Looking for where to stay in Brooklyn…?
Brooklyn is a unique and vibrant NYC borough, full of culture and diverse attractions. Whether you want to be close to Manhattan or rest your head in luxury digs, we’ve got it all! This guide will cover a few of the best neighborhoods to help you decide where to stay in Brooklyn.
In each neighborhood, we will explore transit times to help you plan your itinerary, places to eat, and plenty of terrific hotel suggestions to ensure an unforgettable experience!
What more could you need? Actually, I know of a few more things you’ll need…
While planning your getaway, be sure you don’t miss our complete vegan travel guide to NYC, along with many more helpful articles (scroll to the end of the article to find a full rundown on everything you’ll need to have the most epic time).
Some of the links in this guide might be affiliate links. At no cost to you, I may receive a small commission which helps me keep producing free content for you!
Short on Time?
Here’s Where to Stay for a First-Time Visit to Brooklyn
- Neighborhood: Downtown Brooklyn
- Best budget hotel option: Holiday Inn Downtown Brooklyn
- Best mid-range hotel option: Ace Hotel Brooklyn
- Best luxury hotel option: 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge (this hotel is technically in DUMBO but it is by far the most luxurious and sustainable hotel in Brooklyn).
The Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Brooklyn Close to Manhattan
If you want to explore Manhattan and Brooklyn, you will want to stay in one of these Brooklyn neighborhoods. While many other neighborhoods are terrific, staying in one of these will make getting back and forth to Manhattan a little easier. If you decide to stay in another neighborhood, check the transit planner in Google Maps. That will give you an idea of how long it might take — always factor in extra time during rush hour!
Williamsburg
Williamsburg is a trendy, hipster haven — I promise you will find more than flannel shirts and beards! The neighborhood is buzzing with activity all day long; it’s well-known for its vibrant nightlife (check out the Black Flamingo), eclectic cafes and restaurants, independent boutiques, and more. It’s also right on the waterfront, making it ideal for an early morning run or a picnic in Domino Park.
Where to Stay in Williamsburg
The Williamsburg Hotel
96 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Mid-range – luxe boutique hotel
This hip hotel is centrally located in Williamsburg, and some of the rooms offer epic views of Manhattan and the East River. They offer a few vegan-friendly options on their breakfast menu to help get your day started and source as much as they can locally.
PENNY
288 N 8th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Mid-range boutique hotel
This modern hotel offers everything you could need for a perfect stay — kitchenettes, pour-over coffee, free bike use, yoga mats, and more! The hotel also has a love affair with local art! Everything you see was created in partnership with LAND Gallery and Pure Vision Arts by New Yorkers with developmental disabilities.
Pod Brooklyn Hotel
247 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Budget boutique hotel
For a unique and budget-friendly place to stay, check out this spot. The hotel has bunk beds and queen rooms that provide everything you need for a solid night of rest. All rooms are private, so no worries about sharing a bathroom.
How Long Does it Take to Get to Popular Spots in NYC from Williamsburg?
From the Bedford Ave. Subway stop:
- 15 mins. to Greenwich Village
- 20 mins. to Times Square
- 20 mins. to The World Trade Center Memorial & Museum
- 25 mins. to Central Park
Vegan Restaurants & Bakeries in Williamsburg
I couldn’t possibly suggest that you stay in Williamsburg if there weren’t any nearby vegan hot spots, right?!
Modern Love
317 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Well known for comforting vegan junk food — crispy oyster mushroom calamari, loaded nachos, creamy mac-n-cheese, and much more. Even if you don’t stay in Williamsburg, you’ve got to visit this spot!
Terms of Endearment
135 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
You won’t believe your eyes when you see these stunning vegan French pastries — seriously, everything is vegan! This is also a great place to start your day. They have a full breakfast lineup in the morning with croissant sandwiches, omelets, and more.
Happy Zoe Vegan Bakery
102 B Nassau Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
This vegan bakery is on the edge of Williamsburg and Greenpoint, but absolutely worth the visit! Depending on the day, you’ll find a mouthwatering lineup of cakes, cinnamon buns, cheesecakes, and donuts!
Brooklyn Heights & DUMBO
These two neighborhoods are right next to each other; I didn’t break them apart because there is technically only one hotel between them.
Brooklyn Heights is considered one of the best neighborhoods to live in NYC. The streets are lined with charming brownstones, and there is plenty of greenspace along the East River to hang out and enjoy views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. This neighborhood is perfect for you if you want to stay in a quieter area with upscale options — you won’t find nearly as many trendy hipsters here.
Right next door to Brooklyn Heights is DUMBO, which stands for down under the Manhattan Bridge overpass. DUMBO wasn’t always an attractive neighborhood; it once was the industrial hub for NYC. Today many warehouses and factories have been renovated into spaces that house restaurants, cafes, independent boutiques, and art galleries.
Fun fact: DUMBO is home to one of the more Instagramable spots in NYC: Washington Street and Water Street (with the bridge in the background).
Where to Stay in Brooklyn Heights & DUMBO
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
60 Furman St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Luxury boutique hotel
This hotel is not only vegan-friendly but also eco-friendly! The luxury hotel is one of NYC’s few carbon-neutral and LEED-certified hotels. This is a gorgeous retreat from the chaos of the city – if you’re looking to treat yourself, stay here.
Brooklyn Heights & DUMBO Tip
If this spot is out of your price range, but you’d like to stay in Brooklyn Heights or DUMBO, consider checking out VBRO rentals.
How Long Does it Take to Get to Popular Spots in NYC from Brooklyn Heights/DUMBO?
From the High Street-Brooklyn Bridge Station subway stop:
- 10 mins. to The World Trade Center Memorial & Museum
- 15 mins. to Greenwich Village
- 22 mins. to Times Square
- 22 mins. to Central Park
The High Street-Brooklyn Bridge Station is in DUMBO. Two subway stops in Brooklyn Heights include Clark Street and Court Street — leaving from either of these two stations will add just a few minutes of transit.
Vegan Restaurants & Bakeries in Brooklyn Heights & DUMBO
Cloudy Donut Co.
14 Columbia Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Even if you don’t stay in the area, don’t miss a visit to this fantastic vegan donut shop! They have an insane lineup of 40 donut flavors — I’m not sure I could come up with 10, let alone 40. The flavors rotate, but you might find sweet potato pie, s’mores, pistachio, and many more.
Next Stop Vegan
88 Livingston St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Come here to enjoy a massive variety of vegan comfort food! They’ve got everything from flavorful burgers loaded with provolone truffle mac-n-cheese to crunchy carnitas tacos. If you like plantains, don’t skip the Platano Power sandwich, made with a house-made black bean and brown rice patty (it’s also gluten-free).
BKLYNWild
55 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
This plant-based spot is located inside the waterfront Time Out Market and is the perfect place to refuel with healthy and flavorful bowls. If you want something different, check out the Unicorn Bowl (purple sweet potatoes, pink lentils, pomegranate, chili coconut yogurt, and mint).
Downtown Brooklyn
You might have already guessed that downtown Brooklyn is the borough’s thriving business district. This area was once considered a commercial hub of 9 to 5’ers clocking in that would bustle during the day and head out at night. Today, the area has grown and is home to trendy restaurants, entertainment venues, and bars alongside towering office buildings. It is also the area in Brooklyn where you will find the most options for hotels to stay.
Where to Stay in Downtown Brooklyn
There are a greater variety (price points and styles) of hotels in Downtown Brooklyn, here are my picks!
Holiday Inn Brooklyn Downtown
300 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Budget hotel
Holiday Inn is always a good bang for your buck — which can be difficult to find in NYC. You can rest assured you’ll find clean and comfortable accommodations here and be close to mass transit and all of Brooklyn’s major sights.
Ace Hotel Brooklyn
252 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Mid-range boutique hotel
Technically this hotel is in Boerum Hill, right on the edge of Downtown Brooklyn, but it’s such a unique space that I think you should consider it. The Mid-Century Modern rooms are equipped with great workspaces if you have things to accomplish or you can just relax. The morning breakfast menu also features some vegan options if you need something to start the day.
The Tillary Hotel Brooklyn
85 Flatbush Ave Ext, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Mid-range boutique hotel
This sophisticated hotel features 1920s glam with modern touches. It’s steps from the downtown shopping area and features a rooftop bar that provides fantastic city views.
How Long Does it Take to Get to Popular Spots in NYC from Downtown Brooklyn?
From the DeKalb Station subway stop (If you leave from the York St. subway stop, it is a little quicker, but York is on the edge of DUMBO and Downtown Brooklyn):
- 16 mins. to The World Trade Center Memorial & Museum
- 23 mins. to Greenwich Village
- 27 mins. to Times Square
- 26 mins. to Central Park
Vegan Restaurants in/nearby Downtown Brooklyn
Slutty Vegan Brooklyn
690 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11217
The popular Atlanta-based vegan burger restaurant has come to NYC! You definitely need to sink your teeth into a Dance Hall Queen (giant burger topped with sweet jerk plantains, caramelized onions, cheese, and special Slut sauce), along with their signature Slutty fries sprinkled with Slut Dust!
Next Level Burger
292 Ashland Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11217
You’ll find this burger joint inside Whole Foods, flipping burgers, crispy chick’n, creamy milkshakes, and much more!
LuAnne’s Wild Ginger
112 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
This Asian vegan eatery features a wide variety of must-eat cuisine, from Jap Chae made with sweet potato noodles to Moo Shu served with sweet Hoisin Plum sauce.
So, Where Should I Stay in Brooklyn?
The million-dollar question! Deciding where to stay in Brooklyn comes down to what kind of experience you want.
If you’re looking for a trendier, hipster vibe, I think Williamsburg will be the perfect place for you! If that’s not your jam and you consider a sophisticated getaway is more your speed, then I would 1000% suggest you check out 1 Hotel Brooklyn in DUMBO. This is a great place not only to unwind and feel like royalty but it is also eco-friendly – what could be better?
Now you might be thinking, what about Downtown Brooklyn? Keep reading!
The Best Brooklyn Neighborhood to Stay for First-Time Visit
If this is your first time staying in Brooklyn and you want to explore all the neighborhoods and get into Manhattan quickly, then I think your best bet is Downtown Brooklyn. A stay here will put you pretty much in the heart of Brooklyn with easy access to multiple subway lines so you can buzz around.
Downtown Brooklyn doesn’t boast the same neighborhood vibes as Williamsburg or Brooklyn Heights, but it’s a great place for first-timers to base themselves to explore all of NYC. It also offers a greater variety of accommodations, so if you’re on a budget or looking for something specific, you’ll probably find it easier in Downtown Brooklyn.
Other Brooklyn Neighborhoods You Might Want to Stay or Visit
For this guide, I focused on neighborhoods closest to Manhattan, but if that doesn’t matter to you, then check out these other great Brooklyn neighborhoods!
Green Point
This is the northernmost Brooklyn neighborhood before you hit Queens on the East River. The neighborhood is known for its Polish roots – it’s probably the best place in the city to taste pierogi. It also has a love affair with donuts, an interesting combination, right?
Aside from eating, you’ll also find some of the best vintage shops in NYC, live music, and nightlife. One important note is that you can only reach Green Point via the G train and/or ferry.
Green Point Hotel Suggestion
Franklin Guesthouse
214 Franklin St, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Mid-range – luxe boutique hotel
Bushwick
Right on the heels of Williamsburg is the hip and trendy neighborhood of Bushwick. Here you’ll find a thriving Latino community (perfect if you’re looking for taquerias – some might have vegan options), cool dive bars, unique shopping, and street art.
Many shops and music venues are housed inside former warehouses – excellent examples of adaptive reuse instead of just tearing it down. If you want to check out upcoming hip spots, Bushwick is for you.
Bushwick Hotel Suggestion
Holiday Inn Express Brooklyn – Bushwick
1200 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11221
Budget-friendly hotel
Park Slope
When you think of Brooklyn, this family-friendly neighborhood might be what you picture – gorgeous historic brownstones on tree-lined streets. The quiet neighborhood is also home to charming cafes and restaurants that you’ll find along 5th and 6th Avenues. During the summer, hang out with locals in Prospect Park (considered Brooklyn’s Central Park) for outdoor concerts or just a leisurely stroll.
Hotel Suggestion Near Park Slope
Hotel Le Bleu
370 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Mid-range boutique hotel
Gowanus
This industrial area is well known for its mile-long canal – but not always in the most favorable light! Back in the day, the canal was polluted and considered a famous dumping ground for the mafia. Thankfully those days are long gone. The canal has gotten a much-needed cleaning, and the surrounding warehouses are hubs for various artists and creatives.
You’ll have a great selection of art studios, breweries, and restaurants in Gowanus. It’s also close to the Barclays Center if you’re catching a basketball game or concert.
Hotel Suggestion in Gowanus
TownePlace Suites by Marriott
561 President St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Budget to mid-range hotel
Bedford-Stuyvesant
Bed-Stuy, as it is affectionately known, is well known for having the largest collection of Victorian architecture, but more importantly, it’s been a historic center for African American culture and a hub for civil rights activism. It was once home to famous musicians and actors like Notorious B.I.G., Aaliyah, and Tracy Morgan.
Hotel Suggestion Near Bed-Stuy
Pointe Plaza Hotel
2 Franklin Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Budget-friendly hotel
Is It Ok to Stay in Brooklyn When Visiting NYC?
Absolutely! It is definitely ok to stay in Brooklyn when you’re visiting NYC, and if anyone tells you otherwise, tell ‘em to take a hike. At one time, Brooklyn was a more affordable option than neighboring Manhattan, but today, that’s not necessarily the case.
Brooklyn offers visitors a lot to explore, from quaint cafes to expansive botanic gardens, and you can still quickly get into Manhattan if you want.
Is It Cheaper to Stay in Brooklyn vs. Manhattan?
Brooklyn is overall a little cheaper than Manhattan, but not by a considerable amount. Over the years, Brooklyn has grown in popularity, and with that growth, the price tag has also risen. For the most part, you should be able to find a hotel within your budget easily.
On average, you should expect to pay at least $200 a night for a decent hotel in Manhattan and around $150 in Brooklyn (it could be a bit higher if you’re traveling during the summer months).
More NYC Travel Help!
Now that you know where to stay in Brooklyn, you’ve got a couple more things to check out! Don’t miss these articles to plan your entire Big Apple getaway.
The Ultimate NYC Vegan Travel Guide
Vegan Food Tour of Brooklyn: From Breakfast to Dinner
Vegan-Friendly Hotels in NYC You Need to Visit
19 Epic Vegan Bakeries & Dessert Spots in NYC
13 NYC Vegan Ice Cream Spots You Can’t Miss
7 Spots for Creative Vegan Sushi in NYC
14 Amazing Vegan Brunch and Breakfast Spots in NYC
10 Spots for Vegan & Gluten-Free Food in NYC
