How to Walk from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Everyone and their brother, it seems, walks over the Brooklyn Bridge. But what do you do after you get to Brooklyn? If you are fit and like to walk, then set out on a half-day or full-day urban hike, from the Brooklyn Bridge to the beautiful, peaceful Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Here's the most efficient itinerary.

How far is the Brooklyn Bridge from the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens?

1. Walk over the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan (Tips on Walking the Brooklyn Bridge)
2. Take the Tillary Street exit
3. Turn left on Tillary Street to Flatbush Avenue
4. Note the Manhattan Bridge on the left at the intersection with Flatbush Avenue
5. Walk right (away from Manhattan) up Flatbush Avenue
6. Arrive at Grand Army Plaza
7. Walk around the traffic circle to Eastern Parkway
8. Arrive at the Eastern Parkway entrance of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Things To See En Route From Flatbush Avenue to the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens

Starting from the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge, one takes Flatbush Avenue past such local Brooklyn landmarks as:

• Junior's (Brooklyn's iconic old deli and cheesecake restaurant)
• Brooklyn Academy of Music, the gem of Brooklyn's performing arts world
• historic Williamsburgh Savings Bank, long Brooklyn's tallest building, and in winter home to the weekend Brooklyn Flea market
• Atlantic Terminal and Atlantic Center Mall
• the site of the Barclay Center, the new Nets basketball stadium, and controversial high-rise housing
• Flatbush Avenue, a major Brooklyn throughfare which divides the landmarked neighborhoods of Prospect Heights and Park Slope
• past Grand Army Plaza
• past the grand entrance to Prospect Park (a great place to picnic)
• past the historic 1930s Brooklyn Central Library.

Amenities

Public bathrooms: Bathrooms are available at the Atlantic Mall, Brooklyn Public Library, and near the entrance to Prospect Park.

Food and drink: Along the way are various small restaurants for a coffee, cold drink or a snack.

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is adjacent to the Brooklyn Museum,well worth a visit!

Go One Way By Subway

Of course, one can walk one way, and take the subway in the other direction. Subways near the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens are the B or Q to Prospect Park, and the 2 or 3 to the Eastern Parkway stop.

Tip: Walkers should be aware that the walk from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Botanic Gardens involves a very slight incline; if energy is a consideration, it might be ever so slightly less tiring to walk in the other direction, from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to the Brooklyn Bridge.

How Long Will It Take?

Allow a half-day for a focused hike and visit, and a full day if you wish to explore nearby attractions, have a picnic in Prospect Park, or nip into Park Slope or Prospect Heights for a look at historic brownstone neighborhoods.(Times are estimates and assume a one-way walk.)

Where It Is

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is in Prospect Heights, near to the Brooklyn Museum, the Brooklyn Central Library, Prospect Park, and Park Slope.

• Brooklyn Botanic Garden
• 900 Washington Avenue
• (718) 623-7200
• Trip Planning Information for Visiting the Brooklyn Botanic Garden