A Day Out in Prospect Park

After 20 years of living in Manhattan, in 2016 we moved to America’s third largest city, the borough of Brooklyn. Over the last few years, I have practically made a job of exploring this diverse borough and learning all of its secrets. Especially during COVID quarantine, I spent many hours in Prospect Park and uncovered a few secrets along the way. Take a look at some suggestions for a day in Prospect Park here. In addition, I have reviewed other cool Brooklyn “hoods” here – DUMBO, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Fort Greene, and Bushwick. For the complete guide to the coolest spots in BK, download my FREE E-Book.

Where is Prospect Park

At 536 acres, Prospect Park is the second largest park in Brooklyn. Only smaller than Marine Park by a mere 4 acres, it is surrounded by the neighborhoods of Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Flatbush and Windsor Terrace. It is so expansive that almost any train in Brooklyn will get you to within 3 or 4 blocks of it.

The Outer Loop of Prospect Park – West Side

My favorite way to spend a day in Prospect Park starts with NYC’s bike share program, Citibike. From where I live in Fort Greene, the park is a straight shot along Vanderbilt Avenue’s popular bike path. I love that the start of every park visit brings me right to the impressive Grand Army Plaza. Every time I pass the Soldiers and Sailors Arch, I am struck by just how European it feels. Well worth a visit when you come to Brooklyn!

Once inside the park, I like to start with biking the picturesque outer loop. It is always car free and has a dedicated bike lane. While the outer loop of Prospect Park is only a 3.35 miles long, watch out for the hill at the end. I’m a big biker but on my little ‘ol 3-speed Citibike, I have to downshifted to first gear to make it up the hill without having to walk the bike (the horror!!).

Starting at Grand Army Plaza, you will enter the park at Park Drive and head South. This part of the ride is an exhilarating downhill stretch mixed with a few flat spots. The first noteworthy landmark is the bandshell, where last summer we saw the fantastic bluegrass band I’m With Her. Together with Bric Arts Media, the bandshell hosts free outdoor festivals every summer (except summer 2020 due to COVID).

After the bandshell, you will pass the Long Meadow ball fields where Brooklyn goes to get their game on. Then, coming up on your left, is Brooklyn’s only lake, Prospect Park Lake. Be sure to circle back here later for some catch and release fishing, kayaking or paddle boating.

The Outer Loop of Prospect Park – East Side

As you circle around the backside of the lake, keep your ears pricked for Drummers Grove. Sundays afternoons are always a party as musicians gather here to strike the beat of a Caribbean drum. Next, just after Drummers Grove is the Lefrak Center on your left, where you can ice skate in winter and roller skate in the summer months.

As the road flattens out, you will slowly begin your climb up East Drive passing the Boat House on your left, followed by the carousel and the Prospect Park Zoo on your right. These are mostly hidden and if its your first time around the loop, you might not notice them. After you pass the zoo, gear up your legs as the rest of the loop is uphill! Now that your workout is complete, park your bike and explore some of these other park delights.

Other Ways to Spend a Day in Prospect Park

A park must is the Prospect Park Zoo, where we have already spent many afternoons watching the sea lions at the Sea Lion Court or the prairie dogs on the Discovery Trail. The carousel is right nearby and can easily be combined with a visit here. Timed ticket entry during COVID.
The Brooklyn Botanic Gardens is where you can find me on a Friday morning from March to Nov. Park entrance is free on Fridays until noon during those months . Note that during COVID, timed ticket entry only and Free Fridays are not in effect.
Lefferts Historic house for a step back in time. Lefferts House is an 18th century Dutch colonial farmhouse focusing on the lives of people who lived and worked the land. It features a working garden, historic artifacts, period rooms and exhibits. Watch for fun activities including candle making and butter churning. Closed summer of 2020 due to COVID.
Birders should fly off to the Beaux Arts Prospect Park Boathouse. It is home to the Audubon Center, dedicated to bird conservation.

Prospect Park Secrets

During quarantine, I spent a lot of time exploring the park on my own. I was pleased to find a few secluded spot to wander in with very few people.

The Ravine– Deep in the center of the park, between the zoo on the East and the Picnic house on the West, the Ravine is Brooklyns only forest. You can enjoy 150 acres of winding trails, waterfalls and rustic bridges.

Lookout Hill – The stone staircase to the 177 foot high Lookout Hill can be found at the Maryland Monument just north of the lake in the center of the park. It is worth a climb to discover this little overlook. Also, on a clear day in winter, you can see all the way to Coney Island!

The Camperdown Elm – Near the Prospect Park Boathouse, don’t miss the gnarled branches of the famous Camperdown Elm tree. The only one of its kind in the park, the branches grow parallel to the ground resembling a giant bonsai tree. It was brought her in 1872 from the Earl of Camperdown’s Scottish estate and fell into disrepair in the mid 1900’s. Poet, Marianne Moore made it her pet project in the 1960’s. At this point, she revived it and the tree lives on as a memorial.

Cherry Blossoms – In the springtime, the cherry blossoms will make you feel like you have been transported to Japan. The entrance of the park near Grand Army Plaza is the best place for cherry blossom peeping.