A Walking Tour of Brooklyn Heights and Downtown Brooklyn
Brooklyn Heights is bordered by The East River, Court Street, from Fulton Street to Atlantic Avenue One thing you have to do in Brooklyn Heights, is stroll the promenade. The views are spectacular, of Manhattan and the large ships heading to the harbor. There are plenty of benches to sit and relax and have a quick meal. In the past I have spent any a Sunday afternoon strolling the Promenade when an art show was going on and talking to the artists.
Court Street earned its name. It is the street where the Brooklyn Courts are situated. Many lawyers have their offices In Brooklyn Heights and Downtown Brooklyn for this reason. It is also home the New York City Transit Museum They have exhibits of old time subway trains and you can see the entire history of the New York Subway system.
St. Ann and the Holy Trinity Church on Montague and Clinton Streets is a must see if only for history. It was built in 1844 and the stained glass windows are museum quality. I had the pleasure of being invited here years go for a special occasion and th windows alone are worth a visit. They also have a nice peaceful garden to stroll in.
You can’t leave without visiting The Brooklyn Historical Society on Pierrepont and Clinton Streets. They have exhibits on different phases of Brooklyn History all year long and you can take a waling tour with them.
There are many small shops and boutiques along the streets of Brooklyn Heights such as Remsen Street, Henry Street, Montague Street. There are restaurants of every type all along Court Street.
Walk South on Court Street and you come to Fulton Street, one of the busiest shopping and business areas in the city. And the Beginning of Downtown Brooklyn.
Downtown Brooklyn is the administration and government center of Brooklyn, Borough hall is here and along with the courts in Brooklyn Heights, if it is going to happen in Brooklyn it is going to happen here. Downtown Brooklyn is more than 90% commercial, and Fulton Street has long been a shooing mecca for people not only from Brooklyn but also from Queens.
Fulton Street between Flatbush Avenue and Adams Street has been turned into a street mall. NO traffic just stroll among stores such as Toys R Us and Macy’s along with smaller speciality shops. Just off Fulton Street on Flatbush Avenue there is Junior’s Restaurant People come from all over the city just to try their cheesecake. Is it worth a trip just for the cake? You bet it is.
If you can’t find what you want at the Fulton Street Mall, it probably does not exist. There are more than 230 stores carrying everything including children’s clothes, leather good, gift items, beauty supplies. Music, jewelry, electronics, etc. etc. etc. All this walking and shopping is going to make you plenty hungry and thirsty. You have quite a choice in the mall from Pizza to Taco Bell to a nice sit down cafÃ?© and everything in between.
Brooklyn Heights and Downtown Brooklyn are steeped in history. They were the first parts settlers moved to from Manhattan, From the Promenade in Brooklyn Heights to the Fulton Street Mall, from the historic churches to the Transit Museum and everything in between, a visit to this area of Brooklyn will be enjoyable and inspiring.
