Pinball, Ice Cream, Chocolate and Art at Red Hook

We’ll meet at 12:30 PM by the newly constructed restrooms at Fulton Ferry Landing—Pier 1 in Brooklyn, at the end of Old Fulton Street. With the East River stretching out beside us and the skyline shimmering in the summer sun, we’ll set off on foot through Brooklyn Bridge Park, weaving along the shaded paths and waterfront boardwalks. The views of Manhattan, the bridges, and the open water will set the tone for a relaxed and colorful afternoon.

Our destination: Red Hook—Brooklyn’s waterfront gem tucked away from the city’s usual pace. The neighborhood is noteworthy for a mix of old cobblestone streets, weathered warehouses, and vibrant murals. It always feels like we’ve stepped into a different rhythm here.

Our first stop will be BonBon, the whimsical Swedish candy shop (If we are lucky we will be able to buy Swedish hot dogs). We’ll walk in to shelves bursting with color—bins of sour skulls, salty licorice, fruity gummies, and more Scandinavian confections than we’ll know what to do with. Everyone will get a little (or a lot) of something sweet to carry along.

By now, we’ll be ready for another treat, and Raaka Chocolate on Seabring Street will be calling. We’ll step into their minimalist, aromatic space to sample their unique, unroasted dark chocolates—made bean-to-bar with bold, unexpected flavors. Some of us may pick up a few bars to save for later… or not.

Of course, no outing is complete without ice cream, so we’ll make our way to Goodiez at 80 Delavan Street. Their wild and wonderful flavors will be the perfect way to cool down. We’ll linger here, enjoying scoops that range from the nostalgic to the avant-garde.

Next, we’ll wander to the Red Hook Pinball Museum, where vintage machines line the space like glowing relics of another era. We’ll drop some tokens, pull the plunger, and get lost in the satisfying rhythm of bumpers, flippers, and retro sound effects. A bit of nostalgia and a lot of fun.

From there, we’ll head toward Second Sundays at Pioneer Works will be in full bloom. We’ll explore open studios, catch live performances, and wander through art installations both indoors and in the lush garden. The vibe will be casual, creative, and unmistakably Brooklyn.

At the end of Van Brunt is the historic warehouse that houses BWAC—the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition. Their summer exhibition, The Art Is Pulsing with Energy, will be in full swing. We’ll take our time among the eclectic works—paintings, installations, sculpture, and photography—all set against a stunning view of the harbor.

To wind down, we’ll stroll back toward the water and stop at the Food Bazaar café near the end of Van Brunt Street, just across from BWAC. Whether it’s coffee, empanadas, or something sweet, we’ll relax, refuel, and watch the late-afternoon light shift across the waterfront.

It will be a full day of art, sweets, games, conversation, and summer sun.

We’ll leave Red Hook with tired feet, happy hearts, and maybe a few candy wrappers in our pockets.

For getting back home, the B61 bus is one option.