Williamsburg Brooklyn Travel Guide: Two Days Eating, Walking and Exploring
Brooklyn honestly wasn’t on my radar the way it should have been. This Williamsburg Brooklyn travel guide came together after finally spending two days in Williamsburg and Greenpoint, staying put and actually paying attention.
I’ve spent years traveling to 70+ countries, prioritizing places that require effort. Long flights, logistics, planning everything out. And somehow, in all of that, Brooklyn kept getting treated like a quick stop. We would go for dinner, walk around a bit, then leave thinking we’d come back “properly” at some point.
We never did. Until now.
We spent two days in Williamsburg and Greenpoint and stayed put the entire time. No trying to cover all of New York. No overplanning. Just walking, eating, and paying attention.
This isn’t a full Brooklyn guide. It’s just exactly how we spent our time and what I’d actually do again.
Where We Stayed in Williamsburg Brooklyn
We stayed at the William Vale, and this was one of those bookings where you immediately know you made the right call.
The location alone changes how you experience the trip. You walk outside and you’re already in it. No Ubers,. everything we wanted was within walking distance, which is exactly how I prefer to travel.
Our upgraded room had a balcony facing the skyline, and I ended up spending way more time out there than expected. At some point, you stop thinking of Brooklyn as “near Manhattan” and start realizing it’s its own thing entirely.
Westlight, the rooftop, is worth going to even if you’re not staying here. We went during golden hour for cocktails and enjoyed he view, the light, the crowd.
Overall, it’s the kind of hotel that fits how we travel. Walkable, easy, no overthinking. However, keep in mind that they charged a daily $45 USD “destination fee” which I was not thrilled about.
Williamsburg and Greenpoint: What It Actually Feels Like
Williamsburg is fun, but not in an overwhelming way.
Bedford Avenue is where everything starts. Shops, cafés, people who somehow look styled but effortless at the same time. It’s the kind of street where you walk slower without even realizing it.
Then you move a few blocks out, and it shifts.
The brownstone streets near the hotel were my favorite part. Also where things got a little personal. Before we bought our place in LA last year, we seriously considered a Brooklyn brownstone. We toured a few, went back and forth on it, and eventually didn’t do it.
Walking through those streets again brought all of that back.
The homes are just as good as I remembered. The neighborhood still has that same energy. We have zero regrets about LA, but Brooklyn will definitely make you think about alternate timelines for a second.
Greenpoint is a short walk up and feels completely different.
Quieter, more residential, less trying. You notice small grocery stores, local spots that clearly didn’t open last year, and newer places that blend in instead of standing out. We slowed down a lot more here, and honestly, I liked that balance.
Walking between Williamsburg and Greenpoint makes you realize Brooklyn isn’t one vibe. It’s multiple neighborhoods layered together.
What We Ate in Williamsburg Brooklyn
This part of the Williamsburg Brooklyn travel guide is honestly where most of our time went.
We ate a lot of pizza. No regrets. And then somehow also fit in a beer hall, a proper Italian dinner, and a matcha stop that ended up being one of the best parts of the trip.
Ace’s Pizza Address: 44 Berry St, Brooklyn, NY 11249 Hours: Sunday through Thursday 11am to 11pm, Friday and Saturday 11am to midnight Website: acespizzanyc.com
This was our first stop, which felt right.
Super casual, no pressure, and exactly what you want when you’re just getting your bearings. The pizza is really good, but also it just sets the tone. Like, okay, we’re here now.
Also the vintage Pizza Hut vibe? Unexpected, but I loved it.
Macoletta Address: 221 North 8th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211 Hours: Monday through Friday 5pm to 10pm, Saturday and Sunday 12pm to 10pm Website: macoletta.com
We ordered the Diablo, and it did what it was supposed to do.
Spicy, but not aggressive. The crust held up. The flavors actually made sense together. It wasn’t trying too hard, which I appreciate.
We stayed longer than planned and didn’t rush, which usually means it’s a good spot.
Leuca Address: 111 North 12th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249 (inside the William Vale) Hours: Monday through Friday 7am to 11pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am to 11pm Website: leucabrooklyn.com
This was our one proper sit-down breakfast.
It’s Southern Italian, but more importantly, it’s just done well. The space feels warm without being overly designed, and the food speaks for itself.
We kept it simple. Oatmeal, gluten-free blueberry muffin, cappuccinos. Nothing complicated, just everything done right.
Radegast Hall & Biergarten Address: 113 North 3rd St, Brooklyn, NY 11249 Hours: Monday through Friday 4pm to 2am, Saturday and Sunday 12pm to 2am Website: radegasthall.com
We went in for one drink and ended up staying way longer. Sausages, beers, long tables, loud in a good way.
Completely different energy from everything else we did, which made it even better.
Matchaful Address: 68 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249 Hours: Monday through Friday 7am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am to 6pm Website: matchaful.com
Kerry and I are both soft serve people, so this stop was less about caffeine and more about slowing down for a second. It ended up being one of those small moments that just makes the day feel better.
What I’d Do Next Time in Brooklyn
We’re already planning to go back.
DUMBO, Carroll Gardens, Red Hook . . . there’s a list now. Brooklyn feels like one of those places where the more attention you give it, the more it opens up.
And yes, we might look at brownstones again.
Just to see.
If you’re planning a New York trip and want help putting it together without overcomplicating it, my team at Nomoon Travel can help.
