Manhattan’s urban glitz may overshadow its cross-river neighbor as the world’s image of New York City, but you could argue that Brooklyn today is the borough with the more interesting energy. It definitely has its own rich history too — way before you could cruise from Brooklyn it started off as a Dutch village, became the U.S.’s third most populated city… and spent hundreds of years independent before joining NYC at the end of the 19th century. Brooklyn continues to wear its motto “Unity makes strength” proudly on its flag, and examples can be seen in a diverse local culture shaped by artists, hipsters, families and various ethnic enclaves that call its dozens of neighborhoods home. It also wears its spirit on its sleeve! Despite increasing gentrification, interesting innovations continue to spring from here: food, fashion and music — plus quirky 21^st-century curiosities like urban beekeeping, fixed-gear cycling and serious beards.