Brooklyn/East

• Cypress Hills is a small ethnically diverse subsection of East New York separated from the rest of the neighborhood by Atlantic Avenue.
• East New York like many Brooklyn neighborhoods is rich in its own history with homes where farms once stood and its many parks like Highland Park where children can roam free to play. The Gateway Mall is one of the few suburban-like malls in the city and the City Line subsection or Liberty Avenue is where residents can come and do their shopping for food and clothing. Alongside the projects, parks and new homes are popping up everywhere. Like Brownsville, East New York is one of most dangerous communities in New York City, though the crime rate has dropped quite a lot since the bad old days a few decades ago. Most visitors to New York City only pass through on their way to or from John F. Kennedy Airport on the A and J trains or the B15 bus.
• Canarsie is a West Indian neighborhood with somewhat of a "small-town" feel, largely composed of 1- and 2-family houses. The major commercial streets are Rockaway Parkway and parts of Seaview Avenue.
• Mill Basin and Bergen Beach are largely residential areas, predominantly occupied by Italian, Jewish, and Russian inhabitants.

By subway

This area has relatively poor subway coverage compared to most of Brooklyn. There are no subways to the Flatlands areathe closest station is Flatbush Avenue-Brooklyn College on the 2 and (rush hours) 5 --almost an hour away by walking (though buses along streets like Flatbush Avenue and Avenue H can bring you there faster)!
Canarsie is somewhat better served, with the L terminating at Canarsie--Rockway Parkway, which is about 25 minutes away from Jamaica Bay by walking (though the B42 bus goes to Canarsie Piers from the station). The L is somewhat difficult to access from elsewhere in Brooklyn, but the G, M, J/Z, and A/C all have transfers to it.
On the other hand, if you're visiting East New York, probably the area of least interest to travelers due to the high crime, you are spoiled for choice. The 3 terminates at New Lots Avenue, the closest station to the Bay (but once again, still a distance). The A/C and J/Z also have lots of stops in East New York. If you're traveling directly to Brooklyn from JFK, you will probably pass through here--rest assured, the trains are safe.

By LIRR

Long Island Railroad's Atlantic Branch has a single stop in this district at East New York. Trains stopping here are heading to or originate from Atlantic Terminal.

By bus

The BM1, BM2, BM4, and BM5 express buses come here from Manhattan.

By car

Given the spotty subway coverage and high crime in some parts of this area, East Brooklyn may well be one of the few places best reached by car. The Belt Parkway and Shore Parkway circle Brooklyn and are very close to the attractions in the Jamaica Bay.

• Cypress Hills CemeteryA military cemetery on the border of Brooklyn and Queens.

• Marine Park

  address: Shore Pkwy., Avenue U, Filmore Ave. bet. Brigham St., Gerritsen Ave., and Flatbush Ave.
  Brooklyn's largest park, which includes 530 acres of protected grassland and salt marsh.

• Bolla

  phone: +1 718 241-3134
  address: 6202 Ave U
  Bolla's always poppin off, bro. Whether you're looking to grab some candy, or just drink beers in the parking lot, it's just always poppin!

• Kings Plaza Mall

  address: 5100 Kings Plaza

• Gateway Center Mall

  phone: +1 (718) 235-0467
  address: 501 Gateway Dr
  A suburban-type mall. While the mall itself is safe, use caution in the surrounding areas while you are on the bus to the mall.

• Original's Pizza

  address: 2351 Ralph Ave
  Original's Pizza, or "OG's" as the locals refer to it, is home to some of the most authentic pizza you can find in South Brooklyn. You'll come for the plain, but you'll stay for the other creative slices they offer.

• Dolly's Ices

  address: Ave U and 58th St
  A summertime favorite for South Brooklyn residents, Dolly's boasts a wide array of flavors which keep locals coming back for more.

• Mill Basin Deli

  phone: +1 718-241-4910
  address: 5823 Avenue T
  Known for some of the best pastrami in Brooklyn, the Mill Basin Deli is a true Brooklyn/Jewish Deli. If you find yourself in the area, a sandwich from here is a must.

• Bill's Bar

  address: 6326 Avenue N
  A small watering hole found in Mill Basin, Bill's is one of the only bars in the area. Stop in here to get a taste of what the community is like.

• North Brooklyn / 12 Towns YMCA

  phone: +1 718 277-1600
  address: 570 Jamaica Ave
  97 single-occupancy guest rooms.

• Brooklyn Public Library

  phone: +1 718 277-6105
  address: 203 Arlington Ave

• Brooklyn Public Library

  phone: +1 718 257-6547
  address: 1580 Rockaway Pkwy

• Brooklyn Public Library

  phone: +1 718 277-6004
  address: 1197 Sutter Ave

• Brooklyn Public Library

  phone: +1 718 253-4409
  address: 2065 Flatbush Ave

• Brooklyn Public Library

  phone: +1 718 368-1435
  address: 2808 Gerritsen Ave

• Brooklyn Public Library

  phone: +1 718 241-3571
  address: 9727 Seaview Ave

• Brooklyn Public Library

  phone: +1 718 241-3973
  address: 2385 Ralph Ave

• Brooklyn Public Library

  phone: +1 718 649-0311
  address: 665 New Lots Ave

• Brooklyn Public Library

  phone: +1 718 241-3994
  address: 850 E 59th St

• Brooklyn Public Library

  phone: +1 718 257-6571
  address: 12143 Flatlands Ave