How to Spend a Day in Brooklyn in New York City

Brooklyn is one of New York City's five boroughs. Brooklyn's cultural diversity, independent art scene, distinct neighborhoods and unique architectural heritage make it one of the hottest tour spots when visiting New York, especially if you're trying to avoid Manhattan prices. Brooklyn has many well-defined neighborhoods with roots dating back to the city's founding by Dutch colonists, offering a glimpse of the New York of yesterday.

Instructions

1. Check out America's first theme park, Coney Island. From the beach to the wooden roller coaster, this birthplace of the hot dog on a bun is sure to please. Since its beginnings in the late 1890s, Coney Island has been a destination for local fun.

2. Stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge during the day or at night. When this beautiful bridge opened in 1883, it was the longest suspension bridge built-and is still a wonder almost 130 years later. You can easily walk the bridge in 20 minutes if you don't linger, but it is well worth it to take an hour so you can read all the plaques that run along the bridge. You can enter the bridge from Manhattan or Brooklyn.

3. Lose yourself in Prospect Park, a 585-acre park that some say is even better than Central Park. You could easily spend the whole day in this urban oasis in the heart of Brooklyn. There are plenty of walking paths for strolling, a wonderful lake where you can relax on a boat or fish, and room to fly a kite or play ball. You can rent horses to ride on the bridle path or take a picnic basket and relax on a 90-acre area called "the long meadow."

4. Dive into the New York Aquarium, located on Surf Avenue and West 8th Street. With over 300 different species of fish and other sea creatures plus daily dolphin shows, it is the only aquarium of its kind in New York.

5. Fall into the fragrance of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The garden is located on 52 acres and is considered a living museum. With hundreds of different plants, it is beautiful no matter what month you decide to visit. The Brooklyn Botanic Gardens hosts many activities too, from nature-themed art exhibitions to Japanese taiko drumming during cherry-blossom season.