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Explore Brooklyn Has Your Passport to 100 Adventures

June 4, 2018

From the beautiful brownstones of Bed-Stuy, to the bohemian bars of Bushwick, to the Boardwalk thrills of Coney Island, Brooklyn is bursting with adventure. The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and Explore Brooklyn, led by Mariela Estrella, Director of Tourism and Business Relationships, have partnered with the travel content creators at Pathport to bring you our local passport guide of 100 of the best things to see and do in Brooklyn.

Sponsored by the world-famous Luna Park, with support from Kings Theater, Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Nu Hotel, the guide is broken down into 10 sections of neighborhoods that all bring a different flavor to the adventurous palate. And while food and drink are certainly a big part of exploring the borough, sight-seeing, amusement park rides, walking tours, music and fun for the kids are all included in this comprehensive guide. The guide will be highlighted on the recently redesigned Explore Brooklyn website. It has new features such as more vibrant graphics, site organization by Brooklyn neighborhoods, and new and updated website sections for Stay, Eat & Drink, Play and Shop, and local guides for food, shopping, transportation, Brooklyn venues and Brooklyn Made products. The updated website is an excellent source for everyone and anyone exploring the borough.

Don’t just take our word for it, though, see Brooklyn through the eyes of the best local Instagrammers. Mendy Waits @angrybaker will show you some of the best spots to grab some grub in Clinton Hill. Melissa Lee @mlee73 highlights some artsy activities in Williamsburg, and Naz Kasim @cainite_ follows some of Brooklyn’s best cultural institutions.

“It’s no easy task to look at all the wonderful activities in Brooklyn and whittle them down to 100, but I am so pleased Explore Brooklyn, led by Mariela Estrella, was able to highlight so many. This guide really provides some great neighborhood experiences and runs the gamut by covering the iconic places one might associate with Brooklyn, and pays attention to the lesser known spots that have really come to represent the borough’s diversity and hip vibe,” said Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Acting President Rick Russo.

“Luna Park is proud to be a part of the 100 Adventures Passport. The 2018 season is especially exciting for Luna Park as we are adding to our universe of thrilling rides the launch of Astro Tower, a new landmark on the Coney Island skyline. This summer, park guests will enjoy a spectacular LED light show created by the 5,258 lights on Astro Tower. Only at Luna Park can you experience the most outrageous thrill rides in the world just steps from the beach, the boardwalk and the subway,” said Luna Park General Manager Fernando Velasquez.

“This project, which consisted in unveiling some of Brooklyn’s coolest spots and experiences, far from the tourists’ typical path, resonated strongly with Pathport from the beginning. I, along with my team of influencers, had a lot of fun exploring the various neighborhoods and we were blown away by all the gems that we discovered. We’re very proud of the aesthetics and richness of the guide and grateful to have been selected by Mariela and her team as a partner,” said Pathport Founder Laurence Foucher.

The Passport is a simple postcard with a QR code to download the full digital travel guide. With iPhones, no app is required; simply aim at the code with your phone camera. The downloadable guide has over 400 pages of colorful photos (taken by our Instagrammers) and conversational text to whet your appetite for favorite treats at favorite restaurants, and provide you with tips to navigate some of Brooklyn’s most popular venues and neighborhoods. Each of the 10 chapters of the guide has 10 points of interest for the reader.

A highlighted breakdown:
• Chapter One dives into the history of the Brooklyn Navy Yard at Bldg 92 with a Past, Present and Future Tour with Turnstile Tours and a walk through the streets of the Bedford-Stuyvesant Historic district.
• Chapter Two explores the wonders of Flatbush, Windsor Terrace, Kensington and Ditmas Park. On Courtelyou Road you’ll find Brooklyn ARTery, a women-owned business selling the perfect Brooklyn-Made goods. Not far on Flatbush Avenue is the historic venue of Kings Theater.
• Chapter Three outlines the must-haves you’ll find after stepping foot off of the Brooklyn Bridge in Downtown Brooklyn. You’ll want to check out the Misdemeanor Bar & Lounge at the lobby of the Nu Hotel and Jacques Torres Chocolate in DUMBO.
• Chapter Four introduces you to North Brooklyn; Williamsburg, Greenpoint and Bushwick. Café Grumpy is a go-to spot for a latte or drip coffee. Crossing over from Greenpoint to Williamsburg, it’s difficult to miss National SawDust, a beautiful non-profit musician-led performance space built in a former sawdust factory.
• Chapter Five takes you for a stroll on the waterfront. Sip a chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon on a barrel tasting tour at Red Hook Winery and then make your way over to Raaka Chocolate’s factory for a taste of their banana foster chocolate.
• Chapter Six lists must go-to locations for sporting activities in Gowanus, Boerum Hill and Carroll Gardens such as Court 16 for a game of tennis or Brooklyn Boulders for an indoor rock climb. Then, indulge in some blackout chocolate cake at The Chocolate Room in Cobble Hill.
• Chapter Seven is for those who like to walk around and take in their surroundings. ‘On the park’ introduces you to the sights of the Lefferts Historic House in Prospect Park, Green-Wood Cemetery in Greenwood and Barclays Center in Prospect Heights.
• Chapter Eight is all about the ‘People’s Playground.’ Experience rollercoaster thrills in Luna Park, the Circus Sideshow at Coney Island USA, and authentic Italian food (since 1907) at Gargiulo’s Restaurant.
• Chapter Nine delves into some of the cultural institutions and entertainment in Brooklyn. View wonderful exhibitions at the Brooklyn Museum. Head to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to view the cherry blossom season from March to May. Finish the day with dinner at BKW by Brooklyn Winery and enjoy a glass of Pinot Noir.
• Chapter Ten is an ode to South Brooklyn. Marvel at all that Industry City has to offer with its five acres of courtyard space, 40 thousand square-foot food-hall and shopping in Sunset Park. Head to the nearby neighborhood of Dyker Heights for homemade, Sicilian cannoli’s in Villabate Alba bakery.
There’s a whole borough to explore, and explore you will, with this Passport to 100 Adventures. To learn more, please visit https://explorebk.com/. Make sure to hashtag #100Brooklyn on your journey!
About Explore Brooklyn

Explore Brooklyn is the dedicated tourism website for Brooklyn dining, events, shopping, attractions, and more. It was created to foster economic growth by spreading the word to tourists and businesses alike that Brooklyn is the place to be. For more information, visit explorebrooklyn.com, and be sure to hashtag #ExploreBrooklyn as you explore our borough.

About the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is the largest and fastest-growing Chamber of Commerce in New York. It was named 2017 Chamber of the Year by The Business Council of New York State. The Chamber promotes economic development across the borough and serves as an advocate for its member businesses. Its mission is to promote a healthy and robust business environment throughout Brooklyn. The Chamber’s centennial year in 2018.

About Pathport

Pathport is an invite-only collective of creatives, designers and makers curating the most unique and exclusive travel experiences around the globe. What launched as a compilation of guides curated by international influencers has unfolded into a travel-centric community generating content for brands and individuals alike. With 52 guides already published, Pathport is setting them in motion via creative escapes. Centered around discovering Le Beau Voyage, limited spots are allotted to Pathport’s members.