The Big Apple is known for its unmistakable hustle and bustle. If you’re the type of tourist who loves peace and quiet, however, the city that never sleeps can be a bit overwhelming. Luckily, there are things to do in Brooklyn if you hate New York City and its crowded streets and frenzied subways.

Here are some non touristy things to do in Brooklyn. Keep these tips in mind the next time you visit NYC, and you’re not in the mood to endure jam-packed attractions.

Rooftop Reds

If you’re looking for a place to chill out with a glass of wine while escaping the noise of the city, then head to Rooftop Reds. Known as the world’s first commercially-viable urban rooftop vineyard, they aim to bring viticulture to the urban agriculture industry. Launched in 2016, they developed a game-changing urban planter system with the help of Finger Lakes industry leaders and Cornell University.

The winery offers more than just wine-tasting. In fact, they also hold fun events such as pop-up dining experiences, pizza-wine-movie nights, rooftop vineyard happy hours, as well as wine, cheese, and chocolate tastings. Along with that, patrons also enjoy Rooftop Reds’ summer barbecue parties and educational viticulture tours.

You can find Rooftop Reds on 299 Sands St., Building 275, Brooklyn. 

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge

This might not seem like one of the non touristy things to do in NYC, but it definitely beats other jam-packed attractions in the city. In addition to that, unlike most tourist spots in the concrete jungle, walking the bridge that connects Brooklyn and Manhattan doesn’t cost a cent! 

So, what exactly makes this iconic structure so special? When it opened in 1883, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world, with a main span of just over 1,595 feet.

The bridge has a pedestrian walkway, making it ideal for leisurely strolling without being honked at by drivers. If you’re coming from the Brooklyn side, there are two entry points going to the walkway. First is the entrance at the intersection of Boerum Place and Tillary Street. The second entrance is through the underpass on Washington Street, near the Front Street. The underpass goes up to a stairway and onto a ramp connected to the walkway.

Smorgasburg

This is the largest weekly open-air food market in America that attracts thousands of people to the borough each weekend. It may not be one of the least busy parts of NYC, but it’s definitely worth a visit. With 100 local food vendors, you’ll surely find something you’re craving for.

So what great eats can you find from the weekend market, also hailed as NYC’s food mecca? Well, just about anything, from veggie korma and kombucha pops to purple corn polenta sourdough and pizza cupcake! 

You can go on a culinary adventure at Smorgasburg Saturdays on the Williamsburg waterfront and Sundays in beautiful Prospect Park. Bring your appetite because you’ll be in for the food trip of a lifetime.

Prospect Park

Speaking of Smorgasburg, one of its venues, Prospect Park, is worth a visit with or without the weekend market. The urban park is located between Prospect Heights, Park Slope, Flatbush, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, and Windsor Terrace. It’s also adjacent to the Brooklyn Museum, as well as the Grand Army Plaza and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

The park is famous for its picnic areas where barbecuing is allowed. However, it’s crucial to keep the park’s rules in mind, including:

• Charcoal grills must be raised at least two feet above the ground
• You can only use charcoal and not propane 
• Groups of 20 or more require a permit
• Coals must be deposited in hot coal bins
• Trash must be bagged and deposited in a trash receptacle

Prospect Park is also a great place to visit if you’re interested in sports, such as baseball, basketball, cycling, skating, soccer, and tennis. You can also try birdwatching or participate in their nature programs if you’re looking for a relaxing outdoor activity.

Get a Pizza From Practically Anywhere

With New York City housing, the largest population of Italian-Americans, you won’t be surprised that you’ll find pizza everywhere. New York-style pizza is hand-tossed, resulting in a thin-crust pie usually served in wide slices. The crisp edge embraces the thin and soft dough underneath the cheese and toppings. It’s pliable enough to fold in half to eat.

Pizzerias started sprouting in Little Italy in Manhattan in the early 1900s when early immigrants used coal-fired ovens to bake wide pies inspired by Neapolitan pizzas. Today’s NY pizza is a bit more elaborate than its simpler, older cousin.

Where should you get pizza in NYC? Practically anywhere! If you want a hint, check out the stores that locals typically get their cheese fix from. Some pizzerias may have a unique claim to fame. You can try a slice from those and see if they stay true to their reputation. Even so, there’s a lot of good pizza across The Capital of the World; it’s hard to miss the mark.

The Royal Palms

Visiting the Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club is one of the top things to do in Brooklyn if you hate New York City. They accept walk-in guests, but you can also make cabana party reservations for groups of 10 or more. Because they try to get as many people on the courts as possible, they limit play to one hour per party. They have ten regulation-sized shuffleboard courts, and these are rented on a first-come, first-served basis.

They have shuffleboard leagues on Monday and Tuesday nights, which is the largest in the world. Aside from learning the game, you can also enjoy tropical drinks, food trucks, board games. They also have feature music from the coolest DJs. However, keep in mind that it’s a 21-and-over club, and they strictly don’t allow underaged guests in.

You can rent walk-in courts for $40 while cabana party reservations cost $50 per hour per reserved court. For party reservations, there’s also a mandatory beverage package for all guests. The Royal Palms is on 514 Union St, Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Promenade

Also called the Esplanade, this is a pedestrian walkway and platform that offers tourists a majestic view of the Brooklyn Bridge, the East River, and Downtown Manhattan. It’s popular among people who like to jog, run, or rollerblade. Despite this, it also offers a quiet refuge for those who just want to stroll and enjoy the city. 

The views also offer a spectacular backdrop for photos. If you’re the type who likes to sit and take in the view, you can easily spend an hour or two relaxing at this place. Don’t skip a visit in the evening, if you have the time. You’ll be amazed at one of the best night-time cityscape views there is. Without a doubt, visiting the promenade is one of the things to do in Brooklyn if you hate New York City.

Dumbo Coffee

If you’re looking for least crowded places in NYC, check out the many coffee shops peppered all across Dumbo in Brooklyn. From hipster cafes to shops that serve single-origin coffee, there’s a lot to choose from, and you’re sure to find something you fancy.

There are also Brooklyn coffee shops that take pride in roasting their beans and offer third-party-certified coffees. By doing so, they not only provide the best quality drink for their patrons, but they also help uphold fair trade and sustainable farming.

Have & Meyer

If you’re in the mood for authentic Italian food, check out Have & Meyer Vineria Naturale con Cucina. They serve over 100 natural wines sourced from passionate winegrowers. Added to that, they also collaborate with local farmers, cheesemakers, brewers and artisans to make sure that every dish is good, clean, and sourced sustainably. They believe that while food should be good for their patrons, it should also be good for the environment, and fair to producers.

With a “slow food-inspired” cuisine, they offer sumptuous pasta dishes such as gnocchi burrata and porcini, squid ink tagliolini with langoustine, and tonnarelli alla carbonara. In the mood for classic Italian faire? Try their ossobuco and potatoes or angus filet in barolo wine. Cap your meal with their rich tiramisu or their delectable gelato.

You can find Have & Meyer at 103 Havemeyer St, Brooklyn.

Ichiran Ramen

When in NYC, you don’t have to shove dirty water dogs or pretzels down your throat just because travel websites tell you to. Instead, try to eat where the locals do. And when New Yorkers crave a hot bowl of delicious ramen, they go to Ichiran. 

The resto specializes in Tonkotsu Ramen, a noodle soup made with broth made from pork marrow. This ramen is available on three bases: soy sauce, salt, or miso. You can make your noodle bowl indeed your own by ordering add-ons such as smoky marinated pork, soft boiled egg, mushrooms, or extra chashu or braised pork. 

You can find Ichiran at 374 Johnson Ave, Brooklyn. They also have stores in Midtown and Times Square.