Some of Brooklyn’s most iconic residential architecture sits on the leafy streets of an upscale neighbourhood full of restaurants and cultural institutions.

Find great examples of the Brooklyn brownstone, one of the most famous forms of American architecture, in Fort Greene. One of the borough’s oldest urban-residential neighbourhoods, the area has long attracted cultural elites, who poured energy and money into constructing beautiful homes along its quiet streets. Take a break from the bustle of the city when you visit Fort Greene, a great place to stroll sidewalks and linger in parks. Explore the cultural capital displayed in its museums and performing arts venues.

For a bird’s-eye view, climb the hill at the centre of Fort Greene Park, which was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and championed by Walt Whitman, a Fort Greene native.

Admire the craftsmanship of the Prison Ship Martyrs’ Monument, a reminder of the fate faced by American soldiers in British hands during the American Revolution. The neighbourhood also features South Oxford Park and Cuyler Gore, with many activities for kids.

Watch indie movies, see dance or music performances at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Unexpected and important exhibits are displayed at the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts. See cutting-edge art at the BRIC Arts Media House. Wander through the rotating works displayed at the Pratt Institute Sculpture Park.

Fort Greene is north of Brooklyn’s Flatbush neighbourhood, near Bedford-Stuyvesant. The neighbourhood’s low-key character is preserved partially by the relative lack of subway connections, although several bus lines make it easy to get around. Walk from Atlantic Terminal in a few minutes or take the subway from midtown Manhattan in a little over 30 minutes. Because it is a mostly residential neighbourhood, street parking is easier to find in Fort Greene than other parts of the city, but it still cannot be relied on. Many of Fort Greene’s institutions offer parking, which can fill up on event nights.

Find some of Brooklyn’s best restaurants on Fort Greene’s main streets. Try a bit of everything at the Dekalb Market Hall, where famous restaurants from across the borough have stalls.