A Walk in Brooklyn Heights

Brooklyn is one of the five boroughs of New York City, right across downtown Manhattan. A walk in Brooklyn Heights is a walk to remember. There’s history, architecture, intrigues, trivia, literature, scenic view, food, nature and leisure as we walked around one nice autumn day a few days ago.

Instead of exploring Brooklyn Heights on our own (with a friend and my brother), we decided to join Free Tours By Foot, a name-your-price walking tour whose mission is to show the best of New York City to anyone (locals and tourists alike) who wants to discover the city that never sleeps without worrying too much about paying exhorbitant prices–compared to other sightseeing/walking tours. Though it’s billed as a free walking tour, attendees are encouraged to give (not pay) whatever they can or whatever they think the tour costs. Freeloaders are welcome, of course, but, really…??? 🙂

[easyazon_link asin=”9774164881″ locale=”US” new_window=”yes” nofollow=”default” tag=”pridecostume-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”yes” popups=”yes”]Brooklyn Heights[/easyazon_link] is said to be America’s first suburb—and even today, it’s still an upper middle class neigborhood.

We started our Brooklyn Heights Walking Tour at Brooklyn Borough City Hall. 

Then, we were introduced to [easyazon_link asin=”B009NNM9OA” locale=”US” new_window=”yes” nofollow=”default” tag=”pridecostume-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”yes” popups=”yes”]Jackie Robinson[/easyazon_link], the first African-American baseball player on a major baseball league. 

And then to some architectural styles. 

Greek, Art-deco, Renaissance, Gothic, etc…

The facade of Brooklyn Historical Society is ornamented with heroic busts from historical figures. 

This mansion was once owned by a [easyazon_link asin=”B007SPPANM” locale=”US” new_window=”yes” nofollow=”default” tag=”pridecostume-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”yes” popups=”yes”]Titanic[/easyazon_link] survivor. They survived the sinking of the unsinkable ship but they never survived bankruptcy during the Depression Era. 

St. Anne and the Holy Trinity Church is well-known for its 55 stained glasses that depict scenes from the Old Testament. 

Brooklyn is home to well-known literary figures, such as Truman Capote ([easyazon_link asin=”0679745653″ locale=”US” new_window=”yes” nofollow=”default” tag=”pridecostume-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”yes” popups=”yes”]Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Three Stories[/easyazon_link]), [easyazon_link asin=”0486456765″ locale=”US” new_window=”yes” nofollow=”default” tag=”pridecostume-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”yes” popups=”yes”]Leaves of Grass: The Original 1855 Edition (Dover Thrift Editions)[/easyazon_link], H.P. Lovecraft, Norman Mailer, etc….

Here, in this simple abode, [easyazon_link asin=”B00007ELDP” locale=”US” new_window=”yes” nofollow=”default” tag=”pridecostume-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”yes” popups=”yes”]Death of a Salesman[/easyazon_link] Also, in this building, Norman Mailer once lived here where he wrote part of his WWII novel, “The Naked and the Dead.”

Creepy. Here lies Dracula and Frankenstein?  

Buildings made of brownstones are everywhere. 

In Fall, most of the streets and corners in Brooklyn Heights are covered in colors like this.  

This is the Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims. Leading abolitionist, Henry Ward Beecher (brother of Uncle Tom’s Cabin writer, [easyazon_link asin=”0486440281″ locale=”US” new_window=”yes” nofollow=”default” tag=”pridecostume-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”yes” popups=”yes”]Harriet Beecher Stowe[/easyazon_link]), made a mock up of how the black slaves were auctioned to the public.  

In the Church’s courtyard, Abrahan Lincoln’s statue is plastered on its wall. 

There’s a grand view waiting for every tired visitors at Brooklyn Heights Promenade. 

A view of Manhattan skyline from Brooklyn Heights Promenade. 

Not far, is the stunning view of Brooklyn Bridge.  

At Grimaldi’s Pizza Place, there’s always people queueing up. Why? It’s New York’s #1 pizza! 

Grimaldi’s Pizza in Brooklyn Heights

At Brooklyn Eagle, Walt Whitman (Oh Captain, My Captain!) was an editor for two years, circa 1946-1948.

There’s an interesting fact that six days after the Brooklyn Bridge was opened to the public, a rumor circulated that the bridge is going to collapse which resulted to a stampede. To prove the hearsay wrong, 21 elephants were paraded, crossing between Brooklyn and Manhattan.  

The view from Fulton Ferry District. 

Traveling with your sweetheart? Don’t forget to leave a lock for …. whatever… 🙂 

Isn’t it sweet? 

Before we wrapped up our Brooklyn Heights Walking Tour, we dropped by at Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. 

Yummy! 

We also queued up for 30 minutes at Grimaldi’s to take out pizza. We brought it to Brooklyn Bridge and sat there to devour it like we could eat a lion. 

 [easyazon_block add_to_cart=”default” align=”center” asin=”1250038820″ cloaking=”default” layout=”top” localization=”yes” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”yes” tag=”pridecostume-20″]Uncle Tom’s Cabin (Dover Thrift Editions)[/easyazon_block]