Home to scores of breweries, dive bars and sinfully overlooked brunch spots-in addition to expansive greenery and famous blockbuster filming locations-Ridgewood is one of New York City’s most underrated neighborhoods. Located on a unique triangle of land in Queens that’s often mistaken for Brooklyn, it sits on borough lines and serves as a buffer between Bushwick’s raucous party scene and Central Queens’ serene residential areas, incorporating elements of both lifestyles into its day-to-day.

For centuries, neighboring Bushwick has acted as Ridgewood’s sibling foe, as the two communities continually try to distinguish themselves from one another despite ultimately having a lot in common. But because Ridgewood is a stop further from Manhattan on the subway lines, it’s lived a significant portion of its existence in Bushwick’s shadow, only now getting praise as rent hikes are encouraging locals to consider more reasonably priced pastures.

Enveloped by the L and M subway lines, Ridgewood offers a diverse array of experiences to be had-most of which are easily accessible by transit. Whether you’re interested in eating, drinking, learning, or roaming, the neighborhood won’t let you down. Here’s everything you should know in order to plan the perfect visit.

Any meal, any cuisine: Ridgewood’s got it. In the morning, head to Cute Cat Cafe for a lush backyard to sip a mocha in the presence of roaming felines; hole-in-the-wall Cafe Nala for Ridgewood-themed breakfast sandwiches; the bakery Rudy’s, a neighborhood gem since 1934 that’s also a community hub where everybody knows everyone; and on select days, upscale bakeshop Millers & Makers for must-try fancy pastries.

Sit-down breakfasts with table service are also an option. For hangovers, Tasty Diner is the old-school greasy spoon of choice-but for brunch on the same caliber as any top NYC spot, the garden-to-table dishes at The Acre and creatively crafted plates at Julia’s will knock your socks off. Then there’s Rolo’s, a locally adored cafe and restaurant, which serves interesting savory dishes during weekend brunch (on weekdays, they act more as a come-and-go coffee shop). And while most brunch places serve alcohol, Ridgewood Ale House undoubtedly draws the booziest (and liveliest) crowd.

The restaurant scene isn’t all egg sandwiches and hash browns, though. The upscale Asian-inspired menu at Porcelain is a prime example of New York City’s superior culinary landscape, offering plates like Dandan Lasagna and Kimchi-Brined Fried Chicken to go with your wine. Japanese restaurant Mr. Sushi debuted earlier this year with an impressive selection of lunch specials that’re much more affordable than its dining room’s vibes. And Odaan, a Nepalese and Indian restaurant, nails the flavors of the Himalayas.

Historic slice shop Joe & John’s-first opened in 1968-is central to Ridgewood’s pizza experience, and behind a mysterious door across the street lies elevated Caribbean-Latin food at Cream. Then there’s upscale American restaurant Ltauha, the most charming place to be on Myrtle Avenue come dusk. Close the culinary tour out with a trip to Ice Cream Window, a self-explanatory destination open on weekends.

The most remarkable part of Ridgewood is its ability to prop up so many flourishing bars even as it stays under the radar to outsiders. The neighborhood’s dive bars best capture the area’s community feel, as each one brings its own unique feature: At Aunt Ginny’s, it’s a pool table; at Milo’s Yard, it’s pinball; at Myrtle Pub, it’s the colorful lights and free popcorn; at The Bad Old Days, it’s the book and game collection; and at Jones Bar, it’s the charm of drinking along a strip of historic homes.When stale drinks simply won’t do, beer and wine spots include Queens Brewery, an enormous brewing house with communal picnic table seating and a large collection of table and floor games. Evil Twin Brewery is a bit trendier, with a glass greenhouse-looking taproom and a large outdoor patio. Bridge and Tunnel Brewery is the dive bar of brewing spots, and Gottscheer Hall is an old-fashioned German community center with a no-frills backyard beer garden. And classy wine bar Ester is ideal for catching up with an old friend over tasty dishes without having to scream over loud music.

When it comes to reigning destinations for craft cocktails, Cafe Plein Air-offering a weekday happy hour and seasonal menu changes-lets you choose between shaken, stirred, and sparkling. Fresh Pond Cocktail Club has a sleek interior and spacious outdoor patio, while Windjammer Bar is delightfully nautical-themed, both in decor and drinks.

If music and entertainment are your jam, Trans-Pecos is the preeminent live music bar showcasing local bands; The Deep End is an unassuming gay bar with drag performances, late-night parties, and shockingly great food; Nowadays hosts fun events in its massive outdoor yard and full-on raves in its indoor space; The Keep is a gaudy gothic bar with occasional burlesque and live music; and BierWax Queens is a new bar in a historic Ridgewood theater where DJs spin actual vinyl from their collection of more than 3,000 records.

It might look sleepy at a first glance, but Ridgewood does not disappoint in the things to do department. With sprawling green space, noteworthy historic sites, and countless off-beat stores, its pastimes are one of a kind, further justifying a visit.

On the south border of the neighborhood in Highland Park is the 50-acre Ridgewood Reservoir, comprised of freshwater wetlands that once supplied water to Brooklyn. Today, it’s known for its walking/biking paths; lawns for barbecuing; marshes and trees that provide shelter to unique birds and attract ornithologists; and raised elevation for scenic glimpses of nearby skylines and cemeteries.

Ridgewood also nods to its past with a handful of historic sites honoring 19th-century architecture, World War I veterans, and its European settlement in the 1600s. The most significant piece of history is The Vander Ende-Onderdonk House: Built in 1709, it’s the city’s oldest Dutch Colonial stone house, and was once used to help mark the transition between Brooklyn and Queens.

While the reservoir and historic center sit at the north and south parts of town, fun shops flood everything in between. The popular Topos Bookstore offers unique books; Other People’s Clothes has thriftable fits; and Scorpion Records and Deep Cuts Record Store (where a one-eyed rescue pug greets customers) are go-tos for used vinyl. If vintage trinkets and decor are more your thing, visit one of several antique shops, including Gotham Thrift and Ridgewood Antiques. If you feel like spending some cash but don’t know where to start, just walk down Myrtle Avenue-the commercial district-and window shop until your heart’s desire.

Ridgewood hasn’t quite broken into the mainstream as far as tourism is concerned, meaning the neighborhood’s hotel options are few and far between. The trick for out-of-town visitors would be to stay somewhere off the L or M subway lines that’s a bit closer to Manhattan.

The closest area with noteworthy hotels is Williamsburg, in Brooklyn, just a small handful of stops away from Ridgewood on public transit. Off the L line are Penny, a homey hotel featuring colorful artwork and modern furniture, and Hotel Indigo Williamsburg, a dog-friendly building towering over the neighborhood (which also has an outdoor pool!). Off the M line is 42 Hotel, a classy 60-room building with beautiful views and cozy common areas.

Alternatively, a neat way to experience the neighborhood’s low-rise architecture from within is by booking an Airbnb.Want more Thrillist? Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat.

Kyler Alvord is a former staff writer at Thrillist who keeps coming back for more. Find him on Twitter and Instagram, or in any Brooklyn coffee shop that serves bagels.

Foliage is undoubtedly one of fall’s biggest attractions, especially if you live in New York state and enjoy nature-filled weekend getaways. To help you plan a leaf peeping trip, ​​New York State’s official tourism site just dropped this year’s fall foliage reports and map.

The reports come out every Wednesday on a weekly basis on ILOVENY.com starting September 14, providing a guide for travelers to foliage status across the state. The reports include a map, which, using a color gradient ranging from green through yellow, orange, red, and brown shows foliage at various peak points depending on the area. Thanks to more than 85 on-site volunteer leaf spotters, the reports get updated according to the spotters’ location, which ensures an accurate representation of color changes on the map as well. In order to maximize the interactive map’s efficiency, travelers can also use it to find dining options and art & culture attractions.

“From colorful foliage and unparalleled natural landscapes to breathtaking historical sites and one-of-a-kind state parks, there’s nothing like New York in the fall,” Governor Hochul said in an official statement. “During this season, we invite travelers from New York and out-of-state to plan a perfect autumn adventure-whether it’s climbing an Adirondack peak, visiting a Long Island winery, or walking along Buffalo’s waterfront – and see what our great state has to offer.”

Today, the first foliage report along with the first map dropped. This year, the first color changes have been spotted across several New York regions, where the leaves are starting to change according to the map’s gradient.

According to leaf spotters in Saranac Lake, in the Adirondacks, leaves are expected to change color of about 10%, while Tupper Lake spotters are signaling only a 5% change. Essex County’s Lake Placid, similarly to the Saranac Lake area, is predicted to change colors of about 10%, reaching touches of orange and reds.

Travelers visiting the areas surrounding Schroon Lake and Newcomb will be a little less lucky, with colors expected to change less than 10%. The same can be said for the Long Lake area, where only a few first leaves are starting to turn, including maple leaves. Visitors in Herkimer County’s Old Forge, instead, are in for a better adventure, as this weekend leaves are expected to change color by 30%, reaching muted hues of yellow, burgundy, and some early shades of red. Similarly, Jefferson County’s Alexandria Bay and Lawrence County’s Colton will provide beautiful fall hues, and the leaves will respectively change color by 20% and 15%.

In the Catskills, fall colors have just started to appear, and only a 10% color change is predicted across the region. The Central New York area, Hudson Valley, and the Finger Lakes aren’t expected to change much either, both displaying color-change percentages similar to those of the Catskills. In the Chautauqua-Allegheny region, foliage is predicted to kick in with a 20% color change, showcasing a beautiful mix of green, yellow, red, and orange leaves according to Chautauqua Institution spotters.

In the rest of the state, foliage change only reached 5% or less.

Check out this week’s map below:

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Serena Tara is a Staff Writer on the News team at Thrillist. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.