The best things to do in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, could fill an entire day — and most visitors wish they had more time. This North Brooklyn neighbourhood sits on the East River, directly across from Manhattan. It was once industrial. Now it is home to some of the city’s finest restaurants, a world-class street art scene, indie music venues, and weekend food markets. The views of the Manhattan skyline alone are worth the subway ride. If you can only visit one Brooklyn neighbourhood, make it this one.
How to Get to Williamsburg
Getting to Williamsburg from Manhattan is quick. The L train runs direct from 14th Street–Union Square to Bedford Avenue in around eight minutes. This drops you right onto the neighbourhood’s main strip. The J, M, and Z trains stop at Marcy Avenue — better for the waterfront. The NYC Ferry East River route calls at North Williamsburg landing for a scenic crossing with skyline views as you approach.
Once you arrive, the neighbourhood is very easy to navigate on foot. The best restaurants, shops, and bars cluster within a ten-minute walk of the Bedford Avenue L station.
See the Manhattan Skyline from the Waterfront
East River State Park runs along the waterfront between North 8th and North 9th Streets. It offers a wide, open view of the Manhattan skyline. Photographers travel across the city to capture it. Come in the late afternoon. The light turns golden over the Midtown towers and the scene is exceptional. This is one of the best free viewpoints in all of New York.
On Saturdays from April through October, Smorgasburg takes over East River State Park. This is New York’s most popular outdoor food market. Around 100 vendors serve everything from crab rice to black sesame soft serve, all with the skyline as a backdrop. Arrive by 11am — the best stalls sell out before noon and the park fills quickly on sunny weekends.
Walk the Street Art Scene on Bedford Avenue
Williamsburg has been a canvas for street artists for decades. Bedford Avenue and the surrounding blocks — North 7th Street, North 6th Street, Wythe Avenue — carry murals, tags, and wheat-paste art that shifts and changes month to month. You will find large-scale commissioned works alongside guerrilla installations tucked between doorways and above fire escapes. No tour is required. Simply walk south from the Bedford Avenue L station and let the walls lead you.
The blocks around Wythe Avenue near the waterfront are a particular highlight. Several oversized murals on warehouse walls make this a rewarding half-hour detour from the main shopping strip.
Things to Do in Williamsburg: Eat at New York’s Best Restaurants
Williamsburg attracts food-obsessed New Yorkers from all five boroughs, and with good reason. The restaurant scene here is one of the most exciting in the city.
Peter Luger Steak House on Broadway opened in 1887 and has served some of the most celebrated steaks in New York ever since. Reservations are essential — book weeks in advance. If you cannot get a table, a visit to the bar for a pint of Brooklyn Lager is still worthwhile. The room alone tells a story.
Pies ‘n’ Thighs on South 4th Street is famous for its fried chicken and biscuits with honey butter. The queues are long on weekends. It is worth the wait. Emmy Squared on Metropolitan Avenue makes a square Detroit-style pizza with a devoted following across New York. Diner, under the Williamsburg Bridge on Broadway, serves seasonal American food inside a 1927 dining car — one of those New York places that sounds improbable and then immediately feels essential.
Browse the Weekend Markets and Independent Shops
Shopping in Williamsburg feels nothing like shopping in Midtown. The neighbourhood built its reputation on independent retailers, vintage stores, and creative markets.
Artists & Fleas on North 7th Street near Wythe Avenue runs every weekend. It brings together local artists, designers, and vintage sellers in a large indoor space. You will find handmade jewellery, original paintings, vintage clothing, ceramics, and objects that exist nowhere else in the city. Good browsing whether you buy anything or not.
Bedford Avenue itself carries a string of independent shops. Rough Trade Records, at 64 North 9th Street, is one of the finest vinyl shops in New York, with an attached music venue and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere. Even non-collectors find it hard to leave quickly.
See Live Music at Two of Brooklyn’s Best Venues
Williamsburg has long been at the centre of New York’s independent music scene. Two venues stand out.
Brooklyn Bowl on Wythe Avenue combines a music venue, a bowling alley, and a kitchen serving Blue Ribbon fried chicken in the same enormous converted factory space. It holds around 600 people and hosts everyone from touring indie bands to major DJ nights. The combination works better than it sounds, and it makes for an unusual and genuinely enjoyable evening out.
Music Hall of Williamsburg on North 6th Street is a 550-capacity club that has supported an impressive list of breakthrough acts over the years. Check the calendar before you arrive — the venue runs shows most nights, from indie rock to jazz to electronic.
Walk Across the Williamsburg Bridge
The Williamsburg Bridge opened in 1903 and was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time. Today it carries cyclists and pedestrians between Williamsburg and the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The walk takes around 25 minutes. Views from the bridge look south towards the Brooklyn Bridge and north towards the Queensboro Bridge — a panorama worth stopping for.
Go early in the morning if you can. The Williamsburg Bridge draws far fewer tourists than the Brooklyn Bridge, so you will have more room to stop and take photographs without the crowds.
More Things to Do Near Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Two neighbouring districts reward a longer visit. Greenpoint, directly to the north, has a quieter character — strong Polish heritage, excellent cafés, and a waterfront of its own. Read the full story of Greenpoint’s Polish roots and what the neighbourhood looks like today.
DUMBO, to the south, offers cobblestone streets, converted warehouse galleries, and one of the most photographed views in Brooklyn — the Manhattan Bridge framed between buildings on Washington Street. Our complete guide to things to do in DUMBO covers everything worth seeing. Williamsburg and DUMBO work well as a combined Brooklyn day.
If you have more time in Brooklyn, Prospect Park is 585 acres of parkland designed by the same landscape architects who created Central Park. A short ride on the G train from Williamsburg gets you there. And if you are still exploring, our guide to the best neighbourhoods in New York City will help you plan your next stop.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
When to go: Saturday afternoons are the busiest, especially in summer when Smorgasburg draws large crowds to the waterfront. Sunday mornings are calmer and better for exploring the food scene without queuing. Weekday evenings have a different quality entirely — quieter streets, easier dinner reservations, and a neighbourhood that feels like somewhere people genuinely live.
How long to allow: A half day covers the waterfront, Bedford Avenue, and a good meal. A full day lets you take in the markets, explore the street art, browse shops, and finish with an evening of live music. Most visitors find Williamsburg expands naturally to fill whatever time they give it.
Getting around: The neighbourhood is flat and very walkable. Most key attractions sit within a 15-minute walk of Bedford Avenue L station. If the weather is warm, walking the waterfront between Smorgasburg and the Williamsburg Bridge is one of the best stretches of pavement in Brooklyn.
Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
What is Williamsburg Brooklyn known for?
Williamsburg is known for its outstanding food and restaurant scene, vibrant street art, weekend markets including Smorgasburg, independent music venues, and its position on the East River with spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline. It has transformed from an industrial neighbourhood into one of New York City’s most creative and visited districts.
Is Williamsburg Brooklyn worth visiting for tourists?
Yes — Williamsburg is one of the most rewarding places to visit in New York City. It offers a genuine neighbourhood experience with excellent food, interesting markets, great street art, and some of the best skyline views in Brooklyn. Most visitors who make the short trip from Manhattan say it was a highlight of their New York stay.
How do I get to Williamsburg from Manhattan?
The fastest option is the L train from 14th Street–Union Square, which reaches Bedford Avenue in around eight minutes. The J, M, and Z trains also serve the neighbourhood, stopping at Marcy Avenue. The NYC Ferry East River route calls at North Williamsburg landing for a more scenic crossing by water.
What is Smorgasburg and when does it run?
Smorgasburg is New York’s most popular outdoor food market, held at East River State Park in Williamsburg on Saturdays from April through October. Around 100 local food vendors attend each week, offering everything from regional street food to creative desserts. Arrive by 11am for the best choice of stalls and to avoid peak crowds.
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