Key Takeaway:
- Williamsburg sits on the East River in north Brooklyn, linked to Manhattan's Lower East Side by the Williamsburg Bridge.
- Smorgasburg on Saturdays, Domino Park and Artists & Fleas on weekends make it a strong pick for food, views and shopping.
- Music, bowling, experimental theater and movies fill the evenings.
Williamsburg was an industrial waterfront for most of its history, home to factories such as the Domino Sugar refinery. Many of those buildings now hold parks, markets, venues and shops. You can fill a full day and night without leaving the neighborhood.
Getting to Williamsburg
- Subway. The L train stops at Bedford Avenue, the first stop in the neighborhood on the BMT Canarsie Line. The G train runs on the IND Crosstown Line, and the J, M and Z trains serve the South Side.
- Bridge. The Williamsburg Bridge, opened in 1903, connects the neighborhood with Manhattan's Lower East Side.
A helicopter flight can turn a Williamsburg date into a full NYC escape
If you are planning a Williamsburg day that ends with a flight out of the city, a helicopter transfer can take the stress out of the last leg. You might pair Smorgasburg, Domino Park or a night at Brooklyn Bowl with a weekend trip, and the airport drive is the part most likely to spoil the mood.
BLADE solves that last mile problem by arranging helicopter flights between Manhattan and JFK or Newark, about 5 minutes from $195 per seat. Head from Williamsburg into Manhattan, then fly from BLADE Lounge West at the West 30th Street Heliport, BLADE Lounge East at the East 34th Street Heliport or BLADE Downtown at the Wall St. Heliport.
Best time to visit Williamsburg for food markets, street art, and nightlife
Come on a Saturday if you can. Smorgasburg runs in Williamsburg on Saturdays, and Artists & Fleas is open on Saturday and Sunday. Spend the afternoon on the waterfront, then stay for a show or a movie in the evening.
Explore the culinary delights of Smorgasburg
Smorgasburg is a weekly outdoor food market. On Saturdays it sets up at Marsha P. Johnson State Park, 90 Kent Avenue, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. No pets are allowed. Check Smorgasburg's site for the current season and vendor list, since the market also runs at other locations on other days.
Have a picnic with a view
Domino Park is a public park along the East River near the Williamsburg Bridge, built on the site of the Domino Sugar Refinery. Salvaged factory equipment, including four syrup collection tanks, lines the riverside walk, and an elevated walkway recalls the old refinery. The park has a children's playground, a dog run, a volleyball court, a bocce court and a playing field. It is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Where to get the best skyline views near Williamsburg
The Domino Park waterfront promenade looks across the East River to Manhattan and the Williamsburg Bridge. For a view from above, The William Vale hotel has a rooftop bar with Manhattan views.
Bike along the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway
The Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway runs along the Brooklyn shoreline, and Williamsburg is a good place to join it. Ride the waterfront stretch near Domino Park, and check the route map before you go so you know where the path continues.
Discover NYC history at the City Reliquary
The City Reliquary, at 370 Metropolitan Avenue, is a not-for-profit community museum founded in 2002. It keeps a permanent display of New York City artifacts and ephemera and hosts rotating exhibits of community collections, plus annual cultural events. The nearest subway is Lorimer Street.
Experience experimental theater at The Brick
The Brick, at 579 Metropolitan Avenue, calls itself Brooklyn's incubator of innovative theater and performing arts. Take the L to Lorimer Street or the G to Metropolitan Avenue, and check the monthly calendar for shows.
Play, eat, dance, and drink at Brooklyn Bowl
Brooklyn Bowl is a music venue, bowling alley and restaurant at 61 Wythe Avenue, in the former Hecla Iron Works Building. It opened in 2009 and holds about 600 people standing. Book lanes and check the concert calendar ahead of time.
Enjoy a movie at Nitehawk Cinema
Nitehawk Cinema's Williamsburg location is at 136 Metropolitan Avenue. It shows first-run movies and film series, with its own dining menu and bar.
Live music at Music Hall of Williamsburg
Music Hall of Williamsburg, at 66 North 6th Street, is a standing-room music venue with a capacity of about 650. It opened under that name in 2007 and is run by The Bowery Presents. The Bedford Avenue L station is nearby.
Learn butcher skills at The Meat Hook
The Meat Hook is a whole animal butcher shop at 397 Graham Avenue, open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It also runs classes and events, so check its schedule if you want to learn butchery hands-on.
Shop for artisan wares at Artists & Fleas
Artists & Fleas Williamsburg is at 70 North 7th Street. It is open Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with more than 50 individual sellers every weekend offering fashion, vintage, art and design.
Get creative at The Painting Lounge
The Painting Lounge runs BYOB paint and sip sessions, paint nights and painting classes in Brooklyn and Queens. Check its calendar and locations page for current Williamsburg sessions.
Test your spice threshold at HEATONIST
HEATONIST is a Brooklyn hot sauce shop that sells everything from mild sauces to super-hot sauces made with Pepper X and Carolina Reaper. It also stocks the Hot Ones lineups, so you can take the challenge home.
Indulge in sweets at Martha's Country Bakery
Martha's Country Bakery has been baking for decades and has shops on Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg. Stop for cake or pastries after a walk along the waterfront.
Tour the Brooklyn Brewery
Brooklyn Brewery's Williamsburg brewery is open for bar service and tours, with guided tastings and events in its Tasting Room. Check its website for current tour times.
Conclusion
Plan a Williamsburg day around one anchor. Pick Smorgasburg on a Saturday, a show at Brooklyn Bowl or Music Hall of Williamsburg, or a long walk along the waterfront at Domino Park. For more Brooklyn ideas, see our guides to Bedford-Stuyvesant and Cobble Hill, or cross the river to Long Island City.
FAQs about Fun Things To Do Near Nyc'S Williamsburg
What are some top things to do in Williamsburg, Brooklyn?
Eat at Smorgasburg on Saturday, picnic at Domino Park, shop at Artists & Fleas, bowl at Brooklyn Bowl, see a show at Music Hall of Williamsburg or The Brick, and catch a movie at Nitehawk Cinema.
Are there any rooftop bars or bars & clubs in Williamsburg?
Yes. The William Vale hotel has a rooftop bar with Manhattan views, and Brooklyn Bowl and Brooklyn Brewery both serve drinks.
Are there any movie theaters in Williamsburg?
Nitehawk Cinema, at 136 Metropolitan Avenue, shows first-run movies and has its own dining menu and bar.
How do I get to Williamsburg from Manhattan?
Take the L train to Bedford Avenue or the J, M or Z trains to the South Side, or cross the Williamsburg Bridge from the Lower East Side.