Published: October 30, 2008

Are you looking for a weekend escape to Brooklyn without venturing into the cramped, hipster-laden streets of Williamsburg? An ideal alternative is Clinton Hill/Fort Greene, a neighborhood filled with local artists, inexpensive food, fresh fruit and more vintage treasures than you can imagine.

Accompanied by a close friend who attends the Pratt Institute, I embarked upon a relaxing, yet entertaining trip that didn’t hurt my wallet. If you plan on spending the day in the Clinton Hill/Fort Greene neighborhood, then I suggest you catch a ride on the G train soon because you’re in for a full day of fun!

MORNING

Assuming that you’ve had a long night of partying on Friday, the last thing you’ll want to do on Saturday morning is crawl out of bed for breakfast. However, I’ve got the ideal cure for your hangover that is not only cheap, but will help soak up all those liquids in your tummy.  John’s Donut Shop (481 Myrtle Ave. between Washington Avenue and Hall Street, 718-638-0412) is a tiny, local coffee shop/diner where you can order two eggs with bacon, hash browns and toast—all for around $5. Did I mention the free refills of hot coffee? Also, upon request, John’s serves up amazing homemade lemonade that is served ’50s style. Along with your glass, you also receive a tall metal cup brimming with refills of the fresh lemon pulp and ice that has made this drink a staple. There’s only one catch to indulging at John’s—they close shop at 3 p.m. every day, so you have to make it over there early.

Your trip to Clinton Hill would not be complete without stopping by the Pratt Institute (200 Willoughby Ave.). Did you ever think about what life is like at an art school? Pratt offers a wide variety of sculptures and lawn art for public viewing. There is also a good chance that you’ll run into some paint-splattered students or a friendly cat roaming the grounds.

AFTERNOON

After you’ve wandered around Pratt for a bit, you should make your way over to Fort Greene Park Greenmarket (DeKalb Avenue at Washington Park). Every Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., local farmers flock to Fort Greene Park to make sure you have access to all of the freshest fruits and veggies. You can indulge in an afternoon snack of homemade apple cider and pastries. There is also a huge selection of free-range meats and fresh seafood. The best part is that all of the market vendors grow, raise and produce their items in the local region. That totally beats going to the supermarket for apples and zucchini.

If you happen to be in the area on a Sunday afternoon, you should swing by Brooklyn Flea (Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School on Lafayette Avenue between Clermont and Vanderbilt Avenues). This flea market is every thrift shopper’s dream come true. The event runs between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. every Sunday. The high school’s parking lot is transformed into a tremendous shopping area, teeming with hagglers and scavengers. The Flea offers around 200 vendors selling vintage clothing and furniture as well as antique collectibles and jewelry. There are tons of crafts and records. You can walk through, grab a cupcake and wander around in search of your perfect vintage dress. Or maybe you want to invest in a record player!  The Flea also offers a bicycle vendor and repair service.

NIGHT

Now that it’s time for dinner, you should walk back towards Pratt to Café Martino (559 Myrtle Ave. between Emerson Place and Classon Avenue, 718-636-3966). This quaint café offers more than an endless coffee selection and a quiet place to read. The menu consists of a wide selection of meal choices ranging between everyday items like lasagna and hamburgers to baguette sandwiches and grilled monkfish. The homemade empanadas are served with a chipotle mayo sauce that tastes like heaven. The empanadas are the perfect accompaniment to the tomato lentil soup, served in a huge bowl for only $4.

After you’ve satisfied your taste buds, it’s time to grab a drink at The Rope Bar (415 Myrtle Ave. between Clinton and Vanderbilt Avenues, 718-522-2899). Rope’s laid-back atmosphere and inexpensive drink menu makes this bar the ideal spot to hang with your friends and listen to music from the jukebox. Weather permitting, Rope also offers an outdoor patio in the back that is cozy at night, decorated with Christmas lights and small tables.

If you’re looking to get away from the city for the weekend, then the Clinton Hill/Fort Greene neighborhoods are the place to be!  When you return to the Upper West Side, your friends will wonder about that satisfied look on your face as you munch on fresh carrots and unpack all your vintage finds.