Things to Do in Industry City, Brooklyn: The Complete Guide for 2026
- Anna Chibireva
- Jul 16
- 6 min read
Industry City is one of Brooklyn's best-kept not-so-secrets — a 35-acre waterfront campus in Sunset Park built from historic manufacturing buildings, now packed with food halls, breweries, shops, art, and creative studios. People come planning to spend an hour and end up staying most of the day.
Whether you're a local looking for something to do this weekend or visiting from Manhattan (it's just three subway stops from Union Square), this guide covers the best things to do in Industry City — where to eat, drink, shop, make something, and catch seasonal events.
What Is Industry City?
Industry City is a six-million-square-foot creative campus on the Brooklyn waterfront in Sunset Park. Originally the Bush Terminal shipping and manufacturing complex dating back to the late 1800s, it was redeveloped starting in 2013 into a destination for food, retail, art, and small business.
Today it's home to 30+ food vendors (including NYC's largest Japanese food hall), breweries and distilleries, design showrooms, specialty shops, rotating art installations, creative workshops, and seasonal events. It's walkable, largely indoor (great for rainy or cold days), and equally fun for couples, families, and groups.
It's open seven days a week, one stop from Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn and three stops from Union Square in Manhattan.
Where to Eat in Industry City?
Food is the main event for most visitors. There are more than two dozen places to eat and drink across the campus, plus two full food halls.
Industry City Food Hall
The main food hall gathers a rotating lineup of local vendors under one roof — everything from tacos to pizza to Middle Eastern. Table 87 serves Brooklyn brick-oven pizza; various stalls cover ramen, dumplings, sandwiches, and sweets. Good for groups where everyone wants something different.
Japan Village
A separate Japanese food hall and market inside Building 4. Sunrise Mart stocks hard-to-find Japanese groceries, sushi-grade fish, snacks (the green tea Kit Kats are a favorite), and household goods. The food hall serves katsu, udon, and other Japanese staples. One of the most distinctive food experiences in Brooklyn.
Sahadi's
A Brooklyn institution since 1948, Sahadi's brought its Middle Eastern deli and market to Industry City. Fresh-made hummus, warm pita, olives, imported cheeses, and a sit-down cafe and bar with a popular weekend brunch. Grab a snack to go or settle in.
Breweries and Distilleries
Industry City has a strong drinks scene: Fort Hamilton Distillery (New York rye whiskey, tasting flights, and pool), Brooklyn Kura (sake brewed on-site), and craft breweries and liqueur makers throughout the campus. Several offer tastings and tours.
Creative Things to Do in Industry City
Beyond food, Industry City is a hub for makers and hands-on creativity. This is where the campus shows its "creative district" identity.
Creative Workshops
Industry City is home to hands-on workshop studios where you can make something to take home in an afternoon. Our own studio, Unique Workshop NYC, runs beginner-friendly classes in textured painting, soy candle making, and bento cake decorating — all with materials included and no experience required. It's a popular stop for date nights, birthdays, and group outings, and pairs naturally with a meal at one of the food halls afterward.
Other maker spaces across campus include yarn and craft supply shops, design studios, and pop-up creative experiences.
Street Art and Murals
The Collision Project curates rotating art installations and murals across the campus. Highlights include the Lady Aiko mural outside Japan Village and the popular blue-and-white flower-covered structure between Buildings 4 and 5 that's become a go-to Instagram spot. You can download an art tour map to find them all.
Pétanque at Carreau Club
An 8,000-square-foot indoor venue for pétanque — the French game of tossing metal boules. Social, beginner-friendly, and open regardless of skill level. A fun, low-impact group activity, with a bar on site. Local tip: the back patio is the spot.
Game Room and Ice Skating
The Game Room offers unlimited play on ping-pong, skee-ball, and arcade games for a flat fee. In winter, a small outdoor ice rink opens in the courtyard between Buildings 5 and 6 — modest in size but a local favorite for families on cold-weather weekends.
Shopping in Industry City
Industry City's retail runs from locally-made goods to design showrooms to outlet stores. Standouts include:
Brooklyn Made — a marketplace of locally crafted goods
Li-Lac Chocolates — small-batch handmade chocolates (one of the largest gourmet selections in the country), often made on-site
POWERHOUSE — a Brooklyn bookstore with a cafe and frequent author events
HiFi Provisions — vinyl records and vintage hi-fi equipment
Japan Village shops — manga, anime, Japanese homewares
The Design District — home furnishings and decor showrooms, including outlet stores
Moore Brothers Wine Company — bottles from family estates worldwide, with a daily tasting table
Seasonal Events at Industry City
Industry City programs events year-round, which is part of why it's a repeat destination rather than a one-time visit. Depending on the season you'll find:
Pop-up concerts and live music in the courtyards
Seasonal and vintage markets
Oktoberfest and other festival celebrations
Winter ice skating and holiday programming
Summer mini-golf and outdoor events
Rotating art exhibitions
Check Industry City's events calendar before you go — there's often something happening, especially on weekends.
How to Get to Industry City
Industry City sits between 32nd and 37th Streets and 2nd and 3rd Avenues in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
Subway: The D, N, and R trains stop at 36th Street, a short walk from campus. It's one stop from Atlantic Terminal and three stops from Union Square in Manhattan.
NYC Ferry: The South Brooklyn and Rockaway routes stop at the Sunset Park terminal, about 20 blocks from campus — a scenic (if slightly long) approach.
Car: There's an on-site parking garage (around $20), plus street parking in the surrounding neighborhood.
A Perfect Day at Industry City
Not sure how to structure a visit? Here's a balanced half-to-full day:
Late morning: Start with coffee and browse the shops — POWERHOUSE, Brooklyn Made, and the Design District. Catch the murals between buildings on your way through.
Early afternoon: Lunch at one of the food halls. Japan Village for Japanese, Sahadi's for Middle Eastern, or the main food hall if the group wants variety.
Afternoon: A hands-on activity — a creative workshop (painting, candle making, or bento cake decorating), a round of pétanque, or the Game Room. This is the part people remember.
Late afternoon: Wind down with a tasting flight at Fort Hamilton Distillery or a sake at Brooklyn Kura, plus chocolates from Li-Lac to take home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Industry City free to visit?
Yes — there's no admission fee. You only pay for what you eat, buy, or book (like a workshop or a game). Browsing the shops, seeing the murals, and walking the campus are all free.
How long should I spend at Industry City?
Most visitors plan for 2–3 hours and end up staying longer — half a day is common once you factor in a meal, shopping, and an activity. A full day is easy if you add a workshop and events.
Is Industry City good for a rainy day?
Yes. Most of the food halls, shops, and activities are indoors, which makes it one of the better rainy-day or cold-weather destinations in Brooklyn.
Is Industry City good for kids?
Very. Families come for the food halls, the Game Room, winter ice skating, summer mini-golf, and the open courtyards. There's plenty for kids and adults alike.
What's there to do at Industry City besides eat?
Plenty — creative workshops (painting, candle making, cake decorating), pétanque, the Game Room, street art tours, shopping across 30+ specialty stores, brewery and distillery tastings, and seasonal events.
How do I get to Industry City by subway?
Take the D, N, or R train to the 36th Street stop in Brooklyn, then walk a few blocks to campus. It's one stop from Atlantic Terminal and three from Union Square in Manhattan.
Creative Workshops at Industry City
If a hands-on activity sounds like the highlight of your Industry City visit, our studio — Unique Workshop NYC — is right on campus at 254 36th Street. We run beginner-friendly workshops in textured painting, soy candle making, and bento cake decorating.
What to expect:
No experience needed — instructors guide every step
All materials included
A finished take-home piece the same day
Public classes for 1–16 guests; private events for 12–20
Perfect to pair with a meal at the food halls before or after
Prices start at $85 per person. Great for date nights, birthdays, bachelorette parties, and group outings.
Book a Workshop at Industry City →https://www.uniqueworkshop.nyc/our-classes :
Planning your visit around an activity? See our guides to art classes for adults in NYC, date night ideas, and candle making classes.
Unique Workshop NYC | 254 36th Street, Industry City, Brooklyn, NY
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