Fort Greene is one of Brooklyn's most desirable neighborhoods. It is named after General Nathanael Green, who aided George Washington during the Battle of Long Island in 1776. The crown jewel is beautiful Fort Greene Park with its rolling hills.

Fort Greene is also home to the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower, which was the tallest building in Brooklyn for more than 80 years. The streets in Fort Greene are quiet and tree lined, with lots of historic brownstones.

There are lots of eclectic shops off Fulton Avenue, which is one of the main thoroughfares in Fort Greene. But if you really want to get a bargain, check out the Brooklyn Flea. This local market sells jewelry, furniture, you name it. It's thee place to snag a deal every Saturday and Sunday. When it comes to food, you've got lots of options. One of the most popular places to grab a nosh is the South African restaurant Madiba, which honors Nelson Mandela. (Madiba was his nickname.)

Looking for a little culture? You don't have to go far. The Brooklyn Academy of Music is close by on Lafayette Street. BAM is the oldest performing arts center in the country.

Fort Greene has lots of notable residents. And for some reason it has been a hotbed for novelists, including John Steinbeck and Truman Capote. Author Richard Wright wrote the classic "Native Son" while living at 175 Carlton Avenue.

--CHRISTAL YOUNG

свернуть