The Billie Holiday Theater, 1368 Fulton St – This theater was founded in 1972 with the goal of promoting positive social change through arts and theater in Brooklyn. Actors that have performed at BHT include Samuel L. Jackson, Debbie Allen, Bill Cobbs, Elaine Graham, Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Ebony JoAnn, and Carol Woods, just to name a few.
There are many advantages of experiencing arts and theater in Brooklyn as opposed to Manhattan. Once you cross the river, there are many more opportunities to see cutting edge, original material, often at lower prices. The Brooklyn arts and theater scene is thriving and will continue to be a cultural hub deserving of recognition.
Brooklyn is no longer simply a borough of New York City; it’s a brand. Sure, Brooklyn’s ascent has been a decade in the making, but it’s never been easier for tourists to base themselves in the beloved borough as it is now with a host of uber-trendy new hotels and top of the line restaurants that make Manhattan almost an afterthought. Tack on Jay-Z’s flashy new Barclays Center (home to the Brooklyn Nets, the borough’s first major league sports team since the Dodgers left in 1957) and you’ve got what local magazines are calling the New Brooklyn. If you want to scope out America’s next big rappers, writers, rock stars, artists and chefs, this is the spot.
There is no shortage of attractions in Brooklyn. Regardless of whether you’re looking for a peaceful walk in the park, an exciting amusement park, a museum, or just some dessert, you’ll never be too far from something interesting and fun. Here’s just a small sample of the some of the most popular Brooklyn attractions:
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Perhaps the most famous of all 
Brooklyn attractions is the Brooklyn Bridgepleted in 1883, the bridge spans the East River and connects Brooklyn to Manhattan. It is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the country, and is commonly considered to be one of the most photographed landmarks in the United States. The Brooklyn bridge has a dedicated pedestrian walkway that allows one to admire the Manhattan skyline while peacefully strolling above the vehicle traffic. The bridge can be accessed on the Brooklyn side via an underpass on Washington street in the Dumbo neighborhood. Keep in mind that, for both tourists and New York City natives, this is one of the most visited attractions in Brooklyn. While on the pedestrian path, you’ll want to watch out for cyclists and avoid rush periods.
Brooklyn Bridge Park is an 85-acre post-industrial waterfront site stretching 1.3 miles along Brooklyn’s East River edge. The site spans from the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges in the north to Pier 6 and Atlantic Avenue in the south. The site is long and narrow with a crenulated edge formed by the piers.
The park, designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, includes Piers 1-6, Empire Fulton Ferry and Main Street. In addition, two historic properties, the Civil war-era Empire Stores and the Tobacco warehouse, will be integrated into the park.
The park provides green space for active and passive uses including playing fields, sport courts, playgrounds, lawns, and running and bicycle paths. A calm water area is available for kayaking and canoeing.
Green-Wood Cemetery
A cemetery might not be on the top of your list when considering different attractions in Brooklyn, but the Green-Wood cemetery is a must-see for anyone who loves architecture, history, bird watching, or beautiful landscapes. Green-Wood was founded as a small rural cemetery in 1838 and, in only 20 years, was seeing just as many visitors per year as Niagara Falls. This was due in part to the incredibly beautiful statues and mausoleums, as well as the charming ponds, paths, hills, and valleys contained in its 478 acres. Several historic figures such as baseball greats, Civil War generals, artists, politicians, and inventors are buried here. Also, the 1776 Battle of Long Island was fought on its grounds. This Brooklyn attraction was the inspiration for many of the public parks in New York City, including Central Park and Prospect Park.
