Let's explore 3 different neighborhoods in Brooklyn. All of them share wonderful views of the Manhattan skyline across the East River. Each one of them has a distinguishable different character due to it's history and demographics.

Taking the East River Ferry to DUMBO will allow us to take in the view of Manhattan's and Brooklyn's shoreline at the same time. During the late 19th and early 20th century, before it was ever called DUMBO (the acronym for Down under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), the area mainly consisted out of the Fulton Ferry Landing surrounded by lots of warehouses and factories. Here the first black school was founded in 1812. Walk the streets where the coffee and sugar wars took place during those days.

After DUMBO we will take a walk through Brooklyn Heights. One of the famous sights here is Plymouth Church where Reverend Henry Ward Beecher held emotional sermons.  In the 20th Century this area was home to writers Truman Capote, Arthur Miller, Norman Mailer and Walt Whitman. Today a sought-after residential area with beautiful brownstones, cottages and carriage houses that attracts people who want to escape the frenzy of Manhattan. 

Our next stop on the ferry up the East River is Williamsburg. It was named after the man who surveyed it, Colonel Johnathan Williams. Until then it had been part of neighboring Bushwick. Besides mustard and ketchup factories, lots of breweries were located here in the 19th Century. It also carries the nick name Little Berlin due to its hipster population, exciting night life and street art.