New contender: Mural of Andy Warhol and Basquiat in boxing gloves in Williamsburg. Photo / Getty Images
New contender: Mural of Andy Warhol and Basquiat in boxing gloves in Williamsburg. Photo / Getty Images
Place to be-seen has been and gone
The neckbeards have overrun Williamsburg, though there's still plenty of soul
Once an inexpensive and little-appreciated Brooklyn neighbourhood that attracted budget-strapped 20-somethings, including legions of fledgling artists and designers, Williamsburg has become a trendsetting New York City destination.
Time to look for new turf: Williamsburg brooklyn summer festival in bedford avenue. Photo / Getty Images
The ever-growing list of see-and-be-seen bars and restaurants in the former manufacturing hub include some of the best the city has to offer, drawing self-proclaimed foodies from around the world. There are art galleries showing works by up-and coming and established contemporary artists, hipster cafes selling sustainably sourced coffee (roasted in-house, of course) and boutiques hawking handcrafted objects, clothes made of fair-trade materials or other ethically minded goods.
Writing's on the wall: Williamsburg's hipster credentials have forced many to leave. Photo / Getty Images
While the enclave's 19th century brownstones are still around, a collection of hip hotels and sleek new apartment buildings has changed its character. The thoroughfares are packed with people; the restaurants, cafes and bars can be crowded, noisy and expensive; and those once-affordable rents have skyrocketed, forcing many residents to move on and out.
Location: Northern Brooklyn. There is debate about the streets that distinguish Williamsburg from nearby neighbourhoods, but it is bordered by the East River to the West and the neighbourhoods of Bedford-Stuyvesant to the south, Greenpoint to the north and Bushwick to the east.
Turning over new Leaves of Grass
Clinton Hill still has room to roam and intriguing destinations
While Williamsburg may be a hub for tourism, Clinton Hill, just a few miles away, still has a distinct sense of community. Families, newly married couples and longtime older residents all make up the social fabric and share conviviality and conversation on sidewalks and street corners. Brooklyn house hunters are increasingly drawn to the neighbourhood, and for tourists, it provides appealing restaurants, cafes, bars and stores.
Moving on: New York City Marathon, makes its way through the brownstone Clinton Hill neighborhood in Brooklyn. Photo / Getty Images
Walt Whitman, who lived in Clinton Hill when his renowned "Leaves of Grass" was published in 1855, described it as a place for those "determined to escape the closeness of city life." This quiet appeal remains: The wide, uncrowded streets are lined with trees and historic brownstones and mansions, including four that belonged to American oil magnate Charles Pratt, who founded a top art, architecture and design school - Brooklyn's Pratt Institute. Check the school's schedule for exhibitions when you're headed to the neighbourhood, and don't miss its sculpture garden.
A leisurely stroll is the ideal way to appreciate the neighbourhood and explore its establishments. According to Chris Leon, a Clinton Hill resident and owner of the wine store Leon & Son, these businesses are "made for locals but also a must for tourists." His shop on Fulton Avenue specialises in wallet-friendly domestic wines and offers tastings on Thursday and Friday evenings.
Clinton Hill's a treat: Booklyn families are increasingly drawn to the neighborhood, as a tourists on a budget. Photo / Getty Images
Also on Fulton, the Good Batch Bakery, a cheery whitewashed spot, tempts with its whoopee pies, vegan banana buns, ice cream sandwiches and other treats. Hops Hill has a long menu of craft beers. Relationships sells handmade decorative objects and furniture, and has a coffee bar as well.
Over on Green Street, there's the Finch, a Michelin-starred seasonal American restaurant in a renovated townhouse. And on Myrtle Avenue, you can find eco-friendly housewares and gifts at Green in BKLYN.
Finally, don't miss 99 Ryerson St., the house that Whitman once called home.
Location: Central Brooklyn. Bordered by the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway to the north, Atlantic Avenue to the south, Classon Avenue to the east, and Vanderbilt Avenue to the west.
