Hey there, lovely people! Flor here, coming at you with another NYC neighborhood adventure. Today, I’m taking you along as I explore one of Brooklyn’s most charming spots: Greenpoint. If you’ve been following my summer series exploring different neighborhoods across the city, you know I’m all about digging into the history, finding the coolest local spots, and of course, eating some delicious food along the way.
A Bit of Greenpoint History
Before we dive into my day exploring this gorgeous waterfront neighborhood, let’s talk about how Greenpoint came to be what it is today. Like many parts of NYC, Greenpoint’s story begins in the 1600s when Dutch settlers arrived and primarily used the land for farming. For about 200-300 years, that’s pretty much how things remained.
The 19th century brought major changes as Greenpoint transformed into an industrial hub. Ship-making, porcelain, and glass manufacturing became the area’s economic backbone and continued to thrive for the next couple of centuries.
After World War II, the neighborhood faced decline as factories shuttered and warehouses emptied. The final transformation came in 2005 when the city rezoned the area, shifting it to a primarily residential and commercial neighborhood.
What I love about Greenpoint today is how it honors its industrial past while evolving into something new. The architecture still carries that factory aesthetic, even in newer buildings, and parts of the waterfront maintain that slightly raw, unfinished quality that tells the story of a neighborhood in transition.
Why I Love Greenpoint
There’s something special about being able to stand at the edge of a quiet, peaceful neighborhood and look straight across the water at the magnificent madness that is Manhattan. The contrast is breathtaking.
Greenpoint manages to be both small and charming while offering so much to see and do. You’ll find amazing places to eat, drink coffee, enjoy ice cream, and shop at both chain and local businesses. The vintage scene here is absolutely incredible (more on that later!).
What really stands out is how, despite being literally across the water from the chaos of Midtown Manhattan, Greenpoint maintains this peaceful, quiet atmosphere that feels like a true escape.
My Day in Greenpoint
Lunch at Five Leaves
I started my day with lunch at Five Leaves, where I ordered what has become my summer staple: avocado toast. I’ve been on something of an avocado toast tour this summer (I know, how millennial of me!), and while Five Leaves’ version was good, I have to say the tiny spot I discovered in the West Village still holds my top ranking for being both delicious and surprisingly affordable.
To keep my energy up for exploring, I grabbed an iced coffee before heading out to discover more of the neighborhood.
Vintage Shopping
If you come to Greenpoint or neighboring Williamsburg, vintage shopping is an absolute must. There’s something about this part of Brooklyn that has attracted the best vintage shops! I stopped into Awoke Vintage, which was conveniently right next door to Five Leaves.
(Fun fact: I did a whole video dedicated to vintage shopping in Williamsburg and Greenpoint with a friend. If vintage is your thing, definitely check that one out too!)
The Perfect Corner
One of my favorite spots in all of Greenpoint has to be the corner of Banker Street and Norman Avenue. It’s not just beautiful—it’s quintessentially Greenpoint. From here, you can see the Manhattan skyline if you look toward the water, and Norman Avenue itself is lined with amazing shops.
There are vintage stores, home goods shops, and even places that combine both with vintage home goods (which I’m obsessed with lately). There’s also a new location for Café Panna, serving up delicious ice cream and coffee. If you’re making a Greenpoint checklist, this corner definitely needs to be on it!
Home Goods Heaven
I visited two completely different but equally amazing home goods stores that I think perfectly capture the duality of Greenpoint’s aesthetic.
First was TEAK, a Scandinavian-inspired store full of clean lines, neutral colors, and beautiful wooden elements. This place is totally my vibe—minimalist but warm. If you’re shopping for gifts or looking to refresh your space, they have everything from small decorative objects to beautiful furniture.
For those who prefer a more eclectic, vintage look, Dobbin Vintage was the perfect contrast. This place not only sells vintage clothing but also incredible mid-century modern furniture and the most beautiful vintage glassware I’ve seen in a while.
Even if you’re not in the market to buy anything, both stores offer amazing inspiration for home decor. And if you’re working remotely, TEAK has a Scandinavian-inspired café right next door where you can grab a coffee and set up with your laptop for a while.
For the Stationery and Book Lovers
You all know I can’t visit a neighborhood without checking out its bookstores and stationery shops! I found two absolute gems that made my heart so happy.
The bookstore I visited had an incredibly extensive children’s book section, which isn’t something you see in every bookstore. Whether you’re shopping for kids in your life or just appreciate beautiful children’s literature (no judgment here!), this place is worth a visit.
Then came my personal heaven: a Japanese stationery store that literally had me swooning. They had every pen, highlighter, and pencil imaginable—including specialty items like ink pens with different inks that you could test before buying. There were notebooks, stamps, washi tape… honestly, it was a stationery lover’s dream!
This store was located on West Street in what used to be an old factory or warehouse building that’s been converted into retail space—another perfect example of how Greenpoint honors its industrial past while creating something new and beautiful.
Transmitter Park: Waterfront Views
My final stop was Transmitter Park, which gives you access to the waterfront and those iconic Manhattan skyline views. The park is actually quite small, spanning only about a block, with closed gates at either end.
This is a perfect example of what I mentioned earlier about the city still working to make the entire waterfront accessible. Greenpoint literally borders the East River, but because of its industrial history, much of the waterfront was used for factories and warehouses where boats would deliver and pick up goods.
The city is making progress in extending pathways all along Brooklyn’s waterfront, from Greenpoint in the north all the way down through Williamsburg to downtown Brooklyn. Transmitter Park shows that while it’s still a work in progress, Brooklyn is moving in the right direction to create beautiful public spaces for both residents and visitors.
Final Thoughts
Greenpoint has this unique charm that combines industrial history, waterfront beauty, and a creative, independent spirit. It’s the perfect place to spend a day when you want to escape Manhattan’s intensity but still be close enough to admire its skyline.
What I love most about exploring neighborhoods like Greenpoint is discovering how each area of New York City has its own distinct personality and history. This city is really like a collection of villages, each with its own story to tell.
If you visit Greenpoint, make sure to give yourself plenty of time to wander. The best discoveries often happen when you’re just walking around without a specific destination in mind. Stop into the vintage shops, grab a coffee, walk along the waterfront, and just soak in the peaceful vibe that makes this neighborhood so special.
Have you visited Greenpoint before? What are your favorite spots? Let me know in the comments below! And if you haven’t already, don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more NYC neighborhood explorations.
Until next time,
Flor.
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