Williamsburg Walking and Cycling Tours
1/15/2021 (Permalink)
McCarren Park Williamsburg Outdoor Activities
The city of Williamsburg joined the city of Brooklyn in 1854, which in turn joined the city of New York in 1898, becoming one of five boroughs making up New York. Williamsburg remains a distinct neighborhood bordered by Greenpoint, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bushwick, East Williamsburg, and the East River. The population comprises a diverse mix of people representing Italians, Jewish, Hispanics, Poles, Puerto Ricans, and Dominicans.
The area was first settled in 1638 after the Dutch West India Company purchased the land from Native Americans. In 1664, the English captured the area and renamed the town from Boswijck to Bushwick. Initially settled by farmers and merchants, the village grew and changed names several times. The Town of Williamsburgh, spelled with an "h," was incorporated in 1827. Eventually, the town's name was shortened to Williamsburg in 1852. Williamsburg achieved significant development of industrial and economic growth. The Vanderbilt's, the Fisk's, the Pratt's, and the Pfizer's all played a significant role in the city's development. The Pratt Institute, Corning Glass Works, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals are just a few of the companies investing in the town.
Brooklyn joined New York as one of the five boroughs of the city in 1898, and the Williamsburg Bridge was built in 1903. Williamsburg quickly became the most densely populated area in New York City, facilitated by the new bridge with its residents commuting to Manhattan. Williamsburg has evolved over the years, becoming a highly diverse community. Rezoning in the 1990s has led to gentrification, investment, and conversion of the industrial regions into residential and commercial developments.
Williamsburg offers many venues and cultural experiences. A few of these are listed, and several reviewed in more detail.
Williamsburg Smorgasburg
Local Walking and Bike Tours
Williamsburg Bridge
McCarren Park
MOFAD – Museum of Food and Drink
Nitehawk Cinema – Williamsburg
Brooklyn Flea Market
Brooklyn Zoo
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Robotic Church
Cobble Hill Tunnel
Williamsburg Smorgasburg – although on hiatus due to current health guidelines, this is a must-do when it reopens. Over 100 local vendors provide delicious, diverse meals to enjoy. As many as 30,000 people visit this outdoor event on weekends from April to October.
Local Walking and Bike Tours – there are many local walking and bike tours throughout Williamsburg and Brooklyn. Food, history, architecture, brewpubs, and cycling tours through some of the borough's diverse neighborhoods are all possible and enjoyable.
Williamsburg Bridge – designed initially to support horse and buggy traffic, the bridge now provides pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicle traffic from Williamsburg in Brooklyn over the East River to Manhattan. The bridge was built in 1903 with a bridge span of 1600 feet and a total length of 7308 feet. There are individual lanes for pedestrians and cyclists as well as vehicles. Pedestrians and cyclists are strongly encouraged to stay within their lanes to avoid collisions since cyclists tend to travel quickly, especially on the downhill portions. Many people enjoy the scenic views of the Manhattan skyline as they cross over the bridge. There are many exciting shops and restaurants at both ends of the bridge for everyone to enjoy after their crossing. Since it is such a long walk, always wear appropriate walking shoes to support tired feet.
McCarren Park – covers 35 acres supporting Williamsburg and Greenpoint communities. Locals enjoy many sports, organized and pickup games such as kickball, baseball, soccer, bocce, basketball, handball, tennis, and football. There are also playgrounds and the McCarren Park Pool and Play Center. Families enjoy local barbeques, fitness equipment, showers, and dog-friendly areas. There are even Wi-Fi hot spots to connect with and upload pictures and videos of family outings.
There are some restrictions in place following local health guidelines. Always check before heading to the park for the latest updates.
Museum of Food and Drink – MOFAD began with Dave Arnold's idea in 2005, who raised funds to fund a mobile museum in 2014 and later a studio and gallery space in Williamsburg, NY. MOFAD has sponsored a variety of exhibits, including:
BOOM – the puffing gun, making cereals for visitors to enjoy
Feasts and Festivals – featured talks, demos, and photos of annual festivities
Flavor – Making it and Faking it – reviewing natural vs. artificial food flavoring
Chow: Making the Chinese American Restaurant – following 170 years of history in America
Cobble Hill Tunnel – Built-in 1844, it runs for 767 meters and is the oldest railway tunnel in North America. Tours were conducted through the tunnel from 1982 until 2010 by Robert Diamond until it was deemed unsafe by the DOT. The tunnel ran under Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn and was part of the Long Island Railroad.
SERVPRO of Williamsburg Technicians Highly Trained in all Aspects of Water Damage Restoration
Water damage from leaking pipes, broken appliances, or overflowing sinks can be extensive, especially if not noticed for a few hours. Water can seep across floors, into walls, and adjacent rooms, causing damage to your contents, the walls, and flooring materials.
Our SERVPRO teams respond in less than four hours from your call. We have built our company on a platform of trust, honesty, and integrity. Everyone has had a background check, even the owner. Our technicians are trained in every facet of restoration.
Williamsburg SERVPRO Water Damage Restoration Tips
There are actions homeowners and business owners can take to limit the amount of damage before our arrival. The most important tip to remember is avoiding slips and falls and electrocution if electrical circuits are involved. Here are a few more tips:
Turn the water off to the damaged pipe or appliance
Contact SERVPRO to request our help
Remove contents in line with migrating water
Take pictures and notes about the damage caused by the water
Mop up excess water and remove wet contents from the area
SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn provides water damage restoration to Brooklyn residential and commercial buildings and surrounding areas. Call (718) 522-4400. Our SERVPRO team is ready to respond 24/7 to help with all your water damage restoration needs.