Though one of the oldest neighborhoods in New York, it is only recently that attention has been given to Red Hook's industrial charm. With unparalleled views of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, to walk down Red Hook's cobble stone streets is to walk through history.
A newly built cruise ship terminal foreshadows more development to come, but waterfront warehouses still make up much of the neighborhood. To the east lays Brooklyn's largest public housing project, the Red Hook Houses.
Red Hook is bordered by the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and Hamilton Avenue.
With no subway lines in Red Hook, public transportation can be a problem. The B61 bus runs from Cobble Hill to Red Hook, and the B77 bus runs from Park Slope. Another option is to hop on a boat -- The NY Water Taxi ferries passengers to and from "Fairway," the neighborhood's popular gourmet food emporium.
- South Brooklyn Community High School, 173 Conover St
- PS 027 Agnes Y. Humphrey, 27 Huntington St
- PS 015 Patrick F. Daly, 71 Sullivan St
Despite lack of public transportation, Red Hook real estate is priced competitively with the rest of Brooklyn. One-bedroom apartments rent for about $1500 a month.
Locals flock to "Fairway," a gourmet supermarket and café with low prices and great views. Both "Hope & Anchor," a diner on Van Brunt Street, and "The Good Fork," a more upscale choice, are neighborhood favorites, as are the "Red Hook Ballfields," where you can score tempting treats like hot chicken quesadillas from cart-wielding vendors. To satisfy a sweet tooth, don't miss one of "Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pies" or the pastries and cakes at "Baked."
If you're in the mood for a beer, a pint at "Sunny's" will hit the spot. Just beware of the dive bar's sporadic hours. An alternative is the wine bar "Tini's."
The best views in Red Hook are had at the Valentino Pier, which is surrounded by a small grassy park perfect for picnicking. The nearby Waterfront Museum and Showboat Barge provides educational programs for both kids and adults, and further east you'll find the Red Hook Recreation Area, which houses a large public swimming pool.
For antique jewelry, stop by "Erie Basin," where owner Russell Whitmore sells 19th and early 20th century finds. "LeNell's," a liquor store on Van Brunt Street, offers hard-to-find whiskey and libations. Red Hook is slated to get an "Ikea" in 2008.
- Neighborhood Blog: The Gowanus Lounge
- Zip Code: 11231
- Post Offices: None
