Being a reporter, you come to know the borough or city you write for rather well. You tend to become quite knowledgeable of the "things to do" on "your beat". Being a native of Brooklyn and someone who has written for many Brooklyn papers, I know a lot about what there is to do here in this borough and I frequently wonder why so many of us do not take advantage of the many cultural offerings that are right here in Brooklyn.

If you are an avid reader of this column, you know that I am a strong advocate for Brooklyn. I believe that there are so many little pieces of the entire world right here in Brooklyn that even crossing the Brooklyn Bridge is unnecessary. So, if you are looking for something to do, why not go around the world in Brooklyn?

From the Brooklyn Museum of Art, which has one of the largest collections of Egyptian art anywhere in the world, to the Aquarium For Wildlife Conservation that houses the only beluga whales born in captivity in the world, Brooklyn has it all. The most frequently asked question by friends on weekends is, "What do you want to do today?" and after that question comes the usual response, "I don’t know, what do you want to do?" This sometimes goes on for hours until the day is over. I offer everyone this advice: instead of spending the day wondering what to do, go to some of the great places that Brooklyn has to offer. Visit the beluga whales at the Aquarium, check out the hundreds of different flowers blooming at the Botanical Gardens, go see the Egyptian exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum of Art, enjoy a day at The Brooklyn Children’s Museum. Go see the old trains that used to take you home at the Transit Museum.

Brooklyn – so much to do and so little time.

So, the next time someone asks you, "What do you want to do today?" instead of the usual response, answer, "How about we travel around the world, right here in Brooklyn?"