What better way to start the new year off than with a little travel inspiration?! A few months back, I spent a few days in super cool Brooklyn, and I thought I'd share my favourite spots to eat & shop, and the incredible apartment I stayed in!
This is the final city guide from my travels back in September. You can see the others here: Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Manhattan.
WHERE TO STAY IN BROOKLYN
While planning my trip, I obviously trawled through AirBnb for hours, looking at all the amazing places I could stay, compiling lists of my favourite homes.. many of them in Manhattan & Brooklyn were way out of my budget (hence why I ended up staying in a slightly grotty one in Manhattan) but I thought that for my last few days away, I should treat myself to somewhere I really wanted to stay.
I kept going back to browse Ehren's apartment. There was so much stuff to look at, a cute little cat, and the view across to Manhattan... I was sold.
My host was away for part of my stay so I had to look after Cindy the cat - which was more of a bonus to me than a chore! The first night I was there, I sat watching the sunset over Manhattan. I wrote and wrote and wrote. I felt so lucky to be there.
When Ehren got home he was super friendly and chatty, and made the last couple of days so easy and nice. He was such an open person that it felt like I was staying with a buddy, rather than in a stranger's home.
WHERE TO SHOP IN BROOKLYN
There were a couple of interesting shops near where I was staying, but as you can see from my little map that I made, a lot of them were in the heart of Williamsburg. I had some specific shops marked out, but discovered a bunch of other cool places while wandering about.
I didn't make it to everything on my list, but all the ones I did get to were amazing. Most of them are vintage shops, as well as homeware, stationery & gift shops, jewellery and things. Desert Island is brilliant if you're at all interested in zines, art books or comics!
WHERE TO EAT IN BROOKLYN
Before I went away, my boyfriend asked me if I'd researched the best pizza in New York. I hadn't. We found Motorino Pizza, and I'm really glad I added it to my list. The pizzas are so tasty, the staff are super friendly, and the interiors are pretty cool as well. To add to the niceness of it all, I contacted them a while after to try and get a specific t-shirt of theirs, and they sent it over in time for Christmas! Excellent people.
It seems New Yorkers do eggs & avocado pretty bloody well, as I ate it for brunch numerous times. While heading to Williamsburg to do some shopping, I stopped in to Willburg Cafe for the perfect poached eggs. Their website is a bit shit, but the cafe itself is really good, and inexpensive. They had a huge list of amazing sounding burgers written on the wall too!
Milk Bar was somewhere I really wanted to check out - they make soft serve ice cream which tastes like the milk at the bottom of your cereal bowl. It's super sweet - even more so if you add on sprinkles and toppings - but well worth a visit! Especially if it's a really hot day, like it was when I went.
For an early dinner on my last day - I was going to head to Pies 'n' Thighs - as recommended by many people, but it was closed. Across the road were a couple of places that looked nice - Summers, and Pokito. I chose the latter as the interior suckered me in.
It's an unusual combination of Latin & Asian food, so you can expect things like guacamole, nachos, katsu, and green bowls, as well as cocktails! My katsu sando was SO tasty I didn't want it to ever end. Definitely worth a visit, and I'm actually really glad the other restaurant was shut!
Those are all the places I graced in Brooklyn, and they should all be marked on my map here - I should probably do these maps for all of my city guides, right?
Brooklyn - specifically Williamsburg - is just as cool as they say, and should be on your list of places to go if you're planning on heading over to New York. I only spent a really short time here, but could've easily stayed longer. I'd love to head to some bars and see more of what it's like after dark.
Maybe next time.
I've been thinking of writing a blog post about my general feeling about travelling alone, or maybe some tips for (females) travelling alone - is this something you guys would be interested in reading?
Remember, you can see the other posts from my trip here: Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Manhattan.• follow on: twitter • facebook • bloglovin'
Yay! We are off to NYC in feb so will definitely be following your recommendations xx
ReplyDeleteWow! These photos look fab and the places all sound incredible - definitely loving the sound and look of Pokito! I love that type of food and the pictures look awesome!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a lovely time - I've only ever visited Manhattan but absolutely adore it (NY is probs one of my favourite places on Earth) so I would love to visit this part of Brooklyn next time! Also I'd love to read about your thoughts and tips on travelling alone! I'm planning on heading out to Australia later this year and can't wait (but terrified!)
JosieVictoriaa // Fashion, Travel & Lifestyle
These photos are absolutely lovely. I feel so inspired after this post! You've made me wish I could snap my fingers and appear in Brooklyn.
ReplyDeleteAmber | y a c h t s m a a n
These photos are absolutely dreamy Lyzi, so glad you had a great time! xx
ReplyDeleteThese photos are stunning and I wish I'd had this guide when I went to Brooklyn (or when I wandered around aimlessly without a plan on one of the hottest days of the year and seemed to find nothing but residential streets.. how did I fail so badly?!) Bookmarking this for next time to say the least hahaha xxx
ReplyDeleteLucy @ La Lingua | Life, Travel, Italy
I love New York but I've never been to Brookyln. Definitely want to go now! Great post xx
ReplyDeleteLEXI LIKES
constantly in awe of your photography skills Lyzi, you have such an eye for capturing beauty in the strangest of places. you're giving me wanderlust!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a fantastic time Lyzi, all these pictures are just beautiful, so so cool! x
ReplyDeleteholljc.blogspot.co.uk
Beautiful images, looks like you had an amazing time! I would love to visit NY!
ReplyDeletewww.wheresmylipstick.com
This is making me really, really, really want to book a trip away - Brooklyn looks amazing. And that apartment is just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your photos, and it makes me so jelly that I couldn't have come with you! I would love to visit Brooklyn, although I would be a little skeptical about my claustrophopic anxieties growing on me (there are a lot of people I've heard). x
ReplyDeleteKyia at WANDERLUSTGIRL// Lifestyle & Beauty
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