Small Community Feel, Big City Culture

Brooklyn was founded nearly 400 years ago by the Dutch, and remained an independent city until it was annexed by New York City in 1898. Those first 300 years, though, allowed Brooklyn to develop it's own sense of culture, style and, yes, that famous (and infamous) Brooklyn attitude. Since then, Brooklyn has become the most populous borough in New York City, with over 2.5 million residents. As a matter of fact, if Brooklyn was an independent city, it would rank as the fourth largest city in America, behind New York City's other boroughs combined, Los Angeles and Chicago. It’s the home of the Brooklyn Bridge, the New York Aquarium, Nathan’s Famous hot dogs, and the NBA's Brooklyn Nets – for whom Maimonides is the Official Hospital and Team Physicians.

A row of brownstones in Park Slope, Brooklyn

With tons of activities available to you without even having to leave the borough, Brooklyn isn't just resting on its historical laurels. Take in the sights and amusements at Coney Island or the New York Aquarium. If you’re a music lover, enjoy one of the many concerts at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Get some fun in the sun at Brighton Beach or the ironically named Manhattan Beach. Visit Prospect Park, the largest green space in Brooklyn, for its outdoor concerts, zoo and recreational activities. Two of the borough’s most well-known attractions – the Brooklyn Museum and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden – offer free admission at specific times throughout the year.

Brooklyn is extraordinarily multi-faceted, offering a small community feel not found in Manhattan or many other metropolitan areas, while still providing all of the cultural and entertainment elements one would expect from a big city. The borough contains dozens of distinct neighborhoods, representing many of the major ethnic groups and lifestyles found within the New York City area. Residents often choose to live in a neighborhood that best reflects their own personality and values.

Grand Army Plaza, the main entrance to Prospect Park

Brooklyn proudly offers some of the most vibrant cultural experiences and entertainment events in the city. For entertainment, there are clubs that feature new bands, performance art, and poetry readings; concert halls presenting world-class orchestras, theater and dance companies; and galleries and festivals showcasing established and emerging artists. The Barclays Center, the home of the Brooklyn Nets, is located in the center of the borough, making the sporting events, concerts and shows held there easily accessible to all. The borough is also home to the Brooklyn Cyclones, a minor league affiliate of the New York Mets. Additionally, you’ll find shops and markets which sell everything from the creations of young fashion designers to artisanal foods and local produce. And, with almost all of the world’s cuisines represented here, you’ll discover restaurants featuring authentic fare from all over the world.

Most importantly, Brooklyn is a mass transit hub, so you’ll be able to enjoy all that the borough – and the city – has to offer without needing your own car. Mass transportation is cheap, reliable and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information on getting around, click here.