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Pilar Cuban Bakery tamales. (Credit: Pilar Cuban Bakery)

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From its funky, welcoming atmosphere to the bustling small businesses and vibrant restaurant scene, to the historic brownstones, Bed-Stuy has all the makings for a hip weekend getaway. The north central Brooklyn area, has an LIRR station as well as subway stops from A, C, G, J, M, and Z . Here’s how to make the most of a day there.

MORNING

A French Breakfast and a stroll in the park

The Hattie Carthan Community Garden Markets increases the neighborhood’s access to fresh food. (Credit: Hattie Carthan Community Farmers)

10:30 a.m.: You’ve never had a bacon, egg and cheese like the one at Madame Poupon. Opened by a Brittany, France native, the restaurant specializes in crepes made with buckwheat and stuffed with all sorts of sweet and savory fillings. La Bacon Complete features a sunny side up egg, butcher smoked bacon and Swiss cheese but it’s the sweet ones like La Miel Citron with lemon and honey that are hard to resist.

11:45 a.m.: After indulging in that taste of France, head roughly five blocks up to the Herbert Von King Park. You’ll find playgrounds, ball fields, a dog run and even an amphitheater (check the performance schedule to see if anything’s happening later in the day).

See that huge magnolia tree across the street at 679 Lafayette Avenue? It’s been growing in NYC since the late 1800s and is one of only a couple landmarked trees in the city. By now you’ve reached the the Hattie Carthan Community Gardens so you may as well say hello to the chickens.

AFTERNOON

Go treasure hunting

The Dulce du Leche Brownies at Pilar Cuban Bakery (Credit: Lily Brown)

1 p.m: Time for a quick lunch. Stop into Pilar Cuban Bakery for empanadas, tamales or a sandwich. The Cuban with smoked bone-in ham and house mojo-marinated slow roasted pork is a favorite. But make sure you save room for dessert, the tropical batidos similar to a milkshake come in mamey (sapote), guanabana (soursop) or mango and you’ll want to take some dulce de leche brownies home with you.

2 p.m.: Bed-Stuy is shopper’s paradise. Wander up and down the streets popping in and out of whatever looks good. A few musts are Peace & RIOT for a curated collection of home decor and accessories from around the world, The Mixtape to find your new favorite indie soul, funk or jazz musician, and Olivino Wines for natural wine.

4 p.m.: Once you’re all shopped out either take a stroll admiring the brownstone-lined streets or if you have young ones visit the Brooklyn Children’s Museum in nearby Crown Heights for a couple of hours. Pay as you wish hours are Thursdays from 2 to 6 p.m., and on Sundays from 4 to 7 p.m.

NIGHT

Rotisserie chicken and jazz

The Fly is a “chicken bar with wine, cocktails and beer.” (Credit: The Fly)

6 p.m.: Not ready to take the train home just yet? Grab dinner at one of the new additions to the neighborhood, Fly. The casual spot is known for pairing rotisserie chicken with natural wine. Don’t knock it till you try it.

8:30 p.m.: Listen to live jazz in the living room of an old brownstone. On Friday and Saturday nights, the Bed-Stuy bed and breakfast, Sankofa Aban hosts jazz musicians in their parlor room.

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