Understand
Park Slope
has long been a haven for interracial families, lesbians and gays, and everyone else with a certain kind of groove in NYC; this upscale but downhome neighborhood can be joked about as the Berkeley of New York City. The granola eating transplant crowd might make you queasy at times and nostalgic for crackheads, but the neighborhood itself is beautiful. Boutiques, cafés, bars, health food stores like the 30 year old Park Slope Food Coop (http://www.foodcoop.com), and attractive young people pushing strollers. Also home to a sizeable lesbian community since the 1970's. Take the B or Q to 7th Ave, the M or R to 9th St, or the F or G to 4th Ave or 7th Ave and walk the neighborhood. Prospect Park (http://www.prospectpark.org/) is large, beautiful and green. Ice-skate here in the winter. Fly kites and enjoy free weekend concerts in the summer. While staying hip and vibrant, "the slope" as it is commonly referred to, also enjoys its share of wealth. The quaint, tree-lined streets closer to the park house ornate, brownstones, townhouses, full service apartment buildings, and even a few full scale urban mansions on the parkside. These residences include the homes of names such as Senator Charles Schumer D-NY and famed actresses Jennifer Connelly, Steve Buchemi and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Check out 5th Ave for the restaurants and bars.Prospect Heights
is just north of Prospect Park, and traditionally considered part of Crown Heights. It features the Brooklyn Museum, which is first-rate but often overlooked due to the museums in Manhattan. A block away from the museum is the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.