brooklyn ny tour

Best Brooklyn Tours To Check Out (Food, Walking, Historic, & Ghost Tours)

Looking for the best Brooklyn tours to check out? We’ve curated the collection of best tours in Brooklyn to try from Brooklyn walking tours, Brooklyn food tours, boozy tours, hip hop tours, ghost tours, and more!

Introduce yourself to all the incredible things Brooklyn has to offer from the history, culture, architecture, food, and drink scene plus more on an immersive tour with a knowledgeable local guide.

We recommend starting off your Brooklyn trip with a tour. That way once you learn about each of these neighborhoods and areas you’ll have information, inspiration, and even restaurants to try afterward when you go to explore on your own!

Check out our picks for the best tours of Brooklyn you don’t want to miss!

Looking for where to stay in Brooklyn during your visit? See our entire guide by neighborhood and budget to help you pick the best area to stay in. Also, be sure to check out the most popular and best NYC tours for your visit too!

Disclaimer: This post contains some affiliate links.

A Slice of Brooklyn Bus Tour

One of the best Brooklyn tours to get to know the city through your taste buds is A Slice of Brooklyn Bus Tour ! This Brooklyn food tour also happens to be a Brooklyn bus tour as well.

Hop on a bus and get taken around to many of the best neighborhoods in the borough for a slice of the infamous New York slice.

Along the way you’ll pass famous filming locations, iconic landmarks, and have a local guide who is extremely knowledgeable on the history and food you’ll be taking in on this immersive tour.

Don’t make the mistake of eating too much or at all before this tour in Brooklyn. Come hungry and leave full while learning about Brooklyn’s culture, history, and of course pizza!

This Brooklyn food tour and Brooklyn bus tour starts in Union Square in Manhattan where you’ll get on a luxury bus before crossing the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.

From DUMBO where you’ll try one of the best pizzas in the country at Grimaldi’s without having to wait in line! Then you’ll journey to pizzerias in Bay Ridge, Coney Island, and more!

Besides being a delicious and informative tour you will get to see a lot of the best things to do in Brooklyn all in one day.

All food, soft drinks, and transportation is included in the tour price!

Book your  Slice of Brooklyn Bus Tour

Speaking of pizza, looking for more? Check out our guide to the best pizza in Brooklyn as well as the best pizza in New York !

Best of Brooklyn Walking Tour

A great option for a Brooklyn tour covering the best things to do in Williamsburg and beyond is this best of Brooklyn walking tour.

This Brooklyn walking tour is 3 hours long, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes! You’ll learn the best of this popular neighborhood with a knowledgeable local guide.

See all the hottest spots in this trendy neighborhood while learning about history and it’s influence on modern-day Brooklyn as well as the contemporary culture.

While you’re on this walking tour in Brooklyn you’ll pass some of the best of the city’s street art, murals, and learn about all the historic buildings as you pass. Be sure to see our guide to the best things to do in Williamsburg for more inspiration!

You might not want to leave Williamsburg after!

Book your Best of Brooklyn Walking Tour through Williamsburg

Best of Brooklyn Food, History, and Culture Brooklyn Tour Bus

Hop aboard this Brooklyn bus tour for a half-day journey through the best of the borough’s history, culture, and even food!

This Brooklyn tour is on a luxury bus for 5-hours with tastings in some of the coolest neighborhoods in Brooklyn .

This is easily one of the best ways to see the highlights of Brooklyn and be introduced to the borough with a local expert and guide on this tour of Brooklyn.

You’ll make stops at traditional eateries featuring cuisines from all over the world, see why this city is a melting pot of cultures through your taste buds.

You’ll also visit the trendiest neighborhoods and learn about the history and iconic landmarks in Brooklyn along the way.

Your tour ticket includes all your tastings, transportation, a bottle of water, and a guide! They can accommodate to dietary requirements when you make your booking too.

Book your “Best of Brooklyn” Half-Day Food and Culture Tour 

NYC Photo Journey Tour

Looking to explore the best of NYC – and get photos of the experience to keep? Then an NYC Photo Journey is for you!

Part tour, part photoshoot, this private experience includes a tour with a licensed New York City sightseeing who is also a professional photographer. 

You’ll be able to choose from a variety of itineraries or have something completely custom created. 

Their most popular itinerary includes Times Square, Central Park, Upper East Side, Brooklyn Bridge, and DUMBO for a gorgeous mix of iconic NYC attractions, nature, architecture, and skyline. 

You’ll leave the experience with helpful local tips, interesting stories, and gorgeous images you’ll actually want to print and share.

And, that’s not all. If your main focus is the photos and you don’t necessarily care about the tour aspect, you can also book a Professional NYC Photoshoot – which comes with more photos, looks, and poses. Plus, you’ll get a pre-shoot planning call to go over your vision and goals for the shoot. 

Bonus: Snag $10 off any photo tour or shoot with code YOURBROOKLYNGUIDE10.

Underground Brooklyn Brew Tour

One of the most highly regarded tours of Brooklyn, Underground Brooklyn Brew Tour lasts over 3 hours and offers 12 different beers for you to indulge in.

One of the most highly scenic of the Brooklyn tours, you’ll get to enjoy a lot of sightseeing through many of the borough’s trendiest neighborhoods, beginning with Brooklyn heights!

As an added bonus, this tour also provides you with free snacks as well as round trip transportation via Metro card.

And thanks to their tour guide, you’ll be treated to some great brewing history as well as VIP access of what goes on behind the scenes of these breweries.

You won’t want to miss any of this 3 and a half tour where you’ll get to see the process behind 3 of Brooklyn’s finest breweries.

Book your Underground Brooklyn Brew Tour 

Flavors of Williamsburg Food Tour

Another awesome Brooklyn food tour that covers the trendy neighborhood of Williamsburg. This flavors of Williamsburg Food Tour is an action-packed 3-hour food journey through one of the most popular neighborhoods in Brooklyn and New York City.

Be sure to come hungry and on an empty stomach!

On this tour of Brooklyn, you’ll learn about the rich culinary history, visit iconic restaurants and eateries, and sample amazing treats along this small and intimate group Brooklyn tour with an expert local guide!

You’ll also get to see some of the best views of the city while you learn history.

If you have dietary restrictions please contact the Brooklyn food tour company as your booking they can accommodate to your needs ahead of time.

Book your Flavors of Williamsburg Tour 

Read Next: Best Williamsburg Coffee Shops

Historic Brooklyn with Madame Morbid’s Trolley Tour 

Want to learn about the dark past or spooky stories of the borough on this unique tour of Brooklyn? If you love haunted history, the supernatural, paranormal, etc. then this Brooklyn tour is for you!

You’ll travel through 400 years of history in this 90-minute vintage trolley tour that takes you through the history of the Revolutionary War battles that took place here, mob murders, alien abductions, crime, and more spooky things!

Not to be confused with a Brooklyn bus tour, you’ll actually be riding on an antique trolley! Talk about riding in style!

Your guide will teach you all about Brooklyn’s dark history and other surprising stories like the site of a plane crash in the middle of Brooklyn, brothels, and more historical moments that took place here on this really cool and unique tour in Brooklyn.

Book your Madame Morbid’s Historic Brooklyn Trolley Tour 

Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO 2 Hour Walking Tour

Enjoy a  2-hour walking tour of DUMBO and the Brooklyn Bridge  uncovering the history of the borough’s diversity and history including some of the most incredible views of the city!

Along the way, you’ll learn about the history of the East River and the behind the scenes story and history of building the famous Brooklyn Bridge that’s truly fascinating and actually full of drama as well as how it affected the relationship between Manhattan and Brooklyn.

You’ll also learn about other important monuments and get an in-depth tour of DUMBO and it’s scenic views and history.

Book your  2-hour walking tour of DUMBO here.

Hello Brooklyn Walking Tour

Easily one of the coolest Brooklyn tours in the borough, this 2-hour walking tour gives you a quick look at one of the city’s most iconic areas between Atlantic Ave and Downtown Brooklyn.

In this tour, you’ll get to see Atlantic Barclays Center the famous concert venue and official home of the Nets.

You’ll also get to see Fulton Street Mall, the highly popular shopping center that draws in large amounts of New Yorkers on daily basis.

This tour will also offer you a chance to visit some must-see Biggie murals, which are in memory of the late great Notorious B.I.G, one of the most legendary hip hop artists from Brooklyn .

One of the quickest and easiest tours of Brooklyn, Hello Brooklyn Walking tour gives you a close look at America’s urban art and culture!

Book your Hello Brooklyn Walking Tour

Green-Wood Cemetery Tours

At Green-Wood Cemetery , you’ll get the opportunity to go solo with their trolley tour or make your day a group outing with one of the richest group tours of Brooklyn, the Green-Wood group tour.

The trolley tour gives you the opportunity to discover and experience acres and acres of rich art and history, while the group tour presents some awe-inspiring views of Manhattan and other landmarks.

In the trolley tour, you’ll get to visit the site where the Battle of Brooklyn took place and learn the story behind the historic political family known as the Roosevelt family.

It’s also worth noting that the trolley tour is one of the more active Brooklyn tours and may entail a bit of walking and climbing on your part, so bringing your most comfortable walking shoes is highly advised.

Book your Green-Wood Cemetery Tours on their site.

Brooklyn Street Art Tour

This Brooklyn Street Art Tour , one of the most exciting Brooklyn walking tours, you’ll get to explore some of the best Brooklyn street art and graffiti the city has to offer!

One of the most beautiful tours of Brooklyn, Street Art Tour lasts about 2 hours and in that time you’ll get to learn about some of the artists themselves, what it’s like to be a street artist, and how they do what they do. Along the way, you’ll learn about some of the best Williamsburg street art .

If you’ve ever wanted an in-depth look at some of Brooklyn’s best street artists and the murals they create, this one of the most exciting ways to do so!

Book your Brooklyn Street Art Tour 

Brooklyn Graffiti Experience

Ever been interested in dabbling in a bit of graffiti art yourself? This Brooklyn graffiti workshop will allow you to do just that—and make one big adventure out it!

In this class, you’ll get to experience a graffiti workshop that teaches you the skills necessary to create your very own piece of graffiti art that you can take home with you.

Taking place right in the middle of Bushwick , you’ll be in one of the best areas to experience the graffiti art culture while also getting a chance to learn more about it along with the murals and talent behind the Bushwick Collective .

This workshop does not discriminate, all ages and experience levels are welcome to this unique opportunity. Just bring some child-like creativity and a willingness to learn and you’ll be all set!

Book your Brooklyn Graffiti Experience 

Manhattan to Brooklyn Bike Tour

This 12-mile bike tour lasts about 2 hours and is one of the best Brooklyn tours if you want a good exploration of Brooklyn and Manhattan unlike any you’ve experienced before!

On this tour, you’ll get a chance to ride on the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, the iconic connection between Manhattan and Brooklyn, among many other landmarks.

While biking through Downtown Manhattan, you’ll also get to see other monuments such as The Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, and the Manhattan Bridge. And by biking to Brooklyn Heights from the Williamsburg Bridge, you’ll get a glance at many of Brooklyn’s historical areas as well.

This one of the more athletic tours of Brooklyn. You’ll be covering 12 miles of New York land so have some water ready!

Book your Manhattan to Brooklyn Bike Tour 

Holiday Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour from Manhattan 

This 4-hour adventure is one of the most extravagant of Brooklyn tours and serves as a great way to enjoy the most festive time of the year! 

On this seasonal tour, you’ll get to experience a New York City Christmas on a whole other level by witnessing the magnificent Dyker Heights Christmas lights . 

Starting from Manhattan, you’ll be traveling by bus for most of the trip. With a trusted tour guide leading you every step of the way, you’ll travel between Manhattan to Brooklyn and will be treated to some nice sightseeing. 

Once at Dyker Heights, you’ll step off the bus and your guide will lead you through two of the most well-lit streets in the entire neighborhood. 

One of the most festive tours of Brooklyn, the Holiday Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour from Manhattan is an experience you won’t forget.

Book your Holiday Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour from Manhattan 

And if private limos are your jam, maybe try the Private Brooklyn Christmas Tour by limousine where instead of riding a bus, you can see the lights from the comfort of a private vehicle!

Lasting 3 hours, you’ll get to experience some of the city’s best Christmas lights while traveling in one of the most stylish tours of Brooklyn. 

Once picked up by your driver, you’ll travel from Manhattan to Dyker Heights. From there you can get out, walk around and take as many pictures as you see fit!

Book your Private Brooklyn Christmas Tour by Limousine 

Prospect Park Guided Walking Tour

Being one of the most interactive tours of Brooklyn, on this guided 2-hour Prospect Park tour you’ll get to learn some interesting history and facts behind this the most famous of Brooklyn parks !

Starting from Brooklyn Public Library, you’ll be guided through Prospect Park , passing by many of the park’s most memorable landmarks like the Ravine and the Long Meadow. 

You’ll also get to learn more about the park’s original designers Fredrick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux by listening to some commentary on the two and what they had in mind with their brilliant design. 

This tour sets itself apart from other Brooklyn walking tours because it covers a different theme each week, exploring a specific route and topics—an added bonus for those open to repeat visits!

Book your Prospect Park Guided Walking Tour 

Coney Island Walking Tour

On this Coney Island Walking Tour , one of the immersive Brooklyn tours, you’ll be able to explore the iconic Brooklyn amusement park like never before!

In this walking tour, you’ll pass many of the most famous Coney Island attractions such as the iconic Boardwalk, the Cyclone, and the world-famous Wonder Wheel. 

You’ll also learn a lot about Coney Island’s unique history (quirks and all) and its interesting landscape by the tour’s end. 

It’s worth mentioning that these tours are meant for private groups, but they are capable of accommodating larger groups as well.

Whether you’re an avid beach lover or just someone looking for a fun activity to spend with family, this walking tour is a pretty safe bet and a great way to learn about some of the most fascinating hidden gems of Coney Island .

Book your Coney Island Walking Tour

Coney Island and Brighton Beach Food Tour

One of the best Brooklyn food tours, this Coney Island Brighton Beach Food Tour lets you explore food and history in two of the most iconic areas in Brooklyn—Coney Island and Brighton Beach!

You’ll start your journey at Coney Island’s Boardwalk and from there; you’ll make your way to Brighton Beach. 

You’ll be making several pit stops along the way to enjoy some great food and treats such as dumplings, hot dogs, and fried clams. 

This tour accommodates up to 8 people at a time, but whether it’s a group or family outing, this Brooklyn tour is a perfect way to spend a summer day!

Book your Coney Island Brighton Beach Food Tour

Lonely Planet Brooklyn Food Tour

This Brooklyn Small-Group Food Tour is one of the best Brooklyn food tours if you want to explore the New York food scene and be introduced to cuisine you may not have tried otherwise!

This is one of those Brooklyn tours that offers a great array of experiences, this 3-hour adventure allows you to sample as many different breads, pastries, and cheeses as you can handle from different cultures ranging anywhere from New American to Middle-Eastern. 

This tour also shows local establishments some love, by taking you to family-run businesses and mom-and-pop stores. 

Lonely Planet Brooklyn Food Tour gives you the option to either join a private group or a shared group.

Book your Brooklyn Small-Group Food Tour

The Brooklyn Food, History, and Culture Tour is yet another great choice when it comes to tours of Brooklyn, especially if you’re trying to explore some of the best food in the borough!

It’s at this 3 hour Brooklyn tour, you’ll get to venture through neighborhoods like Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, and Brooklyn Heights to try all the food and drinks they are best known for. 

Not only will you get to try various Italian, New American, and Middle Eastern cuisines, but you’ll also get to listen to some awesome commentary on the history behind the cuisine of these neighborhoods. 

Also, keep in mind, that this Brooklyn Food Tour takes in groups no larger than 12 people. 

Book your Brooklyn Food, History, and Culture Tour

Guided Bike Tour of Brooklyn

If you’re the ambitious type who loves a good cycle ride, the Half-Day Brooklyn Cycling Tour may be one of the most fun tours of Brooklyn out there!

Starting at DUMBO where you’ll get a beautiful view of the East River, you’ll cycle through many of Brooklyn’s most scenic areas like Brooklyn Navy Yard, Fort Greene, Barclay’s Center, and beyond. 

During this 6-hour cycling tour, you’ll also make your way through neighborhoods like Cobble Hill and Brooklyn Heights, where you’ll get to view the brownstones that the city is so famous for. 

You’ll also stop for food along the way, getting breakfast and lunch while also getting the opportunity for Whiskey and chocolate tasting. 

In addition to that, you’ll stop at a few local landmarks like Steve’s Key Lime Pie in Red Hook which is one of the best desserts in the borough!

If you’re looking for Brooklyn tours that will take you through parts of Brooklyn you’ve never been to before while also teaching you some of the borough’s history—this one should do the trick!

Book your Half-Day Cycling Tour

And, if 6 hours is a little daunting for you, try the slightly shorter 4.5-hour Sightseeing Bike Tour with Local Guide ! 

With this tour, you’ll visit a lot of the same Brooklyn sights, but instead of meal stops you’ll be getting snacks to save some time!

Book your Sightseeing Bike Tour with Local Guide

Brooklyn Navy Yard Tour

On this Brooklyn Navy Yard Tour , one of the most interesting tours of Brooklyn, you’ll get some behind-the-scene action and learn about the rich history of this legendary shipyard!

Here, you’ll find out how it recently turned into a green industrial park and witness some of their interesting initiatives like their wind and solar-powered street lamps.

You’ll also learn how this Brooklyn Navy Yard has become a center for creative ventures as well, including furniture making and movie production here in New York City.

And if you’re interested in finding out more about this historic area’s past and future, you’ll be able to see an exhibit located at Brooklyn Navy Yard Center in Building 92 that allows you to do just that. 

Book your Brooklyn Navy Yard Tour

And if you happen to be a war buff, look nowhere other than the Brooklyn Navy Yard: World War II Tour !

As one of the most informative Brooklyn tours, you’ll get a deep dive into what it was like during the WWII era and how, at this Brooklyn Navy Yard, over 5,000 ships were designed or repaired.

You’ll learn about how this navy yard served as a critical component in the war and how it relates to other events taking place outside of New York during the time.

You’ll also get to hear oral commentary from the very people who built and repaired the battleships.

Book your Brooklyn Navy Yard: World War II Tour

Brooklyn Subway Secrets Tour

If you’ve been using New York public transit and ever wondered exactly how the subway system works, you’ll get your chance at Brooklyn: Subway Secrets and Hidden Stations Walking Tour which uncovers some of the best hidden gems of Brooklyn and the underground!

At this gem among Brooklyn walking tours, you’ll be guided through the New York subway system and how it’s been able to connect the famous city boroughs all these years.

You’ll also get to see the very station used to shoot Michael Jackson’s famous music video for the song “Bad”.

With an official urban planner leading you, you’ll find out how the subway system related to the development of the Brooklyn borough and get deep and extensive look at the transit system that New York is so famous for!

Book your Brooklyn: Subway Secrets and Hidden Stations Walking Tour

Brooklyn Donut Tour

If you’re a huge donut fiend, then you may want to try Guided Walking Tour of Brooklyn’s Donut Scene , which allows you to sample the best donuts in Brooklyn plus explore some of the best neighborhoods!

Highly encouraged for those with a sweet tooth, this titan among Brooklyn food tours explores donuts from four different locations.

You’ll also get to learn about some of Brooklyn’s hottest spots for donuts such as Doughnut Plant and Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop. 

Here, you’ll be able to try as much coffee and donuts as you desire while also getting a chance to meet other folks with the same excitement and enthusiasm for donuts as you.

As one of the most flexible of Brooklyn tours, this can be a fun idea whether you’re going out with friends or co-workers.

What better way to spend a Brooklyn outing than trying some of the famed pastries the borough is so well known for?

Book your Guided Walking Tour of Brooklyn’s Donut Scene

Brooklyn Heights & DUMBO Food Tour

At this extremely immersive Brooklyn food tour , you’ll get to explore the culinary delight of two of the most iconic Brooklyn neighborhoods!

Here, you’ll get to experience DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights like never before, venturing through many different styles of cuisine and adding some much-needed diversity to your palette.  

With a trusted local guide by your side, you’ll discover many hidden eateries and hopefully some new favorites as well.

In addition to finding some good food, you’ll also get great views of the famous Brooklyn Bridge, both from the top and the bottom of the legendary bridge.

Also, this tour stands as one of the least discriminatory food tours of Brooklyn. For those with dietary restrictions such as veganism and vegetarianism, accommodations can be made if brought up ahead of time!

Book your Brooklyn Heights & DUMBO Food Tour

Private Brooklyn Beer & Pizza Tour

Does the combination of beer and pizza sound like heaven to you? Why not follow an expert guide for 3 hours who will show you exactly how it’s done with a Private Brooklyn Beer & Pizza Tour !?

One of the most essential tours of Brooklyn, This 3-hour private tour allows you to find out about some cool breweries and pizzerias in true Brooklyn fashion. 

One of the most informative Brooklyn pizza tours, you’ll visit Williamsburg, a historic neighborhood where you‘ll learn about brew culture and its history dating back to the 19th Century.

And by answering a questionnaire upon booking, this tour will be tailored made just for you, making it one of the most personalized Brooklyn tours! You’ll be paired with a guide who matches your tastes and sensibilities.

Book your Brooklyn Beer & Pizza Tour

Private Brooklyn Heights Walking Tour

One of the most rewarding tours of Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights: Private Walking Tour pays the cherished neighborhood the respect it deserves!

Starting at the bottom of Brooklyn Bridge, this private Brooklyn walking tour explores landmarks at the legendary bridge, Brooklyn Heights, and DUMBO. 

You’ll also get a deep dive into Brooklyn Heights, and get to enjoy its unique architecture. 

And from Brooklyn Heights Promenade, you’ll get some of the finest views of Manhattan you’ll ever get in any of the Brooklyn tours on this list.

By the end of the tour, you will have gotten a satisfyingly intimate look at Brooklyn Heights, one of the best residential neighborhoods in its entire borough. 

Book your Private Brooklyn Heights Walking Tour

Brooklyn Bagel Tour

From the producers of BagelFest, the NYC Bagel Tour is run by people who know their stuff and will surely have bagel enthusiasts thrilled throughout the experience!

In one of the most focused Brooklyn tours, you’ll hop from shop to shop, discovering what goes behind the scenes of each bagel spot. There will also be some special offers already made upon your arrival. 

And in between shops, you’ll be riding a bus where you’ll be treated to plenty of music and other entertainment. 

Unlike many tours of Brooklyn, this one is only done on a monthly basis, so be sure to check out their website in order to not miss out on any upcoming tours! 

Book your Brooklyn Bagel Tour

Sunset Park Tour

NYC has a long and rich history when it comes to immigration and ethnic diversity, and there’s no better way to explore that history than through this Sunset Park Tour , one of the most quintessential Brooklyn tours!

Here you’ll visit the Sunset Park Recreation Center, its pool, as well as the literal park with which the historic neighborhood shares its name. 

You’ll learn about one of the three NYC Chinatowns and its development in the 1980s. 

You’ll find out more about the initial immigration boom in the area, which was mostly lead by Irish, Italian, and Norwegian immigrants. 

You’ll also discover more about the history of the neighborhood and what it was like before the 1960s when it was just known as South Brooklyn. 

This is one of the best tours of Brooklyn, if you’re deeply fascinated with the borough’s history and the different ethnic groups that made the borough the interesting melting pot it is today!

Book your Sunset Park Tour

Sustainable Brooklyn Food & Fashion Tour

This private sustainable Brooklyn food and fashion tour is one of the best Brooklyn tours for those who are itching for a good shopping spree while picking up a bite to eat!

Led by local fashion designer Amalya Meira, you’ll be shown some of the best new-age cuisines and sustainable fashion brands in all of Williamsburg. 

Lasting around 3 hours, you’ll visit the textile studio and event space GGrippo art + design, BAGGU which uses reusable bags, and SHANTI SHACK which exists within kula yoga project, a studio that specializes in vinyasa yoga. 

This is one of the best tours of Brooklyn if you want a good time, while also caring about the environment. You’ll shop, you’ll eat and you’ll have a blast!

Book your Sustainable Brooklyn Food & Fashion Tour

Want to do the Brooklyn Bridge walk? Be sure to check out our entire guide to walking the Brooklyn Bridge for tips on when the best time to go is, the best way to cross it, and how to get there!

Did we miss any of the best tours in Brooklyn? Let us know! We are always looking for more amazing Brooklyn tours to check out and try!

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Top Tours in Brooklyn, NY

Brooklyn tours.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
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• Chinese (Simplified)
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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. New York: Food, History and Culture of Brooklyn Tour

2. Boroughs of NYC: Harlem, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn & Coney Island

3. New York City Freedom Liberty Cruise

4. NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Contrasts, Color and Character

5. Walking tour in Manhattan Brooklyn Bridge and Waterfront

6. New York Helicopter Tour: Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island

7. Guided Bike Tour of Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge

8. Deluxe Private VIP Tour by SUV: Best of NYC. Select 3 or 5 hours

9. 90-minute Manhattan Skyline and Statue Night Cruise

10. The Best of Brooklyn Walking Tour: "The Brooklyn Revolution!"

11. Brooklyn Street Art Walking Tour

12. Brooklyn Bridge and Dumbo Walking Tour

13. City of Contrasts Tour-Manhattan, Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn

14. Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO Neighborhood Tour - from Manhattan to Brooklyn

15. The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York

16. Brooklyn NYC Food & Walking Tour with a 5th Generation New Yorker

17. New York Pass: Empire State Building and 100+ Attractions

18. 3 Hour Session at Williamsburg's Adventure Park Area 53

19. The Original Best of Brooklyn Half-Day Food and Culture Bus Tour

20. NYC Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO Food Tour

21. Manhattan and Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour by Limousine

22. Made in Brooklyn Tour

23. Brooklyn Neighborhoods Small-Group Bike Tour

24. Brooklyn Bike Tour

25. Brooklyn Bridge Waterfront Guided Bike Tour

26. NYC Central Park Self-Guided Walking Tour

27. Central Park Walking Tour

28. Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge Bicycle Tour

29. Semi-Private Secondhand + Vintage Fashion Tour in New York City

30. Private Sailing Charter in Brooklyn

What travellers are saying.

Private & Custom Tours in Brooklyn

We specialize in private and custom tours of Brooklyn

Experience Brooklyn firsthand with your very own personalized tour. You'll have a guide all to yourselves who will lead you in a fun and safe manner. He or she will be a local whose sole goal is to ensure you and your private group have an unforgettable experience.

We offer custom tour options covering sightseeing, culture, neighborhoods, shopping, history and more. You can choose from our more popular options, but are not limited to them:  we can create a tour for any sort of interest or theme. Just tell us what you wanna see or do and we'll make it happen!

Every custom tour is crafted and tailor-fitted to your exact interests, needs and logistics: 

Time/Date:  

We will schedule your custom tour for the exact date and time of your choosing

Pick from our list of tour options or let us create one to specifically suit your interests

Meeting point :

Your meeting point will be customized: we will meet you anywhere you'd like, or whichever place is most convenient for you (Manhattan, Brooklyn, your hotel, or anywhere else). We usually suggest for you to take the subway to Brooklyn - we will give a convenient meeting location, and directions. This saves you money because you do not need to pay for Manhattan pickup.

The tour will be crafted to suit the length of your choosing. We are happy to make suggestions about how long your tour should be. Most walking tours are 2 hours. Most driving tours are 3-4 hours. Occasionally there are tours longer than that.

Private tours - Our private tours are popular with couples and small groups: families, friends, colleagues, etc. It's also not unusual for someone to take a tour by themself!

Group tours - We cater to groups of all sizes. We provide walking, bus and step-on guide services.

More about our group, bus and coach services

Private and custom tours begin at $90.00 per hour (most tours are 2 hours in length). Certain options are priced on an individual basis, for which we will provide a quote based on your details The prices listed here include your whole group, they are not the price per person (except with 10 or more people). Here is the basic pricing schedule:

View private tour pricing (more details)

Transportation

We often recommend touring on foot because walking is the best way to deeply experience a neighborhood in Brooklyn. We will tailor the pace and distance to suit your personal desire and walking abilities. There is also the option to travel by vehicle (providing more of an overview covering multiple neighborhoods), which we can provide. We also sometimes recommend traveling by subway - it's fast and efficient (most of the time!)

Vehicle pricing varies based on season, etc. Approximate numbers are listed here, exact prices are provided on an individual basis.

View transportation options (more details)

Suggestions

Not sure where to begin? We are happy to make suggestions and recommendations. We have experience with many different types of groups, so we can advise you on what will work best given your preferences or circumstances.

We're excited to meet you!

Our team is made up of fully insured professionals who are each passionate and enthusiastic. We are excited at the prospect of providing you with an unforgettable experience in Brooklyn.

Whether you're visiting the United States for the first time, or have lived in Manhattan your whole life (or Long Island, or Westchester!), we've got you covered!

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Here are some of Brooklyn's top popular neighborhoods, activities and experiences to choose from:

All our public tours can also be arranged privately. They can be done individually or they can be combined.

Neighborhoods

Each of Brooklyn's top neighborhoods has its own unique vibe, personality and flavor. On a custom tour we can get a general overview by swinging through several neighborhoods, or we can pick just one or two to delve into more thoroughly. Certain neighborhoods are closer or further from others; when planning the tour we will provide advice about the best route to follow, and how to get around.

Williamsburg

Brooklyn heights, coney island.

Brooklyn's got something for every interest. Your tour can be crafted to suit one or two specific themes, or we can include a little bit of everything. Most neighborhoods are abundant with culture, shopping, food, views and photo opportunities. Your tour can be presented as an overall sightseeing experience, or we can delve into any interest or theme of your choosing. We're happy to offer suggestions!

Urban Culture and Lifestyle

Gentrification.

Brooklyn's overwhelming explosion in popularity is the product of gentrification. This phenomenon is a catalyst that brings new residents, businesses, cultural institutions and venture capital to formerly neglected districts. It breathes new life into forgotten brownstones, townhouses, lofts and industrial bunkers, fusing them together in a whirlwind blend of culture and excitement. It's a transformation that sees drastic increases in economic growth and quality of life options. It becomes a rallying call for artists, creatives, idealists and entrepreneurs to converge, collaborate, and aspire for greatness.

Gentrification also brings controversy and serious issues because it often results in higher living costs and neighborhood demographic changes (dispossession of longtime lower-income communities in residential neighborhoods). The severe issue is when gentrification takes place in an area that was not deserted or forgotten - only neglected by society. On our tours we delve further into this subject and examine the good, the bad and the ugly.

Artisanal Food

Hand-wrapped chocolate bon bons. Ramen hamburgers. Southern fried chicken & waffles. Vegan ice cream.

Graffiti and Street Art

Photography, contact us or make a reservation.

Made in Brooklyn Tours® are award-winning walking tours with a Made in Brooklyn theme. They blend Brooklyn's distinguished history with visits to creative people and small businesses makin' it here right now. Shop for unique Made in Brooklyn products. Discover the innovators of Brooklyn's Industrial Revolution. Experience how the Digital Revolution has transformed Brooklyn into a creative community with a unique, sustainable lifestyle. And get a proud Brooklynite's perspective on what makes Brooklyn so great.

Celebrate Brooklyn's creativity, ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit on award-winning neighborhood walking tours with a "Made in Brooklyn" theme. See who's makin' it in Brooklyn!

Special Requests

Make a special request for a private Made in Brooklyn Tour of one of six neighborhoods and destinations. Choose from Bensonhurst, Coney Island, DUMBO, Industry City, Red Hook or Williamsburg.                                   

Custom Experiences

Ask Made in Brooklyn Tours to create a customized experience for your retail destination, venue, development. Enjoyable, engaging tours and events attract visitors, increase foot traffic and familiarize prospective buyers.

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Welcome to Brooklyn Brewery

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VISIT THE BREWERY

In the neighborhood? We're open for bar service, tours, plus beer & gear to go. Stop by and say hey.

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Join a small group of lucky beer fans to go behind the scenes and geek out together.

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Happy hours? Birthday parties? Fundraisers? Rehearsal dinners? After parties? We're here to host.

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How we teamed up with The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative to launch Create Space.

Grassroots activists and their fight for LGBTQ+ rights

The modern LGBTQ+ movement, and the significance of The Stonewall Inn.

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Read up on the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and how you can help.

All the news that's fit to drink, from us and our friends across the beer world.

Find concerts, celebrations, and parties heading your way, and see what's going on in our Tasting Room.

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You'll find there's more to our tours than a couple shiny tanks and some hop jokes. We have those too, but we're also covering brewing science, beer history, our story, and much more. Stop by for a free hourly tour on Sundays from 1-6 PM, or book a weeknight Small Batch Tour to taste our latest creations and go in-depth with our experts. Whether you're an expert or a beer newcomer, you'll have fun.

Join a small group of lucky beer fans for a guided tasting of four beers, learn our story, and take a tour of our brewhouse and packaging hall. Our resident experts can answer just about any beer or Brooklyn Brewery question, so come prepared to geek out.

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Visit Green-wood Cemetery in Brooklyn

This post explains how you can take a tour of Green-wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, both guided as well as self-guided tours. Admission is free every day.

Introduction

• Who is Buried Here

Guided Tours

• Self-Guided Tour

Hours and Directions

• Things to Do in Brooklyn

Opened in 1838, over half a million people are buried in Green-wood Cemetery.

Among them are many notable Americans ( see below ) and over 5,000 fallen civil war soldiers.

The land that Green-wood is on was the site of the first Revolutionary War battle, the Battle of Long Island. A few heroes of the Revolutionary War are buried here.

There are also individuals buried here who you've never heard but whose life stories and tales of their demise make a tour of Green-wood really fascinating.

Green-wood is also one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the U.S. The views are wonderful and you can see all the way to Lower Manhattan.

There are grand public monuments, as well as stunning family shrines, private mausoleums, and even catacombs.

Some consider it to be one of the finest 19th-century and 20th-century "open-air galleries" of neo-renaissance, neoclassical, and Victorian-style statues.

Because of its historic significance as well as its beautiful monuments, headstones, and landscaping, a tour of Green-wood Cemetery will not disappoint.

Read more about its history below . To find out about taking a tour, see the tour section further down in this post.

Who Is Buried Here?

Many influential Americans whose contributions and innovations changed the world are buried in Green-wood Cemetery.

There are countless Civil War soldiers and some Generals.

There are also some Revolutionary War heroes and even a 'founding father', William Livingston (1723–1790), a signer of the U.S. Constitution and first Governor of New Jersey.

Here are some of the other notable individuals buried in Green-wood:

Political and Public Figures

• Rev. Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887), Pastor of Plymouth Church in Brooklyn Heights and nationally-known abolitionist
• Peter Cooper (1791–1883), inventor, manufacturer, abolitionist, and founder of Cooper Union in the East Village
• DeWitt Clinton (1769–1828), seventh and ninth Governor of New York, and US Senator from New York

Famous Women

• Susan McKinney Steward (1847–1918 ), the third African-American woman to earn a medical degree, and the first in New York state
• Mary Jacobi (1842-1906), physician, teacher, scientist, writer, and suffragist
• Abigail Hopper Gibbons (1801-1893), abolitionist, schoolteacher, and social welfare activist
• Laura Keene (1826-1873), 19th-century actress who was on stage during Lincoln’s assassination
• Kate Claxton (1848-1924), performer on stage during the Brooklyn Theater fire of 1876
• Isabella Goodwin (1865-1943), first woman detective in the New York Police Department
• Elias Howe (1819–1867), sewing machine
• Samuel F. B. Morse (1791–1872), the telegraph and Morse code
• Walter Hunt (1785–1869), safety pin
• Charles Feltman (1841–1910) - said to be the first person to put a hot dog on a bun

Cultural Figures

• Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960–1988), artist and muralist, part of the SoHo art scene in the early 1980s
• Eastman Johnson (1824–1906), co-founder of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Frederick August Otto Schwarz (1836–1911), founder of famed toy store FAO Schwarz
• Leonard Bernstein (1918–1990), conductor of the NY Philharmonic, based in Carnegie Hall and then Lincoln Center
• Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933), known for his stained glass windows, such as the Tiffany Clock in Grand Central Terminal

Baseball Figures

• James Creighton, Jr. (1841–1862), the first pitcher to throw a fastball
• Charles Ebbets (1859–1925), owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team, built Ebbets Field
• Henry Chadwick (1824–1908), Baseball Hall of Fame member

Gangsters and Mobsters

• Albert Anastasia (1903–1957), mobster and contract killer for Murder, Inc.
• “Crazy” Joey Gallo (1929–1972), a member of the Columbo crime family, shot down in Little Italy
• William "Bill the Butcher" Poole (1821–1855), leader of the notorious Bowery Boys gang in Five Points

Newspaper Publishers

• Horace Greeley (1811–1872), founder of the New York Tribune
• James Gordon Bennett, Sr. (1795–1872), founder/publisher of the New York Herald
• Henry Jarvis Raymond (1820–1869), founder of the New York Times

Green-wood Cemetery offers a Historic Trolley for $30 per person. Tours are running as of Summer 2024 on Saturdays from 1 pm - 3 pm.

You are accompanied by an expert tour guide who will share the intriguing stories of the more notable permanent "residents".

Book your tour here. These tours routinely sell out so reserve tickets in advance.

Green-wood also has special events, such as occasional nighttime events, or tours of the Catacombs.

See the Green-wood Cemetery Events Calendar to find out what's scheduled while you are here.

Self-Guided Tours

Admission to Green-Wood is free at all times, and free maps are available at the entrance at 5th Avenue and 25th Street in Brooklyn.

You can download this free pdf version of a map of Green-Wood or download their free  Mobile App .

See the Green-wood Cemetery website for detailed directions .

Green-wood is open 7 days a week. Hours vary by season and by entrance. Here are the entry points and hours they are open:

Main Entrance (Fifth Avenue and 25th Street) 7 am to 7 pm

Sunset Park Entrance (Fourth Avenue and 35th Street) 8 am to 7 pm

Fort Hamilton Parkway Entrance (Fort Hamilton Parkway and Micieli Place) and Prospect Park West Entrance (Prospect Park West and 20th Street) will each be open from 11 am to 7 pm Monday through Friday (pedestrian gate only). On Saturday and Sunday, gates are open 8 am to 7 pm (pedestrian gate) with vehicle admittance from 8 am to 4pm.

History of Green-wood Cemetery

In America until the 1830s, burials were located in graveyards -- small plots of land usually belonging to the adjacent church or a town hall.

New York City’s Trinity Church and St. Paul’s Chapel in Lower Manhattan both have graveyards that date back to pre-Revolutionary times.

According to maps of early 1800s Manhattan, there were at least a dozen small graveyards below 12th Street, but these tended to be reserved for the deceased of wealthy or well-connected families.

Meanwhile, immigrants began arriving in New York City by the tens of thousands and as the city’s living population soared, so did the need for more space to bury its dead.

City planners began to address this issue and one major obstacle was the lack of space and the high real estate prices within New York City (which until 1898 was only the Island of Manhattan). City planners had to look for land located beyond the city limits.

At the same time, cities like Paris and Boston were experimenting with a new kind of cemetery, designed to be pastoral, serene and airy, unlike the cramped, dreary city graveyards.

The earliest grand and intentionally “rural” cemeteries were Pere Lachaise in Paris (1806) and Mount Auburn in Boston (1831).

In stepped Henry Pierrepont, a prominent and wealthy resident of the City (now borough) of Brooklyn, then one of the most important cities in the world.

Pierrepont felt strongly that the 300,000 residents of Brooklyn deserved a cemetery of grandeur, far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life, and that would offer both a serene setting for afternoon strolls for the living and eternal homes to Brooklyn’s dearly departed.

A board of trustees was formed and 478 acres of farmland in Brooklyn were purchased. With Pierrepont’s influence, engineer and designer Major David Bates Douglass was commissioned to develop Green-wood. The result was magnificent.

Located on the highest peaks in Brooklyn, Green-wood was more like a grand English park, with its rolling hills, natural ponds, and walking paths that wind through expanses of lush green lawns dotted with flowers and succulents, sculptures and architectural monuments

Green-wood's landscaping was so exceptional that it served as an inspiration to Calvert Vaux, the designer of Central Park and Prospect Park .

Ironically, what Green-wood didn’t inspire were customers.

Despite the splendor and space, it offered for burials, its potential clientele mainly lived in Manhattan and would have to be ferried over for burial.

In Green-wood’s early years there was a reluctance by New Yorkers to purchase plots in Distant Brooklyn.

Then, in 1844, the cemetery’s trustees devised a brilliant public relations stunt that gave the cemetery instant celebrity status.

They arranged to move the body of a multi-term New York mayor, U.S. Senator, and Governor, DeWitt Clinton, (who died in 1828) from his modest Albany grave to a new site at Green-Wood.

Soon the cemetery was selling huge plots of land for tombs, shrines, and even mausoleums and catacombs to families of the ‘rich and famous’ in anticipation of the inevitable.

Within 20 years of its opening, Green-wood was just as popular with the living as it was with the dead.

It attracted 500,000 visitors a year, rivaling only Niagara Falls for the greatest number of tourists.

When you visit Green-wood it is easy to understand why people flocked here to stroll and even picnic on the grass.

Green-wood is a feast for the eyes, with an abundance of finely-sculpted headstones that tell the stories of those who lie beneath them.

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Brooklyn Museum visitors discuss works of art in the galleries. (Photo: Christina Marinelli)

Gallery Tours: A Few of Our Favorite Things

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

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Meet in the Rubin Lobby, 1st Floor

Discover your new favorite artworks in an immersive tour of the Brooklyn Museum. Join one of our A.R.T. Guides , trained volunteers who are passionate about art and the conversations it encourages, for a free tour through our galleries. The guide will share a few of their own favorite works, and together you’ll explore what makes the Museum unique. 

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The Original Christmas Lights Tour of Dyker Heights

​Rockefeller Center? FUHGETTABOUDIT!

Every night in December (except for the 24th & 25th) at 6, 7, and 8 PM.

~ 3.5 hours

Adults: $65 Children under 12: $55 (Limited priority seating available)

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Union Square, Manhattan (exact details provided upon purchase)

Christmas Lights Tour

Rockefeller Center? FUHGETTABOUDIT!

The most extravagant Christmas light displays in the country are located in the Dyker Heights section of Brooklyn, aka “Dyker Lights.” Over 100,000 people flock to this area every year to see the most over-the-top decorations . Now in its 17th year, this is the original and most authentic tour of the area. Don’t settle for cheap imitations. We don’t just drop you off in the area. We know the homeowners personally and escort you around like you’re family.

If this tour doesn’t get you in the Christmas spirit then your name is Ebeneezer Scrooge! THIS TOUR ALWAYS SELLS OUT EARLY SO DON’T MISS OUT!

What You’ll Do and See

• Check out the gorgeous Christmas displays in Dyker Heights as well as in other neighborhoods like Bay Ridge and Bensonhurst.
• You’ll get to experience the homes from both on and off the bus and be escorted by your guide for the best stories and photos!
• Visit Lucy Spata’s house. Lucy is the woman who started the tradition of “Dyker Lights” back in the 1980s.
• Enjoy millions of lights! You’ll even see them synchronized to music at one very special house on the tour!
• See the home used as the Commissioner’s house in the hit CBS TV series “Blue Bloods”!
• See the house described as “Christmas meets Las Vegas”!
• Everyone receives candy canes and souvenir fridge magnets to take home!
• You’ll love our multimedia presentation on the screens of the bus from vintage Christmas TV specials like Andy Williams, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and more!
• Experience good old-fashioned holiday cheer with family and friends.
• You’ll get the true Brooklyn experience since our guides grew up in Brooklyn and know the homeowners personally.
• Don’t settle for copycat companies who just drop you off in the area. We know the homeowners personally and escort you around like you’re family.

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Take a walk through Brooklyn’s abolitionist history through new self-guided interactive tour

With Juneteenth around the corner, New York City releases a self-guided interactive tour, “More Than a Brook: Brooklyn Abolitionist Heritage Walk.”

Users will immerse in a journey through Brooklyn’s most iconic landmarks and historic figures in the neighborhoods of Brooklyn Heights, Fulton Ferry, Downtown Brooklyn, and Fort Greene. This tour is available on any electronic device (smartphone, tablet or computer).

“This project is a culmination of many efforts to uncover and contextualize a wealth of Brooklyn 19th century abolitionist history, before and after the American Civil War,” reads the introduction page of “More Than a Brook: Brooklyn Abolitionist Heritage Walk.”

An interactive map and pictures help users follow alongside the audio. While the tour can be accessed remotely, it is recommended to be followed on-site for optimal enjoyment.  

“More Than A Brook is a walk through Brooklyn that connects historic locations to illustrate a portrait of 19th century communities resisting the institution of slavery. The concentration of characters that walked the docks onto city streets is significant to the history of New York State and the United States,” said in a press release Ware. 

“Our public spaces are where New Yorkers connect-not just with their neighbors and with the great outdoors, but also with our history,” said in a press release Sue Donohue, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation commissioner. 

Just in time for the commemoration of Juneteenth , the tour is available to all.

“Juneteenth provides us the opportunity to reflect on the wrongs of the past while honoring the resiliency of those that came before us and sacrifices so much,” said in a press release Sideya Sherman, New York City Chief Equity Officer and New York City Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice commissioner. 

The project was commissioned by the Landmark Preservation Commission and made possible through a grant from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation with additional funding from the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Creation credits go to Kamau Studios and Black Gotham Experience . 

“Oral history is the perfect tradition and vehicle to reckon with the past and honor the ongoing fight for a more equitable future based on racial and social justice,” said in a press release Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn borough president. 

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Ahead Of Juneteenth, Mayor Adams Announces Creation Of Interactive Audio Tour Exploring City’s Abolitionist History

June 6, 2024

‘More Than a Brook: Brooklyn Abolitionist Heritage Walk’ Explores Brooklyn’s Role in National Abolitionist Movement and Underground Railroad Across City Landmarks

Announcements Build on Adams Administration’s Investment Towards Racial Equity and Justice

NEW YORK – Ahead of Juneteenth, New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the creation of “ More Than a Brook: Brooklyn Abolitionist Heritage Walk ,” an interactive audio tour that explores Brooklyn’s history as a critical neighborhood for the National Abolitionist Movement and the Underground Railroad. The audio tour can be accessed on a smartphone, tablet, or other device through the Landmark Preservation Commission’s (LPC) website . The interactive audio tour was commissioned by LPC and created by Kamau Studios and Black Gotham Experience . This project was supported by a grant from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation and financed in part with federal funds from the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

“New Yorkers walk through Brooklyn every day, unaware of the history right under their feet and surrounding them,” said Mayor Adams . “This interactive audio tour allows all of us to celebrate the heroes who stood up against injustice, risked their lives, and fought for the freedom they deserved. To build a better future, we must first examine and understand our past. This Juneteenth, our city recommits to reckoning and recognizing our role in the historic fight for racial equity and justice.”

“I congratulate the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s collaboration with Kamau Ware Studios and the Black Gotham Experience for shining a light on Brooklyn’s abolitionist heritage, and the city’s role in fighting against slavery,” said  Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer . “I also thank New York State’s Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation for funding this worthy project.”

“New York City’s designated landmark sites and historic districts tell our shared story, and Brooklyn is home to an incredible collection of historic landmark buildings that connect us to our past and highlight the central role New Yorkers played in the fight against slavery,” said  LPC Chair Sarah Carroll . “This immersive audio tour lifts up their stories, honoring the memory of those who suffered and fought for justice and freedom. This Juneteenth is a reminder that the fight for equity is part of our collective heritage as New Yorkers and we must work to create a more just and fairer city for future generations to come.” 

“Juneteenth provides us the opportunity to reflect on the wrongs of the past while honoring the resiliency of those that came before us and sacrificed so much,” said  New York City Chief Equity Officer and New York City Mayor's Office of Equity & Racial Justice Commissioner Sideya Sherman . “We commend the Landmarks Preservation Commission and partners Kamau Ware Studio and the Black Gotham Experience for reconciling our past with our present and showcasing our city’s pivotal role in the national abolitionist movement. Through this interactive heritage walk, New Yorkers can learn from and examine our past while fully immersed in the city we all know and love.”

“Our public spaces are where New Yorkers connect — not just with their neighbors and with the great outdoors, but also with our history,” said  New York City Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Sue Donoghue . “Thanks to this creative collaboration, New Yorkers will discover Brooklyn’s rich abolitionist heritage while experiencing our historic buildings and treasured greenspaces in a brand-new way. With Juneteenth around the corner, this audio tour is an important contribution to our ongoing efforts to uplift Black history and ensure our city is equitable and just for all New Yorkers.”

New York City played an important role in the effort to abolish slavery nationwide and assist those seeking to escape it. The neighborhoods of Brooklyn Heights, Fulton Ferry, Downtown Brooklyn, and Fort Greene contain a walkable concentration of important historic landmark sites associated with New York City’s abolitionist history, the Underground Railroad, and the larger anti-slavery movement before the Civil War through political and religious activism.

The three-part audio experience guides participants through Brooklyn's rich abolitionist history, incorporating 19 stops and highlighting the many landmark sites along a 4.5-mile walkable path, including the residences of abolitionist Lewis Tappan and Harriet and Thomas Truesdell, and religious spaces, including Plymouth Church, Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, and the Friends Meeting House. The audio tour also introduces important local historic figures in the abolition movement, including businesswoman Elizabeth Gloucester, pioneering sisters Dr. Susan Smith McKinney-Steward and educator Sarah J. Tompkins Garnet, and Plymouth Church preacher Henry Ward Beecher, highlighting all their stories to illuminate the multiple ways people and institutions engaged with the anti-slavery movement before the Civil War and the continued fight for freedom afterward.

The “More Than a Brook: Brooklyn Abolitionist Heritage Walk” reflects LPC’s ongoing commitment to equity and inclusion in all their work as part of the agency’s Equity Framework ; its efforts to preserve places that tell the story of all New Yorkers and reflect their collective heritage, making the significant history embodied in landmarks more accessible; and expanding educational outreach efforts to reach new and diverse audiences. Additional resources can be found on LPC’s website, including LPC’s interactive story maps, “ New York City and the Path to Freedom ,” which explores New York City’s abolitionist history across all five boroughs through designated landmarks that embody it and “ Preserving Significant Places of Black History ,” which highlights and explores buildings, sites, and historic districts significant to Black history throughout New York City.

Mayor Adams announced new economic data showing that the  unemployment rate for Black New Yorkers has significantly decreased  since the start of the administration. Between January 1, 2022, and April 1, 2024, the Black unemployment rate in the five boroughs decreased from 10.7 percent to 7.9 percent — a 26 percent decrease. This marks the first time since 2019 that the Black unemployment rate in New York City has been below 8 percent.

“With Juneteenth upon us, I am proud that we are launching this Heritage Walk to tell the world about New York City’s abolitionist history,” said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar . “This interactive walking tour will bring to life the integral role Brooklyn played in the Underground Railroad and the abolitionist movement. People from all over the world will learn what New Yorkers did to stamp out the moral blight of slavery, and Brooklynites will take pride in their neighborhood knowing this rich history. This exemplifies our goal to uplift all communities and share everyone’s history in our Gorgeous Mosaic.”

“As we approach Juneteenth, it's essential to remember and honor New York City's pivotal role in the fight against slavery,” said  New York State Senator James Sanders Jr . “This interactive audio tour highlights the courageous efforts of those who fought for freedom in our nation and is crucial to understanding our past and inspiring our future!”

“Brooklyn has a rich abolitionist history, and the echoes of that fight for freedom and justice can be felt at historic sites around the borough, including at many in the neighborhoods I have the honor to represent,” said  New York   State Senator Andrew Gounardes .   “This audio tour is a way to uplift and celebrate this history, and to help New Yorkers learn about the many people and institutions engaged in the fight against the evils of slavery. As we approach Juneteenth, this audio tour is an opportunity to learn from the past while charting a course toward a future of true freedom, liberty and justice for all.”

“The abolitionists’ fight for freedom in New York cannot become forgotten history as we continue to tackle discrimination to this day,” said  New York State Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn . “I applaud Mayor Eric Adams for launching an innovative program highlighting and teaching Brooklyn's history as a crucial launchpad for the National Abolitionist Movement and the Underground Railroad as we keep advancing equality.”

“I want to thank Mayor Adams for shedding light on the history of the Abolitionist Movement and the Underground Railroad here in New York City,” said  Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson . “With this initiative, he is ensuring residents and visitors alike can immerse themselves in our city`s past and our contributions to the fight for racial justice and equity.”

“‘More Than a Brook’ brings Brooklyn's rich abolitionist history to broad audiences and offers a glimpse into who we are as a borough and a people,” said  Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso . “Oral history is the perfect tradition and vehicle to reckon with the past and honor the ongoing fight for a more equitable future based in racial and social justice. Thank you to Mayor Adams for expanding access to the stories that helped build our city and free our ancestors from slavery.”

“I'm thrilled to see the launch of the 'More Than a Brook: Brooklyn Abolitionist Heritage Walk' just in time for Juneteenth,” said  New York City Councilmember Kamilah Hanks . “This interactive audio tour is a powerful tool that will bring to life Brooklyn's rich history in the National Abolitionist Movement and the Underground Railroad. By making this history accessible on smartphones and tablets, we are ensuring that the stories of those who fought for freedom and justice are preserved and shared with future generations. I commend Mayor Adams, the Landmark Preservation Commission, Kamau Studios, and Black Gotham Experience for their incredible work on this project.”

“Brooklyn Bridge Park is thrilled to be a stop on the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission’s Brooklyn Abolitionist Heritage Walk and audio tour,” said Brooklyn Bridge Park President Eric Landau . “By retracing the steps of abolitionists and amplifying their stories, we not only honor their legacy, but also reaffirm Brooklyn’s commitment to justice and equality. This tour sheds light on Brooklyn Bridge Park's role in a crucial piece of this city’s history and will bring us towards a more compassionate and equitable future.”

“More Than A Brook is a walk through Brooklyn that connects historic locations to illustrate a portrait of 19th century communities resisting the institution of slavery. The concentration of characters that walked the docks onto city streets is significant to the history of New York State and the United States,” said Black Gotham Experience, founder, Kamau Ware . “It is commendable that the Landmarks Preservation Commission is opening up the layers behind these historic buildings and the liminal spaces between. It has been an honor to work in the community, inspired by the disparate Brooklyn abolitionists that created a rising tide, challenging the presence of slavery in America.”

“Congratulations on the launch of this remarkable project,” said New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Deputy Commissioner for Historic Preservation Daniel Mackay . “More Than a Brook showcases Brooklyn’s abolitionist history through an immersive exploration of local historic landmarks. Bringing this history to life takes creativity, collaboration, and resources — the very ingredients that New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission used to make this audio tour possible. This project is a great example of how certified local government grants through the New York State Historic Preservation Office bring federal funds back into communities each year to support preservation programs and explore history in dynamic and engaging ways.”

“For nearly 200 years, New York University has been inextricably tied to New York and its history, said New York University Vice President of Government Relations and Community Engagement Kyle Kimball . “We are proud that Wunsch Hall, formerly the Bridge Street Methodist Church, the first independent Black church in Brooklyn and a stop on the Underground Railroad, is a part of the exciting, new abolitionist heritage walk that the Landmarks Preservation Commission is launching. We congratulate them on this important effort to remind New Yorkers of the vital role our city has played in our nation's history.”

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Their landlord hiked their rent by 25%, so they applied for the NYC housing lottery. On the 25th try, luck was on their side.

• A millennial couple won the New York City affordable-housing lottery after applying about 25 times.
• Brynne McManimie, 35, and Peter Romano, 34, now live in a $2,800-a-month apartment in Brooklyn.
• "It was unusually fast. I don't think that's the case for most people, but we got very lucky," McManimie told BI.

In 2021, Brynne McManimie and Peter Romano lived in a one-bedroom apartment in Greenpoint, Brooklyn . Due to the pandemic, they had gotten a good deal on their lease and paid $2,600 in rent each month. But that didn't last long.

"After a year, our landlord raised our rent by like 25% and it made us very nervous about staying in that apartment," McManimie, an actor and teacher, told Business Insider. Their new rent was $3,300 a month.

"That's when we were like, 'OK, let's just try the housing lottery,'" McManimie added.

For Romano, a New Yorker, and McManimie, a West Coast transplant who has been living in New York for 13 years, the affordable-housing lottery was one of those things they had always heard about.

"It's one of those things that was always talked about in our circle of friends because, as artists, there's also artist housing in New York and we know many people who have lived in those," McManimie said.

The decision to apply for the affordable-housing lottery was also sparked by their desire not to give up some of the perks they were already used to in Greenpoint — such as having a washer and dryer in their unit.

"A lot of these new buildings with the housing lottery are nice and have a lot of good amenities, but they're a lot more affordable and in our price range," McManimie said. "So that prompted us to go for it."

A pipe dream for most

The affordable-housing lotteries are run by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, or HPD, and the Housing Development Corporation.

Although applying is free, each household must meet specific income requirements to qualify for a lottery apartment. These vary across developments depending on unit size and location.

But winning the housing lottery is a pipe dream for most applicants: In 2018, The New York Times reported that the odds of winning were 1 in 592 .

But luck was on the couple's side.

"This actually happened very fast for us," McManimie, 35, said. "I think we applied to this building in April 2023. We were contacted in May to submit documents but didn't hear from them until September."

By early October, they had already signed the lease and moved in.

"It was unusually fast. I don't think that's the case for most people, but we got very lucky," McManimie said, adding that they had applied to about 25 different buildings.

$2,800 a month

The couple's one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment in Clinton Hill came with a balcony. It's a corner unit, so they have neighbors on only one side.

According to the latest May data from RentHop.com, the median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Clinton Hill is $3,750.

"It's definitely smaller than our old apartment," McManimie said. "The kitchen and the living room are all one big room, but everything is brand new. We're the first people to live in this unit."

It also had all the amenities they wanted: a dishwasher, a washer-dryer, central AC, and heating.

The couple signed a two-year lease on the apartment and now pay $2,800 monthly rent.

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"Since it's rent-stabilized , they can't raise it like a ton," Romano, an actor and professor, told BI. "Which is honestly really attractive to us, given what happened with our last landlord."

Every year, the Rent Guidelines Board decides the percentages by which landlords can legally increase rents for rent-stabilized apartments. In 2023, the board voted to raise rents on one-year leases by 3%, and on two-year leases by 2.75% for the first year and 3.2% for the second year, per The New York Times .

The day they moved in, it felt like a weight off their shoulders.

"I felt relieved, honestly," Romano, 34, added. "Our financial situation — with this rent amount — was going to feel very good. And I remember when we sat down on the couch after the day, it was like, 'Okay, I can breathe a little bit.'"

McManimie felt the same.

"I was a little nervous about downsizing even more. But after a couple of days, I didn't really notice," McManimie said. "Our building has a rooftop deck; we have a lounge upstairs to work in with a beautiful view of the city. We have a gym and a giant lobby."

Although the apartment is small — about 550 square feet — it still feels like they have a lot of space, she added.

A work in progress

Design-wise, the couple's apartment is bright and colorful with midcentury influences.

McManimie is behind the decor, while Romano is the one who's responsible for building their furniture.

"Since our space is so small, we looked for furniture with storage. Our coffee table, one of our stools, and our bed has additional storage," McManimie said. "We also store things under our couch and above our cabinets."

Other furniture pieces are from a vacation home they previously owned in Poconos with McManimie's father.

"We sold it before we even applied for this apartment since it made us a little ineligible for a while," Romano said. Those applying for rental units through the housing lottery aren't allowed to own residential property in or within 100 miles of New York City limits.

Although they were sad to see it go, it's been nice not to have to manage a property, McManimie added: "I think people don't always realize how hard it is to be a homeowner."

Even now, they aren't done decorating their apartment .

"Our bedroom is definitely still a work in progress," McManimie said, adding that she's looking for an antique mirror for the space. She also shared that she has an antique desk in storage that she's planning to use as a vanity.

A 'life-changing' opportunity

Their biggest tip for anyone who wants to apply for the housing lottery is to have all the financial paperwork on hand during the application process.

"Your tax returns, your pay stubs — they asked for all of that information in quite a quick amount of time to turn around," Romano said.

There's also no point in applying for apartments that fall outside your income range since "they're going to weed you out immediately," McManimie said.

Applying for the housing lottery requires a lot of paperwork and many people end up unsuccessful in their bids, but it's still worth a shot, she added.

"If you're unhappy with your situation or your rent is too high , you might as well try," McManimie said. "You have to decide what your priorities are."

Ultimately, the apartment situation worked ouy well for them, she added.

"We're really happy and very thankful that New York City has an affordable housing lottery. It's definitely been life-changing," she said.

Have you recently built or renovated your dream home? If you have a story to share, get in touch with me at  [email protected] .

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