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.

Prospect Park was designed by Frederick Olmstead and Calvert Vaux, the architects responsible for designing Central Park. Some folks refer to it as “Brookyln’s Central Park” and prefer it including Olmstead himself.

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.

Prospect Park was designed by Frederick Olmstead and Calvert Vaux (the architects responsible for designing Central Park). Much like Central Park, Prospect Park is massive and is full of pretty lawns, mature trees, and even areas for BBQ pits (take that, Central 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.

Many folks make the mistake of overlooking Prospect Park during their trips to New York City but I will not let that happen to you. Prospect Park was designed by Frederick Olmstead and Calvert Vaux, the architects responsible for designing Central Park.

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 it. 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.

Prospect Park was designed by Frederick Olmstead and Calvert Vaux, the architects responsible for designing Central Park, so you know this park is an autumnal masterpiece. Boasting more than 30,000 trees across 200+ species, some of the best fall foliage in NYC can be found at Prospect Park. But if you’re pressed for time during your hunt for New York City’s best fall color, the Ravine is where you should spend your time!

Have more time? Here is where to find the best it’s Prospect Park.

Prospect Park was designed by Frederick Olmstead and Calvert Vaux (the architects responsible for Central Park). Located in Brooklyn, the park is a masterpiece but gets much fewer visitors than Central Park. Locals tend to congregate around the top attractions, like the Long Meadow (spanning 90-acres), the Prospect Park Zoo, the charming Boathouse, Picnic House and Concert Grove.

But if you’re visiting to see some of the best spring blooms in Brooklyn, you’ll want to focus on the area by the Grand Army Plaza and the Long Meadow. Bring a picnic blanket and make an afternoon of it! Make sure to check out this helpful spring bloom guide from Prospect Park Alliance, it tracks peak bloom in the park.

Best Time to Visit Prospect Park for Cherry Blossoms in New York City.Early May.