My love letter to Coney Island

Coney Island's large and golden beach

When the weather begins to be nice and warm in May, New Yorkers desert the city and rush to the beaches on every weekend. They go to the well-known Hamptons, but likewise in Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn as well as Staten Island where there a number of options to relax, put your feet in the sand and gaze into the sea.

I always wondered why we don’t see many pools in the suburban landscapes around Mahnattan when looking down from the plane while leaving or landing in New York (pools are an important aspect of suburban life in Montreal); who needs a pool when you can access the ocean so easily?

You all know I love Brooklyn. Obviously, Coney Island was another place I was looking forward to visit. I remember watching a video entitled “Love letter to Coney Island” a few months ago on the Internet; this short film left me seduced by the very rich history of the place. Think about it: Coney Island has been welcoming New Yorkers since the 1830’s.

Contradicted Williamsburg

I’ve wanted to visit Williamsburg since Forever; even before knowing that we would move to New York, I remember reading an article about the neighborhood and that was it, I was instantly fascinated by it.

Williamsburg is a neighborhood of Brooklyn known to be an influential hub for Indie rock music as well as for its local art community. The area, which has been gentrified these past years, is being redefined by a growing population and a rapid development of housing and retail space. Williamsburg is a young and busy neighborhood with numerous popular bars, shops and restaurants; it is equally one of the coolest places I’ve seen in New York. 

Vintage shopping at Skylight One Hanson, Brooklyn

The market -
or a very small part of it

During winter, the traditional Brooklyn outdoor market moves to Skylight One Hanson, the former and famous building of Williamsburg Savings Bank situated in Fort Greene. Vintage itself, the three floor Art Deco edifice offers a perfect setting to welcome thousands of visitors eager for discoveries and more than a hundred vendors selling second hand goods and old items that have been reinvented.

From antiques to handmade articles, clothing, jewels and other accessories, beauty products, furniture, vintage records and photography items, Skylight One Hanson has it all; the market is a great place to find a unique gift, a gorgeous new deco objet or the perfect fashion accessory.