12 Things to Do in Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a neighborhood of contrasts. In this area north of Brooklyn, hipsters and orthodox Jews coexist. In just a few streets, the atmosphere changes radically: from the most striking street art and old factories converted into restaurants to the austerity of the Jewish quarter.

Brooklyn is a 'must' on any trip to the city of skyscrapers and within Brooklyn, for me, Williamsburg is one of those authentic areas full of contrasts that is worth visiting. You can visit it on your own or take a tour of Williamsburg. Here's what you can't miss.

The most recommended option

Brooklyn Williamsburg Tour

Discover New York's trendiest neighborhood

Tour Williamsburg with a local guide who will give you all the details about this popular neighborhood, its street art and local culture.

From $36 at Hellotickets

On this tour of Williamsburg in Brooklyn you will wander with a local guide through one of the most unique neighborhoods in New York. A tour of approximately two hours in which you will pass through highlights such as the famous flea markets, the East River State Park, the Smorgasburg flea market or the Williamsburg Bridge.

You'll also explore street art and learn about the importance of beer at the Brooklyn Brewery- a highly recommended option!

Recommended if... You don't want to miss any detail of this popular neighborhood.

This is one of the sites you will visit on the tour of Williamsburg in Brooklyn. Less known than its brother the Brooklyn Bridge, this bridge that connects Williamsburg with Manhattan is worthy of a walk through its surroundings (and surely more than one photo). Plus, you should know that when it was built in 1903, it became the longest suspension bridge in the world.

Best of all, you can still walk or bike across it today, so there's no excuse for not venturing over it.

Williamsburg is a hipster neighborhood with a very personal and alternative character. Despite the proliferation of fast food chains and luxurious residences (especially for Wall Street workers) over the last few years, its authentic works of art continue to adorn walls and walls, and on the tour of Williamsburg in Brooklyn you will see many of them.

And speaking of Street Art, we can't fail to mention Eduardo Kobra, a Brazilian artist who signs the most spectacular murals you'll see in the neighborhood. Besides, he has a very personal style, so I'm sure that after having seen a couple of his works, you'll know how to recognize him as soon as you come across another one of his murals.

Specifically, "Fight for Street art" is probably his most recognized work (it's a tribute to Andy Warhol and Basquiat). I'm sure you've seen it in a thousand photos. You'll find it at 147 Bedford Avenue.

In North Williamsburg you'll be able to enjoy a delicious beer at the Brooklyn Brewery craft brewery. I recommend that you take advice from the experts and try the types of beer they have to offer. The place, moreover, could not be more authentic, so for me, it was the perfect place to take a break from the tourist life and feel like a New Yorker for an afternoon.

In the Williamsburg tour you will learn about the importance of this beer.

Yes, the very famous New York contrasts tour passes through here (how could it be otherwise) and it's a good way to get to know the historical and cultural context of the neighborhood. Although it does not stop too much in this part of the city, I assure you that it will be a good introduction to the area and will give you the necessary brushstrokes for you to enjoy it on your own.

If you are thinking about doing the contrasts tour, you can read more information about the tour in my article about the New York Contrasts tour: how to book and prices, but I already tell you that there are many tours of New York in Spanish that are worth considering to tour the city by the hand of an expert guide.

Surely, one of the main areas of the neighborhood that arouses the greatest curiosity is the Jewish Quarter. Within the Williamsburg neighborhood, the orthodox Jewish community lives mainly in the South Williamsburg area, which is reached by crossing under the Williamsburg Bridge. Where the community's life is concentrated is on Lee Avenue, the neighborhood's main thoroughfare. This is where most of its temples and businesses are located.

I invite you to wander the streets and browse or buy local products in the stores, but if you want to read more about this particular area, I have written an article on what to do and see in New York's Jewish Quarter to help you get around the key parts of the neighborhood.

By now you've probably figured out that street art is more than just a hobby in this area. And the tour of Williamsburg in Brooklyn will give you all the details. Throughout its streets you will find murals, graffiti and authentic works of art that you will want to keep in your retina.

Specifically, this spectacular mural is by the French artist JR. You will find it near Domino Park and you will be amazed by the combination of photographs of more than 1,000 New Yorkers and how he combines them with some of the most emblematic buildings of the city in black and white. You'll want to take a thousand pictures, and the challenge will be to get the whole picture (the size is more than considerable) into your lens!

If you love music, you don't need any further explanation. You have to go to Rough Trade, the musical paradise where you will find thousands of CDs, vinyls, books and posters of the most legendary artists in history, but also of alternative bands and groups that you will love to discover. I warn you that you may lose track of time in there, but I assure you it will be worth it. You'll find it at 64 N 9th Street.

New York is the city that has best redefined its former industrial spaces and this park is a good example of that. What was once a sugar refinery is now a park and promenade stretching along the river. The brick building with the huge chimney that guards the park gives the authentic touch to this area and its lounge chairs area is perfect for a rest if the weather is nice.

If you are a lover of green areas, you should know that in the middle of the concrete jungle of New York you will find spectacular parks with views of the river, the Skyline, mythical buildings... Check here which are the best parks in New York to choose where you will have your next picnic.

I loved Devocion coffee shop with a Colombian soul and one of the best coffees I've had in New York to date. The place is super open, with lots of light and green details. Try to get the table next to the mythical Chester sofas to rest from your walk through the neighborhood!

The most 'foodies' will find in this area a paradise where to have the best coffees, brunches and menus of the city. If you want to organize your gastronomic route, take into account this list of places to eat in Brooklyn.

If there is something that stands out in Williamsburg is the authenticity of its locals. A stroll through its streets will be enough to identify cafes and restaurants where you can have a good coffee or take out your computer to work in a relaxed atmosphere.

In addition, I highly recommend you to book a food tour in Brooklyn and try delicious dishes that will fill you with energy to continue with the route through Williamsburg.

I warned you that you would find authentic places here, right? Well, at Home Coming you will find not only a super quiet place to have a good coffee (beware, the coffee menu is huge and you won't know which one to choose) but also a place to buy flowers or even decorative and design elements.

Instead of taking home the typical keychain, I am sure that here you will find more than one original and authentic souvenir to give or give yourself. Plus, the place is beautiful, so it doesn't cost anything to come in and take a look, right?

Another thing you can do in Williamsburg is to go shopping. I'm sure that along your tour of the neighborhood you'll find more than one little stall on the street, or even see how some clothing or antique stores take part of their windows to the street (literally) to attract the attention of passersby.

But if you want to visit the shopping place par excellence in Williamsburg, visit Artists & Fleas, where you will find fashion and vintage art from emerging and renowned designers, second-hand items, decorative pieces... Definitely a good place to get an authentic souvenir of your trip to New York.

And before you start shopping, organize your budget and locate the best stores and flea markets. Here is a list of the best things to buy in New York, but if you want to find luxury items at bargain prices, it is best to visit Woodbury Commons, one of the best outlets in New York.

Spending an afternoon on your own in Williamsburg, or even a whole day if you have enough time, will give you a very complete view of New York. You can stroll through the more touristy part of the neighborhood to the north, but you can also immerse yourself in its Jewish Quarter further south. The best way to get there is by ferry (here I leave you the practical guide to use the New York ferry) or directly by subway. You can also take the opportunity to get to know Brooklyn in detail. I leave you my :::link|text=Guide on what to see and what to do in Brooklyn|element=sc-1-747 so you can go as prepared as possible.

What to see in Williamsburg

In this area you will find alternative places to enjoy a good brunch or a really authentic coffee. You can also book a table for lunch or dinner at one of its hipster restaurants or stroll through one of its streets completely different from those of Manhattan, where industrial buildings of exposed brick and luxury and design hotels and houses prevail.

Last but not least, you can get to know the Jewish quarter where one of the largest Orthodox Jewish communities in the United States lives. Walking through its streets you can get an idea of how they live or what their customs are, in addition to buying or consuming delicious typical Jewish products.

Is Williamsburg safe?

Before you ask yourself if it is a safe area, let me tell you that it is. As the industrial area that it was, it should be noted that it lived through worse times, especially around the 60's, where crime was much more common in the area.

But when you get there you will see that, in general, it is a neighborhood full of life, with many New Yorkers going from one place to another (perhaps with less haste than in Manhattan) and full of cafes and curious stores that give a unique personality to the area.

Is it worth visiting with children?

Absolutely! Williamsburg has many areas suitable for strolling, green areas and outdoor terraces where you can sit and relax or have a bite to eat with the little ones.

If you travel to New York with children they may not appreciate the architecture of the area or the hipster atmosphere, but the parks, the huge murals of Street Art and the tranquility that is breathed in contrast to the chaos of Manhattan will conquer them.

What if I go at Christmas?

The best thing that New York' s winter leaves us with are the lights and the Christmas atmosphere. Take advantage of your visit to Williamsburg to visit the best of Brooklyn at Christmas: Dyker Heights. Starting in November and of course in December, this Brooklyn neighborhood is decked out in pure American style with millions of colorful lights and Christmas decorations that are worth a visit.