My wife wants to come along, with the baby. I will be having meetings for a day or two near that area.

On the map, the botanical gardens look close, but I will be closer to the water front.

Never having been there I cannoy claim to be any kind of expert, but the 'net has plenty of resources to scope this out.

Google street view seems to indicate that it is a mostly commercial/industrial area. Not many places worth visiting within walking distance. With a car, or enough gumption to take the subway, there is the whole of the NYC area available.

The only hotel that is evident is "The Lodge" which doesn't seem terrible, but not that great either.

Otherwise, it looks pretty much like the rest of Brooklyn.

Perhaps the member who goes by that name might be of help?

Did I actually stump SigForum? .

The current plan is to find a national hotel close to the botanical gardens. I’m only going to be there a day or two.

They can go to the gardens/take a black car into Manhattan/Williamsburg etc.

quote:

Originally posted by Aglifter:
Did I actually stump SigForum?

Maybe it's a sign that nobody goes there.

NO WAY in Hell my wife w/ an infant child (or any child for that matter, in arms, stroller, etc) is doing ANY self-guided tourism ANYWHERE in NYC (including Brooklyn!) while I happen to be there on business...Period

My phone says I'm 49 miles from Red Hook.

Farther than I thought.

Still way too close.

I think, if your wife and run real fast while dragging your child, it seems like a nice enough place, given the diverse neighborhood.


Red Hook, Brooklyn, is a unique and resilient waterfront neighborhood with a rich history, distinctive character, and a vibrant arts and culinary scene.
History
Originally known as "Roode Hoek" by the Dutch settlers in 1636 (referring to the reddish soil and the shape of the land), Red Hook evolved from marshy land to one of the busiest shipping centers in the United States by the mid-19th century. The construction of the Atlantic Basin and Erie Basin wharves transformed the peninsula into a bustling port, drawing thousands of immigrant laborers from Ireland, Germany, and Italy.
However, in the second half of the 20th century, the advent of container shipping rendered many of the traditional docks obsolete, and the construction of the Gowanus Expressway further isolated Red Hook from the rest of Brooklyn. This led to a period of decline, with the neighborhood gaining a reputation for toughness and becoming home to the Red Hook Houses, the largest public housing project in Brooklyn, built to accommodate dockworkers' families.
In recent decades, Red Hook has experienced a resurgence, attracting artists, makers, and small businesses who appreciate its industrial aesthetic, waterfront views, and sense of community.
Demographics
Red Hook is a diverse neighborhood with a population of around 11,000 residents. Over half of its residents live in the Red Hook Houses. Demographically, it's a mix:
* Race/Ethnicity: Approximately 37% Black, 32% Hispanic/Latino, and 21% White.
* Foreign-born: About 22% of residents are foreign-born, with Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and El Salvador being prominent countries of origin.
* Income: The median household income in Red Hook ($36,727) is significantly lower than that of Brooklyn and New York City as a whole, highlighting the continued presence of working-class families and the impact of the public housing complexes.
Despite economic challenges, Red Hook is known for its strong community spirit and a concentration of makers, fabricators, artists, and arts organizations that contribute to a vibrant local culture.
Things to Do
Red Hook offers a distinctive Brooklyn experience, blending industrial charm with creative energy and waterfront relaxation.
* Waterfront Views: Head to Louis Valentino Jr. Pier & Park for breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty, Governors Island, and the Manhattan skyline. It's a popular spot for picnics and enjoying sunsets.
* Art and Culture:
* Pioneer Works: A non-profit cultural center that hosts a rotating schedule of exhibitions, performances, and workshops across arts and sciences.
* Look North Inuit Art Gallery: Features sculptures and prints by Inuit artists.
* Street Art: Explore the neighborhood's many vibrant murals and alleyways filled with eclectic artwork.
* Waterfront Museum: Located on a historic 1914 Lehigh Valley Railroad Barge #79, this museum offers insights into Red Hook's shipping history and hosts events.
* Food and Drink: Red Hook has become a foodie destination, known for:
* Hometown Bar-B-Que: Famous for its authentic Texas-style barbecue.
* Red Hook Lobster Pound: A popular spot for classic Maine-style lobster rolls and other seafood.
* Red Hook Tavern: Known for its highly-regarded burger and classic American tavern fare.
* Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pie: A must-visit for its famous, freshly-made key lime pies.
* Breweries and Distilleries: Explore local craft breweries like Strong Rope Brewery (with Statue of Liberty views) and Van Brunt Stillhouse, a small-batch distillery.
* Defonte's Sandwich Shop: A century-old cash-only institution known for its hearty Italian-American sandwiches.
* Shopping: Discover unique, maker-led shops and galleries offering everything from vintage finds to home decor.
* IKEA: While not a cultural highlight, the IKEA store in Red Hook is a landmark and accessible via a popular (and sometimes free on weekends) ferry from Manhattan.
Red Hook's industrial aesthetic, cobblestone streets, and unique blend of old and new make it a compelling neighborhood to explore for those looking for an authentic, off-the-beaten-path Brooklyn experience.

I have been to red Hook Brooklyn many times, it is a combination of a lot of old red brick high-rise apartments mingled in with industrial warehouse light manufacturing operations. It is working class people.

quote:

Originally posted by downtownv:
I have been to red Hook Brooklyn many times, it is a combination of a lot of old red brick high-rise apartments mingled in with industrial warehouse light manufacturing operations. It is working class people.

And now filled with real estate that is rarely under two million...on the low side.

I helped build a park in Red Hook in the mid 90’s. At the time, it was a pretty rough area. But only a few blocks over towards Williamsburg, it changed pretty quickly. There were a few housing projects in the area that I remember passing. Even the guard house in the park was shot up one night.
Things may have changed a lot in the last 30 years, I don’t know. But either way, use caution after dark anywhere there are projects close by. I’m sure the type of residents there has not changed.
I just checked the map. Stay to the east side of the BQE. The projects that I’m referring to are on Columbia St west of the BQE and the surrounding area near Red Hook Park.

Formerly a waterfront industrial area with residential nearby, mainly old brownstones of varying sizes. Brooklyn reminds me of Tacoma or Oakland in that there's little polish or, refinement and Red Hook is dominated by work shops and warehouses. While Williamsburg and DUMBO get a lot of the press for all the regentrifying that's happened being the Mecca for hipsters, Red Hook is rapidly following suit. Lots of business' that are very image conscience have relocated to Brooklyn and Red Hook is seeing a lot of property snatched-up as the waterfront area is highly desirable and poised for major changes.

The waterfront has a large swath of unused container terminals and property developers are salivating over as that space has views of downtown Manhattan that are fantastic. Areas with hipsters bring four things when they take root....art galleries, coffee shops, restaurants and unique boutique stores most of them are on Van Brunt St;, if your wife can handle gritty areas and zero polish, that's Red Hook, just understand that the subway access is limited as its at the edge of Brooklyn. If she's looking to do more window shopping, people watching, she may find Williamsburg, DUMBO, Fort Greene or Park Slope better options and you can meet her after work.

This guy's video does a pretty good job of showing the area

I don't know Red Hook, but this is the subway today...

This may sound crazy, but Brooklyn is boring for tourists.

Brooklyn hasn't been the same since the Dodgers left...

Never spent a lot of time in Brooklyn or Queens, mostly in Midtown when I was in NYC or farther out Long Island.

They have a "Things to do" page Link which looks like a gentrified area, and it does have a large section of NY government housing projects.

Like any area that's being gentrified it has it's good and bad areas the Lodge Hotel looks good, rooms look nice.. basically a $300 a night Hampton inn looking hotel. Its get 4.6 stars.

quote:

Originally posted by FenderBender:
This may sound crazy, but Brooklyn is boring for tourists.

If it's your first time visiting NYC, there's not much in Brooklyn to see or, do compared to Manhattan. Perhaps get your own iconic photograph of the Manhattan Bridge in DUMBO and or specific stores/restaurants like Peter Luger.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: corsair,

I was born and raised in Red Hook.

The best piece of advise I can give you is, don’t go unless someone from the area you know is acting as a guide for you and your family.

There are some great restaurants and sights to see but, like a lot of places, you go a block or two too far and it gets ugly real quick.

quote:

Originally posted by corsair:

quote:

Originally posted by FenderBender:
This may sound crazy, but Brooklyn is boring for tourists.

If it's your first time visiting NYC, there's not much in Brooklyn to see or, do compared to Manhattan. Perhaps get your own iconic photograph of the Brooklyn Bridge in DUMBO and or specific stores/restaurants like Peter Luger.

L&B Spumoni Gardens is the best restaurant in Brooklyn.

We talked it over. We are more worried about measles than anything else.

They are going to stay home. I’ll probably stay in Williamsburg/I do want to see the botanical gardens.

Brooklyn? Most of best things to do / visit are in Manhattan. Your wife will enjoy Central Park especially the southern parts. Just don’t go north of 96th street