How to Spend 36 Hours in Brooklyn (For The Culture)

Every time I think I’ve had enough travels for the month/quarter/year, somehow I manage to find an excuse to say yes to at least one more trip. In this case, my friend Ngozi’s casual mention of a brief stay in NYC with her sister for the Brandy and Monica concert prompted me to not-so-subtly squeeze my way into the mix. Her sister was leaving the morning I planned to arrive — a travel girl relay, if you will — which felt like the stars aligning for a quick trip to the city. And my 36 hours in Brooklyn did not disappoint.

Landing early on a Friday morning flight from D.C. and preparing to return the following evening meant I had a little more than a day to make the most of my time in the city. Ngozi had already secured the hotel, and with a decent flight credit burning a hole in my pocket, the only other details were finding things to do in Brooklyn. And find them, we did.

Here’s everything we did during our impromptu 36 hours in Brooklyn to save for your next visit.

Day 1 — Arrival & Evening Vibes

7:00 a.m. — Touchdown in NYC

After landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), I hopped on the AirTrain to Jamaica Station, then transferred to the LIRR for a quick ride into Atlantic Terminal. By the time I was exiting the airport, rideshare costs were over $100, while public transit was less than $20 to get within a mile of the hotel. I decided to skip the traffic chaos and let Google Maps navigate us to Brooklyn.

8:30 a.m. — Walk to the Hotel

The one-mile walk down Flatbush Extension was easy since I was traveling light, though I could have taken another train to get closer. However, I wanted to see early-morning Brooklyn — the coffee shops, people heading to work, and nearby businesses I might revisit later.

9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. — Work Session

Since it was still technically a workday, I settled in at the hotel to check some to-dos off the list. I spent a few hours tucked away in the room catching up on emails, which was a nice reset before hitting the streets.

Pro Tip: If you don’t have work to factor into your trip, this is also a great time to visit the popular photo-op spot of the Manhattan Bridge in DUMBO.

1:30 p.m. — Exploring & Grabbing Lunch

We stepped out to wander the area on foot and grab something quick to eat. One thing about Brooklyn: even a casual walk will lead you to a spot worth bookmarking.

Our walk landed us in the vicinity of the Barclays Center, where we found The Simpson Restaurant, a Caribbean and soul food spot run by Chef Wenford Simpson. The guava mint lemonade was refreshing — and the addition of Wray & Nephew Rum didn’t hurt either. Ngozi had an oxtail wrap, which she liked overall but wished had more sauce, as a self-proclaimed “sauce queen.” Wanting to keep it light before dinner, I went for a side of macaroni and cheese, and while it wasn’t my favorite, it wouldn’t keep me from going back to support this Black-owned business. The restaurant had a wait by the time we left, so I just need to find the right thing on the menu if I dine there again.

5:00 p.m. — A Much-Needed Nap

Nothing glamorous. Just rest. A quick nap was the only way I stood any chance of making it through the night, especially since I had been up since 3:30 a.m. to make my 6:00 a.m. flight.

8:30 p.m. — Dinner at Mango Bay

Clearly, I love Caribbean food, which is how we ended up at Mango Bay, a place I highly recommend adding to your list immediately. The oxtails were incredible (and well-portioned), and the pepper shrimp slapped in a spiritually significant way. The cocktails were on point, the ambiance was truly a vibe, and a special thank you to the hostess for accommodating us without a reservation. 10/10 — I loved everything about this dining experience.

11:00 p.m. – late night — Ginja Afrobeats/Amapiano Party

Ngozi, for the win, found us a perfect nightlife spot that had exactly the energy you want for a night out. Ginja’s last event of the year was a dream for Afrobeats lovers. The party series highlights DJs spinning Afrobeats, amapiano, soca, R&B, and hip-hop. The vibes at Ginja were wild, and even though we didn’t stay until the end, this was one of those Brooklyn nights that stays with you.

Day 2 — Culture, Brunch & Catching Up with Friends

11:00 a.m. — Brooklyn Museum

We started the day at the Brooklyn Museum after a slow morning, which is always a reliable anchor for a culture-focused trip. The highlight for me was the Seydou Keïta: A Tactile Lens exhibition. His portraits stop you in your tracks — textured, intimate, and layered with so much story. You can’t help but want to spend time studying the details of each of them.

If you’re a photography enthusiast or simply want to expand your knowledge of African visual history, add this to your list. The exhibition includes over 280 works and runs at the Brooklyn Museum until May 17, 2026. Even if you find this itinerary after that date, check the museum’s current exhibits to see if any current shows interest you.

1:00 p.m. — Off to Brunch at Djon Djon

From there, we hopped on the train en route to Djon Djon, a Haitian restaurant serving brunch and bold, nostalgic Haitian flavors. Expect hearty plates, good music, and that familiar warmth you only get in Black-owned spaces. We chose the $45 bottomless brunch, which included bottomless mimosas and an entrée from a special menu. Everything we tasted — Griot Sliders and the Pa Oblije Mais (pictured above) — was fresh, flavorful, and definitely worth the wait. This is the perfect spot when you want a place that makes you feel at home.

3:30 p.m. — Hotel Reset & Friend Swap

After brunch, we headed back to the hotel to see Ngozi off to the airport. It was also a moment for me to pause and regroup before meeting another friend and fellow journalist, Ishena. The break gave me a chance to take in the city as I slowly made my way to the next stop.

4:00 p.m. — Coffee, Catch-Ups & Candlelight Carbs

I walked over to Blank Street Coffee, where we grabbed seasonal lattes and caught up on life in a way only Black women can — honest, hilarious, full of softness and truth. From there, we wandered into L’Appartement 4F nearby for wine and carbs, tucked under warm lighting, yapping about life’s latest lessons.

7:00 p.m. — Bags, Airport, and a Soft Landing Back to Reality

After saying our goodbyes, I Ubered back to the hotel, grabbed my bags, and headed to the airport. Leaving around 7:30 p.m. gave me just enough time to cruise through security and catch my 9:20 flight back to DC with 30 minutes to spare — a smooth end to a full, joy-filled 36 hours.

Tips for Short Trips in Brooklyn

I’m no expert on Brooklyn — yet — these are just my thoughts as someone who likes to save time, money, and energy wherever I go. I’ve been to the city a few times, but not frequently enough to remember much from one visit to the next (until now). That said, I’m always experiencing it with fresh eyes. It’s only until I run into major staples, like the Barclays Center, that I feel like I’m not so directionally challenged in a city as massive as NYC.

Disclaimer above aside, here are a few helpful tips I gathered from my short stay in Brooklyn. 

Pack light. 

I’m the queen of bag ladies, but remember, you’re only going for 36 hours. The lighter your carry-on, the less you’ll have to worry about carrying through the city. While you’ll have the hotel, and they can hold your luggage after check-out, you’ll be happier without the extra weight, trust me.

When planning your day, think two steps ahead. 

The challenge of completing simple tasks used to be one of my main annoyances in NYC. However, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that since I’m not very familiar with the city, I just need to plan ahead. If you have multiple stops, try grouping them by neighborhood or proximity. Preview them on Google Maps first to plan a route that saves time and money. If you’re confident enough, taking the train may be faster (and certainly cheaper), especially during heavy traffic.

Make dinner reservations.

Brooklyn restaurants are not the ones you want to play with, especially when you’re hungry. Restaurants can fill up quickly, even on weekdays. Booking ahead ensures you can dine where you want, instead of roaming the streets trying to find a place that takes walk-ins.

Understand public transit cutoff times.

If you plan to travel solely by public transit, make sure you’re familiar with the schedules, including any night service changes. When you’re on a 36-hour sprint, time matters, so Google Maps will be your reliable navigator. It’s also wise to allow some extra buffer time in case of train or other transit delays, especially when heading back to the airport. 

If time is of the essence, try hailing a cab the old school way. 

I know, I’m showing my age here. I also realized that on a recent trip with other millennials my age, who looked at me strangely when I said I was going outside to get a taxi instead of waiting for Uber or Lyft. New York City is one of the few places where I can almost always get a taxi faster than a rideshare — and the prices aren’t outrageous anymore. Sometimes, I’ve taken a cab, and it cost less than what I saw on either rideshare app. Besides, if you visited New York and never took a cab at least once, did you even really go?

Consider the possibility that Uber and Lyft may take a little longer.

New York City traffic is like nothing else in the world, and it’s hard to get through when it’s gridlocked. Most of the drivers we encountered during our trip arrived in 5 minutes or less, but when traffic was heavy, wait times were longer. If you need to get somewhere that requires a specific time, give yourself a few extra minutes. Nothing is more frustrating than mentally pacing and trying to decide whether it would be faster to walk or stay in the car.

If you want the viral “Bridge” shot, go early. 

The DUMBO Manhattan Bridge View that has taken over social media was only a 20-minute walk from our hotel — you know, this one. Sadly, our schedule and the weather didn’t allow us to visit. Located on Washington Street, between Plymouth Street and Water Street, in Brooklyn’s DUMBO neighborhood, this spot has become an iconic NYC photo location, so you’ll definitely want to go in the morning. Most people say going before 9 a.m. offers the best chance for crowd-free shots. Otherwise, you might share the scene with other tourists and locals.

Don’t overschedule yourself.

If your trips to New York are as infrequent as mine, it’s tempting to reach out to every person you know to coordinate a meet-up. Leave unplanned time in your trip for whatever reason, whether you want to wander around, revisit a place you saw earlier, or make a coffee run.

Every trip to Brooklyn softens the edges I’ve carried about New York. From Black-owned cafés to gallery pop-ups and the general energy of the city, the borough quietly reminds me that moving with intention is how you find the moments worth holding onto. Move too fast, and you might end up on the wrong train… or miss the magic that makes Brooklyn Brooklyn.