Things To See And Do In Bay Ridge, Brooklyn

For a time the largest suspension bridge in the world, the Verrazano was one of the crowning jewels of master city planner, Robert Moses who fought contentious battles in order to get it built. Some parts of the neighborhood became collateral damage as entire blocks were blown out to make way for this behemoth. It is known as Bay Ridge’s calling card outside of New York. The bridge had a staring role in the hit film, Saturday Night Fever, and is the perennial starting line for the New York City Marathon. It still casts a long shadow over the neighborhood as it looms over all no matter where you go.

The Gingerbread House is one of the most distinct dwellings in all of New York City and is situated in the Shore Road region of Bay Ridge. The house looks out of a fairy tale or Lord of the Rings. Designed by architect James Sarsfield Kennedy in 1916 and built in 1917, it is a site to behold with its faux thatch cottage roof and carefully honed landscape. There are also liked minded guest and servers’ quarters to boot plus a rotating car garage. If you are an architecture junkie, this is one stop you have to make.

Before the explosion of bars and eateries that have now become commonplace throughout the rest of borough during the past 15-20 years, Bay Ridge was the place for nightlife for all of Brooklyn. It still houses some of the best restaurants and bars in the borough. Tanoreen, considered by many as the best Middle Eastern eatery in the city, and Italian food staples, Gino’s Restaurant are never at a loss for patronage.
Tanoreen, 7523 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, USA, +1 718 748 5600

Gino’s Restaurant, 7414 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, USA, +1 718 748 1698

This historic military site has been serving the community here since its inception in 1825. The building of this facility in Bay Ridge was strategically chosen based upon some previous Revolutionary War battles that were waged in the region. The Fort expanded in size during the Civil War and on through World War II. Since then, it has added Army Reservists and The National Guard to the base. There is also a Harbor Defense Museum with military artifacts for the public to see.
Harbor Defense Museum, 230 Sheridan Loop, Brooklyn, NY, USA, +1 718 630 4349

This is where the residents of Bay Ridge can let their hair down and play. These parks are a wonderful interconnected group of running and bike paths, tennis and basketball courts, ball fields, playgrounds, green spaces, skate half pipes, plus nature conservatories. This 4.5-mile loop is all within range of some stunning views of the great New York Harbor. Not too shabby.

Owl’s Head & Shore Road Park, Brooklyn, NY, USA