Top 10 cultural & heritage things to do in Brooklyn

1. Brooklyn Bridge walking tour with a local guide

Ninety minutes on foot with a local guide — explore the Brooklyn Bridge’s history and its impact on New York City.

“Jon shared his extensive knowledge and enthusiasm about the topic. It was a wonderful experience filled with meaningful insights regarding this famous bridge.”— John_P

2. Hasidic Brooklyn walking tour with a local guide

Two-hour guided walking tour — explore Hasidic Brooklyn with an insider, learning about daily life, rituals, and customs directly from a community member.

“You can gain insightful knowledge about this friendly community's education and clothing culture. The instructor demonstrates remarkable patience, fostering a strong connection among participants. Witnessing young students debate moral issues reveals how their educational values shape their identities, a method preserved for thousands of years. As the first visitor from northwest China, I noticed a common misconception about this community being static and traditional. In reality, their welcoming values are evident. The community embodies nature, honesty, and trust, with deep bonds among members. They adhere to their 613 commandments, which are ingrained in their existence. In this chaotic world, I admire their commitment to uphold such principles through generations.”— Zixuan_L

3. Food and photo tour of Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO

Three-hour guided walking tour covering approximately 2 miles — taste dumplings, pizza, and doughnuts while capturing city views and memories along the way.

4. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and Grounds for Sculpture tour

Half-day tour from Brooklyn to BAPS Mandir in New Jersey, featuring bilingual guides and complimentary snacks.

“This place is truly beautiful, both indoors and outdoors. I highly recommend visiting if you have the chance. The atmosphere is peaceful and serene. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there, and found everything to be clean and well-organized.”— Paradise22022390666

5. Brooklyn art and drink tour with skyline views

Three hours walking through DUMBO—tea and coffee stops, local art, and panoramic Manhattan views, including the Statue of Liberty.

“Ari was a fantastic tour guide who not only shared the different graffiti and murals with us, but also offered insights into the artists and their backgrounds, along with some information about the geography of Brooklyn for those unfamiliar with the area.”— Y1166JTcindym

6. Food tour of Williamsburg and Greenpoint led by a local chef

Three hours walking tour featuring local food spots in Williamsburg and Greenpoint, led by a private chef with deep community ties.

“Nicolas and Yoh are excellent guides who truly care about the region and its variety of food. Our entire family found the tour enjoyable, especially the culinary aspects. As the name suggests, Come Hungry is essential; every stop is intriguing and delicious, but be sure to leave space for the Panni’s at the end of the journey. This tour became one of the standout experiences of our holiday.”— Dane_B

7. Downtown Brooklyn bike tour with Dutch bikes

Two and a half hours of guided cycling through downtown Brooklyn, covering major neighbourhoods like DUMBO and Chinatown on stylish Dutch bikes.

“We had a wonderful time on this tour. Carla, our guide, was knowledgeable, supportive, and personable. The route was mostly flat, making it easy to cycle. The electric bike was excellent, though a regular bike would work just fine. It would have been nice to have a coffee break, but I understand that would lengthen the tour.”— Janice_E

8. Small-group bike tour of Brooklyn neighborhoods

Three hours on two wheels — explore 20 Brooklyn neighborhoods with stops at local distilleries, chocolate makers, and more.

“We had a wonderful afternoon with Paul. His knowledge and conversational skills were impressive. This experience is truly a great value.”— Judith_I

9. Private Harlem tour with a local guide

Three-hour guided tour of Harlem's landmarks, including the Apollo Theater and Abyssinian Baptist Church, with insights into the neighbourhood's rich history and culture.

“Monia was an excellent tour guide, providing us with plenty of information as we explored many amazing sights in Harlem.”— TaTanisha_E

10. Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan tour

Five-hour guided tour starting at Dumbo, covering Brooklyn Bridge, Lower Manhattan, and a scenic ferry ride to Staten Island for views of the Statue of Liberty.

“This tour left me extremely disappointed. I essentially paid over $50 for a guide who rushed me through the city in silence, which felt very awkward. We ended an hour early because he barely stopped to speak. Although he claimed to have been giving tours for two years, his lack of knowledge and enthusiasm was apparent. For instance, he incorrectly stated that the Brooklyn Bridge was built in 1890, while I knew it opened in 1883. It felt suspicious that he would misstate such a detail instead of using a more vague reference if unsure. When he did speak, his words were often jumbled and hard to understand, as if he hadn’t prepared at all. I feel I deserve a refund for this experience and suggest exploring the city independently instead.”— victoriafeudo