Prospect Park
Prospect Park is much more than just a park in the heart of Brooklyn: it’s the green lung of the borough, an oasis designed by the same creators of Central Park, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. Known for its expansive meadows, serene lake, and lush forests, this place represents the natural and community soul of Brooklyn. 🌳
Located between vibrant neighborhoods like Park Slope, Prospect Heights, and Flatbush, Prospect Park is an essential stop for anyone exploring Brooklyn. Whether for a quiet morning stroll, a family picnic, or a summer concert, its relaxed atmosphere and carefully designed landscapes make it a distinct and enriching New York experience.
Why visit Prospect Park?
Visiting Prospect Park means immersing yourself in a masterpiece of landscape architecture and enjoying a vital respite from the urban hustle. It’s an emblematic Brooklyn location that uniquely combines nature, recreation, and history. Here you’ll find expansive meadows, winding paths, sports facilities, and a sense of tranquility hard to find elsewhere in the city.
Its cultural and community importance is immense: it houses the Prospect Park Zoo, the historic Lefferts Historic House, and the carousel. Additionally, it borders the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and the Brooklyn Museum. It’s the venue for beloved events like the Celebrate Brooklyn! concert series and markets like Smorgasburg.
Prospect Park is also a symbol of landscape design that prioritizes the natural experience. Conceived to offer a rural refuge within the city, today it is a vital and beloved space that welcomes millions of visitors each year, offering activities for all tastes and ages. If you want to feel the true essence of Brooklyn, this is the place.
How to get to Prospect Park by subway?
Main Stations
Several subway stations surround Prospect Park, facilitating access from various points. Some of the main ones are Grand Army Plaza (lines 2, 3), Prospect Park (lines B, Q, S), 7th Avenue (lines F, G), and 15th St–Prospect Park (lines F, G), located on different edges of the park.
Subway Lines to Prospect Park
Prospect Park is very well connected by the New York City subway. The lines that take you directly to its entrances are:
- 2, 3 (red lines) – Access from the East side (Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn Museum)
- B, Q (orange/yellow lines) – Access from the South side (Prospect Park Station, near the lake)
- S (Franklin Avenue Shuttle) – Connects with lines A, C and 2, 3, 4, 5; stops at Botanic Garden or Prospect Park
- F, G (orange/lime green lines) – Access from the West side (Park Slope, 7th Ave and 15th St–Prospect Park stations)
How to get to Prospect Park from:
Central Park / Columbus Circle
If you are near Central Park or Columbus Circle, you can take the B or Q line southbound (downtown) from 57th St–7th Ave or Herald Square to the Prospect Park or 7th Ave station (Brooklyn). Another option is to take the 2 or 3 line from Times Sq–42 St to Grand Army Plaza.
Lower Manhattan (Wall Street / World Trade Center)
From Wall Street or World Trade Center, you can take the 2 or 3 line (uptown/Brooklyn-bound) to Grand Army Plaza or Eastern Parkway–Brooklyn Museum. You can also take the Q or B line (uptown/Brooklyn-bound) from Canal St to Prospect Park or 7th Ave.
Brooklyn (DUMBO / Williamsburg)
From DUMBO, you can take the F line at the York St station to 7th Ave or 15th St–Prospect Park. From Williamsburg, the G line southbound takes you directly to 7th Ave or 15th St–Prospect Park. Another option from Williamsburg is to take the L to Union Square and transfer to the Q or B towards Brooklyn.
Queens (Long Island City / Flushing)
If you’re coming from Long Island City, you can take the G line southbound to the stops on the west side of the park. From Flushing, take the 7 line to Times Sq–42 St and transfer to the B, Q, 2, or 3 lines towards Brooklyn.
Harlem
From Harlem, you can take the 2 or 3 line southbound (downtown) directly to Grand Army Plaza or Eastern Parkway–Brooklyn Museum. You can also take the B or Q line (if operational in Harlem) towards Brooklyn.
Airports (JFK / LaGuardia / Newark)
From JFK Airport, take the AirTrain to the Howard Beach station and transfer to the A line to Franklin Ave, then change to the S shuttle to Prospect Park. From LaGuardia, take the Q70 SBS bus to Jackson Hts–Roosevelt Ave and transfer to the F line to 7th Ave or 15th St–Prospect Park. From Newark, take NJ Transit to Penn Station (NY) and then the 2 or 3 subway towards Brooklyn to Grand Army Plaza.
What to do in Prospect Park?
Prospect Park is a versatile destination offering a huge variety of activities for all audiences, from quiet contemplation of nature to lively events and sports. Its intentional design creates different environments, from open meadows to intimate forests and recreational areas. 🏞️
Enjoy Nature and Landscapes 🌳
The heart of Prospect Park lies in its landscapes. Stroll through the Long Meadow, the largest urban meadow in the U.S., explore the Ravine, a wonderfully restored forest, or relax by the lake. It’s an ideal place for a picnic, bird watching 🐦, reading a book, or simply disconnecting from the city noise.
Recreational and Sports Activities 🚴♀️
The park is a paradise for sports lovers. It features a paved loop of 3.35 miles (5.4 km) perfect for running, walking, or cycling. There are baseball fields, tennis courts, volleyball, and basketball courts. The LeFrak Center at Lakeside offers ice skating in winter and roller skating or water activities in summer, plus boat rentals. 🛶
Visit Cultural and Family Attractions 🐒
Inside or next to the park are several attractions: the Prospect Park Zoo, with animals from around the world in well-maintained habitats; the Lefferts Historic House, an 18th-century historic farmhouse; and the charming 1912 Carousel. Nearby are also the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and the Brooklyn Museum (with separate admissions).
Events and Markets 🎶
Prospect Park hosts numerous events throughout the year. The most famous is Celebrate Brooklyn!, a summer festival with free (and some paid) concerts and performances at the Bandshell. On Saturdays, the Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket offers fresh local produce, and on Sundays (in season), the popular food market Smorgasburg sets up on Breeze Hill. 🎉
Picnics and Outdoor Gatherings 🧺
Thanks to its spacious green areas, Prospect Park is the perfect place for a picnic or a barbecue (in designated areas). The Long Meadow, the Nethermead, and the areas around the lake are popular spots for gathering with friends and family. Places like the Boathouse or the Lullwater Bridge offer picturesque backdrops for photos. 📸
Attractions near Prospect Park
In addition to the wonders within the park itself, the surroundings of Prospect Park are full of cultural points of interest and charming neighborhoods that perfectly complement your visit. Exploring these areas will give you a more complete view of life in Brooklyn.
Grand Army Plaza and the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch
The main northwest entrance to the park is the monumental Grand Army Plaza, dominated by the impressive Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch, similar to the Arc de Triomphe. The plaza, with its Bailey Fountain and statues, is a vibrant place, especially on Saturdays with its popular farmers market (Greenmarket).
Brooklyn Museum 🏛️
Located on the eastern edge of the park, the Brooklyn Museum is one of the largest and most important art museums in the country. Its collection spans from ancient Egypt to contemporary art, with significant holdings of American, European, African, and Asian art, as well as the famous Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden 🌸
Right next to the museum and the park is the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. This 52-acre oasis houses an incredible diversity of plants in themed gardens such as the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, the Fragrance Garden, the Shakespeare Garden, and the famous Cherry Esplanade, spectacular during the cherry blossom season in spring. (Separate admission required).
Surrounding Neighborhoods (Park Slope, Prospect Heights)
Explore the charming neighborhoods bordering the park. Park Slope, to the west, is known for its beautiful tree-lined streets with brownstone houses, independent boutiques, and cozy restaurants on 7th and 5th Avenues. To the north, Prospect Heights offers a similar atmosphere with cafes and shops along Vanderbilt Avenue and Washington Avenue.
Brooklyn Central Library
Located at Grand Army Plaza, the Brooklyn Central Library (Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Library) is an impressive Art Deco building with a sculptural entrance depicting literary characters. It’s worth admiring its architecture and, if you have time, exploring its collections or attending one of its public events. 📚
Prospect Park Zoo 🦁
Although technically inside the park, the Prospect Park Zoo operates as a separate attraction (admission required). It’s a manageable-sized zoo, ideal for families, focusing on conservation and education. Highlights include its exhibits of sea lions, hamadryas baboons, red pandas, and various farm animals in the ‘Discovery Trail’ section.
Tips for Visiting Prospect Park
Prospect Park is huge and diverse, so a few tips will help you make the most of your visit and enjoy this magnificent green space in Brooklyn. ✨
Best Time of Day to Go
The park is beautiful at any time, but the early morning hours are ideal for tranquility, bird watching, or exercising without crowds. Afternoons and weekends, the park comes alive with families, groups of friends, and events. Each season offers a special charm: spring blooms 🌷, summer events ☀️, autumn colors 🍂, and winter snow ❄️ (with skating at Lakeside).
Avoiding Crowds
On sunny weekends and days with special events (like Celebrate Brooklyn! concerts or Smorgasburg), the park can be very crowded, especially in areas like Long Meadow, the lake, and Lakeside. If you’re looking for tranquility, explore less crowded areas like the Ravine or the Nethermead, or visit the park on weekdays.
Safety
Prospect Park is generally safe during the day, especially in the most popular and crowded areas. However, as in any large urban park, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings, especially if you venture into more wooded or isolated areas. Avoid walking alone in secluded areas after dark. Keep your valuables secure and lock your bike if you park it. 🚲
What to Bring and What Not to Bring
Wear comfortable shoes for walking. Bring water, sunscreen, and perhaps insect repellent in the summer. A blanket is ideal for relaxing on the grass. If you plan a picnic, bring your food, but remember that barbecues are only allowed in designated areas 🔥. Check the park rules regarding alcoholic beverages (generally not permitted) and dogs (must be leashed except in specific off-leash areas and times). And don’t forget to take your trash with you! 🚮
