection before I arrived at my new home in Brooklyn. I practically jumped to my laptop as I was now able to search for some Brooklyn highlights for my first night of exploration. My first search was Brooklyn highlights, then things to do in Bed-Stuy, then Brooklyn nightlife, then Bed-Stuy nightlife, and more similar searches. My real estate agent Elliot at Massada Home Sales Inc. informed me that there was plenty to do near my new Brooklyn home in the area of Bed-Stuy and surrounding neighborhoods. That was one of the reasons I decided to move to Bed-Stuyvesant in the first place, now I just needed specifics. By the time I finished my search, I had a lengthy list of spots for Brooklyn nightlife alone that would last the next month straight if I committed to going out every single night. Needless to say there are certainly plenty of recreational perks to living in the great borough of Brooklyn. My home town of Johnston, Iowa has nothing on Brooklyn! So, it’s been about two months and although I haven’t exactly committed to going out every night, I have certainly made a solid effort at finding the hidden and well-known gems of Bed-Stuyvesant as well as throughout the whole borough. I have compiled a categorized list below of some of my discoveries. Maybe this list will help other newcomers, possibly even some longstanding locals, find some of the great events and hotspots in the neighborhood of Bed-Stuy and the borough of Brooklyn as a whole. Also, the website for Massada Home Sales Inc. incorporates some great blogs with advice for buying a house in Brooklyn and has a link to City-data which provides all of the statistical data for any area in the United States.
For: Necessities in Bedford-Stuyvesant
1316 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11216
This great market holds true to the feel of a classic neighborhood grocer. It’s a family owned business that’s been in the area for over twenty years. The employees are so sweet and welcoming. They know all the locals and regulars by name, especially the old timers who’ve probably been in the neighborhood as long as the store, if not longer. I’m not a vegetarian, I have no food allergies or diet restrictions, but I try to eat as health consciously as possible. They offer vast amounts of vegetarian and vegan foods, as well as vitamins, gluten-free options, really anything you’d want you’d find there. Not only do they have an awesome selection, but they’re prices tend to be lower than other health food stores. I would totally recommend going to Tony’s.
613 Throop Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11216
This is a great asset to the community, especially in a contemporary society where more than 1 in 3 adults go without health insurance in Brooklyn (for more information click here).
For: Free Fun
This is a great park right in the heart of Bed-Stuy. It’s nice to go for a peaceful afternoon or morning walk in the park, or to relax outside on one of the benches, or lay out with a blanket on one of the sun kissed lawns. It’s got a playground for the kiddies and I’ve played a fun game of Frisbee or two with friends since I’ve been here. Herbert Von King Park also has a charming history, renamed from Tompkins Park after the 50 year active community leader “the mayor of Redford-Stuyvesant.” The original name of the park originated from Daniel D. Tompkins who was the governor of New York from 1807-1817. As you can gather the park has a vast history to retell that you can check out here.
This is by far one of the best flea markets and food events I have ever even heard of, and it runs all summer! There are two sites for the Brooklyn Flea, one in Williamsburg and another in Fort Greene. The event is free, EVERY SATURDAY; you can walk through the waterfront market, watch the vendors, check out the East River, and just take in the whole experience, although I strongly urge you to try out some of the vendors. There are all sorts of foods to try from ribs to cookies to bubble tea and beer. This is an awesome weekend event in Brooklyn!
Every Saturday this amazing free-spirit, great energy studio offers a free Community Warm Yoga class. There are paying classes as well of course, that I’d also suggest for a try. You can always do a free trial class and see from there if you’d like to continue. I’ve gone twice and I plan to make it a weekly endeavor, and they don’t just have yoga! It’s a dance studio, venue for parties, alternative fitness studio, and so much more. I love this place. The more I write about it, the more I want to go back right now. Oh, and Dara, the owner is a beautiful spirit!
200 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, New York 11238-6052
I went to the first Saturday in May and I was overwhelmed at how many people could fit in the back of the Museum. This is a huge dance party with live music, dj’s, performances, gallery talks, hands-on art, films, and much more. Everyone was dressed quite fashionably and everyone seemed to be having a blast, and everything’s FREE. I recommend this monthly event to everyone in Brooklyn and New York City. This is a fantastic time!
This is a classic Brooklyn beach, boardwalk and amusement park. You can enjoy the sun and cool off water playing on the beach, or explore the famous boardwalk, the Sideshow Circus and ride the Cyclone. A Brooklyn beach day at Coney Island is a guaranteed good time for the summer.
- Practically Free: On the weekends you can hop on the Brooklyn Ferry ($3) in Red Hook right on over to Governor’s Island, which is open every weekend (and on Labor Day) from 10am to 7pm until September 30th. Governor’s Island has fun free events every weekend and is a great vast picnic/park spot for you to lounge, relax, sunbathe, hang out with friends or family, and feel like you’re on a mini-vacation. (There is also a ferry that leaves from South Ferry in lower Manhattan)
- Also be sure to check out this site for some more free Brooklyn events. And this other site to get to know Brooklyn through and through.
For: Restaurants
433 Dekalb Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11205
T: 718.789.8806
Awesome restaurant for Filipino home cooked food. The chef is well known and respected within the restaurant industry and you can tell by the presentation of the food and the service. My favorite dish is bahay kubo fried rice, and the prices are more than fair for the experience. And just in case you don’t take my word for it, check out all the write ups and reviews. This is definitely a gem of Bed-Stuy.
435 Halsey Street
Brooklyn NY
The Best Pizza in town. Delicious Authentic Italian food. Oh so delicious. A must try.
305 Franklin Ave
Brooklyn NY
Yummy!! Yummy! Yummy!. The darn best donuts I ever tasted in my life and I think its the best. So many visits. A must when you are in Brooklyn. Love Brooklyn
393 Classon Avenue
Brooklyn NY
Delicious Cuban food. Great eat in the neighborhood. This is one of the reason I move to Brooklyn
445 Marcus Garvey Blvd
Brooklyn, NY 11233
This soon-to-be Kosher frozen yogurt spot will have its grand opening tomorrow June 23, 2012. I’m quite excited; although I’m not Jewish, I love frozen yogurt and this parlor promises to be something to be desired.
370 Tompkins Ave.
Brooklyn, New York 11216
T: 718-594-7607
This juice bar is delicious for fresh, organic juices right in Bed-Stuy. They also deliver! That’s clutch. And they get there before the 20 minute mark, which is fantastic because the nutrient levels of fresh pressed juice lowers significantly if you don’t drink the juice within 20 minutes. This is a wonderful place right in the neighborhood.
For: Nightlife
742 Myrtle Ave
(between Sandford St & Nostrand Ave)
Brooklyn, NY 11205
This is a great local hang out right in the neighborhood. I went to Project Parlor the night I moved into my new home and had a blast! I would definitely go back and recommend it to friends. It’s not expensive and just a good time, period.
364 Lewis Ave
(between Halsey St & Macon St)
Brooklyn, NY 11233
This is a nice place with reasonably priced drinks, good music, and decent people. It’s a fun little local bar.
61 Wythe Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Bowling and drinks and a venue space, need I say more. Go there.
79 North 11th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11249
Brooklyn has its own beer brewery! Again, need I say more? Go here too.
For: Culture
200 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, New York 11238-6052
T: (718) 638-5000
This amazing museum was under construction for quite some time as I understand, but it was well worth it. The architectural design of the structure itself is spectacular, even awe-inspiring. Then the museum is one of the oldest in the country. The collection is vast and remarkable; I really think everyone should take a trip here.
30 Lafayette Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217
BAM Harvey Theater
651 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217
As America’s oldest performing arts center I would say that this space is a true gem of Brooklyn. It’s open every day of the year and is a must visit site for Brooklyn.
370 Metropolitan Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11211
This is a great museum for someone like me who’s never had the fortune of seeing New York City before this year, 2012. This museum has a ton of New York City relics like old subway tokens to street signs and even an old newspaper stand. It’s an amazing, by donation museum, right here in Brooklyn. I highly recommend it.
128 Pierrepont Street
Brooklyn
The Brooklyn Historical Society is in my opinion the pride of Brooklyn. If there’s anything anyone would ever want to know about Brooklyn they just need to stop in here for a day. The building is beautiful and exhibitions are phenomenal. They also offer some great, inexpensive events.