7 things to skip in Brooklyn and 8 to do instead, according to a local

With a population of 2.6 million, Brooklyn is New York City's most populous borough. However, at 71 square miles, Brooklyn is a sprawling land mass, so it provides a greener and much less congested experience than Manhattan.

The vastness of Brooklyn and the activities on offer can be overwhelming for first-timers, which is why I've harnessed my local-grade expertise to guide visitors through the dos and don'ts of the borough. Having grown up in Brooklyn, I've made my fair share of mistakes and have found a handful of noteworthy gems.

While this is nowhere near a comprehensive list — the sheer size of Brooklyn means there are endless ways to structure your visit — these are some of my suggestions for what to skip during a visit to Brooklyn, and what you can do instead.

Every day, about 30,000 pedestrians and 3,000 cyclists cross the Brooklyn Bridge. This means a stroll along the bridge during typical waking hours (especially during sunset) will entail pushing and shoving — and being pushed and shoved — through a mass of tourists. The background of your photos will be laden with pedestrians taking photos of their own, and you'll spend a lot of time saying, "Excuse me!"

Even if you — like most people — shudder at the thought of setting a 5 a.m. alarm (or at the thought of setting an alarm at all), I promise you will not regret this decision. If the idea of maneuvering around bicyclists and large groups of visitors is unappealing to you, you'll be happy you made it through the early wake up.

So get a good night's sleep, grab a large coffee at a bodega near the bridge's entrance, and soak in the views during your peaceful trip across the East River.

The cost of rideshares are inflated in NYC, and a car ride in the city might leave you stuck in standstill traffic. According to Walkfriendly.org, under a third of NYC residents commute using a personal vehicle. So if you want to live like a local, I'd recommend limiting your time spent in cars.

Those who are able should walk between destinations — that's how the locals do it. "New Yorkers walk more than any other American population," Time Out reported.

In my opinion, walking is the best way to get your bearings on the city, find unique details in the borough's architecture, and stumble upon storefronts and buildings you might never have noticed in a taxi or rideshare. Plus, it's free.

Walkfriendly.org states that walking plays a "central role in New York City's transportation system." Any New Yorker will confirm this is 100% true.

The subway isn't only an inexpensive, efficient way to navigate the city — it's filled with public art, and if you're lucky, you'll witness musical performances on the platform as you wait for your train. Most of the city's subway lines run consistently and frequently, but you can (and should) always check for delays and disruptions on the MTA's Twitter profile.

With tens of thousands of restaurants to choose from, a trip to Brooklyn is definitely the time to sit out on a Starbucks run.

After more than 4 million Italians immigrated to the US between the 1880s and 1920, the aftermath of World War II saw a second wave of Italian immigration. Many settled on the East Coast and developed various enclaves around New York City. Now, home to about 3 million Italian Americans, New York City is the most Italian city outside of Italy, according to the New York State comptroller.

While the city's official Little Italy is in Manhattan, Brooklyn is home to many Italian Americans, many of whom have chosen to share the delicacies of their country by opening up restaurants and bakeries.

Carroll Gardens and Dyker Heights are just a couple of examples of Brooklyn's historically Italian neighborhoods where you can find bakeries filled with dozens of options of gorgeous, freshly baked cookies and pastries. A few crowd favorites are F Monteleone, Mona Lisa Bakery, and Caputo's Bake Shop.

Aside from the fact that kitchens in New York City run small and that dining space is often limited, there are countless reasons not to hole up inside during your stay in Brooklyn. Mealtime can serve as a great opportunity to people-watch, or explore a new green space or neighborhood. And there are ways to leave your apartment without breaking the bank.

If waiting in hours-long lines for overrated, Instagram-famous food is your thing, go for it — otherwise I recommend skipping popular open-air food markets like Smorgasburg, which has locations in Williamsburg and Prospect Park.

Commonly known as "Brooklyn's Backyard," Prospect Park was designed by Fredrick Law Olmstead, who was also the brains behind Manhattan's Central Park. Featuring sprawling lawns, bodies of water, bridges, a baseball field, and a concert venue, the 526-acre park has something for everyone.

If the weather permits, a picnic on one of the park's vast lawns is a great way to eat cheaply while enjoying the greenery — and without tripping over other visitors. On a weekend during the spring, summer, or fall, you'll find loads of Brooklynites doing the same.

If you'd rather not spend your vacation at a grocery store, a slice of pizza is always a great option for an affordable, on-the-go meal that you can easily enjoy in the park.

How many of your souvenir key chains or magnets have ended up in the trash? Think outside of the box next time you're on the lookout for mementos.

Brooklyn is filled with artists and vendors who sell their products at local craft fairs and farmers markets. Grand Army Plaza, which is at the north corner of Prospect Park, and Fort Greene are home to weekly farmers markets that feature local artists as well as food vendors. The Brooklyn Flea is open every weekend between April and December in Dumbo.

At some rooftop bars, cocktails can approach $25, and the views don't necessarily justify that hefty price tag.

Spectacular views don't need to come at a high cost — or at any cost at all. There are ways to soak up the skyline in public spaces that don't require any purchases.

For a free-of-charge, breathtaking view of the East River, the skyline, and the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, head to Brooklyn Bridge Park. The newly renovated public space runs from Brooklyn Heights to Dumbo, and you'll find gorgeous sights every step of the way.

Along the water lie various amenities, including restaurants, ice-cream shops, a roller-skating rink, a volleyball court, and a soccer field. There are countless benches and steps where visitors can stop, sit, and take in the views.

The Brooklyn Museum, while lesser known than The Met or MOMA, is a comprehensive art museum containing about 1.5 million objects. Adjacent to Prospect Park and an easily accessible subway station, the museum is convenient and certainly worthwhile.

Covering around 5,000 years of art history in its 560,000-square-foot quarters, the Brooklyn Museum has an expansive, thorough collection of art.