Brooklyn Heights is often lauded as Brooklyn's most prestigious neighborhood. With Brooklyn Bridge Park at its front yard, the neighborhood is bordered by Atlantic Avenue, the Brooklyn Promenade, Cadman Plaza and Court Street, this neighborhood is most known for its historic brownstones and tree-lined streets.
Formerly named Ihpetonga (meaning "the high sandy bank") by the local Lenape tribe, Brooklyn Heights was settled by the Dutch in 1645. It is also the place where George Washington watched the British defeat his army in the Battle of Brooklyn. Later, it would house the Brooklyn Dodgers headquarters. The office building that has since replaced the headquarters at 215 Montague Street displays a plaque acknowledging the location as the spot where Jackie Robinson signed his major-league contract.
Today, Brooklyn Heights is home to young professionals and affluent families, as well as older residents with established roots in the community. The upscale area has a suburban vibe and is marked by beautiful landscapes and architecture.
Some of the best spots to enjoy in Brooklyn Heights are the Promenade and Cadman Plaza. Featured in movies like "Annie Hall" and "Moonstruck," the Promenade is a prime location for first dates and wedding proposals, boasting breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge. Meanwhile, Cadman Plaza, together with the nearby Korean War Veterans Plaza and Whitman Park, form a mall from Brooklyn Borough Hall to Brooklyn Bridge.
Brooklyn Heights is home to Saint Ann's School, a K-12 co-ed program that boasts a strong academic and artistic curriculum, and such noteworthy alumni as Jennifer Connolly and Lena Dunham. Also in the neighborhood is the top-ranked Saint Francis College, the first private school in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn.
The area has many popular restaurants and shops, particularly along Montague Street. Despite its posh reputation, many of the neighborhood's establishments are surprisingly casual and laid back. Henry Street Ale House is a nice, non-pretentious place to grab a beer after work. The local Iris Cafe offers a number of vegetarian options; and Lassen & Hennigs is a great place to go to for a standard New York deli experience. Montague Street is also home to a number of retail chains such as Banana Republic and Anne Taylor Loft, as well as local boutiques.