Two Neighborhoods, Two Faces of Brooklyn
Until 1898, Brooklyn was an independent city, one of the largest in the United States. Two of its neighborhoods tell that story especially well. Brooklyn Heights is a quiet district of 19th-century brownstones on a bluff above the East River, and Williamsburg is an old industrial waterfront that became one of the most creative neighborhoods in New York.
In this guide we tell you the history of both neighborhoods, what to see in each and how to visit them.
Last updated: October 22, 2026.
Brooklyn Heights, Where History Was Made
In August 1776, after losing the Battle of Brooklyn, George Washington’s army was trapped against the East River. On the night of August 29 to 30, the troops crossed to Manhattan in silence from the shore below Brooklyn Heights, a retreat that saved the Continental Army. In the 19th century, ferries and later the Brooklyn Bridge turned the Heights into a residential neighborhood for families who worked in Manhattan, and its streets filled with the brownstones you see today.
New York’s First Historic District
In November 1965, Brooklyn Heights became the first historic district in New York City under the city’s new landmarks law, which protected its architecture from demolition. Walking along streets like Willow, Hicks and Pierrepont, you see houses from the 1820s to the late 19th century. The neighborhood also has a literary history: the first edition of Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass was printed here in 1855, and Truman Capote lived on Willow Street while he wrote Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
The Promenade and Its Views
The Brooklyn Heights Promenade opened in the early 1950s, built over the expressway that runs along the edge of the neighborhood. Today it is one of the best viewpoints in the city, with the Lower Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge in front of you. It is especially beautiful at sunset.
Williamsburg: From Factories to Creativity
Williamsburg takes its name from Jonathan Williams, the surveyor who laid out its streets in the early 19th century. Along its waterfront rose shipyards, breweries and one of the largest sugar refineries in the world. The opening of the Williamsburg Bridge in 1903 brought thousands of immigrant families from the Lower East Side. When industry declined, artists moved into the old warehouses in the 1990s, and the neighborhood became known for its murals, music, galleries and food.
A Neighborhood of Contrasts
South Williamsburg is home to a large Hasidic Jewish community that keeps its traditions, language and dress, a few blocks from the cafés and design shops of North Williamsburg. That contrast, so close together, is one of the most striking experiences in New York. On Saturdays in season, from spring to fall, the waterfront hosts one of the city’s best-known open-air food markets, so check its calendar before you go.
Brooklyn on Our Tours
On our New York Contrasts Tour, Williamsburg is the Brooklyn stop, with a visit to the Hasidic Jewish community, considered the second largest outside Israel. At the end of the tour you can stay in Brooklyn near the Manhattan Bridge or return to Manhattan. In December, the Contrasts Tour + Dyker Heights Christmas Lights adds the most famous Christmas lights in Brooklyn. Brooklyn Heights is not part of the tour itinerary, but it is easy to visit on your own: walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and follow the signs to the Promenade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Brooklyn Heights important?
It was the first historic district in New York City, designated in 1965, and the place from which Washington’s army retreated in 1776.
Where is the best view of Manhattan from Brooklyn?
The Brooklyn Heights Promenade, especially at sunset.
How do I get to Williamsburg from Manhattan?
The L train takes you to Bedford Avenue, in the heart of the neighborhood. You can also cross the Williamsburg Bridge on foot or by bike.
How do I get to Brooklyn Heights?
Take the 2 or 3 train to Clark Street, or the A or C train to High Street, or walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.
Does the Contrasts Tour visit Williamsburg?
Yes. Williamsburg is the tour’s stop in Brooklyn.
Related Articles
Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO: The Most Iconic Walk in NYC
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights: Complete Guide and House Map (2026)
The 5 Boroughs of New York: History, What to See and How to Explore Them
Sources
Sources: NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission, Brooklyn Heights Historic District; Brooklyn Paper, “Brooklyn Heights celebrates 50 years as historic district”; Wikipedia, Brooklyn Heights, Battle of Long Island, Williamsburg and Williamsburg Bridge; Real’s Tours NYC, New York Contrasts Tour itinerary (realstoursnyc.com). Schedules and itineraries may change.
Real’s Tours NYC is not affiliated with any organization mentioned in this article. Schedules and itineraries may change, so please confirm current details when you book.
