What to Do in Red Hook Brooklyn

It took me two years to venture to Red Hook.

Ok, that’s not entirely true. Pretty much right after I moved to New York, I made an IKEA run. But I didn’t explore the neighborhood outside of those blue walls until recently.

Red Hook is a laid-back Brooklyn community with a rich maritime history. But, it’s also a bit isolated from public transportation which means it’s not exactly easy to get to. But that’s exactly why you should go there!

During my day in Red Hook, I had to keep reminding myself that I was in NYC. The neighborhood was pretty empty, I had no trouble finding seating at cafes, and no one seemed to be in a rush.

If you are an NYC local looking for a “day-trip” or a visitor looking for a hidden gem, I can’t recommend Red Hook enough. And if you are wondering what to do in Red Hook Brooklyn, don’t worry. I’ve created this guide to cover all of the can’t miss spots and everything you need to know for a great day in this one-of-a-kind NYC neighborhood.

History

There’s so much to cover about a neighborhood’s history but here are just a few fascinating points:

Red Hook was settled in the 1600s by Dutch settlers. They named the neighborhood for the red clay and the fact that it pointed out into the bay (Hoek in Dutch translates to point).

During the 1800s, Red Hook became a prominent shipping port and by the 1920s, it was the busiest freight port in the world. By the 1960s, the use of shipping containers led to the decline of Red Hook’s role in the industry.

Getting Here

Unfortunately, one of the first things I used to associate with Red Hook was how hard it is to get to. Sure, it’s a bit isolated from public transportation, but that has helped give Red Hook its unique charm. And getting here really isn’t that hard.

Take the IKEA Ferry– This ferry leaves from Wall St./Pier 11 and travels directly to IKEA in Red Hook. From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the main heart of Red Hook. (Pro tip- the ferry is free on weekends!)
Subway– The Smith 9/Street station, which is serviced by the F & G trains is the closest station to Red Hook. You’ll probably want to take the B61 bus or a Lyft from there as it’s still a bit of trek to the neighborhood.
B61 Bus– This bus travels from Downtown Brooklyn, Park Slope, and Brooklyn Heights
Uber or Lyft– If you don’t want to deal with the public transportation issues, you could always just take a car

Overall, I think the ferry is the best choice! It’s a fun and scenic option, too.

Good to Know

Red Hook really doesn’t feel like anywhere else I’ve explored in New York. Granted, I went on a pretty chilly February day, but the streets were pretty empty. Just be ready to walk and embrace the fact that you can get a break from some of the crowds without really having to leave the city.

Now that we’ve talked about how to get here, let’s look at what to do in Red Hook Brooklyn!

Coffee

If you are like me, you’ll want your first stop in Red Hook to be for coffee! Here are a few great options:

Baked

359 Van Brunt Street, Brooklyn NY 11231

Baked is a cozy cafe created by self-proclaimed dessert enthusiasts (so you know this was right up my alley). They serve great espresso-based drinks + have a FULL pastry case. They only stress you’ll feel is deciding how many pieces of coffee cake is socially acceptable to order.

Black Flamingo

281 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Black Flamingo is another great cafe option. You’ll find a selection of pastries, sandwiches, and soup to go along with your coffee. They offer WiFi and outdoor seating, too.

Museums

Red Hook has a few free museums + you can see some incredible art by just taking a walk through the neighborhood.

Pioneer Works

159 Pioneer St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Pioneer Works is a unique space for experimental art, science programs, and performances. It’s free to visit the galleries (although they do ask for a small donation). Check the calendar for upcoming events and classes.

Waterfront Museum

290 Conover St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

This museum is located in the historic Lehigh Valley Railroad Barge #79. This barge was built in 1914 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. When Red Hook was in it’s shipping prime, this barge was one of the thousands that filled the New York Harbor. You can step on board to learn more about Red Hook’s unique history. During the summer, a variety of theatrical performances are held on the barge.

Street Art

Although it’s not a museum, there’s tons of street art to see in Red Hook. Take a walk through the neighborhood and you’ll see plenty of vibrant murals. One of my favorites is the Widow Jane mural by Sebastian Gross-Ossa.

Parks

When in Red Hook you can’t miss the view of Lady Liberty and the Manhattan skyline from the Valentino Pier.

Louis Valentino, Jr. Park and Pier

Ferris St &, Coffey St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

This park was named for a Brooklyn firefighter who gave his life to protecting New York citizens. This small park seems to be a local secret and is a great spot to relax or bring a picnic. Walk onto the pier for a great view of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline.

Near the park, you’ll find Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pies and this is a great place to enjoy your frozen treat.

Eats

When you’re looking for something to eat in Red Hook, you can’t ignore a classic.

Defonte’s Sandwich Shop

379 Columbia St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Defonte’s is an old-school sandwich shop that opened in 1922. It’s not trendy and caters to a loyal local clientele. The menu is filled with Italian Heros including the famous fried eggplant sandwich. It’s cash only and there’s no indoor seating, but it’s a must-do for anyone looking for an authentic Red Hook experience.

Hometown Bar-B-Que

454 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Growing up in Tennessee, I have a bit of a hard time with BBQ places anywhere outside of the South. But Hometown Bar-B-Que seems like the real deal. They pit smoke the meat on oak wood and serve classic sides like potato salad, smoked pit beans, and banana pudding.

Dessert

You can’t go to Red Hook (or anywhere really) without grabbing some dessert! I mentioned Baked earlier in the coffee section, but that cafe also offers some incredible cookies and other pastries. Some other can’t miss dessert spots are:

Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie

185 Van Dyke St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Key lime pies might not be the first thing you associate with Brooklyn, but this is a must-do. Steve’s has been serving his pies made with fresh-squeezed key limes for 25 years. I recommend ordering a Swingle- a chocolate-dipped key lime pie on a stick. You can enjoy it in the nearby Louis Valentino, Jr. Park.

Ample Hills Factory

421 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Ample Hills is an NYC-based ice cream shop that is known for its creamy scoops packed with unique mix-ins (like ooey gooey butter cake and chocolate donuts). The Red Hook factory is the largest ice cream production factory in the city. As you enjoy your treat, you can walk through the museum to see the production machines. Try the shop specific flavor The Hook (burnt sugar ice cream mixed with salty fudge bites and Dutch stroopwafels) which was inspired by Red Hook’s unique history.

Raaka Chocolate

64 Seabring St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Raaka is a bean to bar chocolate factory that specialized in unroasted dark chocolate. You can stop by for a tasting or sign up in advance for a factory tour or chocolate making class. After your tasting, you’ll probably be convinced to purchase a specialty bar (or 2)!

Drinks

From dive bars to one of the best cocktail bars I’ve ever visited, you could easily spend your day bar hopping around Red Hook.

Red Hook Winery

175 Van Dyke St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Wine is made from grape to bottle at the Pier 41 winery. Red Hook Winery highlights grape farmers from around New York State. From the tasting room, you can enjoy a flight with a view of the Statue of Liberty.

Sunny’s

253 Conover St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Sunny’s is a quirky and resilient dive bar that’s been in the neighborhood since the 1890s. It was badly damaged during Hurricane Sandy by the community rallied together to help save this historic spot.

Widow Jane + Botanica Bar

218 Conover St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Widow Jane is a small batch whiskey distillery that uses limestone water from Upstate New York for proofing. You can sign up for a tour if you want to learn more about the distilling process. Or, visit the Botanic Bar next door. I opted for the bar instead of the tour and it was a great choice. The bartender was excellent and you shouldn’t miss the chance to order a “Bartender’s Choice” for an exceptionally-crafted cocktail.

Van Brunt Stillhouse

6 Bay St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Since 2012, the husband and wife team of Daric Schlesselman and Sarah Ludington have been creating farmhouse style whiskey at the Van Brunt Stillhouse. You can take a tour or visit the taproom to try the small-batch spirits.

IKEA

1 Beard St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Of course, I can’t talk about what to do in Red Hook Brooklyn without mentioning IKEA. The ferry drops you off right in front of the blue-walled furniture giant and you know you probably need a few more fake plants or cheap pillows for your apartment, right?

I hope you have a better idea of what to do in Red Hook Brooklyn now! If there’s anything I left off this list, please let me know in the comments!

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