Get to know Bedford-Stuyvesant

Bedford-Stuyvesant (often shortened to Bed-Stuy) is a neighborhood that could only exist in New York City. A sizeable, trapezoid-shaped chunk out of north Brooklyn, the community in Bed-Stuy is a tight-knit world unto itself while still being an inextricable part of the borough’s fabric. The aesthetic appeal of Bed-Stuy is obvious as historic, ornately detailed homes sit along its tree-lined streets. Construction of these stately homes began in the 1870s, and they remain largely intact and untouched to this day. In fact, the number of buildings constructed before the turn of the 20th-century reaches upwards of 8,000. Subway service covers several letters of the alphabet: The A and C run under Fulton Street near the neighborhood’s southern boundary, the JMZ travels above its northeastern border of Broadway, and the G slides down and out through Marcy and Lafayette avenues.

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Bedford-Stuyvesant History & Culture

Now, how did this neighborhood get its hyphen? Quite simply, by combining the names of two early settlements: Bedford and Stuyvesant Heights. Bedford was located near the present-day intersection of Bedford Avenue and Fulton Street. At the same time, Stuyvesant Heights was more south-centrally located and currently remains home to hundreds of historic rowhouses. Herbert Von King Park—named for a leader active in the community for 50 years—offers a de facto town square complete with a recreation and cultural center and an amphitheater. Across Lafayette from the park is a southern magnolia tree, an official city landmark. Planted in the 1880s, it remains thriving far north of its typical southeastern U.S. habitat. Today, Bed-Stuy is undoubtedly one of the most culturally rich neighborhoods in all of NYC, if not beyond. It’s home to many iconic figures, particularly from the arts, and has a certain name-brand cachet.

Bedford-Stuyvesant Dining & Shopping

As time has progressed, Bed-Stuy has started staking its claim to the throne as one of New York City’s best neighborhoods for food. No matter what you’re in the mood for—from Southern to French to Caribbean, and many more—you’ll find something to chow down on. There’s also an abundance of cafes rising up like the cream in your coffee (if that’s how you take it). If you’re looking for a nightlife scene, you needn’t look much further: Bed-Stuy is home to countless great venues for beer, wine, or cocktails, and even spots for live music and dancing. Plentiful small, locally-owned shops worth supporting are popping up across the broad swath of the neighborhood. Along the southern edge of Bed-Stuy, Fulton acts as the primary commercial drag, providing an all-purpose mix of stores and eateries.