Planning your Brooklyn itinerary? Here’s how to spend one perfect day in Brooklyn discovering hidden gems, photo-worthy skyline views, and local favorites, from brunch in Cobble Hill to the night view on the Brooklyn Bridge.
I’ve been living in New York City for almost 20 years (15 of them in Brooklyn), and this is my route. The one I walk when I want to fall in love with the city all over again.
I first shared it years ago on my Italian blog, and it quickly became one of the most-loved itineraries among readers planning their trip to NYC. Today, I’m bringing it here; updated, optimized, and packed with local insights, so you can experience Brooklyn the way we locals do.
🗺️ Click the map below to follow the route or open it in Google Maps to walk it like a local.
Brooklyn 1 Day Itinerary at a Glance
📍 Start at Café Luluc for brunch. Famous for its pancakes, they actually have the best French toast ever!!!
☕ Morning: Verandah Place & Cobble Hill Park → Brooklyn Heights → Squibb Park Bridge → Brooklyn Bridge Park
📸 Afternoon in DUMBO: Van Leeuwen → % Arabica → Jane’s Carousel → Pebble Beach → Two Bridges Lookout
🌇 Evening: DUMBO iconic photo spot → dinner at AlMar → Brooklyn Bridge Walk
🕐 Best time to visit: late spring – early fall for warm light and outdoor dining… and honestly?! ALL YEAR LONG!!!
👉 Save this Brooklyn itinerary for your next trip!
🏨 Where to Stay in Brooklyn – Your Local Picks
If you’re following this Brooklyn itinerary, staying nearby makes your day even easier. Here are three excellent hotel picks:
1. NU Hotel Brooklyn
Boutique, stylish design in downtown Brooklyn. Great value compared to Manhattan, and good location near transit & local cafés. Friendly staff, complimentary breakfast, and clean rooms.
Perfect if you want to stay somewhere that feels like Brooklyn – not a chain.
2. Hilton Brooklyn New York
Modern, comfortable, close to everything, and friendly & helpful staff. Well-located options near downtown Brooklyn
Perfect for a no-stress stay: close to everything but peaceful when you come back.
3. New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge
Rooms larger than typical NYC hotels, modern design and comfortable bedding.
Perfect if you’re coming for a special trip or just want a stay that feels indulgent.
Or browse more hotels and stays here: Booking.com / Vrbo
Disclosure: If you book your stay through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting my work and helping me keep sharing local guides like this one! 💛
Morning: Cobble Hill Brunch & Brooklyn Heights Promenade
🍳 Best Brunch in Cobble Hill: Café LuluC
Start your day in Brooklyn itinerary with brunch at Café Luluc. Famous for its pancakes and always busy, they serve phenomenal fries and the best French toast ever, the Luluc French Toast with Nutella and fruit is absolutely to die for.
Everything on their menu is great, and I usually get their Healthy Luluc Salad with Shrimp or Grilled Shrimp salad (yup, I love my shrimp), always with a side of fries. Everything is delicious!!!
Heads up: it’s cash only!!!
Pro Tip: Arrive around before 10:30 a.m. during the weekend to avoid the line.
🌳 Verandah Place & Cobble Hill Park
Verandha Place is one of my favorite hidden streets in Brooklyn: a narrow, 20-foot wide mews lined with 19th-century carriage houses facing the green of Cobble Hill Park.
These brick homes originally stored horses and carriages for nearby mansions in the 1840s-60s. I love coming here to pause.
Sit on a bench under a tree, coffee in hand, and soak up the Brooklyn vibe: calm, cozy, and locals-only.
In spring it blooms; in fall, it’s covered in gold leaves.
🏠 Hunts Lane
This quiet little alley is a true Brooklyn Heights hidden gem. I always bring friends here to show them this charming carriage house from the 1800s. With its red brick, blue shutters, and timeless character is super Instagrammable. It feels like time stopped… it’s just sooo pretty!!!
🏙️ Brooklyn Heights Promenade → Squibb Park Bridge
Walk along the Brooklyn Heights Promenade for panoramic skyline views, then follow the Squibb Park Bridge down to the waterfront. it feels like a secret passage with breathtaking views. Halfway down, stop for one of the best Manhattan skyline views ever!!!
🌳 Brooklyn Bridge Park
The Brooklyn Bridge Park is one of the most beautiful stretches of waterfront in all of New York.
The Old Pier 1, with wooden pilings in the water, is a view that never gets old. One of those classic Brooklyn shots you can take a hundred times and still fall in love with every single one.
Next to the Old Pier, don’t miss the Harbor View Lawn – my favorite spot to watch free outdoor movies in the summer! it’s that perfect Brooklyn exhale before moving on with your walk.
☕ Afternoon: DUMBO Photo Spots & The Waterfront
🍦 Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
The perfect sweet pause during your Brooklyn one day itinerary.
This Brooklyn-born spot started from a yellow ice cream truck back in 2008, and it still feels wonderfully local.
Their scoops are rich, creamy, and made with simple ingredients. I’m obsessed with their pistachio and chocolate Sunday!!!
☕ Coffee Stop: % Arabica
Head toward % Arabica in DUMBO for a matcha latte or flat white (that’s my go-to, LOL), and enjoy your coffee with a view. Minimal design and perfect vibes. The kind of spot that makes you slow down and just feel Brooklyn.
🎠 Jane’s Carousel
Built in 1922 and lovingly restored, this fairytale carousel spins right on the river.
Hop on the Jane’s Carousel for a ride to step back in time, or just watch it spin to capture a postcard moment full of charm.
🎟️ Tickets: $3 for one ride.
🗓️ FALL (Sept 15 – Dec 31, 2025): Closed Mon & Tue, open 11 am-5 :50 pm.
WINTER (Jan 1 – Mar 15, 2026): Closed Mon-Wed, open 11 am-5 :50 pm.
SPRING (Mar 16 – May 10, 2026): Closed Mon & Tue, open 11 am-5 :50 pm.
SUMMER (May 11 – Sep 13, 2026): Weekdays 11 am-6 :50 pm, Weekends 10 am-6 :50 pm.
📸 Time Out Market
Take the elevator up to the rooftop terrace and let the city unfold in front of you: the bridges, the lights, the skyline glowing across the river. Stand there soaking it all in, surrounded by everything that makes Brooklyn so special.
🌊 Pebble Beach & Two Bridges Lookout
At Pebble Beach, sit on the rocks, listen to the waves, and watch the skyline light up.
A few minutes away, the Two Bridges Lookout offers one of DUMBO’s most underrated views: the Manhattan Bridge rising above the water, the skyline behind it, and the Brooklyn Bridge in the background. Pure perfection!!!
Evening: Dinner & Brooklyn Bridge Walk
📸 DUMBO Manhattan Bridge View – The Classic Shot That Never Gets Old
You can’t come to Brooklyn and skip this one.
Stand right on Washington Street, where the Manhattan Bridge perfectly frames the Empire State Building in the distance. it’s that famous DUMBO view you’ve seen a thousand times, and yet… it still takes your breath away. Be patient… there’s always a crowd. If you want to have this view all to yourself, plan to be here by sunrise: it’s really magical!!!
🍝 AlMar – Authentic Italian in the Heart of DUMBO
Authentic Italian and industrial-chic meet warm Brooklyn energy.
As an Italian myself, when I’m craving something real and delicious, I always go to AlMar, one of our favorite date-night spots. The pasta is OH SO DELICIOUS and It’s also the best place to escape the tourist buzz in a touristy area!!! Definitely a must-try.
🌉 Brooklyn Bridge Walk
End your Brooklyn day walking from Brooklyn to Manhattan: that’s how you keep the skyline in front of you the entire time. Every few steps, the light changes and you’ll find a new best picture ever.
Walk slowly, stop often, and let it all sink in. This is the grand finale, the moment that makes you fall in love with New York all over again. 😍
💡 Practical Tips for One Day in Brooklyn
🚇 Getting Around
- Subway: Take the F/G to Bergen St to start your day at Café Luluc
- If you’re tired by night and want to skip the walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, hop on the NYC Ferry from DUMBO to Wall St: you’ll get another incredible skyline view. And if you’re tired-tired, just head to the York Street Subway Station and take the F train from there.
- Walking: This route is about 5–6 miles total: mostly flat and perfect for an easy-paced day.
🕐 Best Time to Visit
Late spring through fall is ideal — though you can absolutely enjoy this walk year-round.
For fewer crowds, aim for early mornings or light rainy days (still super charming!).
Golden hour gives the dreamiest photos.
💰 Budget Tips
Cafe Luluc is cash only and totally affordable.
% Arabica and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream are your standard NYC prices, and AlMar is a bit pricier, but the ingredients, flavor, and authenticity are so worth it!!!
A ride on Jane’s Carousel costs $3, and the rest of the walk is completely free. 🤗
🌦️ Rain Plan
Don’t let the rain stop you!!! Brooklyn still feels magical: moody, cinematic, local.
If you need a break, get into Time Out Market for a coffee or snack while you dry off and watch the skyline shimmer through the rain.
❓ FAQ: Brooklyn Itinerary 1 Day
Can you do Brooklyn in one day?
Not really – LOL.
I’ve been living in NYC for almost 20 years, and I still “haven’t done Brooklyn.” Even just in this area, there are plenty of other things to do.
For example, I haven’t even mentioned some of my other favorites like:
- Sottocasa (authentic Neapolitan pizza – I might be biased since my husband Luca is one of the owners it, but everyone says it’s delicious! It’s a true neighborhood favorite!)
- Little Sweet Cafe (super cute spot with amazing crêpes)
- Vineapple (laid-back Brooklyn Heights café I love)
- Almondine Bakery (to-die-for pastry shop in DUMBO)
- Or the newly opened Fishs Eddy DUMBO (I’m a huge fan of their Manhattan store – so happy they’re finally in Brooklyn too!)
This Brooklyn 1 Day Itinerary covers the highlights without rushing. It’s perfect if you want variety, food, and skyline views... And if you’d love me to share more, let me know! 🫶
Brooklyn or Manhattan Bridge for photos?
Both are stunning. I often recommend walking to Brooklyn via the Manhattan Bridge, and walk back to Manhattan via the Brooklyn Bridge – that way, the skyline stays in front of you the whole time. Unbeatable.
Where to watch sunset in Brooklyn?
The Brooklyn Bridge Promenade, the Squibb Park Bridge, anywhere in Brooklyn Bridge Park, or Pebble Beach: they’re all breathtaking as the light fades over the skyline.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Brooklyn is a feeling, and once you’ve felt it, there’s no going back.
Save & Share this 1 day Brooklyn itinerary for your next NYC trip, and discover why locals like me never get tired of this view.
Brooklyn always finds a way to steal your heart. ❤️
