Things to do nearBrooklyn Navy Yard

The Brooklyn Navy Yard traces its origins to 1801, when the United States government established a naval shipyard along the East River waterfront. Over the following century and a half it became one of the most productive shipbuilding facilities in the country, launching warships that served in conflicts from the War of 1812 through World War II. The USS Maine and the USS Missouri were both constructed here, and during the Second World War the yard employed tens of thousands of workers around the clock.

The federal government closed the shipyard in 1966, and the City of New York eventually took ownership, redeveloping it into an industrial park. Today the Brooklyn Navy Yard spans roughly 300 acres and houses hundreds of businesses in manufacturing, technology, film production, and the arts. Visitors can join guided tours that move through landmark structures including the 1850s-era Commandant's House and the vast Building 92, which serves as the official visitor center and museum.

Building 92 is the best starting point for any visit, offering exhibits on the yard's naval history and its current industrial tenants. Nearby, the sprawling Wegmans anchors Building 1 alongside a mix of food vendors. The surrounding Brooklyn waterfront, including Brooklyn Bridge Park to the south, extends the day nicely. The yard stands as compelling proof that a place built for war can be remade into something quietly vital.