I’ll be honest: after my stint in living in the nether regions of Queens (Jamaica/Hollis, I’m talking to you!), and commuting to work to some pretty crazy far areas of the Bronx and Brooklyn (East New York, you know who you are!), I don’t get out to the outer boroughs for pleasure as much as I probably should. Call me crazy, but I guess during my free time, I like going anywhere that does not require a 60+ minute commute.
That being said, I think you’ll all high-five me when you hear where this week’s walking tour brings us: Red Hook, Brooklyn! Now, until this particular tour, I had only been to Red Hook, oh, twice. Both times included stops at Ikea and the food truck vendors. This time, however, I paired up with the good folks from UrbanOyster, and they shared some of their favorite stops in the hood. One quick thing about UrbanOyster: they pride themselves on touring mom and pop shops and stops, so I’m certain this tour will be just as much up your alley as it was mine.
Starting Point
Head downtown to the South Street Seaport, Pier 17, and take the Water Taxi to Red Hook, getting off on the Fairway stop. It’s about a 10 minute ride, and offers lovely views of the Statue of Liberty, so any tourists reading, take your cameras!
Once off the boat, head left until you reach Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie. You won’t be able to miss the brightly colored picnic tables, adorable Jack Russell, or the delicious aroma of key limes wafting through the air. The only thing needed to really transport you to Key West is a little Jimmy Buffet music, pina coladas, and a rainstorm. (Although after Hurricane Sandy, I’m sure the residents of Red Hook have had more than enough “getting caught in the rain!”)
I have to say, I kinda fell in love with the owners’ love story: Steve’s wife said, “Years ago, I fell in love with Steve’s pies, and then I fell in love with Steve.” Pies aside, it doesn’t get much sweeter than that.
Next you’ll head to Cacao Prieto chocolate and whisky factory. It’s not one of those industrial spaces that just looks like a factory…it is actually a living, breathing, factory…with roosters running around the inner courtyard! The courtyard that has a tree growing in the middle of it, of course.
Finally, you’ll head to Brooklyn Crab for fried oysters, beer, and mini golf. Yes, this beachy establishment has mini golf in its own backyard. I suppose there are advantages to weekend getaways in the outer boroughs after all.
We hope you enjoyed this taste of Red Hook! For the full “Neighborhood Eats Tour: New York Waterfront“, visit our friends at UrbanOyster.
Jessica Tiare Bowen lives in the juicy Big Apple with her adorable pink-nosed chihuahua, Gillman. He’s the inspiration for her first published children’s book, “Park Avenue Pound Puppy.” The book is the combined result of her two greatest passions: pooches and penning stories.
Her passions include art, urban hikes through Manhattan, drinking coffee with 3 creams and 6 sugars, making extremely detailed itineraries and traveling to far away places, singing along to Broadway shows, Netflix movie nights, discovering incredible treasures at Goodwill and thrift stores, and listening to stories from little people under 7 and big people over 70.
She started her career as New York City Teaching Fellow, teaching elementary school and theater arts at a special education school in the South Bronx for 6 years. She is now a Special Education School Improvement Specialist working in public schools throughout New York City. She is the Editor-In-Chief of the online New York City travel magazine, Used York City. The magazine focuses on finding the best of New York…as used by New Yorkers. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and an ASPCA Ambassador.
