Williamsburg
Home to all things hip, Williamsburg is known for its eclectic shops, street art, and waterfront parks. Dig a bit deeper and you’ll find some surprises, too.
Barclays Center
620 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11217
The Basics
Opened in 2012, the Barclays Center is one of NYC’s big-draw arenas, hosting international names such as Barbra Streisand, Jay-Z, and others. The complex, which seats up to 19,000 depending on the event, also boasts shops, restaurants, and bars.
One of downtown Brooklyn’s most recognizable sights, the Barclays Center is included on most of the Brooklyn routes of New York City hop-on hop-off tours—their buses stop outside. You can also see the arena on Brooklyn tours focused on the borough’s highlights and urban culture. To experience a sports event or concert, book via the Ticketmaster platform on its website or at its box office.
Things to Know Before You Go
Events at the Barclays Center will appeal to music and sports enthusiasts.
The center is fully accessible to visitors with mobility, hearing, or sight issues.
Strollers are not permitted inside the main arena.
Bags and backpacks are screened on entry, so avoid bringing them to speed up the security process.
On-site amenities include restaurants, restrooms, phone-charging stations, ATMs, and free Wi-Fi.
How to Get There
Situated at 620 Atlantic Avenue—where the avenue intersects with Brooklyn’s Flatbush Avenue—the Barclays Center is easy to access via subway: from Manhattan, the 2, 3, 4, 5, B, D, N, Q, and R lines serve the Atlantic Terminal station located right beside the entrance. Long Island Railroad (LIRR) trains also run to the Atlantic Terminal just below the venue, and several bus lines stop nearby. Paid parking lots are available in the area—use the ParkWhiz platform on the center’s website to identify locations.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
The Barclays Center stages multiple events each year, so visitors time their arrival accordingly. Several Brooklyn Nets’ games are played each month from October to April, as are New York Islanders’ hockey matches. Those driving to the center should allow extra time to negotiate the usually heavy, pre-event traffic.
Star Billings at the Barclays Center
Alongside names such as Streisand and Jay-Z, many of the world’s leading stars have graced the Barclay Center stage, including Beyonce, Madonna, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Billy Joel, and Andrea Bocelli. The venue also hosts WWE wrestling and seasonal family-oriented extravaganzas such as ice shows.
- Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)
- Grand Army Plaza
- Brooklyn Tabernacle
- Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch (Central Library)
- New York Transit Museum
- Carroll Gardens
- Brooklyn Navy Yard
- Brooklyn Museum
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden
- Brooklyn Heights
- Brooklyn Grange
- Dumbo
- Prospect Park
- Brooklyn Bridge Park
- Empire Fulton Ferry in Brooklyn Bridge Park