The place was amazing, the energy, the anticipation had you all excited for what was about to happen. Once the show started I knew I made the right choice. I should have been there sooner and had a blanket and a cooler with food and drinks.

You can see some more pictures of Fireworks over Brooklyn here.

I met a few people that were in from out of town and found the park. There was a couple from Atlanta and Toronto, and a family from St Louis, I was sure to give them some places to see and do while they were in Brooklyn.

If you are coming into town to take pictures of the man made waterfalls that are going to be in the Harbor until October you have to view them from both Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Promenade. I personally think it is the stupidest things that I ever saw but people like them.

The guy had a subway map detailed with exactly how long it would take to go stop for stop on the train all the way to the bronx. He came all the way from Japan to see Yankee Stadium. He didn’t even stay for tonights Yankee game. Fly in and fly home and thats it.

He says to me that he was amazed that there was not a big statue of Mr Matsui outside of Yankee Stadium. I just chuckled under my breath. I don’t think there is even a statue of Babe Ruth at the stadium and this guy was expecting a Matsui statue.

I made sure he got on a Far Rockway bound “A” train that will take him to the Howard Beach station for connection with the Airtrain to JFK Airport. After such a long trip I wanted to make sure he got home ok.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL3uYbUSTYs

After filming the video I headed over to Franks Lounge for a nice cold beer and some good music. Franks Lounge is a great place and the people are so friendly.

I use to see these all the time down near the subway yard at ave X and Mcdonald ave. They have a shed on the southbound platform near the first car where they hang out and I am guessing mulitply as well.  I have found a great video on youtube that shows all about these parrots. It is quite captivating.

You can see it on the forum.
Brooklyn parrots

You can see more on the forum in the new Brooklyn Facts section http://www.vinnyfrombrooklyn.com/forum/index.php?topic=38.0  

I am really trying to get more people to contribute to the forum. If you have any Brooklyn facts or trivia  please chime in on the forum.

On the way I took the “C” train and then the Franklin avenue shuttle and discovered some of the treasures that you rarely take a look at but you see all the time in the subway. When you go upstairs at Franklin avenue to take the shuttle they have the most amazing stained glass. If you are a fan of stained glass you can easily spend an hour there taking pictures of it.

Took the shuttle to the Botanical Gardens stop and had no idea where to go after leaving the train station. They should have a helpful map or a sign for people to follow. I walked down Eastern Parkway and passed by the Brooklyn Musuem and found the place.

Although it was a gloomy day and the flowers were well past blooming due to winter it was still a good day to take in the  sites. As you enter the gardens from the Eastern Parkway entrance you are in a huge garden and the place to walk is along the fence to the left as there is a replica of the Statue of Liberty in the nearby Museum backyard.

Then I passed a huge bank of cherry trees and an overlook that makes you forget you were in Brooklyn. Then it was on to the Japanesse garden which was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and it was in Brooklyn. I took over 400 pictures during this little trip. I met a few nice women who came from Baltimore just to see the garden. I had no idea it was such a popular place. Sometimes it surprises me what we take for granted as nyer’s.

I sat in the Japanese garden and took pictures of a few ducks that called the pond their home, it was very relaxing! As I walked around I seen the many varieties of herbs that grow in the garden and that amazed me.

Then it was off to the conservatory that had many tropical plants in the rainforest. Yep thats right there is a rain forest in Brooklyn. There is actually three conservatories in all and they have a desert and even a bonzi room. I took a break and had some lunch and that was amazing. It was a tomato, mozzarella and basil on a hero. It was worth it that I may go back just to have lunch lol.    

I consider this place as a MUST DO if you are coming to Brooklyn or you live here.

I think it is only a picture of me that shows a Brooklyn attitude!

Holiday Inn Express 625 Union Street (718) 797-1133
Red Carpet Inn 980 Wyckoff Ave (718) 417-4111
Best Western Gregory Hotel 8315 Fourth Ave (718) 238-3737
Best Western Brooklyn Bay 3003 Emmons Ave (718) 769-5000
New York Marriot (Brooklyn Bridge) 33 Adams street (718) 246-7000
Howard Johnson 599 Utica ave (718) 774-0018
Comfort Inn 3218 Emmons ave (718) 368-3334
Comfort Inn 279 Butler street (718) 855-9600
Hotel Le Bleu 370 Fourth ave (718) 625-1500

You can always see an updated list on the site http://www.vinnyfrombrooklyn.com/brooklynhotels.htm

By cropping some pictures that I had from that great logo that was made for me I made up a little banner of pictures.

Now everytime you go to the Vinny From Brooklyn forum you will get to see a little bit of brooklyn. The pictures from left to right are the old atlantic avenue kiosk that has not been used for years. It has wonderful details and will be used again when they build the new arena for the Brooklyn Nets basketball team. It is on the corner of Atlantic and Flatbush avenue.

The second picture is taken from under the Brooklyn Bridge and it shows some cool orange-like clouds.

The third picture is the top of BAM as we call it, Not many people look up and see this detail. It is located a block from the famous clocktower.

The fourth pictures is taken under the Brooklyn Bridge also of the little park that is under the Bridge. They have a cool walkway down there. To see it on the forum Click Here