Exploring Red Hook, One of NY's Best Kept Secrets

Red Hook Brooklyn may be a little remote, but walking down cobblestone streets with an unparalleled view of the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan, you'll get the thrill of discovering a well kept secret of Brooklyn. -

Begin your day with a Cappuccino and Sweet and Salty Brownie from Baked. More than just a neighborhood spot, Baked is a nationally recognized bakery, even Oprah recognizes their brownies as a "favorite thing".

After breakfast, head over to the Red Hook Farmers Market, for fresh locally grown produce, fresh flowers, and more.

Get a late lunch at the Red Hook Ball Fields, this community favorite has vendors with superb Latin food scattered around the baseball and soccer fields. Visitors can score fresh cevice, mexican roasted corn, horchata, and other tempting South American food.  It's all delicious, not to mention deliciously cheap. But be ready to wait, the lines can get long, especially on nice days.

Snag dinner and a drink at Hope & Anchor Diner, a neighborhood favorite, with Karaoke night Thursday through Saturday from 9pm to close for all you closeted divas.

Spend the night at the Brooklyn Motor Inn for convenience, or, if you want something a little more high end, commute to the Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge.

Start day two with omelettes made from neighborhood eggs at Tini.   After breakfast, head to 399 Van Brunt to visit the Red Hook Flea Market, where sellers offer artwork, imported goods from Bali and India, dry herbs, fresh flowers,  and more.

Stay on Van Brunt street and stumble upon unique shops such as Atlantis and Erie Basin, where you can buy interesting antiques and Victorian-era jewelry. Don't miss Freebird Books, a cozy book store on Columbia Street, with a wide variety of new and used books, as well as coffee, tea, beer, wine, snacks, and an outdoor patio.

Stop by the Waterfront Museum for a few circus acts, and end the day over a pint at Sunny's, one of the community's favorite watering holes.