INDULGENCES travel by joe schmitt
It’s purported that one in seven
Americans have either lived in Brook- lyn (myself included), or have roots leading to Brooklyn in their family tree. But for those who have never ex- perienced Brooklyn first hand, it may come as some surprise to learn that this New York City borough has some of the Big Apple’s best dining, gay nightlife and tourist attractions. On a recent visit to New York City, I decided to give my old stopping grounds a fresh visit, and what I found in Brook- lyn surprised even me.
Where to stay:
Brooklyn has long lacked quality lodging, leaving
many of its vibrant neighborhoods unexplored by New York City visitors. But several newish hotels have brought elevated sanctuary for savvy travelers. In Brooklyn’s gay popular enclave of Park Slope, Hotel Le Bleu’s (hotellebleu.com) standard guestroom features include high definition television, WiFi, iPod docking station and Bose DVD audio systems. Park Slope, known for its vintage shops, diverse restau- rants, cafes, pubs and nightlife, is the perfect home base for Brooklyn discoveries. During weekends, visi- tors will find large farmer’s markets along tree-lined streets selling everything from street food and fresh vegetables, to antiques and clothing. A sister prop- erty with similar style and amenities has also opened in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood. Hotel Le Jolie (hotellejolie.com) offers affordable luxury in this quintessential New York locale, where urban hipsters Hasidic Jews, Puerto Ricans and Dominicans all con- verge in the heart of America’s melting pot.
What to see and do:
It’s not often I suggest visiting a cemetery while on
vacation, but Green-Wood Cemetery (green-wood. com) is something special in Brooklyn. Founded in 1838, this once rural final resting place of New York’s “Who’s Who” includes names like Steinway, Roosevelt, Bernstein and Basquiat. Spread across its 478-acres of peaceful oasis are glacial ponds, quiet paths and one of the largest outdoor collections of 19th and 20th century statuary and mausoleums. In 2006, Green-Wood was designated a National Historic Landmark by the United States Depart- ment of the Interior, which recognized its national significance in art, architecture, landscaping and history. Brooklyn’s very own version of Central
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RAGE monthly | APRIL 2010
THE NEW BROOKLYN
SOME OF BIG APPLE’S BEST
photography by Alexandra Neuber © NYC & Company
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