19
Williamsburg and Greenpoint
This ride journeys through the two northwest Brooklyn neighborhoods of Williamsburg and Greenpoint, where an array of cultures vie for space. You’ll bike through the heart of Williamsburg, where hipster culture reigns supreme, and traverse the Williamsburg Bridge for a bird’s-eye view of the neighborhood. You’ll then cycle southward through the Hasidic enclave of South Williamsburg before heading into Greenpoint farther north. Also known as Little Poland, the community’s Eastern European roots are evident on almost every block. Grab some local delicacies as you bike through the neighborhood’s historic district and relax at the end of the ride in McCarren Park.
Start: The southwest edge of McCarren Park at Driggs Avenue, next to the domed cathedral
Length: 16.3-mile loop
Approximate riding time: 2.5 hours
Best bike: Hybrid, road, or mountain bike
Terrain and trail surface: The trail is paved throughout and mostly flat. The bridge ramp has a slight incline.
Traffic and hazards: This ride leads mainly along neighborhood streets with on-road bike lanes, where traffic is light. Willoughby, Throop, and Manhattan Avenues have more moderate traffic, but bike lanes afford cyclists ample space.
Things to see: McCarren Park, Brooklyn Brewery, Williamsburg Bridge, Williamsburg Art and Historical Center, Newtown Creek, East River State Park
Map: New York City Bike Map
Getting there: By public transportation: Take the L subway to the Bedford Avenue stop. Exit the station onto North 7th Street and bike east on 7th 1.5 blocks. Turn left onto Roebling Street. After crossing North 11th Street, veer left onto Union Avenue, followed by another quick left onto North 12th Street along the edge of the park. Your starting point at the cathedral is just ahead. GPS coordinates: N40 43.190’ / W73 57.208’
THE RIDE
This ride begins next to the striking domed Russian Orthodox Cathedral at the edge of McCarren Park. Built in 1922, the cathedral’s Byzantine-revival architecture—the only example of its kind in the city—forms a striking presence in this neighborhood of hipster cafes, bars, boutiques, and galleries. To begin your journey, bike south along Driggs Avenue. This soon brings you toward one of Williamsburg’s emblematic art galleries, Pierogi, on North 9th Street. The two-decades-old gallery sits on a block festooned with vintage clothing, used-book, and antiques stores. To proceed en route, continue south on Driggs Avenue.
You’ll continue past vintage clothing stores, antiques sellers, and a Williamsburg mainstay on Metropolitan Avenue, the City Reliquary, which houses a quirky collection of New York City paraphernalia from past to present—subway tokens, bits of buildings, dentures, and more. Sitting on a block packed with delis and cafes, it’s easy to miss the museum’s narrow storefront. Continuing onward, Fillmore Place leads through Williamsburg’s 1-block historic district, where mid-nineteenth-century row houses frame the road, dating from when Williamsburg was still a country village.
Just off Driggs Avenue at South 5th Street up ahead, you’ll then access the Williamsburg Bridge bikeway. As you cross the East River, keep to the north side of the path to avoid oncoming bikers, skaters, and skateboarders, and enjoy the views of Williamsburg below and Midtown Manhattan across the water. (The very southern side of the pathway is for pedestrians.) The bridge descends you to Manhattan’s Lower East Side, where large-scale public housing complexes reach skyward toward the bridge. At the end of the bridge, slow down to make a U-turn and retrace your route back to Brooklyn, again staying on the right side of the bikeway (pedestrians will be on your right).
Bikes in Williamsburg just off Bedford Avenue.
The next part of your journey leads north along Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg’s main drag, where an ever-changing selection of cafes, boutiques, yoga studios, and the like line the way. There’s no bike lane here and the two-way road is narrow and busy, so stay alert. North 6th Street then takes you away from the brew of cafe culture and back onto more open roads. Just south of the Williamsburg Bridge, on Broadway, sits another community stronghold, the Williamsburg Art and Historical Center. It was one of the first arts centers that opened south of the bridge when this part of the neighborhood was still considered dangerous by most. Today, Williamsburg north and south of the bridge are still two strikingly distinct enclaves, with hipster lifestyles giving way to Hasidic cultures south of the bridge.
From the southern edge of the neighborhood, Throop Avenue then slowly carries you north again, through more diverse residential communities, past public housing projects on Manhattan Avenue, and back toward the trendier parts of Williamsburg. You’ll skirt the edge of McCarren Park, lined with luxury condos, to then head toward the waterfront. Along the way, pass the Brooklyn Brewery on North 11th Street, where local beer has been brewed for a quarter century. You’ll then reach the waterfront next to the Northside Piers, an enclave of mint condos with marvelous East River views. East River State Park sits just north of here off Kent Avenue. To explore the park, dismount your bike and walk it into the park. (Biking prohibited.)
Proceeding en route, you’ll soon reach Greenpoint’s Little Poland. Newtown Creek, at the north of the neighborhood, separates Greenpoint from Queens. You can explore the creek’s natural habitat on a 0.5-mile (round-trip) nature walk that starts at the tip of Paidge Avenue if you wish. Greenpoint Avenue then takes you into the heart of the neighborhood’s historic district, which takes in about 4 blocks between Manhattan and Franklin Avenues. As you near the end of your journey, pick up some rustic bread or pastries at any of the Polish bakeries that line the way on Leonard Street and return to your starting point at McCarren Park, a perfect spot to devour your provisions.
MILES AND DIRECTIONS
0.0 From the southwestern edge of McCarren Park at the Russian Orthodox Cathedral, bike southwest along Driggs Avenue.
0.2Turn right onto North 8th Street.
0.3Turn right onto Bedford Avenue.
0.4Turn right onto North 9th Street. The art gallery Pierogi sits on your left. To continue, turn right onto Driggs Avenue again, continuing southwest.
0.6Turn left onto North 5th Street.
0.8Turn right onto Havemeyer Street, followed by a quick right onto Metropolitan Avenue. The City Reliquary is across the street.
0.9Turn left onto Roebling Street, followed by a right onto Fillmore Place through the historic district.
1.1Turn left onto Driggs Avenue.
1.3Turn left onto South 5th Street, followed by a right onto the bikeway onto the Williamsburg Bridge. Bike across the bridge, sticking to the right side of the bikeway (eastbound bike traffic is on the left).
2.8Make a U-turn and retrace your route across the bridge.
4.3Descend the bikeway to the left and turn left onto South 4th Street just ahead, following the bike lane.
4.4Turn right onto Bedford Avenue.
4.8Turn left onto North 6th Street.
5.0 Turn left onto the on-road bike lane on Wythe Avenue.
5.7To visit the Williamsburg Art and Historical Center, turn left onto Broadway.
5.9The center is on the north side of Broadway. To continue, bike west on South 6th Street.
6.1Turn left onto Wythe Avenue.
7.5 Turn left onto Willoughby Avenue, following the on-road bike lane.
8.3 Turn left onto Throop Avenue.
8.7Turn right onto Whipple Street, followed by a quick left onto Broadway and an immediate right onto the bike lane on Manhattan Avenue. Just ahead, the bike lane switches to the left side of the road.
10.1Turn left onto Bayard Street.
10.4Turn right onto Union Avenue, followed by a left onto North 12th Street.
10.8Turn left onto Wythe Avenue.
11.2Turn right onto North 4th Street.
11.3Follow the road as it veers right and then left to the Northside Piers.
11.4Walk your bike once you reach the pier area to explore the piers and the park space. (Biking is prohibited.) Exit the park at the northeastern edge.
11.5Remount your bike to head northeast (unmarked street) and then veer right onto North 7th Street.
11.6Turn left onto Kent Avenue onto the on-road bike lane. East River State Park is just ahead on your left.
12.0The bike lane switches to the other side of the road. Cross at the traffic signal and then continue on the bike lane on what becomes Franklin Street.
12.1Turn left onto Calyer Street.
12.2Turn right onto West Street.
12.8 Turn right onto Eagle Street, followed by a left onto Franklin Street.
12.9Veer right following the road onto Commercial Street.
13.1Turn right onto Box Street. Box Street veers slightly right and becomes Paidge Avenue.
13.5To visit the nature walk at the end of Paidge Avenue, lock up your bike and enter. To continue, backtrack along Paige Avenue.
13.6Turn left onto Provost Street.
14.0Turn right onto Greenpoint Avenue, leading you into the historic district.
14.5Turn left onto Franklin Street, followed by a left onto Milton Street.
14.7Turn right onto Manhattan Avenue, followed by a right onto Noble Street.
15.0Turn right onto Franklin Street.
15.2Turn right onto Kent Street.
15.4Turn right onto Manhattan Avenue, followed by a left onto Greenpoint Avenue.
15.5Turn quickly right onto Leonard Street.
16.0Turn right onto Driggs Avenue.
16.3Arrive at your starting point.
RIDE INFORMATION
Local Events/Attractions
Brooklyn Brewery: A craft brewery since 1988, where you can enjoy tastings and tours. 79 N. 11th St.; (718) 486-7422; brooklynbrewery.com
City Reliquary: A community museum that exhibits quirky New York City paraphernalia. 370 Metropolitan Ave.; (718) 782-4842; www.cityreliquary.org
Newtown Creek Nature Walk: A 0.5-mile walk gives you a close-up look of an area where nature meets industry. At the end of Paidge Avenue; www.nyc .gov or www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/environmental_education/newtown.shtml
Pierogi: One of innumerable art galleries in Williamsburg worth visiting. 77 N. 9th St.; (718) 599-2144; www.pierogi200.com
Williamsburg Art and Historic Center: An early South Williamsburg exhibition space. 135 Broadway; (718) 486-7372; www.wahcenter.net
Restrooms
Start/end: There are restrooms in the park building at McCarren Park.