National Geographic Day Tour: Tastes and Tales from Brooklyn's Little Caribbean
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Port
New York, New York, US
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Activity Level
Easy
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$350
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 3¾ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Not far from Central Brooklyn’s famous Prospect Park, there’s a neighborhood where you can feel the pulse of the Caribbean without leaving the city. Today, the area of Flatbush known as ‘Little Caribbean’ is home to the largest community of Caribbean descendants outside the West Indies.
In the mid-20th century, Afro-Caribbean immigrants arrived in the U.S. seeking economic opportunities, with New York City being a top destination. This migration surged post-World War II and again after the 1965 Hart-Celler Act, which liberalized immigration policies. Many who arrived from the Caribbean settled in and around Flatbush in Brooklyn, and today the community spirit is strong.
Your National Geographic-trained guide, living and working in Little Caribbean, will lead you on a walking tour of the area to visit a variety of community hubs, absorbing the culture, listening to music, and tasting your way around some of the typical treats of the Caribbean.
Begin with a visit to a local Grenadian grocery store for fresh coconut water – bring it with you to add a splash of Caribbean rum at your next stop. Next, visit an African record store that has been in business since the 1970s, selling musical treasures from around the globe.
Your tastebuds will be in for a treat as you savor spicy Jamaican patties and jerk chicken, finishing with treats from a beloved local bakery that's been a neighborhood staple for over half a century. Meet the family who has owned it for three generations and hear their stories - the perfect ending to a day of discoveries in Brooklyn's own Caribbean oasis.
Notes:
Please note this is predominantly a walking tour. Those with limited mobility or walking issues are not advised to join. There is approximately 2 hours of walking time included. Based on our commitment to sustainable tourism, this National Geographic Day Tour is certified against the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria. Moreover, a portion of the proceeds from this National Geographic Day Tour will go back to the National Geographic Society to fund research and sustainable programs around the world. Tour does not operate on Saturdays.