Brooklyn pulses with a cosmopolitan rhythm that fuels a passion for world travel.
With its blend of cultural influences, stylish residents, and a flair for adventure, the borough is constantly on the move.
Current travel patterns reflect insights pulled from major publications analyzing trends, past preferences, and what New Yorkers are craving in 2025.
London, UK
London consistently secures a top spot on travel lists and holds a magnetic presence for Brooklyn residents. Its storied monarchy, edgy underground fashion, and global music scene speak to Brooklynites who value tradition with a modern twist.
British television exports like Downton Abbey and The Crown haven’t just entertained, they’ve shaped emotional ties that pull travelers toward the capital.
Cultural hotspots throughout the city mirror Brooklyn’s love for eclectic experiences. Travelers are greeted by iconic art collections, niche exhibitions, and historic institutions that rival New York’s museum circuit.
Shopping takes on new meaning at vintage markets and independent boutiques scattered through Camden, Shoreditch, and Notting Hill.
Flight convenience adds to the city’s magnetism. With a steady flow of nonstop options between JFK and Heathrow or Gatwick, London feels as accessible as any U.S. destination.
Exploring these cities by cruise is also becoming more common among travelers seeking a luxurious twist to their international plans.
Brooklynites drawn to specific experiences in London often seek out:
- Historical attractions: Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace
- Cultural treasures: British Museum, Tate Modern, Victoria & Albert Museum
- Street fashion and style: Brick Lane, Camden Market, Soho
- Music heritage: Abbey Road, punk clubs, underground jazz bars
- Local experiences: Afternoon tea at Claridge’s, shopping in Portobello Road, pub crawls in Covent Garden
- Green spaces for urban serenity: Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, and Hampstead Heath
Paris, France
A visual paradise awaits in Paris. Graceful buildings, iconic cafés, and curated boutiques mirror the design-centric mindset of Brooklynites. The Eiffel Tower isn’t just a monument—it’s a fashion shoot backdrop.
Boulangeries line cobbled streets, offering flaky pastries ideal for travel vlogs and late-afternoon selfies. Every corner seems staged for a magazine cover, drawing creatives eager to capture the city’s distinct textures and moods.
Brooklyn’s obsession with visual storytelling finds a soulmate in Paris. Artists and photographers wander its arrondissements in search of soft light, symmetry, and candid street scenes.
Designers shop vintage stalls while foodies hunt for new angles to film a croissant’s buttery layers. Paris delivers all of this in real time.
Photography, food, and fashion top the reasons to visit. Each of these themes fuels a different obsession among travelers.
In 2025, Brooklyn locals are leaning into immersive experiences that feel personal and expressive.
Highlights that drive Brooklynites to Paris include:
- Visual inspiration: Haussmannian architecture, riverside views, and artistic symmetry for content creators
- Food culture: Macarons, escargot, and wine-paired meals that satisfy both palates and camera rolls
- Fashion capital status: Independent ateliers, vintage shops, and the chance to observe style at its source
- Walkability and mood: Slow-paced strolls through neighborhoods like Le Marais or Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo delivers an energy surge that matches NYC’s pace but channels it through a hyper-stylized, neon-soaked lens.
Brooklynites find themselves drawn to ramen bars tucked under train tracks, vending machines that dispense everything from fresh bouquets to gourmet desserts, and sushi served by chefs who treat each roll like an art performance. Every bite, every glance, feels like a curated show.
Design-forward neighborhoods speak to creative minds craving color, quirk, and novelty.
Eccentric shops line alleys in Harajuku, Shibuya, and Shimokitazawa, offering fashion statements that feel like wearable sculptures.
Shoppers find themselves lost in vintage stores, manga cafes, and pop-up shops selling next-season trends before they hit NYC.
Tech culture, woven into daily routines, fascinates gadget lovers and design enthusiasts. Futuristic toilets, robotic servers, and themed cafés offer unexpected joy at every turn.
Style-savvy travelers head straight for Tokyo’s avant-garde corners, and the city delivers in full. Here’s what continues to pull them in:
- Ramen alleys: Tiny spaces with big flavor, often featuring one-chef operations and Michelin recognition.
- Themed cafés: Animal cafés, retro gaming spots, and Alice in Wonderland tea rooms make daily life feel theatrical.
- Design-forward districts: Daikanyama, Omotesando, and Nakameguro mix modern architecture with boutique fashion.
- Quirky pop culture: Giant anime billboards, toy capsule machines, and cosplay-friendly parks give every street its own rhythm.
- Art-meets-tech experiences: Digital museums like teamLab Planets and robot restaurants challenge expectations.
Rome, Italy
New Yorkers love pizza, but in Rome, it’s not just food, it’s a pilgrimage.
Strolling through cobbled alleys, every corner seems touched by time. Colosseum shadows stretch across modern traffic, while church bells echo over bustling piazzas.
Ancient ruins and contemporary life operate side by side, turning daily walks into something far more layered.
Art lovers find themselves speechless in front of frescoes and sculptures that don’t hide behind velvet ropes. Churches double as galleries, with masterpieces hanging silently above rows of candles.
The Vatican Museums challenge even the most seasoned museumgoers, but Brooklyn’s culturally inclined travelers lean into the overload.
Families with strollers and teens in sneakers make gelato a daily ritual. There’s joy in trying every flavor combination. Nutella and pistachio one day, blood orange and stracciatella the next. Every bite adds another reason to stay just a little longer.
Brooklyn’s foodie culture fits into Rome like a puzzle piece. Travelers come hungry for authenticity and return talking about oxtail stews, pasta made by hand, and espresso that demands a standing ovation.
Here’s what draws them in:
- Culinary magnetism: Cacio e pepe, Roman-style artichokes, supplì, and wines poured by the liter.
- Architectural immersion: Walking through sites like the Pantheon, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill without a tour guide still sparks wonder.
- Art without pretense: Street murals meet Renaissance frescoes—each treated with reverence by a city that has seen it all.
- Relaxed rituals: Long lunches, evening passeggiatas, and spontaneous opera performances in piazzas.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona fuels night owls and creatives alike. The city’s rhythm pulses with heat, art, and nocturnal energy.
Beach clubs offer electronic beats that stretch into sunrise, inspiring constant comparisons to NYC nightlife, yet everything feels looser, less curated, and wrapped in Mediterranean ease.
Creatives from Brooklyn flock here not just for the music, but for a different kind of sensory experience. Graffiti murals, sculpture-strewn parks, and spontaneous flamenco performances turn the city itself into a living exhibit.
Gaudí’s architectural influence sparks excitement among designers and architects who crave whimsical, rule-breaking structures.
Cafés double as design studios, food markets host live art, and alleys burst with mosaics and music. Many Brooklyn-based photographers and musicians treat Barcelona as both muse and escape.
Key highlights that draw Brooklyn locals include:
- Nightlife: Legendary beach clubs, rooftop bars, and open-air DJ sets
- Architecture: Gaudí masterpieces like Sagrada Família and Park Güell
- Creative inspiration: Street art, design-forward districts like El Raval
- Food culture: Tapas bars, Catalan seafood, daily markets like La Boqueria
- Walkability: Neighborhoods that reward wandering and discovery
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam brings balance to Brooklyn’s fast pace. With scenic canals, cycling culture, and a focus on art and ease, the city provides space to slow down while staying visually and intellectually engaged.
Brooklyn’s hipsters and creatives often feel aligned with Amsterdam’s vibe. Bohemian cafés and concept stores line cobbled streets. Art installations appear in parks and under bridges. Cannabis lounges offer spaces for conversation, reflection, or simply people-watching without the rush.
Architecture and design blend history and experimentation—an aesthetic Brooklyn locals recognize and appreciate. Museums aren’t confined to buildings; they spill into the streets, the bars, and even the boats. The pace invites lingering, not racing.
Cultural curiosity is satisfied through immersive experiences that feel personal, not mass-produced. The relaxed mindset, combined with endless visual inspiration, turns short trips into memorable mental resets.
Notable attractions for Brooklyn travelers include:
- Museums: Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and MOCO
- Local culture: Outdoor cafés, open-air markets, and street musicians
- Urban design: Canal views, narrow houses, and integrated bike routes
- Lifestyle: Liberal policies, strong artistic presence, and wellness focus
- Accessibility: Direct flights, walkable districts, English-friendly environment
The Bottom Line
Brooklyn’s love for global travel continues to evolve. From ramen hunts in Tokyo to flamenco nights in Barcelona, locals are trading subway maps for passport stamps.
Looking ahead, more second cities, literary routes, and immersive cultural retreats will enter the radar.
With every departure, Brooklynites prove that curiosity and adventure are part of the borough’s daily rhythm. Time to pack a bag—and see the world through a Brooklyn lens.
