Gowanus

Like many industrial spots in Brooklyn, there have been a lot of cool joints popping up in this neighborhood - like, say Four and Twenty Blackbirds, a pie shop that is constantly being featured on TV and in glossy magazines. This area has gotten way cooler as Park Slope spreads its wealth in a westerly fashion, and more shops and eateries and quaintly remodeled apartments continue to pop up - especially in the area around 9th Street.

The northern section of the neighborhood tends to be pretty cool as well - this is where the commercialism of Boreum Hill is spreading out, and the streets are lined with trees and gorgeous brownstones.

The area around the Gowanus Canal is probably the lamest part of the neighborhood. This is where you can find places like Pathmark and Lowes and Home Depot - and a lot of dirt and dingy looking buildings.

Overall, Gowanus is a hit-or-miss type neighborhood. If you happen to live in the area, then you probably know of some awesome places to eat and shop, but it's not like the area attracts many people who don't already live there.

This neighborhood is in the area between Red Hook and Park Slope, and is a pretty big industrial area. If people live here, it is usually because they are residents of one of the housing projects, of which there are two. I can’t imagine why either tourist or New York native would wander into this area – and I’d be willing to be that many New Yorkers don’t even know this neighborhood exists. There are always rumors that this area will be developed into…something, but so far no progress can be seen. Right now this area consists mainly of a polluted canal and other industrial wastes.