What is DUMBO, really (besides an acronym for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass”)? Is it a neighborhood, a gigantic gallery space, a leftover vista of North Brooklyn’s once great manufacturing prowess? Regardless of how you think about it, MetroWize is going to help you navigate the cobblestone streets of this cinematic area perched on the East River.

Eat.
Forager’s Market (56 Adams St. and Front) has anything you need - except booze - for a snack at Empire-Fulton Park. Trust us, once you walk in here, you won’t want to go to any other market.
Dumbo General Store (111 Front St. btw. Adams and Washington) serves a great breakfast burrito. Pick it up, and come back at 5:00 PM for $3 Brooklyn and Six Point drafts.
RICE (81 Washington St. btw York and Front) has great, reasonably priced dishes based on varying kinds rice from around the world. Their back patio is great in the warmer months, especially when you involve pitchers of beer... which you should.
Grimaldi’s (19 Old Fulton St.) is more of an institution than a pizza parlor, and is a must for those looking for a slice. This world-renowned restaurant has been going strong since 1905, when it started making brick oven pizza for New Yorkers. The claim is that they were the first to bring pizza to “The New World.” You really can’t go wrong.
Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory (Old Fulton St. next to the Water Taxi) is open year-round, unlike its Greenpoint counterpart. Bring the kids, and bring cash.

Stuff.
PS Books (76 Front St. and Washington) just relocated to it’s larger home on Front St. It’s easy to get lost among the rows and rows and rows of used titles, so on rainy days, this is a good spot to burn a couple hours.
First Thursday Gallery Walk (various locations) There are enough art galleries in DUMBO to warrant a book on the subject. Check out just about all of them between 5:30 and 8:30 PM every first Thursday of the month for free (plus wine)! For more info, visit brooklynartproject.com/events.
Neighborhoodies (26 Jay St. btw Plymouth and John) is an inventive store that allows you to create custom threads right there on the premises. Choose from countless designs, or say ‘whatever’ and make your own, Picasso.
Recycle-A-Bicycle (35 Pearl St. btw Plymouth and John) mostly refurbishes donated bikes, but they are also a great repair shop without any sass or attitude. If you are brave enough to ride the cobblestone streets of DUMBO, they will be there when you get a pinch flat.
Movies With A View (Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park) curates monthly film screenings with the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline after dark. Films show every week between July early September for 2010. Check out the schedule at brooklynbridgepark.org.

Don’t forget to...
...make your way towards Washington St. and check out possibly the most amazing view of Manhattan at the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park. It’s a perfect place for a midday picnic, or a local favorite to watch an epic sunset behind the towers of the Financial District. It’s clean, family friendly, and rife with opportunities to photo-bomb wedding parties.

So there’s your introduction to DUMBO. You’ll find plenty more while you’re there, but that’s part of the fun of exploring. Hey, you might even see Jay Z and Beyoncé, so bring a camera, too. If that’s your thing.

GetWize: Take the F Train to the York St. stop. You can try the bus, but this is the best way there. If you need to use a bathroom, stop at the Starbucks on Front and Main. That’s what it’s there for.