{"id":45736,"date":"2014-01-23T11:57:18","date_gmt":"2014-01-23T15:57:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/?p=45736"},"modified":"2025-08-21T09:25:01","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T13:25:01","slug":"crown-heights-brooklyn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/45736\/crown-heights-brooklyn\/","title":{"rendered":"Get Off Here: Crown Heights, Brooklyn"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s a place where Bajan and bubbys\u2019 bakeries thrive side by side, where history lives on in 19th-century mansions<\/a> and beer caverns, and where one of the city\u2019s most colorful parades<\/a> kicks off every Labor Day. Home to New York City\u2019s largest West Indian population and a strong community of Orthodox Jews, cultures collide at every corner here in Crown Heights..<\/p>\n

Here are six ways to soak up this vibrant slice of Brooklyn.<\/p>\n

1.<\/strong> Get your caffeine buzz on at Little Zelda\u2019s Cafe<\/strong>.<\/a> You have a lot to do (and eat) today. (728 Franklin Avenue)<\/p>\n

\"Crown

3.<\/strong> If you\u2019re in the mood for something smaller than neighboring Prospect Park, take a stroll through the lovely Brower Park<\/strong>, home to free summer concerts<\/a>. (St. Mark\u2019s Avenue, Park Place bet. Brooklyn Ave. and Kingston Ave., nycgovparks.org<\/a>)<\/p>\n

4.<\/strong> Bring your (inner) child to the Brooklyn Children\u2019s Museum<\/strong>. Across the street from the park, the museum is a spectacular place for interactive learning about neighborhood nature, the many cultures of Brooklyn (think: lantern-making at the Stationary Store for the Chinese New Year), and more. (Admission: $9, 145 Brooklyn Avenue at St. Marks Avenue, brooklynkids.org<\/a>)<\/p>\n

5.<\/strong> Chow down on some soul food in one of the neighborhood\u2019s many Caribbean cafes, like Gloria\u2019s Caribbean Cuisine<\/a><\/strong>. Keep your eyes peeled for monthly dinners <\/a>by the roving Crow Hill Supper Club. (Gloria\u2019s Caribbean Cuisine: 764 Nostrand Avenue; Glenda\u2019s Roti Shop: 854 St. John\u2019s Place).<\/p>\n

6.<\/strong> Wash it all down with fresh juice at the Jamaican-owned Punch Line,<\/a><\/strong> a drink inside or out at neighborhood favorite Franklin Park<\/a><\/strong>, or a beer at the forthcoming Berg\u2019n<\/strong>, the latest project<\/a> by the guys behind Smorgasburg and Brooklyn Flea. (Punch Line: 701 Nostrand Avenue; Franklin Park: 618 St. John\u2019s Place, franklinparkbrooklyn.com<\/a>; Berg\u2019n: 899 Bergen Street, bergn.com)<\/p>\n

Directions:\u00a0Take the 2, 3, 4, or 5 to Franklin Ave. <\/em><\/p>\n