Nearby: Williamsburg, Bushwick

Greenpoint is the northernmost neighborhood in borough.  It is bordered on the southwest by Williamsburg at the Bushwick inlet, on the southeast by the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and East Williamsburg, on the north by Newtown Creek and Long Island City, Queens at the Pulaski Bridge, and on the west by the East River.

Greenpoint was once rich and fertile farmland dotted with sprawling farms, orchards, cattle and sheep and initially inhabited by Indians (Keshaechqueren, a sub-tribe of the Lenape) until the late 18th century.  During the 19th century, Greenpoint became a thriving industrial hotbed, supporting shipbuilding and waterborne commerce, printing, pottery, glassworks and foundries. It attracted generations of immigrants from Germany, Ireland and Poland.  Walk Greenpoint's East River waterfront and you'll get a sense of the neighborhood's rich maritime history. In fact, the USS Monitor -- the first ironclad warship built during the American Civil War -- was built in Greenpoint's dockyards. While Greenpoint is changing rapidly, it's still referred to as "Little Poland."

For years Greenpoint was an industrial neighborhood with factories and warehouses.  It is also known for its Polish population and shipbuilding history.  But after Williamsburg exploded and priced artists out, Greenpoint began thriving from the spillover.  Greenpoint is now the place to be for young professionals, artists, hipsters and writers looking for reasonable and spacious digs.  Although well into the throes of gentrification, it is still a classic Brooklyn neighborhoods, rich in history and tradition.

Greenpoint has several new condo developments of different price points, sizes and levels of luxury.  A planned redevelopment of the Greenpoint waterfront includes high-rise rental and condominium apartments.  Greenpoint also has a beautiful historic district and classic architecture. Historic churches, Townhouses, turn-of-the-century row houses and and limestone brownstones are all present.

The neighborhood continues to develop with a great selection of art galleries, yoga studios, cafés and shops.  McCarren Park offers green spaces with a famer’s market, a running track and a great dog run.  New hip eateries like Brooklyn Label Coffee Shop, Calexico, Jimmy's and Mrs. Kims mixed in with the old Polish joints are still alive and well.  Some say that Christines has the most authentic Polish food in the city.  Other favorite nightspots include: Blackout, Five Leaves, Enid’s, The Diamond and The Pencil Factory.

Greenpoint is served by the Greenpoint Avenue and Nassau Avenue stations G subway.  It is served by the B24, B43, B48 and B62 bus routes.  NY Waterway operates service to points along the East River from its India Street ferry slip.