SUNSET PARK

Sunset Part is a very beautiful neighborhood in Brooklyn named after a park, which lies in the center of the neighborhood. This park affords visitors magnificent views of the Statue of Liberty, Staten Island and Lower Manhattan, since it is the second highest point in Brooklyn. On summer nights, the park attracts a lot of locals, who spend their evening there, playing sports or having picnics. The atmosphere is amazing.

In the first half of the twentieth century, Sunset Park was a thriving Scandinavian neighborhood, one section was known as “Little Norway” and a small part was known as “Finntown”, where you could go to an authentic Finnish sauna or eat Finnish food until the 1970s. In 1991, 40th Street was officially renamed “Finlandia Street” to remind people of this time in Sunset Park’s history.

Today, Sunset Park presents itself as a culturally diverse community. This diversity is celebrated in late October every year with the Parade of Flags on 5th Avenue. The eastern part, especially along 8th Avenue, can be called “Chinatown of Brooklyn”. Some claim that the reason for Chinese settlement around 8th Avenue is because in Chinese folklore, the number eight is lucky for financial matters, another explanation is the direct subway connection to Manhattan’s Chinatown. Unlike Chinatown of Manhattan, this Chinese neighborhood is mostly unknown by tourists, so instead of tourists buying Hello Kitty wallets or fake perfumes, you get Asian crowds and a feeling, that you are far, far away. A walk along busy 8th Avenue is a special experience, as you’ll find Chinese food markets, restaurants and all other kind of Chinese businesses. The western part of Sunset Park has a very different character. There’s a strong Latin American population, and you’ll find a lot of Latin American businesses along vibrant 5th Avenue.