Gowanus is a Brooklyn neighborhood built around a canal. Its old industrial buildings now hold music venues, a shuffleboard club, breweries, bars and pizza places, and the neighborhood keeps changing as new development arrives. This guide covers where Gowanus is, how to get there, and what to do once you arrive.
Key Takeaways:
- Gowanus is bounded by Wyckoff Street, Fourth Avenue, the Gowanus Expressway and Bond Street, between Park Slope, Carroll Gardens and Boerum Hill.
- Play shuffleboard at the Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club, or see a show at The Bell House.
- Drink local beer at Threes Brewing, have a cocktail at Lavender Lake and eat coal-fired pizza at Table 87.
- Visit the Old Stone House, on the border of Park Slope and Gowanus, to learn about the 1776 Battle of Brooklyn.
- The Gowanus Canal is a federal Superfund site under cleanup, and the Carroll Street Bridge over it is a city landmark.
What is the fastest way to get to Gowanus from JFK or Newark airport?
BLADE offers scheduled helicopter flights between JFK or Newark and Manhattan. Flights take about 5 minutes and start from $195 per seat. BLADE's Manhattan lounges are BLADE Lounge West at the West 30th Street Heliport, BLADE Lounge East at the East 34th Street Heliport and BLADE Downtown at the Wall St. Heliport. From Manhattan, you finish the trip to Gowanus by car or subway.
BLADE does not fly to Brooklyn on its scheduled service, and LaGuardia is available by charter only. All BLADE flights in the US are operated by FAA-licensed carriers.
Overview of Gowanus neighborhood
Gowanus is in western Brooklyn, in the area once known as South Brooklyn. It sits between Park Slope to the east and Carroll Gardens to the west, with Boerum Hill to the north. The canal runs through the middle of the neighborhood, and much of its character comes from the warehouses and factories along it.
Neighborhood boundaries
| Northern Boundary | Southern Boundary | Eastern Boundary | Western Boundary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyckoff Street | Gowanus Expressway | Fourth Avenue | Bond Street |
Getting to and around Gowanus
Two subway lines run through Gowanus. The D, N, R and W trains run along Fourth Avenue, and the F and G trains run on the Culver Line, with stations at Smith–Ninth Streets and Fourth Avenue/Ninth Street. The B37, B57, B61 and B103 buses also serve the neighborhood. If you are on a bike, routes cross the canal on the Union Street, 3rd Street and 9th Street bridges.
Recent Brooklyn activity
Coworking spaces opened in Gowanus in the 2010s, followed by more restaurants, bars and art galleries. In November 2021 the area was rezoned to allow more residential buildings. The rezoning includes 8,500 new apartments, 3,000 of them affordable.
Industrial zone and pollution
The Gowanus Canal has a long history of industrial pollution and sewage contamination. In 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency designated it a Superfund site and allocated $506 million for the cleanup. The cleanup was first set to finish in 2022, and the completion date was later pushed back to 2029.
The canal is still worth a look. The Carroll Street Bridge, built in 1889, is a New York City landmark and the oldest of the four remaining retractable bridges in the country.
Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club: A Tropical Paradise for Games and Fun
Shuffleboard games and experience
The Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club is a shuffleboard club in Gowanus. Jonathan Schnapp started it more than a decade ago out of his love for the game. The club also runs its own league, open to beginners and experienced players, two days a week.
Unique entertainment venue
Royal Palms is a 21-and-older club with a full-service bar serving beer, cocktails and mocktails. Food comes from food trucks that rotate weekly. As of 2024, it opened at 6 p.m. on weekdays and at noon on weekends. Check current hours before you go.
Bell House: Live Music and Comedy in Gowanus
The Bell House is a concert venue at 149 7th Street. Its calendar includes live music and comedy shows. Look at the schedule and buy tickets ahead for popular nights.
Lavender Lake Bar: A Unique Bar Experience Named After Gowanus Canal
Lavender Lake is a bar whose name is a nod to an old nickname for the Gowanus Canal. It takes reservations, including for large parties, so it works for a group night out.
Threes Brewing: Craft Beer and a Relaxed Atmosphere
Threes Brewing has a brewpub in Gowanus at 333 Douglass Street. You can drink its beer on tap or take some to go. Its range covers hoppy ales, lagers and other styles, and the brewpub can host events.
Table 87: Coal Oven Pizzas with Exciting Toppings
Table 87 has served coal-fired pizza by the slice in Brooklyn since 2012, and Gowanus is one of its locations. It is an easy stop for a slice before a show at The Bell House.
Old Stone House: Explore Revolutionary War History
The Old Stone House stands in Washington Park, on the border of Park Slope and Gowanus. The building is a reconstruction of the 1699 Vechte-Cortelyou House. It marks the site of the original Dutch farmstead and of the culminating engagement of the 1776 Battle of Brooklyn. It also commemorates the birthplace of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Today it hosts family programs, arts and cultural events and exhibitions.
Nearby: Strong Rope Brewery in Red Hook
Strong Rope Brewery is not in Gowanus, but its taproom is a short trip away in Red Hook. It brews with New York State hops and malt. See our guide to fun things to do near NYC's Red Hook for more.
Plan a day in Gowanus
- Afternoon: the Old Stone House and a walk along the canal to the Carroll Street Bridge.
- Early evening: a slice at Table 87, then a beer at Threes Brewing.
- Night: a show at The Bell House, or shuffleboard at Royal Palms.
- Late: a cocktail at Lavender Lake.
Gowanus borders Park Slope, so it is easy to combine the two. See our guide to fun things to do near NYC's Park Slope.
FAQs about Fun Things To Do Near Nyc'S Gowanus
What are some fun things to do near NYC's Gowanus?
Play shuffleboard at Royal Palms, see a show at The Bell House, drink at Threes Brewing or Lavender Lake, eat at Table 87 and visit the Old Stone House.
Where can I find performance venues near Gowanus?
The Bell House, at 149 7th Street, hosts live music and comedy. The Old Stone House also runs arts and cultural events.
Are there any cool bars or hangouts in Gowanus?
Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club combines a full bar with shuffleboard courts. Lavender Lake and the Threes Brewing brewpub are two other popular places for a drink.
Where can I find places to eat and drink in Gowanus?
Table 87 for coal-fired pizza, Threes Brewing for beer, and the rotating food trucks at Royal Palms.
How can I plan my trip to Gowanus and nearby attractions?
Take the F or G train to Smith–Ninth Streets or Fourth Avenue/Ninth Street, or the D, N, R or W train along Fourth Avenue. Most of the places in this guide are within walking distance of each other, and Park Slope, Carroll Gardens and Red Hook are close by.