If you’re looking for the best things to do in Williamsburg Brooklyn you came to the right place.
Williamsburg in Brooklyn is one of the coolest and most popular neighborhoods in the city to explore and has a lot to offer. It’s well known for its great nightlife, fantastic food scene, and for having the best vintage stores in the NYC.
Hope you enjoy our list of the best things to do in Williamsburg!
Activities
Hang out in McCarren Park
I’ve always had a soft spot for Williamsburg since I lived there for five years. One of my favorite things to do with my friends was hanging out in McCarren Park. You can either come here to people-watch or sit down with a coffee and a bagel. It’s the perfect hang-out spot when the weather is nice.
Walk over the Williamsburg Bridge
One of the best and most iconic things to do in Williamsburg, Brooklyn is to walk or bike over the Williamsburg Bridge. This is a great way to start the day if you’re coming from Manhattan.
Explore Bedford Avenue
One of the best parts of Williamsburg is Bedford Avenue. You’ll find lots of cool murals and street art, shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and much more. Bedford Avenue is always busy with people and perfect for a weekend stroll.
Bowling at The Gutter
If I could only recommend one spot in Williamsburg it would be The Gutter. I always have such a great time here! This is one of the most fun bars in Williamsburg with vintage bowling lanes, board games, and pool tables.
Watch a movie at Nitehawk Cinema
Nitehawk Cinema is a dine-in movie theater showing indies, blockbusters, and some classic movies. This place is a great option for a rainy day.
Shopping
Brooklyn Flea
One of the best things to do in Williamsburg is to shop at Brooklyn Flea located on N 6th Street. Here you can explore vendors selling vintage clothing, jewelry, furniture, sunglasses, and much more! Since Brooklyn Flea is indoors, this is also a great option for bad weather.
Second-hand shopping at Beacon’s Closet
Second-hand shopping is one of the absolute best things to do in Williamsburg and there are many stores to choose from. Beacon’s Closet is one of the most popular second-hand stores in Williamsburg, and the best according to my experience. Here you can shop both vintage and affordable pieces – for both men and women.
Visit Quimby’s Bookstore
This is the perfect store if you’re looking for a gift for someone, or if you’re just in the mood to browse. Quimby’s Bookstore sells things like books, notebooks, candles, and postcards.
Thrift shopping at Buffalo Exchange
If you’re looking to thrift some more affordable items, Buffalo Exchange is the spot for you. I love this store and never leave empty-handed. They have a wide variety of affordable second-hand clothing, shoes, and accessories from trendy brands like Ganni and Jaded London but also some fast fashion brands like Zara and H&M. Don’t forget to check out their design items behind the register.
Restaurants
Smorgasburg
This is a must-visit spot if you consider yourself to be a foodie. Smorgasburg is a weekly outdoor food market showcasing a curated selection of food vendors. You can get everything from ramen burgers to New York-style pizza and Koran BBQ. There is definitely something for everyone here. It’s located right next to the water in Williamsburg in Marsha P.Johnson State Park.
Bagelsmith
Bagelsmith is famous for its massive and sturdy. This was my personal go-to place when I used to live on Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg a few years ago, and I could not recommend this more! They don’t have many seats there so I would recommend taking your bagel to-go (maybe to McCarren Park).
Lilia
If you’re looking for a good dinner spot in Williamsburg I would highly recommend Lilia. This is a very popular go-to spot for many locals where you can enjoy some delicious Italian dishes like ravioli and gnocchi.
Juliette
Juliette is one of my favorite restaurants in Williamsburg with a killer French-inspired menu. This place is perfect for a weekend brunch. Try to get a table in their beautiful garden room full of hanging plants.
L’Industrie Pizzeria
You can’t go wrong with a classic NY slice. L’Industrie Pizzeria has some of the best pizzas in New York City and is a must-visit while you’re in Williamsburg.
Surfbar
This place is not featured enough on the internet. Surfbar has been one of my favorite restaurants for years and has amazing seafood (shrimp tacos are my favorite). It has the coolest and most unusual interior I’ve seen in New York City and has a surf and beach theme. The floor is filled with sand and the walls are covered with surfboards and other beach decor. They even have a cozy backyard where you can sit during the warmer months.
The Butcher’s Daughter
The Butcher’s Daughter is the perfect spot if you’re in the mood for brunch. Here you can enjoy some healthy but also delicious vegetarian dishes like avocado toast, salads, smoothies, and more.
Bars
Enjoy a drink with a view at Berry Park’s rooftop
Berry Park is one of my personal favorite bars in Williamsburg. This bar has a very relaxed vibe where you can listen to music, watch sports games, play foosball and darts, and enjoy a magical view of the Manhattan skyline. I would only recommend coming here during the warmer months when the weather is good since the best part is sitting outside.
Bowling and live music at Brooklyn Bowl
Brooklyn Bowl is one of the best and most fun bars in Williamsburg. Here you can go bowling and listen to live music while enjoying some unexpected amazing food and an impressive selection of craft beers. Check out their website for a list of current events.
Enjoy the view from the 22nd floor at Westlight
If you want a view, head straight to Westlight. This bar is located on top of the Williams Vale Hotel and will give you the best view in Williamsburg. Enjoy the beautiful view of the Manhattan skyline with one of their great cocktails. This is the perfect place to bring visitors from out of town (trust me they’ll be impressed).
Play arcade games at Barcade
One of my favorite things to do in Williamsburg is to play games while having a drink. Barcade is the perfect place for this! Here you can play some old arcade games like Pacman, pinball, and Donkey Kong while having a drink or one of their many craft beers on tap.
Beer tasting at Brooklyn Brewery
Brooklyn Brewery has been a local favorite in Williamsburg since 1988. This is a great bar if you have a love for beer. You can either book a tour of the brewery or sample beer in the tasting room.
Visit a dive bar and eat free pizza
A dive bar is perfect for you if you’re looking for cheap drinks and free pizza. Yes, you heard me right: free pizza. Two bars I would recommend would be The Charleston and Alligator Lounge. Just ask the bartender about the pizza when you order your drink.
How to get to Williamsburg, Brooklyn?
If you’re coming from Manhattan I would recommend taking a walk over the Williamsburg Bridge and enjoying the beautiful view.
Another option would be the take the L train to Bedford Avenue, the J, M, Z train to Marcy Avenue, or the G train to Metropolitan. Here you can read more about how to get around in New York.