Red Hook is a waterfront neighborhood in western Brooklyn, set on a peninsula that projects into Upper New York Bay. Its old warehouses and piers now hold an arts center, a museum on a barge, a winery, a brewery taproom and seafood spots with harbor views. The subway does not reach it directly, so plan your route before you go. This guide covers how to get there, what to see and where to eat and drink.
Key Takeaways:
- Red Hook is easiest to reach by ferry. NYC Ferry's South Brooklyn route stops at Red Hook/Atlantic Basin.
- Walk out on Louis Valentino Jr. Park & Pier for harbor views.
- Visit Pioneer Works for art, music and science programs, most of them free.
- See the Waterfront Museum, housed on a historic railroad barge.
- Eat at Red Hook Lobster Pound, Brooklyn Crab or Defonte's, and drink at The Red Hook Winery or Strong Rope Brewery.
What is the fastest way to get to Red Hook 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 Red Hook by car or by ferry. NYC Ferry's South Brooklyn route runs from Wall St./Pier 11 to Red Hook/Atlantic Basin.
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.
Historical Background
Dutch colonists of New Amsterdam settled the area in 1636 and named it Roode Hoek, after its red clay soil and the point of land that projects into the bay. In Dutch, "hoek" means point or corner, not a curved hook.
In the 1840s, entrepreneurs began building ports here as the offloading end of the Erie Canal. The Atlantic Basin was dredged in 1850 and the Erie Basin in 1864. Red Hook became an industrial hub, and at its peak it saw up to 26,000 ships a year. Shipping later declined, and in 2012 Hurricane Sandy damaged the neighborhood heavily. Today many of its old industrial buildings house restaurants, studios and cultural spaces.
Getting to and around Red Hook
Subway service in Red Hook is sparse. The closest stations are Carroll Street and Smith–Ninth Streets on the F and G lines. From there, you can walk or take a bus. The B61 runs through Red Hook to Van Brunt Street and on to Downtown Brooklyn, and the B57 connects Red Hook with Downtown Brooklyn.
By water, NYC Ferry's South Brooklyn route has served Red Hook since 2017, with a stop at Red Hook/Atlantic Basin. NY Waterway also runs a free weekend ferry between the IKEA store in Red Hook, Wall St./Pier 11 and Midtown/Pier 79.
Exploring the Waterfront: Louis Valentino Jr. Park & Pier
Louis Valentino Jr. Park & Pier is a small waterfront park with a pier that reaches into the harbor. It is a popular place to walk, sit by the water and look out across the bay. Red Hook faces the harbor, and its waterfront looks out toward the Statue of Liberty. Come near sunset for the best light.
Maritime History
The waterfront is where Red Hook's history is easiest to see. The piers, basins and warehouses along the shore date from the decades when the neighborhood was one of New York's busiest ports. The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal at Pier 12 still brings large ships to Red Hook, including the transatlantic liner Queen Mary 2.
Indulging in Red Hook's Food Scene
Red Hook Lobster Pound
Red Hook Lobster Pound brings lobster rolls and seafood from Maine to New York City. It is a casual spot for a lobster roll before or after a walk along the water.
Brooklyn Crab
Brooklyn Crab is a seafood restaurant at 24 Reed Street. Its seasonal menu includes a raw bar with oysters and shrimp cocktail, along with lobster rolls and other seafood. Menus and prices change with the season, so check the current menu before you go.
Defonte's
Defonte's is a sandwich shop in Red Hook that has been in business since 1922. It is known for large Italian heroes made with meats such as ham, salami and roast beef, along with provolone and mozzarella. It is at 379 Columbia Street.
Raaka Chocolate
Raaka makes organic, vegan chocolate, and its factory shop is at 58 Seabring Street. The shop also hosts classes and events, so check the schedule if you want to do more than buy a bar.
Enjoying a Drink in Red Hook
Red Hook Winery
The Red Hook Winery is an urban winery founded in 2008 by Mark Snyder. It works with grape growers across New York State, from the North Fork of Long Island to the Finger Lakes, and makes its wines in Red Hook.
Strong Rope Brewery
Strong Rope Brewery was founded in 2015 to showcase New York State ingredients. Its ales and lagers are brewed with New York hops and malt. The taproom and brewhouse are in Red Hook, with views of New York Harbor, and the space is family-friendly.
Exploring Red Hook's Unique Experiences
Waterfront Museum
The Waterfront Museum is housed on Lehigh Valley No. 79, a railroad barge that once shuttled cargo across New York Harbor. Railroads used fleets of these barges, called lighters, to connect ships with trains. Today the barge is a museum and a showboat, with school trips, group tours and public programs.
Pioneer Works
Pioneer Works is an artist- and scientist-led nonprofit cultural center in Red Hook. It presents programs across the visual and performing arts, technology and science, including exhibitions, residencies and performances. The majority of its public programs are free. Check the calendar before you visit.
Plan a day in Red Hook
- Morning: take NYC Ferry from Wall St./Pier 11 to Red Hook/Atlantic Basin.
- Late morning: Pioneer Works and the Waterfront Museum.
- Lunch: a hero from Defonte's or a lobster roll at Red Hook Lobster Pound.
- Afternoon: Raaka Chocolate, then a walk out on Louis Valentino Jr. Park & Pier.
- Evening: a drink at Strong Rope Brewery or The Red Hook Winery, then dinner at Brooklyn Crab.
Gowanus and Cobble Hill are a short trip away. See our guides to fun things to do near NYC's Gowanus and Cobble Hill.
FAQs about Fun Things To Do Near Nyc'S Red Hook
What are some unique and fun things to do near Red Hook, Brooklyn?
Visit Pioneer Works and the Waterfront Museum, walk out on Louis Valentino Jr. Park & Pier, take a chocolate class at Raaka, have a hero at Defonte's and end the day at a winery or brewery taproom.
How do I get to Red Hook from Manhattan?
Take NYC Ferry's South Brooklyn route to Red Hook/Atlantic Basin, or NY Waterway's free weekend ferry to the IKEA store from Wall St./Pier 11 or Midtown/Pier 79. By subway, take the F or G train to Carroll Street or Smith–Ninth Streets, then walk or take the B61 bus.
What is the history of Red Hook, Brooklyn?
Dutch colonists settled the area in 1636 and named it Roode Hoek, after its red clay soil and its point of land. From the 1840s it grew into a major port tied to the Erie Canal. After shipping declined, the neighborhood's industrial buildings found new uses as restaurants, studios and cultural spaces.
Is Red Hook, Brooklyn easily accessible by public transportation?
Subway service is sparse, since the closest stations are on the F and G lines outside the neighborhood. Buses, including the B61 and B57, and ferries fill the gap.