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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Brooklyn

241 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Brooklyn, New York

Updated June 14, 2025

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Unusual Attractions in Brooklyn

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Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Brooklyn

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Atlas Obscura Itineraries

The Resilience of New York in 10 Remarkable Sites

New York has been described as a playground for the rich and powerful, but the state's history is full of ordinary people who have overcome extraordinary struggles. What if Seneca Falls, the village that launched the fight for women's suffrage, were as famous as Niagara Falls? What if Weeksville, the historic free Black community in Brooklyn, were as well-known as Williamsburg? From immigrant sanctuaries to the Survivor Tree, here are sites where New York has shown its resilience.

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Explore Brooklyn, New York

Architecture 32
Shops 26
Architectural Oddities 24
Cemeteries 22
Ecosystems 16
Intriguing Environs 15
Art 15
Nature 14

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Palacsinta-Americana are a DIY party version of the classic Hungarian dessert.

‘Second Generation’ Makes Recipes That Survived World War Sparkle

In his Hungarian-Jewish cookbook, chef Jeremy Salamon of Agi's Counter digs into his family heritage and uses dill like glitter.
by Diana Hubbell
Archestratus is packed with both new and vintage cookbooks.

The Revolution Begins in the Cookbook Store

Paige Lipari, founder of Archestratus, is changing the world one potluck at a time.
by Diana Hubbell

Brooklyn’s ‘River Hag’ Searches for Life in One of America's Most Toxic Waterways

Greenpoint's Newtown Creek was the site of one of the worst oil spills in U.S. history.
by Diana Hubbell
Mafra Palace Library is home to a colony of itty-bitty bats that keep its many historic volumes safe from pests.

5 of Our Favorite Podcast Episodes About Wildlife in Unexpected Places

Life finds a way, from the bats that haunt and hunt in a majestic library to a bird sanctuary in one of the most dangerous places in the world.
by The Podcast Team

Podcast: Newtown Creek Nature Walk

One man in Brooklyn—armed with a homemade boat and an artistic vision—helped transform one of America's most polluted industrial waterways.
by The Podcast Team

Podcast: Duke Riley and the Poly S. Tyrene Maritime Museum

We meet an artist who has turned trash into a medium—and an indictment.
by The Podcast Team
The Vanna White, a vodka highball with akvavit and celery shrub.

Shake Up Your Cocktails with Miso and MSG

There's a long history of savory, surprising mixed drinks.
by Diana Hubbell

Podcast: Broken Angel

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team

Lists Featuring Brooklyn

The Geographic Center of NYC is located on a traffic meridian on Queens Boulevard.
Vale of Cashmere.
Underneath the entrance to the nature walk is a small separate garden (Michelle Enemark CC Attribution Share Alike)

30 Unexpected Places to Have a Joyful Adventure in New York City

Sponsored by Volkswagen
30

Including Geographic Center of New York City, Vale of Cashmere, and Marie's Crisis

Phyllis Diller
Detail of the Texaco map terrazzo mosaic tile floor of the New York State Pavilion (Tent of Tomorrow), 2009

18 Places to Discover Innovation in Roosevelt Island and NYC

Sponsored by Graduate Hotels
18

Including Holographic Studios Inc., Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, and Patent Pending

Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
View from the pier

11 Surprisingly Romantic Places in New York City

We heart New York on Valentine's Day.

11

Including Albertine, Deno's Wonder Wheel, and Brooklyn Botanic Garden

The outside of The Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company.

21 Cool and Unusual Kid-Friendly Places in New York City

Hidden gems to earn you major parent brownie points.

21

Including Brooklyn Superhero Supply Store, 767 Third Avenue, and Tannen's Magic Shop

Overlooking New York Harbor.
Trinity Church cementery
First Shearith Israel Graveyard
The New York Marble Cemetery.

Unique Cemeteries in New York

Famous and historic graveyards to visit in the five boroughs.

14

Including Green-Wood Cemetery, Trinity Churchyard, and First Shearith Israel Graveyard

(Flickr/andreakw)
The bathroom
Some of the decorations include broken crockery that have been priced back together

11 Homes Transformed Into Amazing Mosaics

If you own your property, why not bedazzle it?

11

Including Wyckoff Street Mosaic, La Maison Picassiette, and House of Mirrors

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