Brooklyn Heights, just south of the Brooklyn Bridge, is unofficially known as America’s first suburb. It is bounded on the north by the Brooklyn Bridge, the south by Atlantic Avenue, the East River on the west, and Cadman Plaza and Boerum Place on the east. For more than a century, New Yorkers have been moving across the East River to Brooklyn in search of more space, better views, and an escape from the congestion of Manhattan. The “Heights,” as it is known to the locals, is a historic, elegant, and widely diverse area with a plethora of dining and shopping establishments.

Stretching from Cadman Plaza to the East River is Montague Street, the retail heart of the Heights. Across this strip, one will find everything from brand-name stores to specialty shops and boutiques. On weekends, local residents and visitors leisurely stroll past stately mansions, converted carriage houses, and Italianate row houses on streets like Grace Court, Remsen Street, and Columbia Heights.

Undoubtedly one of Brooklyn Heights’ most well-known and attractive spots, the historic Brooklyn Promenade affords unrivaled views of the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and the Brooklyn Bridge. Here local residents and tourists sip their coffee, read the paper, watch boats pass into the harbor, and enjoy the sunset. The Promenade has been integrated into Brooklyn Bridge Park, which stretches from the Columbia Street Waterfront District to DUMBO. This park includes playgrounds, picnic tables, courts and fields for athletic activities, water access, nature paths, and designated strips for running and bicycling.

Brooklyn Heights is the home of two collegiate institutions: Brooklyn Law School and St. Francis College. For young children, P.S. 8 serves the public elementary school needs of Brooklyn Heights. P.S. 8 is self-described as a community dedicated to, “creativity, academic excellence and intellectual curiosity, with the aim of developing life-long learners and engaged citizens.” Options for private school include the Packer Collegiate Institute and Saint Ann’s School, both of which serve pre-school through grade twelve.

Brooklyn Heights remains a strong community focused around the preservation of historic beauty. The Brooklyn Heights community was the first area to be given Landmark distinction by the City of New York and has served as an inspiration for the further city-wide preservation of historic areas. Due to the continued commitment of residents to architectural preservation, Brooklyn Heights stands as an area rich in historic elegance and charm, making it a perfect place to call home for the new resident and the native Brooklynite alike.