Neighborhood: Clinton Hill
Population: Home to 20,000-plus residents, and mostly residential. Foot traffic stems from the many bars and restaurants, plus the students of Pratt Institute—but you’ll never have to fight for a spot on the sidewalk.
Adjacent Neighborhoods: Fort Greene, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, Prospect Heights
Public Transit: The C to Clinton-Washington (at Fulton St.); G to Clinton-Washington (at Lafayette Ave.), or G to Classon Ave.
What’s Here?: This neighborhood has always been home to New York’s elite. Stroll down Clinton Avenue, and you’ll see dozens of beautiful mansions—yes actual mansions in New York. However, most of the homes are rowhouses, standard apartment buildings, or those ever-coveted brownstones. One of New York’s most diverse neighborhoods, expect to see a mix of families, college students, and young professionals, all walking their dogs along tree-lined streets.
Flat or Tall?: Although housing and commercial development have brought some tall shiny buildings to the area, Clinton Hill remains a primarily residential neighborhood. The highest you’re likely to see for homes or businesses is five stories.
History: The neighborhood is named for DeWitt Clinton, New York City’s sixth mayor, and an actual hill: the central location makes it one of Brooklyn’s highest points. Charles Pratt, who chartered the 25-acre campus by the same name, gets credit for the neighborhood’s ritzy feel, as he was the architect behind several of the mansions on Clinton Avenue (aptly nicknamed “Millionaires’ Row”). Subsequently, the neighborhood has been home to everyone from Walt Whitman to the Notorious B.I.G.
Activities: Fort Greene Park (which sits between the two neighborhoods) is great for running, dog-walking, or a picnic. Myrtle Avenue is home to many restaurants, bars, and boutiques: try SoCo Southern Cuisine, Putnam Grill, literary-themed Emerson Bar, and ByMe Boutique.
Check it out: Brooklyn Flea, the trendy vendors market, sets up shop every Saturday from 10-5 on the basketball court of Bishop Laughlin Memorial High School, located at 176 Lafayette Ave. The fair runs the gamut from homemade popsicles and vintage clothing, to upscale eyewear and vinyl records.
