Your Guide to Downtown Brooklyn

by Haley Davidson

IKEA. Smorgasburg. Prospect Park. Coney Island. The Barclays Center. Hipsters in indie coffee shops. Only one borough of New York City can boast all these gems in the space of just 97 square miles: Brooklyn.

If you’re living in our Albee Square building this summer, you’ll have easy to access to all of these Brooklyn icons, plus so much more! But before you can start exploring, let’s make sure you know where to go for all of life’s necessities, including groceries, subway stops, and most importantly, coffee.

Getting Around

Most likely, you’ll be commuting to work on a daily basis. Follow these tips to master the subway, but also take note of nearby subway lines and where they can get you to.

2/3 Train at Hoyt Street

Financial District in 14 minutes

Times Square in 28 minutes

 

A/C/F/R Jay Street Metrotech

World Trade Center in 23 minutes

Union Square in 26 minutes

Rockefeller Center in 30 minutes

 

2/3/4/5 Nevins Street

Financial District in 16 minutes

Union Square in 27 minutes

Grand Central in 31 minutes

 

B/Q/R Dekalb Avenue

Union Square in 19 minutes

World Trade Center in 24 minutes

Groceries

Brooklyn is home to many basic grocery stores, like Target and Whole Foods. However, there are tons of local spots for specialty items, too! We’ve listed a couple below, and for more about grocery shopping in New York City, check out this blog.

Target

Citypoint Brooklyn, 445 Albee Sq. W.

Across the street from Albee Square!

 

Trader Joe’s

Citypoint Brooklyn, 445 Albee Sq. W.

Across the street from Albee Square!

 

Whole Foods

115 Flatbush Ave.

10 minute walk

 

Sahadi’s (iconic Middle Eastern grocery store)

187 Atlantic Ave.

15 minute walk

Shopping

If you’ve already realized you don’t have enough business casual options for your summer internship, never fear. Downtown Brooklyn is home to dozens of options for all your outfit needs. Plus, you can pick up a book to read on your commute or your Saturday off! (And if you need help finding your summer internship style, here’s how to dress to impress.)

 

CityPoint Brooklyn (Century21, other shops)

445 Albee Sq. W.

Across the street from Albee Square!

 

Fulton Mall (outdoor complex with 150+ local and chain retailers)

Fulton St.

5 minute walk

 

Buffalo Exchange (thrift shop for men’s and women’s clothing)

109 Boerum Pl.

13 minute walk

 

Barnes and Noble

106 Court St.

13 minute walk

 

Books Are Magic (independant bookstore)

225 Smith Street

17 minute walk

Coffee

Brooklyn has some of the city’s best coffee shops, whether you’re searching for a quiet spot to catch up on homework, a hip place to take a coffee date, or the perfect almond milk latte. Caffeine addict or not, you’ll want to bookmark these spots. (Check out more of our favorite NYC coffee shops.)

 

Renaissance Java Cafe (modern coffeehouse with soups and salads)

200 Schermerhorn St.

6 minute walk

 

Gregory’s Coffee (New York based coffee roaster)

16 Court St.

10 minute walk

 

Bluestone Lane (Australian style coffee, spacious interior)

55 Prospect St.

15 minute walk

 

Brooklyn Roasting Company (famous Brooklyn roastery, plenty of seating)

25 Jay St.

20 minute walk



Miscellaneous Life Necessities

Here’s a list of miscellaneous places you might need to visit this summer, whether it’s to mail a package or visit an urgent care.

 

Duane Reade (pharmacy and convenience store)

559 Fulton St.

3 minute walk

 

CityMD Brooklyn Heights

135 Montague St.

15 minute walk

 

Brooklyn Hospital Center

121 Dekalb Ave.

8 minute walk

 

UPS Store

165 Court St.

15 minute walk

 

US Post Office

539 Atlantic Ave.

12 minute walk

Want more more cool things to do in Brooklyn? Check out this blog!