Prospect Park

Let me start with the one that might actually be my number one. Prospect Park was designed by the same people who did Central Park (Olmsted and Vaux, if you want to sound smart at brunch) and they considered it their masterpiece. Having spent significant time in both, I think they might have been right.

The thing about Prospect Park that makes it special is the Long Meadow. It’s a 90-acre open meadow that runs the length of the park and on a spring afternoon it looks like the English countryside somehow landed in Brooklyn. People spread out blankets, dogs run around off-leash in the mornings, and there’s enough space that it never feels packed even on the nicest days.

The Ravine is my secret weapon here. It’s a forested section in the middle of the park with an actual waterfall (the only natural waterfall in Brooklyn) and walking through it feels like being upstate. I have brought friends from out of town here and watched their faces do that thing where their mouth opens slightly because they cannot believe this is still New York City. It never gets old.

The Boathouse is beautiful for photos. The Prospect Park Zoo is small and sweet and perfect if you’re with kids. And the Grand Army Plaza entrance with the arch and the fountain is one of the most underrated photo spots in Brooklyn. My tip is to enter from the south side (Parkside Avenue on the Q train) and walk north. Most people enter from the north and it’s less crowded going the other direction.

Local tip. NYC has over 1,700 parks, and Central Park gets most of the attention, but Prospect Park in Brooklyn, designed by the same architects, is equally beautiful with a fraction of the crowds. The Long Meadow is one of the longest unbroken stretches of green in any city park.

Covering 526 acres (compared to Central Park’s 842 acres), this park is massive and has more of the natural, like curves and contours instead of abiding by the rigid grid system of Manhattan’s Central Park. Some of my favorite spots are Long Meadow (spanning 90-acres), Prospect Park Zoo, the charming Boathouse, Picnic House, and Concert Grove.

If you’re visiting during the summer, be sure to check out the list of free concerts hosted at the Prospect Park Bandshell and if you’re visiting in spring be sure to see the cherry blossoms. Another reason this considered one of the best parks in New York City is that locals tend to outnumber tourists, so the vibe is more relaxed.

Have more time? Here is where to find the best fall foliage in New York City’s Prospect Park.

• Neathermead – Middle of the park
• White Levy Esplanade – West side of the lake
• Vale of Cashmere – North end of the park
• The Ravine – Middle of the Park

Folks tend to congregate around the top attractions, like the Long Meadow (spanning 90 acres), the Prospect Park Zoo, the charming Boathouse, the Picnic House, and Concert Grove. If you’re visiting during the summer, check out the list of free concerts hosted at the Prospect Park Bandshell. Locals tend to outnumber tourists, so the vibe is more relaxed.

But mind you, there are some heated debates between New Yorkers as to which park is best — since both Brooklyn residents and Manhattan residents are passionate people. Regardless of the wrangle, one thing is certain, relaxing at Prospect Park is easily one of the most relaxing things to do in Brooklyn.

Much like Central Park, Prospect Park is massive (covering 526 acres, to be exact). It’s full of great lawns, mature trees and even has BBQ pits (take that, Central Park!).

Biking the pathway in Prospect Park feels like such a treat and that’s why we consider it one of the most unique things to do in NYC. You’ll quickly discover the park is mostly filled with locals, walking their dogs and finding reprieve in the quiet.

Prospect Park is a favorite dog park in New York City among locals. The Long Meadow is spacious and offers off-leash hours from 5am to 9am and from 9pm to 1am. The best part is the dog beach (you read that right) which is a roped-off sandy stretch of beach specifically reserved for dogs that want to take a dip in the lake.

Also worth mention, the dog community that meets at Prospect Park is one of the friendliest I’ve come across. This a great place to meet new friends (both two-legged and four-pawed). Join the FIDO community to stay up to date on fun events and social opportunities.