In 1898 the City of Brooklyn became one of the five boroughs of New York City.  Called “the great mistake of 1898”, the annexation was a subject of contention amongst proud Brooklynites.  Already joined physically by the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1883, Kings County’s inclusion into the metropolis was a pivotal point in defining New York City as a diverse, multi-dimensional urban center.   Over 110 years later, Brooklyn is known as a vibrant cultural destination, distinct from the iconic of presence Manhattan.

When most people think of New York, they summon images of postcard Gotham; the Empire State building, Times Square and Central Park.  Manhattan remains the primary destination for visitors, but without a trip across the East River, tourists are only seeing a fraction of the city’s identity.  The Dutch-founded town of Breuckelen began as a rural farming community.  Today, it is a handful of villages that grew into each other.  This is reflected in the architecture of Brooklyn.  Unique from the structural identity of Manhattan, the history of Brooklyn is told in its buildings.  From the colonial homes of its agricultural past, to the iconic brownstone row houses that confirm its Dutch origin, to the Victorian mansions that once housed Hollywood celebrities, one only needs to squint to look back in time. 

Brooklyn is globally renowned for the role it has, and continues to play, in the arts.  The Brooklyn Museum holds New York City’s second largest art collection with 1.5 million pieces.  The Brooklyn Academy of Music, or BAM, is a celebrated performing arts center that has specialized in cutting edge and avant-garde performance since 1908.  Newer performance spaces like the Issue Project Room and 285 Kent St are being praised for maintaining Brooklyn’s status as a cutting edge cultural center.   Writers that have called Brooklyn home include H.P. Lovecraft, Colson Whitehead, Jonathan Safran Foer and Walt Whitman, who wrote extensively about his life there.   Brooklyn has a rich history in film as well.  Looking at the East River, one might feel like Marlon Brando in “On the Waterfront”, a story of union corruption amongst dockworkers in Brooklyn.  Cult classics such as The Warriors, The French Connection, Goodfellas, Saturday Night Fever and many films by Woody Allen were set in the borough.   Director Spike Lee set many of his films in the neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant.  Brooklyn is also the setting of hit TV series like The Honeymooners, Welcome Back Kotter, The Cosby Show and Bored to Death take place there.  Not only is Brooklyn a consistent tour stop for many famous recording artists, but also boasts an active local music community.  This is celebrated at events like the Northside Music Festival, Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival and the summer performances in the Prospect Park Bandshell. 

            Today, Brooklyn offers more destinations for visitors than ever before.  The borough has experienced a culinary boom, and can offer a sophisticated dining experience once thought to be exclusive to Manhattan.   Almondine Bakery in Dumbo, voted best bakery in New York by New York Magazine, serves as the cities premier French bakery.  Reflecting its diverse populace, foodies can find authentic Middle Eastern, Jewish, Spanish, Chinese and Italian cuisines; Brooklyn being home to two New York Pizza institutions, DiFara’s and Grimaldi’s.  Whether it’s the famous Peter Luger Steakhouse (named best steakhouse in NY by Zagat 26 years) or the New American chic Farm on Adderly, Brooklyn runs the gamut on repasts.  Guests to New York should not be surprised to learn that Brooklyn offers several first-class accommodations for travelers.  Putting a Brooklyn spin on Manhattan luxury, boutique hotels like Hotel Le Bleu and Hotel Le Jolie are conveniently located in proximity to some of Brooklyn’s most famous attractions.  But if one insists on staying in the city, access to Brooklyn could not be easier.  The Williamsburg, Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge are all iconic gateways to the borough, all of which are accessible to cyclists and pedestrians.  The newly built East River Ferry provides spectacular views of Brooklyn and Manhattan, linking the two boroughs via nine ports.  

            While you are visiting our city, we encourage you to visit the Rare Posters warehouse in DUMBO, located directly under the Manhattan Bridge overpass.  We stock vintage and hard to find art from museums and galleries around the world.  We carry works from over 500 different artists, including celebrated New York artists like Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Christo.  Located within walking distance from the York St. F and High St. A subway stops, and conveniently accessible from the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, we hope you make Rare Posters a part of your Brooklyn experience.