Exploring Williamsburg: Hotels, Restaurants, Museums And More
Bordered by Greenpoint, Bedford-Stuyvesant and Ridgewood, Williamsburg is filled with raved about restaurants, shopping and stunning views of the Manhattan. Whether people are call this neighborhood home are have yet discovered its treasures, here are some of the best things to do in the area. By John Friia
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Artists and Fleas
70 North 7th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11249
917-488-4203
www.artistsandfleas.com
TO SHOP: With the goal of showcasing local designers and artists to the community, Artist and Fleas has flourished into a popular destination for New Yorkers. Housed in a Williamsburg warehouse, this market hosts more than 100 jewelry, clothing and art vendors every weekend. Various retailers include Thriftwares, an authentic vintage shop that curates pristine clothing from the 1950s – 1990s, and Musu, a handmade hat retailer that combines a bygone era with modern flair.
Museum of Food and Drink
62 Bayard Street
Brooklyn, NY 11222
718-387-2845
www.mofad.org
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TO LEARN: Whether people prefer Italian, Chinese or American cuisine, they can head to the Museum of Food and Drink to explore the culture, history, science and production of food and drink. New York City's inaugural museum devoted to food features rotating exhibits that showcase the significance of various cultures, along with the MOFAD Lab -- a design studio that hosts an array of public programs, including cooking classes, guided tastings, seminars and workshops.
Kings County Imperial
20 Skillman Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718-610-2000
www.kingscoimperial.com
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TO EAT: Nestled on a side street, Kings County Imperial serves Chinese-inspired dishes and drinks while utilizing produce form their backyard heirloom garden. The restaurant is designed with rich hues of traditional greens and reds and images of Chinese landscapes reminiscent of old-world charm. As people sit at the mahogany tables beneath the vaulted ceiling, they can choose their meal from a wide selection of dim sum, stir-fries, noodles and fried rice. Some ingredients grown in the backyard garden include Chinese red mustard, goji berry bushes and Szechuan peppercorns.
Schimanski
54 North 11th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11249
718-486-2299
www.schimanskinyc.com
TO DANCE: As the day comes to an end, New Yorkers can put on their dancing shows and head to Schimanski for a fulfilled night of music and dance. Located in the former Verboten space in Williamsburg, this 10,000-square foot nightclub is dedicated to the creative ethos of Brooklyn and serves as an outpost for the local and global dance music scene.
The Williamsburg Hotel
96 Wythe Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11249
718-362-8100
www.thewilliamsburghotel.com
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TO STAY: Williamsburg boasts a vibrant dining and nightlife scene, but also a view of Lower Manhattan that will leave any New Yorker breathless. While many people do not live in the area, they can make it their home for a few days at The Williamsburg Hotel. During your stay, check out their restaurant, rooftop pool, three distinct bars and grand ballroom. Once guests step into their rooms, they can bask in breathtaking views, with floor to ceiling windows overlooking Manhattan and the East River. The rooms are meticulously designed to create a loft-like feel, accented with contemporary bespoke leather, marble and white-washed timber walls.
John Friia is a freelance journalist and native New Yorker writing about food, drinks and lifestyle. You can follow his adventures on Instagram.
