Things to Do in Red Hook, Brooklyn

This Red Hook bakery and coffee shop has received rave reviews from everyone from Bon Appetit to the New York Times. Try one of Baked's pastries, and you'll see why. I recommend the homemade oreos, the Red Hook "red hot" cake, and, if you're feeling decadent, the melt-in-your-mouth sweet and salty brownie. This den of deliciousness offers free wi-fi and serves up savory goods, too.

Baked - 359 Van Brunt Street - (718) 222-0345

From Baked, walk south on Van Brunt until you see Coffey Street. Take a right, and after a couple of blocks, the street will dead end into the Louis Valentino, Jr. Park and Pier, a small waterfront park. Green, filled with flowers, and located directly on the river, the park offers a multitude of grassy spots perfect for reading or sunning or gazing out at the boats floating by. Pack a blanket, and enjoy a peaceful Brooklyn morning. On Tuesday nights in the summer, Red Hook Flicks hosts a summer-long free film festival at the pier, complete with local food vendors. Skip the popcorn and pick up a Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pie.

Louis Valentino, Jr. Park and Pier - Coffey Street & Ferris Street

If you're a pie fan, then you won't want to miss Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pies. When you leave the Valentino Pier, just head back along Coffey, and you'll see signs pointing you towards the pie shop. Not hungry? Don't worry, the 4-inch tart, is small and perfectly shareable, but if you're a chocolate fan, you must order The Swingle, a frozen chocolate covered key lime pie on a stick. But if you want to stick yo an original pie remember--according to Al Roker, these tarts are the "last genuine key lime pies in the US!"

Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pies - 204 Van Dyke Street - (888) 450-5463

A couple of block's from Steve's (back on Van Brunt) is Fairway Market, which is home to one the most economical waterside dining spots in the city. Sip an iced coffee at the their cafe overlooking the waterfront, and then peruse this enormous market. Shop for everything from meats and cheeses to freshly-baked goods and organic food. 

Fairway Supermarket - 480-500 Van Brunt Street - (718) 694-6868

Ikea - 1 Beard Street - (718) 246-4532

Waterfront Barge Museum

Step aboard the historic restored seaworthy barge docked in Red Hook, Brooklyn. The Lehigh Valley No. 9 is open to the public on Saturdays from 1-5pm year round and also on Thursdays from 4pm-8pm in warmer months. Explore the vessel, see the Captain’s original living quarters, and a collection of tools used by longshoremen and stevedores. They also have a whirling ball machine, which is a fantastic permanent art installation that mesmerizes both kids and adults. 

After a couple of hours spent wandering around Ikea, you may be in need of a pick-me-up. If so, head to the Red Hook Ballfields for an afternoon snack. From Ikea, head east on Halleck Street, turn right onto Columbia Street, and then turn right onto Bay Street. It's about a ten-minute walk.

The Red Hook Ballfields have in the past few years become a famous spot for scoring fresh ceviche, hot chicken tamales, corn on the cob, pupusas, and a variety of other tempting South American treats. Vendors sell their straight-off-the-grill street food from carts scattered around an outdoor baseball field.

Walk off those quesadillas while perusing the aisles of local indie bookstores. Pioneer Books located on Van Brunt Street has a collection of books on art, poetry, etc, and is apart of Pioneer Works, a "a center for research and experimentation in contemporary culture," with an exhibition space open to the public on Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.  

Afterward head down Van Brunt toward Union and make your way onto Columbia  Street. Walk north until you see Freebird. This cozy gem of a used bookstore is a book lovers' dream come true. Owned by Brooklyn resident Peter Miller, Freebird offers ongoing literary events, a wide selection of reasonably priced books (both used and new), coffee, teas, wine, beer, snacks, and an outdoor patio.

Pioneer Works at 289 Van Brunt St. 
Freebird Books - 123 Columbia Street - (718) 643-8484

Go south for a couple of blocks until you reach Alma. This is an area that is outside of Red Hook in Carroll Gardens West. However, it offers one of the best outdoor dining destinations in Brooklyn, Alma offers standard Mexican dishes like fajitas and enchiladas alongside delicious drinks and an extensive menu of house-infused tequilas. Sit on the restaurant's rooftop terrace, and you won't be sorry; the views of the Manhattan skyline are fantastic, especially once the sun goes down.

Alma Restaurant - 187 Columbia Street - (718) 643-5400