Thrifting, Bowling and Dim Sum in Sunset Park

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Industry City's influx of designer tenants may have put Sunset Park on everyone's radar recently, but there's more to the Brooklyn neighborhood than showroom spaces and chocolate factories (wonderful as those things are). Hilly Sunset Park (the park itself, that is) is home to some of the highest points in Brooklyn, with views of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty. And beyond that lies a mishmash of top notch thrift shops, dim sum restaurants, and historical sites. We mapped out the perfect way to spend a Saturday in Sunset Park, from brunch to bowling. Check it out, below.

Embrace the neighborhood, everyone-knows-your-name vibe of Sunset Park at Cafe Zona Sur (4314 4th Avenue). The cozy spot has an outdoor patio where you can enjoy the last warm days of the year, and the kitchen turns out dishes like lemon-ricotta crepes with berries, huevos rancheros, egg tortas and steel-cut oatmeal with sautéed bananas.

Mapis Thrift Store (4412 5th Avenue) is a rare specimen: a New York City secondhand store that's super affordable. Knits hover around $10 while outerwear goes for less than $20, and items fall into that effortlessly, perennially stylish category—think leather jackets, chunky sweaters and denim.

Es La Vida (5402 5th Avenue) is Sunset Park's go-to for wear-with-anything shoes. There's a focus on sturdy construction, timeless design, and comfort here. You'll find buttery leather totes and boots, heels and flats from the likes of Born and Worishofer.

Guys will find plenty to browse at The Booth NYC (578 52nd Street). The laid-back spot features a blend of well-known brands and local lines. You can pick up knits from Coogi, tees from Brooklyn's Hold Your Own, and even skateboards. There's also a recording booth in the back where you might catch a budding rap star brushing up on some beats.

Get into the weekend spirit with a round (or four or five) of bowling at Melody Lanes (461 37th Street). There's a retro vibe but the playlist keeps things modern. Take it one game at a time or rent out the lane for $75. And don't forget to pick up beer and funnel cake at the bar.

Celebrate the Halloween season with a trip to Green-Wood Cemetery (500 25th Street). An iconic destination for tourists and lifelong New Yorkers alike, Green-Wood is decidedly unghoulish with park-like views and rich history—but a cemetery is a cemetery and perfect for just a touch of spookiness at the end of October. Stroll the beautiful grounds and find famous graves like those of John Steinbeck and Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Head to Pacificana (813 55th Street) for your dose of steaming hot dim sum. The no-frills joint serves up the most authentic, mouthwatering duck, pork, crab and soup dumplings.

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