Get to know Bedford-Stuyvesant

Now, how did this neighborhood get its hyphen? 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.

As time has progressed, Bed-Stuy has been 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 cafés 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.