Valentino Pier in Red Hook: Harbor Sunset Before 5 PM, Then Dinner

Louis Valentino, Jr. Park and Pier sits at the end of Coffey Street, and NYC Parks lists the Statue of Liberty, Governors Island, Staten Island and the Manhattan skyline in view from the pier. Entry is free. Per timeanddate, the sun sets at 4:52 PM on November 1 and 4:29 PM on November 30, in the west-southwest. The Statue stands farther north from this pier, so the sun drops well to its left, toward Bayonne, New Jersey. Arrive 30 to 40 minutes early to watch the harbor light change, bring a layer for the wind, and head out soon after dark.

From the pier, Red Hook Tavern is about nine minutes on foot up Coffey and Van Brunt streets. Its website lists dinner from 5 PM to 9:30 PM every day, plus lunch from noon to 2:45 PM Thursday through Sunday. The menu pays tribute to old New York taverns. On its current online menu, the dry-aged burger with American cheese, white onion and frites is $34, and the romaine wedge with applewood-smoked bacon is $21. Reservations open two weeks ahead on OpenTable for parties of up to eight, and walk-ins are seated first come, first served.

The B61 from Downtown Brooklyn stops at Van Brunt and Coffey streets, about six minutes on foot from the pier. NYC Ferry's South Brooklyn route stops at Red Hook/Atlantic Basin, about 12 minutes from the pier on foot, but per its November schedule the last boat toward Manhattan leaves at 7:58 PM on weekends and 8:38 PM on weekdays. After dinner, the easier ride is the B61 from Van Brunt and Sullivan streets, steps from the tavern, which runs about every 15 to 20 minutes into the late evening back to Downtown Brooklyn.