Looking for things to do in Brooklyn's 585-acre Prospect Park? Start with one of these picks.
1. Make new friends at the Prospect Park Zoo.
Photo © Kim Navarre, TheGirlsNY
The kid-friendly Prospect Park Zoo may be small, but it's home to over 400 different animals ranging from red pandas and baboons to all sorts of birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Don't miss the zoo's Discovery Center, where kids can learn fun animal facts.
2. Hop on a horse.
It's not easy to find a place to go horseback riding in Brooklyn, but luckily, Prospect Park's Kensington Stables offer everything from pony rides to horseback riding classes and kids' birthday parties. The stables are located across from the park's Parade Ground.3. Go ice skating.
Photo Courtesy Prospect Park Alliance
The Kate Wollman ice skating rink in Prospect Park is open to the public every year from mid-November through March. The 26,600-square foot rink boasts a snack bar and various park-sponsored activities throughout the winter season.
4. Listen to live music at the annual Celebrate! Brooklyn Festival.
Photo Courtesy Prospect Park Alliance
Every summer, Brooklyn rocks out at the Prospect Park Bandshell, where the annual Celebrate! Brooklyn Festival takes place. The eight-week event offers free concerts, dance performances, movies, and more.
5. Take your dog to the beach.
Take your favorite Fido to the Long Meadow Dog Beach, and you'll have a friend for life (only dogs are allowed to swim at the beach, making for an experience that's as entertaining to watch as it must be to play). The park also has specified off-leash hours, making for plenty of dog-friendly fun.6. Go fishing.
Photo Courtesy Prospect Park Alliance
The catch-and-release fishing in Prospect Park can provide hours of fun for kids and adults alike. Fishing is free at the Prospect Park Lake, but if you're older than 16, you'll need a license.
7. Get a blast from the past at Lefferts Historic House.
Photo Courtesy Prospect Park Alliance
Built in 1777, the Lefferts Historic House is a piece of history located in the Children's Corner of Prospect Park. On weekends, Lefferts Historic House offers fun, educational activities for kids. All events are free.
8. Pedal around Brooklyn's only lake.
Photo Courtesy Prospect Park Alliance
When spring rolls around, you can explore the 60-acre Prospect Park Lake by pedal boat. Boats can be rented at the Wollman Rink and cost $16.25 per hour.
9. Pack a picnic.
What says spring (or summer) like a picnic in the park? Prospect Park has more green space than any other location in Brooklyn and is the perfect spot for a picnic lunch. Head to the park's Long Meadow, which offers nearly a mile of unbroken grassy land.10. Perfect your tennis game.
Photo Courtesy Prospect Park Alliance
Prospect Park is home to its own tennis center, where you can practice your serve or take lessons with a pro. The park offers classes for both children and adults and even hosts tennis-themed birthday parties for kids.
