Brooklyn

Brooklyn_Bridge

Brooklyn is one of the five boroughs of New York City. It used to be a separate city and still feels much like one. It has about 2.5 million inhabitants. If separated from the rest of New York City, Brooklyn would be the 4th most populous United States|American city.

Brooklyn is on the westernmost point of Long Island and shares a land boundary with Queens, which partially encircles Brooklyn to the north, east and south; Manhattan lies across the East River to the West and north of Brooklyn and Staten Island is across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to the southwest.

Brooklyn is enjoying a period of growth and affluence not seen since before World War II. The Brooklyn Academy of Music boasts world-class theater performances and the nearby Barclays Center is the home of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets. Coney Island's Luna Park is one of the attractions for summer crowds seeking fun during the New York summer heat.

Downtown Brooklyn been undergoing extensive redevelopment and now boasts upscale boutiques, abundant public spaces and the Brooklyn Bridge Park stretching along the waterfront and providing unparalleled views of New York City skyline. Prospect Park, a national historic site, was even preferred by its designer Frederick Law Olmsted to his other creation, Manhattan's Central Park. Williamsburg has been named by Forbes magazine as one of America's Best Hipster Neighborhoods. Brighton Beach is home to New York's largest concentration of Russian immigrants, while the growing 8th Avenue Chinatown paints a more authentic picture of New York's Asian community than its counterpart in Manhattan. However, despite these developments, Brooklyn is full of old gems, like family-owned brick-oven pizzerias, dive bars that seemingly haven't changed since 1950s and vast historical neighborhoods with buildings dating back to Dutch colonial times.

Districts

Brooklyn/Williamsburg Well known for its large artistic community, it is a diverse area with hipsters centered around Bedford Avenue, Orthodox Yahudi in South Williamsburg, a sizeable Polish population in Greenpoint and a large Hispanic population and a growing arts community in Bushwick.

Brooklyn/Downtown The main tourism neighborhood in Brooklyn, Downtown Brooklyn has majestic buildings and the Brooklyn Bridge and an unparalleled view of the Manhattan skyline.

Brooklyn/Gowanus and Red Hook While it used to be known for a high crime rate, Red Hook has become an artists' colony and was home to MTV's Real World Brooklyn cast. The nearby areas of Gowanus and Carroll Gardens are good places to explore some of Brooklyn's industrial history.

Brooklyn/Prospect Park Pretty brownstone houses and the Brooklyn Museum and the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and more, all ringing Olmstead and Vaux's preferred park.

Brooklyn/Greenwood and New Utrecht The big attraction is the historic Green-Wood cemetery, one of the largest in New York and the final resting place of several notable people. Other attractions include New York's third Chinatown and an Italian enclave in the west of Brooklyn.

Brooklyn/Bedford-Stuyvesant and Flatbush The beating heart of Brooklyn is home to New York's largest African-American neighborhood, many West Indian immigrants, a large Orthodox Yahudi community, mighty shopping streets, beautiful Victorian homes and much of the classic history of Brooklyn.

Brooklyn/Coney Island and Brighton Beach Home to the fabled Coney Island amusement parks. The neighborhood has seen a rise in tourism with the opening of the brand-new Luna Park amusement park. Also home to New York's only aquarium and the Cyclones minor league baseball team and the original Nathan's restaurant and one of the largest Russian-speaking communities outside the former USSR.

Brooklyn/East While certain neighborhoods in this section are pretty rough and this one is off the average tourist's radar (except for its proximity to JFK), this section has some attractions near Jamaica Bay.

There are a variety of neighborhoods in Brooklyn.

Islam in Brooklyn

Islam has a significant presence in Brooklyn, particularly in areas with large Pakistani populations. The Pakistani community in Brooklyn is centered around neighborhoods such as Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, and Sheepshead Bay.

There are numerous masjids in these areas that serve as gathering places for the Muslim community. The most prominent of these is the Islamic Society of Bay Ridge, which was established in 1982 and has since become a major hub for the Muslim community in Brooklyn. Other notable masjids in the area include the Islamic Center of Bay Ridge and the Islamic Center of Bensonhurst, and the Islamic Center of Sheepshead Bay.

In addition to masjids and there are also a number of Islamic schools and cultural centers in the Pakistani areas of Brooklyn. These institutions serve to educate the community about their faith and promote a greater understanding of Islam among non-Muslims. One such institution is the Al-Noor School in Bay Ridge, which offers classes in Islamic studies, Arabic language, and other subjects.

The Pakistani community in Brooklyn has also made significant contributions to the city's culinary scene, with some Halal restaurants serving up traditional Pakistani cuisine. Some popular eateries in the area include Pakiza Restaurant, Al-Noor Halal, and Lahore Kabab House.

Despite the challenges faced by Muslims in the United States, including discrimination and Islamophobia and the Pakistani community in Brooklyn has continued to thrive and maintain its cultural identity. Through its institutions, businesses, and places of worship and the community has established a strong presence in the borough and continues to make significant contributions to its social, cultural, and economic fabric.

Brooklyn Halal Explorer

The borough of Brooklyn is coterminous with Kings County—the counterpart of Queens County to the north—but hardly anyone calls it that except in occasional official correspondence.

Brooklyn was once a separate city independent of the City of New York. The city's merged at the end of the nineteenth century, forever after lamented by Brooklynites as "The Great Mistake of 1898."Although Brooklyn is very diverse, what makes Brooklyn so different from the other boroughs are its distinct cultural neighborhoods. Manhattan is frequently referred to as "the city" by residents of the other boroughs — for example, in the phrase "I'm going to the city." Many Brooklynites have a great deal of pride in their borough and most New Yorkers consider Brooklynites to have an identity distinct from that of other New Yorkers. In any case, remember while speaking to Brooklynites that referring to Manhattan as "the city" is acceptable but calling Manhattan "New York City" is not. Be careful not to confuse Brooklyn and the Bronx - they are very different parts of New York City.

Visitor Information

• Brooklyn Tourism & Visitors Center | Historic Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon St, Ground Floor at Court St; Subway: 2/3/4/5 trains to Borough Hall, M/R trains to Court St-Borough Hall, or A/C/F trains to Jay St-Borough Hall ☎ +1 718 802-3846 Opening 10AM Monday - 6PM Official tourist and visitor information center and gift shop with unique Brooklyn souvenirs.

How to travel to Brooklyn

By LIRR

TheLong Island Rail Road has a major station at Atlantic Terminal (Atlantic Avenue subway station), which is accessible from the Atlantic Avenue/Pacific Street combined subway stop, served by the 2, 3, 4, 5 (on weekdays), B (on weekdays), D, N, Q and R lines and near the Lafayette Avenue station of the C train and the Fulton Street station of the G train. Other LIRR stops in Brooklyn are Nostrand Av at Atlantic Avenue (served by the A and C subway lines a few blocks away on Fulton Street) and East New York (served by the A, C, L, J and Z a few blocks away at Broadway Junction and the L at Atlantic Avenue, though Broadway Junction is probably a safer bet). Eastbound trains continue to Jamaica Station in Queens, from where passengers can change to most LIRR lines for points further east or take the AirTrain to John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK). The LIRR no longer runs in Brooklyn during late nights (midnight to around 5AM), so to get to JFK from Downtown Brooklyn then, you have to take the A

Travel by Bus to Brooklyn

Brooklyn is covered by an extensive network of MTA buses. Of particular note is the B51 bus, which runs between City Hall in Manhattan and Smith St./Fulton St. in Downtown Brooklyn, via the Manhattan Bridge. The trip is particularly beautiful on the way to Manhattan because of the skyline. The bus operates only on weekdays, with the last bus leaving Smith St./Fulton St at 7:10PM and from Park Row at 7:40PM, according to the current schedule and depending on traffic. See the MTA website for bus maps and schedules of individual bus lines. The B39 travels over the East River on the Williamsburg Bridge between Manhattan and Brooklyn. Another route of note is the B15, which runs between JFK Airport and the Woodhull Hospital in South Williamsburg. Service on that route is provided around the clock. Possibly the longest mostly straight-line bus route in Brooklyn is the B41, which runs nearly the length of Flatbush Avenue from the line's northern terminal near Borough Hall just west of Flatbush Avenue itself to Kings Plaza at Avenue U (with a branch to the Mill Basin and Bergen Beach areas), about 9 miles away. Other long routes run a limited-stop service that stops at major intersections and points of interest. Limited-stop service is provided on the B6, B41, B44 (along Nostrand/Bedford Avenues), B46 (along Utica Avenue) and B35 (along Church Avenue). That pattern is in effect from around 6AM Monday - 10PM daily on these routes (5AM Monday - 11:30PM on the B46). The B49 has southbound limited-stop service on weekday mornings, mainly tailored for college students traveling to Kingsborough Community College. The B103 is a limited-stop route between Downtown Brooklyn and Canarsie, which runs on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

One can also take express buses, with an X prefix, to/from Manhattan ($6.00 one way). Most express buses serve Southern Brooklyn, for the most part an area that's somewhat subway deprived, especially to the east. The X27 and X28 run daily from around 6AM Monday - 11:30PM. Other express routes run every day except Sunday and have a BM prefix.

How to travel to Brooklyn by car

Brooklyn Bridge Manhattan - The Brooklyn Bridge

The connections between Queens and Brooklyn are too numerous to mention, because the two boroughs share a land boundary, so almost every street on the border just continues into the other borough. (Prior to 1990 and the street signs in each borough had different colors, but they have since all become green - with the exception of brown signs for historic streets - and can no longer be useful in distinguishing between the boroughs.)

The Williamsburg, Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges link Manhattan and Brooklyn and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge links Staten Island and Brooklyn. Only the Verrazano is a toll bridge. There is also a toll tunnel and the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, which links Brooklyn with the Battery (the southern tip of Manhattan).

By foot or bicycle

All the bridges between Brooklyn and Manhattan are now accessible to both pedestrians and cyclists. Prospect Park's primary street is closed to cars on weekends and open to bicycles. There are numerous bicycle paths in the park. Along New York Bay to the southwest and there are many sections where one can bicycle. Ocean Parkway also has a bicycle path that runs from Coney Island at the southern end of Brooklyn to the neighborhood of Park Slope.

By ferry

The Water Tax, at Fulton Ferry Landing, provides service from various points in Manhattan along the East River. The Water Taxi has service between southern Manhattan and Red Hook, often used by clients of the Red Hook Ikea.

How to get around in Brooklyn

By subway

The subway is overall the best way to get around Brooklyn, although there are some spots, notably Brooklyn/Gowanus and Red Hook|Red Hook and parts of Brooklyn/East|East Brooklyn (including most of the tourism attractions), where subway coverage is poor and bus transportation is encouraged.

Travel by Bus to Brooklyn

Brooklyn has an extensive bus grid that proves very useful in accessing places where subway doesn't stop. The downside is that the buses are much slower than the subway (though not as slow as in Manhattan) and figuring out their route may be confusing. It's highly suggested to have a bus map handy (available free from any subway station agent) or to use Google Maps route planner, which incorporates bus directions very accurately.

As in the rest of New York City, some buses are limited (LTD) service, which means they skip certain stops along the route. However, even non-limited buses won't stop if the "Stop Request" light isn't on and no one is waiting at the bus stop (this is very common). If you plan to get off, make sure you press the "Stop Request" tape/button before you approach your stop, or else the bus may skip it.

By commuter rail

There is the option of taking the Long Island Rail Road if your starting and ending points are in the following neighborhoods: Downtown Brooklyn, near Atlantic Avenue/Flatbush Avenue, Bedford-Stuyvesant, near Atlantic Avenue/Nostrand Avenue and East New York, near Atlantic Avenue/Van Sinderen Avenue. It isn't terribly convenient, due to the limited stops and relatively infrequent service, but if you need to go to exactly the areas it stops in, it's faster than the subway.

What to see in Brooklyn

Landmarks

Soldiers' and Sailors' Arch - The Soldiers' and Sailors' Arch in Grand Army Plaza

Brooklyn/Downtown|Downtown is where you'll find the one of the most famous of all New York monuments: the Brooklyn Bridge, which connects the borough to Lower Manhattan.

Grand Army Plaza marks the gateway to Brooklyn/Prospect Park|Prospect Park and is home to the distinctive Soldiers and Sailors Arch.

Brooklyn/Coney Island and Brighton Beach|Coney Island is a hotspot during the summer season. One could go for a day and enjoy the beach and beach vendors and then at night visit Luna Park and ride rides for a affordable price or watch a game at the Brooklyn Cyclones baseball field. Among the attractions is the Coney Island Cyclone, one of the world's oldest and still operating wooden roller coasters.

Museums and galleries in Brooklyn

Brooklyn/Prospect Park|Prospect Park is home to the Brooklyn Museum, NYC's second largest art museum. Brooklyn/Downtown|Downtown is home to the New York Transit Museum. Brooklyn/Bedford-Stuyvesant and Flatbush|Bedford-Stuyvesant and Flatbush are home to the Brooklyn Children's Museum the Yahudi Children's Museum, which is the largest Jewish-themed children's museum in the United States. Brooklyn/Williamsburg|Williamsburg is home to the Hogar Collection.

Parks and gardens

Prospect Park was designed by Olmsted and Vaux, who also designed Manhattan's Manhattan/Central Park|Central Park but preferred their Brooklyn creation. Adjacent to the park is the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, a 52-acre garden that is home to more than 10,000 taxa of plants. Both are covered in the Prospect Park neighborhood Halal Travel Guide.

Marine Park is a public park that is in the Marine Park neighborhood and surrounds the westernmost inlet of Jamaica Bay. It has about 800 acres and has a bike path, handball court, shuffleboard court and playground. The park is mainly a fertile salt marsh that is supplied with freshwater from Gerritsen Creek.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Brooklyn

Concerts

The Brooklyn Academy of Music and Bargemusic in Brooklyn/Downtown|Downtown are both excellent options for concerts. During the summer season, Brooklyn/Prospect Park|Prospect Park hosts the Celebrate Brooklyn concert campaign every weekend in the Bandshell area of the park. There are also many concerts at churches and synagogues (for example in Brooklyn Heights and Park Slope), as well as at colleges (such as Brooklyn College and New York Technical College). Check the listings in newspapers like the New York Press and Village Voice, which also have websites.

Sports

Brooklyn/Coney Island and Brighton Beach|Coney Island is home to the Brooklyn Cyclones the New York Mets' single-A minor league baseball team. Brooklyn is also now home to the Brooklyn Nets NBA team, who play in the Barclays Center in Brooklyn/Downtown|Downtown.

Sightseeing

There are a number of great places to walk for excellent views of Manhattan. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge—or if you prefer and the Manhattan or Williamsburg Bridge. The Brooklyn Bridge itself is beautiful and the view is splendid. You can also walk along the Brooklyn Heights Promenade or under the Brooklyn Bridge into the DUMBO neighborhood to get amazing views of Manhattan overlooking the East River.

Adventurer's Family Entertainment Center GPS 40.5912,-73.9946

• Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park 3059 West 12th Street 40.5741, -73.9797 ☎ +1 718-372-2592 - The highlight of Coney Island
• Luna Park at Coney Island - in Brooklyn

Little Pakistan in Brooklyn

Little Pakistan is a vibrant and bustling neighborhood located in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. Situated in the area of Kensington, Little Pakistan is a cultural hub for the Pakistani community in the United States. This neighborhood is home to a diverse population of Pakistani-Americans, as well as individuals from other countries in South Asia and the Middle East.

One of the defining characteristics of Little Pakistan is the vibrant street life. The streets are lined with a variety of businesses, including restaurants, grocery stores, clothing shops, and jewelry stores. There are also numerous masjids and community centers where residents can gather to worship and socialize.

The food in Little Pakistan is particularly interesting, with a wide range of Pakistani cuisine available. Visitors to the neighborhood can try traditional dishes such as biryani, Kebab, and tandoori Chicken. There are also plenty of sweet treats available, including gulab jamun and kulfi. Little Pakistan is a foodie's paradise, with numerous small eateries and restaurants serving up authentic and delicious Pakistani fare.

In addition to the food and retail outlets, Little Pakistan is also known for its cultural events and celebrations. The neighborhood hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including Pakistani Independence Day celebrations, cultural festivals, and religious observances. These events provide an opportunity for residents and visitors to come together and celebrate their shared legacy.

Overall, Little Pakistan is a vibrant and welcoming neighborhood that provides a home away from home for the Pakistani community in Brooklyn. Its rich cultural legacy, delicious food, and strong community spirit make it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring the diverse cultures of New York City.

Halal Supermarkets in Brooklyn

Halal supermarkets have become increasingly popular in Brooklyn in recent years, catering to the needs of Muslim communities who follow Islamic dietary laws. These stores offer a variety of halal-certified food products, including meats, fruits, vegetables, and packaged goods.

One popular halal supermarket in Brooklyn is Balady Halal Foods, located at 7128 5th Ave in the Bay Ridge neighborhood. This Middle Eastern grocer and butcher is known for its extensive selection of imported goods, as well as its delicious Ramadan dinner. Balady Halal Foods is open daily from 8am, making it a convenient option for busy shoppers.

Another well-regarded halal supermarket in Brooklyn is Ahmed's Grocery and Halal Meat, located at 2150 Bath Ave in the Gravesend neighborhood. While the selection of halal meats is limited to Chicken, beef, and goat, Ahmed's Grocery offers a wide variety of other halal-certified products, including spices, Snacks, and dairy items.

For those seeking a clean and well-organized place to shop for South Asian groceries and halal Meat, Rahim Grocery & Halal Meat is a great option. Located at 1076 Coney Island Ave in the Flatbush neighborhood, Rahim Grocery offers a diverse selection of fresh produce, spices, and other crucials, as well as a wide variety of halal meats.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Brooklyn

Brooklyn is home to a vibrant food scene, and for those who follow a halal diet and there are plenty of delicious options to choose from. In this article, we'll highlight some of the top halal restaurants in Brooklyn.

One popular spot is Williamsburg Halal Food, commonly called Bonjour Habibi. This cozy food cart serves up large portions of classic Middle Eastern fare such as gyros and falafel. Clients rave about the quality of the food, and the friendly service from the staff. The cart is located at 249 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249.

Another great option is Brooklyn Halal Grill, located at 1148 Liberty Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11208. This restaurant has a big menu with a great selection of halal options. According to one satisfied client and their daughter loves the Burgers and french fries. The staff are friendly and the atmosphere is welcoming, making it a great place to stop for a quick bite.

For those looking for a more humble and cozy environment, Halal International is a great choice. This restaurant is located at 574 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217. Clients appreciate the great food and kind, service-oriented staff. This is a great spot for anyone looking for a warm and welcoming atmosphere to enjoy some delicious halal food.

In conclusion, Brooklyn has plenty of halal restaurants to choose from, ranging from cozy food carts to full-service restaurants. These are just a few of the many great options available in the area. Whether you're a local or a visitor, be sure to check out the many great halal restaurants in Brooklyn.

Stay safe as a Muslim in Brooklyn

Brooklyn may have a tough reputation, but it is largely very safe these days. As a rule of thumb, use more caution as you get further east in the borough (especially beyond Utica Avenue), which is where the borough's two worst neighborhoods crime-wise are, East New York and Brownsville. You will likely pass through East New York on your way to/from JFK Airport on either the subway or the LIRR. Both train networks are very safe as long as you remain within their respective systems (this includes transferring between subway lines at Broadway Junction, which has a transit police office if you're concerned).

Other neighborhoods that one should exercise caution in, in rough order from most to least, are Bushwick, Red Hook (away from the waterfront), Coney Island (away from the amusement parks/beachfront) and East Flatbush.

Explore more Halal Friendly Destinations from Brooklyn

Fuhgeddaboudit - If you can.

• Manhattan
• Queens
• Staten Island

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