Brooklyn is one of the five boroughs of New York City. With over 2.5 million residents, it’s also the most populated of the five boroughs. Brooklyn was actually its own city until the Charter of the Greater New York combined all boroughs in 1898. Brooklyn is a popular choice for tourists, offering interesting sites and destinations that rivals Manhattan. Here’s a short list of things to do in Brooklyn for tourists of New York City.

See the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Skyline at Brooklyn Bridge Park

Although the Brooklyn Bridge was opened to the public as early as 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge Park’s construction did not begin until 2008. Originally, this site was used as a ferry landing and trading post. Business was thriving until the bridge was constructed, practically halting the ferry industry overnight. When the city debated whether or not to sell the ferry piers, the Friends of Fulton Ferry Landing organization began working on their idea of a park. By March, 2010, the first 6 acres of Brooklyn Bridge Park was open.

The Brooklyn Bridge Park is a photographer’s dream spot! Come here to get amazing views of both the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan’s skyline.

Did you know that George Washington stood in this very area and that it was a strategic location in the American Revolution? On August 29, 1776, Washington and his fellow soldiers just narrowly escaped the British Army where Brooklyn Bridge Park is currently located. They managed to escape by fleeing across the East River. The battle would become known as the Battle of Long Island.

Learn about art at the Brooklyn Museum

When the Brooklyn Museum opened, its founders wanted it to collect and share rich artistic works from around the world. They met their goal. The Brooklyn Museum has over 1.5 million art pieces and is New York City’s second largest art collection.

The museum houses Egyptian, African, Oceanic, Japanese, European, and American art spanning several centuries. There’s also the Memorial Sculpture Garden, which has old architectural materials from around the city.

Go for a roller coaster ride at Coney Island

A trip to Coney Island is ideal for anyone who enjoys amusement parks or beaches. Coney Island is made up of multiple amusement parks where you can enjoy classic rides like wooden roller coasters, ferris wheels, bumper cars, or carousels. It’s also located at the beach, so you can dip your toes in the water on hot days.

Coney Island saw its peak before World War II. It was an ideal vacation spot because it was far enough from Manhattan to feel like a vacation, but close enough that it was convenient. After the war, the amusement parks saw a sharp decline in business. Recent actions by New York City have been made to preserve its history. Three of the rides at Coney Island have been declared as New York City Landmarks. These landmarks are the Cyclone Roller Coaster, Wonder Wheel ferris wheel, and the Parachute Jump.

Have lunch at Prospect Park

Prospect Park was designed by the same architects responsible for Central Park of Manhattan, Frederick Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. The park’s construction was finished in 1867. It’s an ideal spot for a BBQ, bike ride, or a picnic.

The Grand Army Plaza is located at Prospect Park. At the entrance of the plaza is the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch, the famous arch dedicated to the soldiers of the Union army. It was unveiled in 1892. The Grand Army Plaza holds farmer’s markets on weekends. There’s also a fireworks show on New Year’s Eve which is much less of a hassle than the Times Square’s Ball Drop event.