9 of the Most Instagrammable Places in Brooklyn
When people think about visiting New York City, they think of the larger than life sights and sounds of Manhattan. But when it comes to NYC's five boroughs, Brooklyn is the city's gem. With over 2.6 million residents, Brooklyn (formally known as Kings County) is the most populous — and beloved — part of the city. On the cusp of everything cutting edge, Brooklyn is known for its diverse ethnic hotspots and thriving street- and art scene. From the brownstone neighborhoods in Bedford-Stuyvesant to the beachfront regions in Coney Island, travelers young and old are flocking to get a taste of what makes Brooklyn great. Here are some of the top spots to add to the 'gram.
1. Brooklyn Bridge
Celebrated in songs and movies, the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the city’s most iconic man-made wonders. Proudly looming over the East River, this historic bridge offers a scenic journey between the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Since its completion in 1883, the bridge has attracted millions of tourists and locals to its stunning view overlooking Brooklyn and other city landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and Governors Island. Whether you choose to stroll, bike or simply admire the mile and more-long expanse, you’re in for a picture-perfect backdrop.
2. Coney Island Beach and Boardwalk
Home to Brooklyn’s biggest playground, Coney Island has been NYC's most popular tourist attraction since the early 20th century. Located in the southernmost part of Brooklyn, it is the only neighborhood in the city where you’ll find an amusement park, beach and great food all in one place. Lined with historic and memorable attractions, Coney Island's famous three-mile beach and boardwalk is lined with many attractions. Brooklynites and tourist can count on some fun in the sun with a hot dog from the original Nathan’s Famous or visiting the New York Aquarium and nearby Luna Park.
3. Botanic Garden
Among the most popular sights to visit in New York’s largest borough is the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Known to be a much calmer retreat than Coney Island, the Botanic Garden is a 52-acre urban oasis in New York’s famous concrete jungle. First designed by the Olmsted Brothers in 1910, this botanical garden houses more than 18,000 plants from all over the world, including one of North America’s largest rose collections. No matter the season, there's always something in blossoming at this Brooklyn garden— from beautiful crabapples in December to flowering cherry blossom trees in spring — you'll catch a perfect shot of a greener side of BK, perfect for Instagram.
4. Brooklyn Museum
Opened in 1897, Brooklyn Museum is one of the most-visited cultural attractions in NYC. The museum is New York City's second-largest in physical size and holds an art collection with roughly 1.5 million works. Spanning from ancient Egypt to the contemporary art of today, the Brooklyn Museum is a unique place, much like the city itself. Browse some art and share its beauty with those who can’t experience it firsthand.
5. Prospect Park
Located in the heart of Brooklyn, Prospect Park welcomes 10 million visitors every year. The 585-acre park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who also designed Manhattan's Central Park. The park features a zoo, an ice rink, and dozens of athletic and recreational facilities, plus a variety of activities and events throughout the year, making it a worthwhile destination for locals and visitors.
6. Grand Army Plaza
Also designed by Vaux and Olmsted, Grand Army plaza was one of the first features of Prospect Park. In 1975, Grand Army Plaza became a National Historic Landmark. At the center of the plaza you’ll find Brooklyn’s Arc de Triomphe or The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, known for being the backdrop for many insta pics. On the southeast corner of the plaza sits Brooklyn's Central Library, the largest in the borough's public library system, and this area is a familiar sight to Brooklynites and Instagrammers alike.
7. Bushwick Collective
Bushwick Collective is a street gallery located in Bushwick Brooklyn, just off of Flushing Avenue. The gallery begins on Jefferson Street and continues on Troutman Street towards Saint Nicholas Avenue in Bushwick, a vibrant area in Brooklyn. Joseph Ficalora, a native of Brooklyn, curated the collection based on a no-free-wall movement, and draws visitors from the city and beyond.
8. Dumbo
This Brooklyn neighborhood known by the acronym which stands for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass” is one of New York City’s most Instagrammed landmarks. Located on the the cusp of Brooklyn and Manhattan, Dumbo is a recognizably vibrant area that encompasses some of the best art and restaurants in Brooklyn.
9. Brooklyn Promenade
The Brooklyn Promenade, a one-third-mile pedestrian parkland along the East River, is a favorite destination of residents, tourists and couples looking to catch a view of the NYC’s skyline. Breathtaking views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty are both visible from here. Snap a few for your followers — there are no bad angles here.
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.