Brooklyn Live Cam

Brooklyn is a borough of New York City that has a rich and diverse history dating back to the 17th century. Originally settled by the Dutch in the mid-1600s, Brooklyn was then called Breuckelen, after a town in the Netherlands. Over time, it became a bustling commercial and industrial center, attracting immigrants from all over the world.

During the American Revolution, Brooklyn played a significant role in the fight for independence. The Battle of Brooklyn, also known as the Battle of Long Island, was fought in August 1776, and it was the first major battle of the Revolutionary War after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The British forces ultimately won the battle, but the Continental Army was able to retreat across the East River to Manhattan, saving the American cause from immediate defeat.

In the 19th century, Brooklyn grew rapidly as an industrial center, with factories producing everything from sugar to shoes. The opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 made transportation easier and cheaper, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard became an important shipbuilding facility. The Brooklyn Bridge, completed in 1883, connected Brooklyn to Manhattan and helped to further spur the borough's growth.

During the 20th century, Brooklyn continued to be a hub of immigration, with large numbers of people coming from Europe, Asia, and Latin America. In the 1950s and 1960s, Brooklyn experienced significant social and economic changes, including the construction of public housing projects and the growth of the civil rights movement.

Today, Brooklyn is a vibrant and diverse borough, known for its cultural and artistic scenes, as well as its historic landmarks and neighborhoods. From Coney Island to Williamsburg, Brooklyn has something for everyone, and its rich history continues to shape the borough's identity and character.

Top Tourist Attractions

Brooklyn is a borough of New York City that is home to a wide variety of tourist attractions. Here are some of the top sights and experiences that you should consider adding to your itinerary:

• Brooklyn Bridge: The Brooklyn Bridge is an iconic suspension bridge that spans the East River, connecting Brooklyn to Manhattan. It was completed in 1883 and is one of the oldest and most recognizable bridges in the United States.
• Brooklyn Museum: The Brooklyn Museum is one of the largest and most comprehensive art museums in the country. It has an extensive collection of art from around the world, including ancient Egyptian artifacts, contemporary art, and everything in between.
• Prospect Park: Prospect Park is a beautiful and expansive public park that covers over 500 acres in the heart of Brooklyn. It features rolling hills, a lake, hiking trails, and a variety of recreational activities for visitors of all ages.
• Coney Island: Coney Island is a historic amusement park and beach that has been a popular destination for over a century. It features classic rides like the Cyclone roller coaster, as well as a boardwalk, beach, and a variety of food vendors.
• Brooklyn Heights: Brooklyn Heights is a charming and historic neighborhood that features tree-lined streets, elegant brownstones, and stunning views of the Manhattan skyline.
• Williamsburg: Williamsburg is a trendy and vibrant neighborhood that has become a popular destination for food, shopping, and nightlife. It features a wide variety of restaurants, bars, boutiques, and art galleries.
• Green-Wood Cemetery: Green-Wood Cemetery is a beautiful and historic cemetery that is home to over 500,000 graves, including those of famous figures like Leonard Bernstein, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Boss Tweed.
• Industry City: Industry City is a complex of renovated warehouses that has been transformed into a hub of creativity and innovation. It features a variety of shops, restaurants, and cultural events.

These are just a few of the many attractions that Brooklyn has to offer. Whether you're interested in history, art, food, or just taking in the sights and sounds of this vibrant borough, Brooklyn has something for everyone.

Historical Facts

Brooklyn has a rich and fascinating history, with many important events and figures that have shaped the borough and the city of New York. Here are some historical facts about Brooklyn:

• Brooklyn was originally settled by the Dutch in the mid-1600s, and it was called Breuckelen, after a town in the Netherlands.
• During the American Revolution, the Battle of Brooklyn was fought in August 1776, and it was the first major battle of the Revolutionary War after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Continental Army was able to retreat across the East River to Manhattan, saving the American cause from immediate defeat.
• The Brooklyn Bridge, completed in 1883, was the first bridge to connect Brooklyn to Manhattan. It was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time and is still an iconic landmark today.
• The Brooklyn Navy Yard was an important shipbuilding facility during World War II. It produced battleships, aircraft carriers, and other vessels for the U.S. Navy.
• Brooklyn played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement. The borough was home to many activists and organizations, and it was the site of several important demonstrations and protests.
• The Brooklyn Dodgers were a beloved baseball team that played in Brooklyn from 1884 to 1957. They won their first and only World Series in 1955 before moving to Los Angeles in 1958.
• Brooklyn has been a hub of immigration throughout its history, with large waves of immigrants from Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Today, it is one of the most diverse boroughs in New York City.
• Brooklyn has been home to many famous figures throughout history, including Walt Whitman, Jackie Robinson, Spike Lee, and Jay-Z.

These are just a few of the many historical facts that make Brooklyn such a fascinating and important part of New York City's history.

Climate

Brooklyn has a humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot summers and cold winters with moderate precipitation throughout the year. Here are some key features of the climate in Brooklyn:

• Summers are warm and humid, with average high temperatures in the 80s °F (around 27-32 °C) and occasional heat waves with temperatures reaching into the 90s °F (around 32-38 °C).
• Winters are cold and can be quite snowy, with average low temperatures in the 20s °F (around -4 to -7 °C). Blizzards and other winter storms are not uncommon.
• Spring and fall are mild, with comfortable temperatures and occasional rain showers.
• The average annual precipitation in Brooklyn is around 46 inches (about 117 cm), with the heaviest rainfall occurring in the summer months.
• Brooklyn is vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms, which can cause significant damage and flooding. Hurricane Sandy, which struck in 2012, caused extensive damage to the borough and the rest of the city.

Overall, Brooklyn's climate is typical of the northeastern United States, with distinct seasons and a range of weather conditions throughout the year. Visitors should be prepared for hot summers and cold winters, and should take precautions during hurricane season if they plan to visit during that time.

Geography

Brooklyn is located in the southeastern part of New York State, on the western end of Long Island. It is one of the five boroughs of New York City, and it is bordered by Queens to the north and east, the Atlantic Ocean to the south, and Manhattan to the west across the East River.

Brooklyn covers an area of approximately 71 square miles (about 183 square kilometers) and is home to over 2.5 million people, making it the most populous borough in New York City. It is a diverse and dynamic area, with a mix of residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, parks and green spaces, and cultural institutions.

Some of the notable geographic features of Brooklyn include:

• The Brooklyn waterfront: Brooklyn has a long and storied history as a port city, and its waterfront is still an important part of the borough's identity. It includes a variety of parks, piers, and commercial developments.
• Prospect Park: Prospect Park is a large public park in the heart of Brooklyn that covers over 500 acres. It features rolling hills, a lake, hiking trails, and a variety of recreational activities for visitors of all ages.
• The Brooklyn Heights Promenade: The Brooklyn Heights Promenade is a pedestrian walkway that offers stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge. It is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.
• Coney Island: Coney Island is a historic amusement park and beach that has been a popular destination for over a century. It features classic rides like the Cyclone roller coaster, as well as a boardwalk, beach, and a variety of food vendors.
• Green-Wood Cemetery: Green-Wood Cemetery is a beautiful and historic cemetery that covers over 500 acres. It is home to over 500,000 graves, including those of famous figures like Leonard Bernstein, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Boss Tweed.

Overall, Brooklyn's geography is varied and dynamic, with a mix of natural and man-made features that make it a unique and exciting place to explore.

Ride the subway at least once. It’s iconic!

Manhattan is a one-of-a-kind world wonder that everyone should experience at least once in their life! There are nearly endless possibilities and activities in New York; always something to see and do. This can be overwhelming to someone who's never been here before, and can make planning a first trip a little daunting. But with a few solid tips and some sound advice, you should have no problem being a tourist in The Concrete Jungle.

Pick a hotel in a central location, preferably within walking distance of a subway station or main intersection for hailing a yellow cab. This will help you navigate to and from your “home base”. If opting for a cab, be sure to wait in the taxi lines (where applicable) and pass on the black cars that will try to offer you a ride; they're often overpriced.

Plan your days according to neighborhood. For example, if you’re planning to visit the State of Liberty and Ellis Island on Tuesday morning, you wouldn’t plan to go all the way uptown for lunch. Well you could, but it would be a lot easier if you chose to spend the remainder of your day exploring Battery Park or Wall Street; neighborhoods near the ferry drop off. Get a good map of New York's neighborhoods, or use Google Maps to sort out your activities and see what they're in proximity to.

Ride the subway at least once. It’s iconic! And makes traveling around Manhattan easy and budget-friendly. For $2.50 a ticket, you can access tons of subway lines that will bring you as far as Brooklyn or the Bronx. Navigating them can be a little worrisome to a newcomer, but apps like HopStop take the headache out of trying to determine which train to get on and what direction to walk in.

Go to Times Square, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, Central Park, Top of the Roc, the Brooklyn Bridge, Madison Square Garden or any other iconic monument. If this is your first trip to New York City, you'll want to scratch a few of these off your bucket list. If you learn to navigate the subway system and plan your days according to neighborhoods, then you'll have no problem seeing and experiencing many of the sites that New York is known for.

Visit a museum. Especially if you get caught on a day where the weather isn’t that great, a museum provides a nice escape from the bustle of New York and our East Coast weather! The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is incredible for art lovers (check out Van Gogh’s Starry Nights!), or try out the Natural History museum. It’s fascinating even for those who aren’t history buffs.

Eat pizza and bagels. You’re in New York after all, where we’re known for these carb-favorites. No doubt that New York serves the most delicious pizza, and there are plenty of pizzeria options to pick from. Suggestions? Marta, Patsy’s Pizza or Roberta’s.

Plan a classic night out on the town with dinner and a show. Whether you opt for Broadway or off-Broadway there are plenty of shows to pick from. If you want to score a sweet deal on tickets, visit the Broadway Box on 7th Ave and 49th Street for discounted tickets on same-day shows.

Expert Tip: New York can be expensive, but there are also tons of free things to do in Manhattan that will be easier on your wallet without sacrificing fun. Don't be afraid to ask a New Yorker for directions, suggestions or connections!