As Mos Def once said, "Sometimes I feel like my only friend, is the city I live in, is beautiful Brooklyn."
There's no New York City without the BK.
In fact, Brooklyn is arguably the best borough in NYC.
Home to some of the greatest rappers, artists, and pizza the world has ever seen, it's no wonder why Brooklynites have so much pride.
So, we're paying ode to the BK and hooking you up with all of the unique experiences the borough has to offer this summer!
1. Step outta your vino comfort zone
Thought you could shamelessly indulge your inner basic sensibilities and throw back bottle after bottle of rosé—ALL SUMMER LONG? Drop it. Go on and educate yourself at the Vinho Verde Wine Experience and find a new taste for summer ‘17 with delicious, crisp white wines straight outta Portugal.
Get a taste of more than 50 different white wines from the hands of more than 20 different wine makers changing the wine game for not only the Portuguese, but YOU.
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Your ticket gets you 4 hours of delicious wine, absurdly tasty bites, and endless golden nuggets of wine knowledge you can bring back to the friends and fam that seem weirdly determined to drink nothing but the rosé or mystery swill you get from your Tour de Franzia.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your tickets and get ready for an amazing time at the absolutely stunning Weylin venue in Brooklyn.
2. Build up the rest of that booze tolerance
Sometimes family events like Father's Day call for having a drink. Give your dad the coolest Father's Day to remember. On June 18th, bring your dad to the Whiskey Wars! Factory Tour at Kings County Distillery for a tour and tasting of whiskey from this prohibition era landmark.
Even if you don't have a dad to spoil, you can totally treat yo' self.
Not a wine or whiskey fan? Rum might be more up your alley. And if rum is your go-to drink, this event is for you. At the MOFAD Lab on June 29th, experience different flavors of the world at the Spring Spirits: Rums of the World tasting event.
3. Take on the great outdoors
Every Friday until October 13th, travel to the past at Lola Star's Dreamland Roller Disco in Prospect Park. If you don't fall on your face, you'll roller dance the night away in your best period-style outfits.
August 12th is the day you'll finally understand what the big deal is about Dumbo. During the Dumbo Dash Scavenger Hunt, compete to discover the secrets and the history of the district with stunning Manhattan views.
Bring your friends and head to the Prospect Park Audubon Center every Thursday to Sunday until July 1st to explore the beautiful Prospect Park. Participate in everything from hikes, park cleanups and even classes to learn how to use tools and guides like the biologists from the conservation center.
4. Channel your inner yogi
Ever experienced doing yoga while watching a beautiful sunset? No? Well, here's your chance. June 13th from 6:30-8:30 pm will be one of the most relaxing nights of your life. At the Rooftop Reds Winery, you'll get to sip on some wine after a Vinyasa Flow class while admiring the sunset.
Experience a full day of wellness and relaxation at this retreat across Brooklyn. The Urban Wellness Ride and Picnic takes you on a bike ride through Brooklyn, stopping for smoothies in Bedstuy, yoga in Prospect Park, meditation in Dumbo, and a picnic to top it all off.
This Vinyasa Yoga event will let you immerse yourself in ultimate peace. At Our House Yoga on June 24th, a neon-lit room and your own Sound Off noise canceling headphones will let you focus on just the instructor's voice and relaxing music for the ultimate yoga experience.
5. Satisfy your munchies
If you have yet to taste Caribbean and African food, you haven't lived. The 2nd Annual Food & Culture festival going down at Brooklyn Commons this year.
The NYHPC Food & Culture Festival’s goal is to “showcase, promote, celebrate, and educate the community and visitors about Caribbean and African food and culture via a festival that everyone of all ages can enjoy".
You didn't think we could talk about BK eats without mentioning Smorgasburg, did you?
Smorgasburg is the largest weekly open-air food market in America, with over 20,000-30,000 people coming to Brooklyn each weekend to try food from 100 local vendors—Saturdays on the Williamsburg waterfront and Sundays in beautiful Prospect Park.
If Aziz Ansari spent a near-entire episode of his Netflix hit Master of None at The Four Horsemen, the place has to be good. This already-hot Williamsburg wine bar features natural wines, while the dinner menu includes options like wagyu flat iron, fontina gnocchi, and mackerel with ramp relish. YUM!
6. Celebrate art and film
Yes, there exists the stereotype that everyone that lives in Brooklyn is of the hipster, starving-artist variety. Whether you fit into that category or not though, a little art appreciation never hurt anybody.
What has been called as "the city's best independent film showcase" will be coming to the Brooklyn Academy of Music Harvey Theater. The BAMcinemaFest is happening June 14th to the 25th, so make sure you snag your tickets!
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If you've been living in #BrokeCity, don't worry, we gotchu. Who says you have to shell out $20 at the movie theaters?
Hit up Movies Under the Stars for the ultimate free outdoor film experience. On June 24th, they'll be showing the documentary Twenty Feet from Stardom in Herbert Von King Park. If you'd like to bring along the fam', make sure you catch Zootopia on July 24th at Highland Park.
7. Go on a f*cking adventure
No summer is complete without a few adrenaline-inducing adventures under your belt!
For those ultra-humid NYC summer weather days, stay indoors and make a visit to Brooklyn Boulders. Whether you're free climbing or bouldering, there's nothing like getting to the top of a challenging wall. BTW, this would be a perfect first date idea.
The Cyclone at Coney Island has been referred to as the "world's most dangerous roller coaster" by some. So naturally, that would make us want to go for a ride, right? With all of the crazy sh*t going down on Coney Island this year, hitting up the amusement park is probz not a bad idea.
[Feature Image Courtesy Vegetarian Snob]