You already know Brooklyn is the greatest city in the world! We have the best people, the best food, the best neighborhoods and the best bridges. Now here are some things you might not know about the borough of Kings!
The Cyclone
The Cyclone Roller Coaster opened in Coney Island on June 26, 1927. If you haven’t been to Coney Island then you might recognize the ride from the many movies its appeared in like “The Wiz” and “The Lords of Flatbush”. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1991 after the Gravesend Historical Society wrote a letter requesting the status. You’ll never guess what was in the letter: “Unlike the Dodgers, the Cyclone will never leave Brooklyn.”
Saturday Night Fever
“Saturday Night Fever” is one of the most famous movies set in Brooklyn. It was as if Brooklyn was a character in the movie herself. The film was shot in Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst and Sunset Park and was responsible introducing the world to the disco scene that was happening at the time. It also made a star of John Travolta.
The Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is known as the 8th Wonder of the World and it’s easy to see why. It was the longest suspension bridge when it opened in May of 1883. The first person to cross the bridge was Emily Roebling, the daughter-in-law of the original designer who oversaw its completion. She was carrying a rooster on her lap.
Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest
Starting on July 4, 1926, Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island has hosted their world famous hot dog eating contest every 4th of July. It started as a way for two men to settle the argument of who was more patriotic. The original winner ate 13 hot dogs in 12 minutes. The current record is held by Joey Chestnut who ate 72 hot dogs in 12 minutes in 2017.
Brooklyn-Born Celebrities
Anyone who is anyone was born in Brooklyn such as Steve Buscemi, Barbra Streisand and Joan Rivers. Brooklynite Barry Manilow once said, “I come from nowhere Brooklyn, New York. Williamsburg, Brooklyn. These days Williamsburg is kind of a hip area, but when I grew up there the taxi drivers wouldn’t even go over the bridge, it was so dangerous.”
Cherry Blossoms
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is home to one of the most extraordinary displays of cherry blossoms on Earth. Each year they hold a popular weekend long celebration in their honor called “Sakura Matsuri”. The cherry blossom festival celebrates “traditional and contemporary Japanese culture”.
Green-Wood Cemetery
Greenwood Cemetery was chartered on April 18, 1838 and is the final resting place of some of the most famous (and infamous) people in history including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Boss Tweed and newspaper man Horace Greeley who coined the phrase, “Go West, young man”.
Li-Lac Chocolates
Li-Lac Chocolates, New York City’s oldest chocolate house. What originally started in Manhattan is now located in Brooklyn! Not only do they feature over 140 items, but they have an incredible array of specialty molds like the Empire State Building, dinosaurs and trains all made of chocolate. Li-Lac has even been praised by Martha Stewart.
Want to learn something else that’s interesting? We feature all these the fun, exciting and tasty parts of Brooklyn – and more- on our Brooklyn bus tours! So be sure and hop on one of our tours to learn even more. You’ll be glad you did!
