Activities, Things to Do, and Attractions
Brooklyn is the largest of New York City's five boroughs, and as such is offers plenty of activities and attractions for visitors. If you're coming to the Big Apple, you should absolutely take the time to cross the river and explore the amazing, beautiful, and cultural neighborhoods that Brooklyn has to offer. Here, you'll find the zoo, museums, botanical gardens, the beach, and more. Let's get to it!
Coney Island
Coney Island is a classic, old-school amusement park and entertainment area that offers visitors a glimpse into the past. The park is just over an hour outside of Manhattan and it has several classic thrills including a wooden roller coaster, an aquarium, and a boardwalk. The island also has a beach and a chill atmosphere that makes a strong contrast to the vibe in the city.
1218 Bowery Street, West Brighton, NYC, New York, 11224
Prospect Park
Prospect Park is located in Brooklyn and is a family-friendly place to explore with a carousel, a zoo, and Greenmarket. There's plenty of grassy areas and green space where you can enjoy a picnic or meet some friends at the ball fields for a pick-up game. During the warmer months you can also catch some outdoor music or even a show at the Prospect Park Bandshell.
Prospect Park Zoo
This 12-acre zoo located on the east side of Prospect Park in Brooklyn is home to a variety of primates, amphibians, farm animals, birds, and more. The shetland sheep are a popular favorite, as are the numerous colorful frogs and other amphibians in the hall of animals exhibit. It's fun for the whole family!
450 Flatbush Avenue, Prospect Heights, NYC, New York, 11225
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden was created in 1910 and is situated in the Prospect Park neighborhood. Here you can find a number of special plant collections a s well as the Steinhardt Conservatory which is home to the Bonsai Museum. Also in the Conservatory are several themed areas featuring various climates, a glass aquatic plant house, plus an art gallery. While admission is not free, a huge number of visitors enter every year making this a popular and well-visited destination. They host events, children's activities, and classes, too. While an admission fee is usually charged for entry, it's
free on Tuesdays, Saturday mornings, and a few other days of the year, too.
1000 Washington Avenue, Prospect Heights, NYC, New York, 11238
The Brooklyn Museum
This low key museum doesn't see the crowds that are found at some of Manhattan's bigger name museums. It's collection is still impressive though with more than 1.5 million pieces that include Egyptian art, early American art, and much more. The museum is also the third largest in New York City when measured by size.
200 Eastern Pkwy , Brooklyn, NY, 11238
Brooklyn Flea Market
This weekend flea market has hundreds of vendors that sell everything from furniture to vintage clothing, or antiques. This is a favorite for shoppers of all kinds and styles, and many have ranked it among the best flea markets in the world.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn Children's Museum
This is one of the earliest museums designed specifically for children. Established in 1899 it offers an impressive collection of fun, games, and activities that encourage kids to learn and play. There are musical instruments, masks, dolls, fossils, and more. There's even a kid's sized cityscape with pretend stores and activities where kids can make up jobs and pretend they're adults.
145 Brooklyn Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11213
Carroll Gardens
This upscale neighborhood offers historic charm and trendy attractions. The main entertainment streets through the neighborhood are Court and Smith Streets, which run parallel to each other and offer a number of cultural attractions. There are family owned restaurants, cute shops, and fine dining options all in the area.
Brooklyn
Industry City
Located on the waterfront in Brooklyn, this retail area is spread throughout a repurposed New York industrial site. It offers open air shopping, plenty of open space, and a unique experience. There's also a food court with a wide variety of options, and tons of shopping venues with anything you might need.
220 36th St, Suite 2-A, Brooklyn, NY, 11232
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Sitting on the edge of the water between DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights, this park offers a number of great facilities and recreational activities. There's a bouldering wall, a roller skating rink, a pop-up pool during the summer months, and bocce courts. This is the perfect park to enjoy a run or a bike ride. The park also offers stunning views of the Manhattan skyline as it meanders along the waterfront, with the most spectacular spot being by Jane's Carousel, between the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge.
Brooklyn
DeKalb Market
This unique market highlights the cultural diversity of the area. There is excellent dining opportunities, with authentic cultural dishes available as well trendy, New York City favorites.
Brooklyn
Manhattan Beach
Not far from Brighton Beach is this smaller family-friendly beach with nice sand and fairly calm waves. It's the perfect place to spend the afternoon with your kids and enjoy beautiful weather. Picnics and BBQ's are popular here and it's easy to keep everyone entertained with the sporting venues and other activities nearby as well.
The surrounding neighborhood is filled with single family houses, many with private swimming pools.
Oriental Blvd, from Ocean Avenue to Mackenzie Street, Brooklyn, New York City, New York
How much does it cost?
Prices for activities, things to do, and tours range from $5 to $999. The average cost for a tour or tickets is $101. A few of the best options are below.
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