A city, a bridge and a world away

Thursday through Saturday or for brunch on Sunday, you can head down to the Fulton Ferry Landing after you eat. There you'll find a restored river barge that used to haul sacks of coffee but has been retrofitted for chamber music concerts. Prices at Bargemusic are reasonable ($35 to $40, less for seniors and students), and the setting is incredibly romantic.

Grab a cab when you've had your fill, or if you don't mind a quiet walk, stroll back downtown through streets filled only with history and your thoughts of all the discoveries you've made on these less-traveled streets of New York.

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Little apple

GETTING THERE:

From LAX, United, American and Delta fly nonstop to JFK; Continental, American and United fly nonstop into Newark. Restricted round-trip fares begin at $318.

WHERE TO STAY:

New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, 333 Adams St.; (718) 246-7000 or (888) 436-3759, www.brooklynmarriott.com. Centrally located. New rooms scheduled for completion in September will have great views. Ask for a room away from the construction. Doubles from $199.

Holiday Inn Express, (scheduled to open July 16), 625 Union St., (888) 465-4329, www.ichotelsgroup.com. Doubles from $126, including continental breakfast.

WHERE TO EAT:

Waterfalls, 144 Atlantic Ave.; (718) 488-8886, www.waterfallscafe.com. Great hummus and baba ghanouj. Entrees $11-$17.

Thomas Beisl, 25 Lafayette Ave.; (718) 222-5800. Austrian favorites, such as Wiener schnitzel and sauerbraten, and Linzer torte for dessert. Entrees under $20.

Alma, 187 Columbia St.; (718) 643-5400, www.almarestaurant.com. Delicious authentic Mexican cuisine with a killer view of the Manhattan skyline. Entrees $12-$18.

Queen, 84 Court St.; (718) 596-5954. Classic Italian cuisine. Entrees around $21-$25.

Five Front, 5 Front St.; (718) 625-5559, www.fivefrontrestaurant.com. Hideaway offering good value on high-class cuisine. Eat in the garden alongside the Brooklyn Bridge. Entrees $16-$19.

TO LEARN MORE:

Brooklyn Tourism and Visitors Center, Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon St., (718) 802-3846, www.brooklyntourism.org.

-- Aaron Dalton