Believe the hype. Park Slope in Brooklyn is one of the neighborhoods that are currently prospering in New York City. There are many things to do in Park Slope Brooklyn. It is great for families and is one of the best places to raise kids in a big city like this one. There’s a joke in regards to the neighborhood stating that more strollers and families move around the streets than cars. Also, The Grade II listed Brownstone homes you see in Park Slope today are well worth between $ 2 million and $ 6 million.
In Park Slope, you can go for a walk and admire the Brownstone Houses over a coffee next to the beautiful Prospect Park. But who is living here? People who make big money on Wall Street, which is only 15 minutes away, housewives and mothers, but also retirees appreciate the charm of Park Slope Brooklyn. More and more young people are also moving to Park Slope. It is a paradise for everything your heart desires. But is it just the romantic suburban character that makes Park Slope Brooklyn so popular? Read all about the trendy Brooklyn neighborhood in this guide and find out first-hand which insider spots you shouldn’t miss on your discovery tour.
By the way: Did you know that Barack Obama once lived here? Even most locals don’t know that the former president used to live here in the heart of Park Slope. If you want to take a picture of the house he once lived in, it’s number 640 on 2nd Street.
Where is Park Slope Brooklyn?
The Park Slope neighborhood is located in the northwest of Brooklyn and is directly adjacent to the beautiful Prospect Park. The surrounding neighborhoods include Prospect Heights, Boerum Hill, and Gowanus. Park Slope is very easy to reach by subway.
What train goes to Park Slope Brooklyn?
- take the D N R W train to Union St
- take the F G F Q train to 7 Av
- take the 2 3 4 train to Grand Army Plaza
- take the F G train to 15 St – Prospect Park
Is it safe in Park Slope Brooklyn?
SAFETY
Yes, if you compare various lists of the safest neighborhoods in New York, it quickly becomes clear that Park Slope is not only one of the safest neighborhoods in Brooklyn, but in all of New York City. This is one of the reasons why this area is so popular with families.
Our TOP 5 Highlights in Park Slope Brooklyn
- 5th Avenue (Brooklyn)
5th Avenue in Brooklyn is the heart of Park Slope with many great restaurants, cafes, bars and shops. - Prospect Park
Brooklyn has its own version of Central Park. The only difference is that it is less busy. However, it is just as beautiful as it’s “big brother”. - The Brownstone Houses
The “typical” New York City Brownstone Houses are an absolute highlight in Park Slope. - Barclays Center
Whether you’re a sports fan or not, you should definitely check out a sporting event or a concert if you can. It’s located in the heart of Brooklyn. - Green-Wood Cemetery
Although it is unusual to recommend a cemetery, this ancient resting place of many celebrities is well worth a visit.
Things to Do in Park Slope Brooklyn
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5th Avenue in Brooklyn
Other Attraction in Park Slope
One of the most famous streets in Manhattan is probably 5th Avenue, but there’s also a 5th Avenue in Brooklyn! This street is basically the heart of Park Slope and is home to numerous great restaurants, bars, and cafés. 5th Avenue in Brooklyn is also a popular destination for shopping fans.
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Visit the Barclay’s Center and the Brooklyn Nets
Other Attraction in Park Slope
The arena hosts all kinds of sporting events as well as concerts by major artists such as Janet Jackson, Usher, and Nicki Minaj. It is also home to the Brooklyn Nets. This is the Brooklyn Nets’ fourth club name – always due to relocations to other boroughs: first they were called the New Jersey Americans, then the New York Nets, followed by the New Jersey Nets, and since 2012 the basketball team has been known as the Brooklyn Nets.
The Barclays Center was opened by none other than Jay-Z. He was the investor in the Barclays Center and is a big fan of the Nets himself – it’s not unusual for him to sit in the front row and cheer on his team.
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Come to the beautiful Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Park in Park Slope
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is the natural wonder of New York City and is especially popular during the cherry blossom season. Many people come to the botanic garden in Brooklyn just to see this natural spectacle. This place always has a special aura to it, as there is something wonderful blossoming here in any season. It’s located right inside Prospect Park in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
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Brooklyn Museum
Museum in Park Slope
The Brooklyn Museum is the answer to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan. In the building designed by MCKim and Mead & White in 1897, Brooklyn is home to the seventh largest art collection in the USA with more than 2 million objects. Particular highlights are the Egyptian collection on the fourth floor and the pre-Columbian collection on the second floor. In the so-called Period Rooms, also on the fifth floor, more than 20 living and dining rooms from New England houses dating from 1675 to 1830 are on display.
Visitors are also given a very good overview of US art with highlights such as the work by Albert Bierstadt “A Storm in the Rocky Mountains”. It is definitely worth checking the museum’s exhibition calendar in advance, as there are always shows, controversial presentations, and other events taking place.
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Marvel at the famous Brownstone Houses in Park Slope
Other Attraction in Park Slope
They are typical in New York and can also be found in other areas of Brooklyn and Manhattan, but the brownstone houses in Park Slope are truly impressive. Red-brown sandstone houses are lined up along idyllic side streets, one house more beautiful than the next. Anyone who has made it to New York either has a penthouse with a view or a brownstone house.
Many impressive brownstones can be found in the historic district, adjacent to Prospect Park south of Grand Army Plaza. The houses here were built between around 1862 and 1920. For great photo opportunities, we recommend the quiet side streets between 7th Avenue and Prospect Park West. For example, you can start on Union Street and then head south with all the picturesque streets in between, such as President Street, Carroll Street, Garfield Place, and 1st and 2nd Street.
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Grand Army Plaza
Building in Park Slope
New Years Eve, there will be a big open-air party at the Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn with free admission. Right next to the Prospect Parc, a great party with food, drinks, great entertainment and a great view of the fireworks will make for an unforgettable night. For about a quarter of an hour the sky sparkles over Long Meadow, the large clearing in Prospect Park.
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Greenmarket at Grand Army Plaza
Food Market in Park Slope
Experience the vibrant Greenmarket at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn, NYC, held year-round on Saturdays from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. Since 1989, this flagship market has been a popular destination for the community, offering farm fresh products and interesting programming. Located at the northwest entrance to Prospect Park, it draws a variety of shoppers from Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights and beyond.
Between Greek-style columns, you’ll find fresh bread, fruit, vegetables, herbs, bags, honey and more. Locals come here for a relaxed chat with neighbors and vendors. With its wide range of products and sustainability initiatives such as composting and clothing collection, the market promotes environmental protection.
Payment can be made with cash, SNAP/EBT and debit/credit cards, making the market accessible to all. Join the celebration of local agriculture and community spirit at the Greenmarket at Grand Army Plaza.
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Green-Wood Cemetery
Other Attraction in Park Slope
A rather unusual sightseeing location, but still really worth a visit, is the Green-Wood Cemetery. Close to Prospect Park (about a 10-minute walk) you will find New York’s most famous cemetery, which is home to around 600,000 graves over an area of 1.9 km². The admirable site is located on Battle Hill and offers great views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Brooklyn.
The entrance gate in neo-Gothic style was designed by architect Richard Upjohn in the 1860s – many other buildings in the cemetery were also designed by him. The cemetery chapel, designed by Warren and Wetmore, was completed in 1911. The cemetery consists of valleys, mountains, countless small ponds and paths, and is a special collection of statues and mausoleums from the 19th and 20th centuries.
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Nitehawk Cinema
Other Art & Culture in Park Slope
The Nitehawk Cinema is one of the few independent cinemas – and the first in New York City – to serve dinner directly in the movie theater. Sit back and enjoy food and drinks in a movie theater seat at your own little table. There is also a bar on the second floor for a relaxed evening. Like so many things in Park Slope, the Nitehawk has a rather retro appearance. It’s what you’d imagine a movie theater to have looked like in your grandmother’s day, with a cocktail hat on your head and a champagne glass in your hand.
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Stroll through Prospect Park
Park in Park Slope
Prospect Park, which makes Park Slope such a desirable neighborhood in Brooklyn, is the counterpart to Central Park in Manhattan. It was designed by the same architects. It’s just a little more overgrown, has more areas for barbecues and fewer tourists. All year round, locals go for walks, walk dogs, feed ducks, sunbathe, barbecue, go for a bike ride, and enjoy what the park has to offer – including the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and the stylish Prospect Park Boathouse. In winter, you can go ice skating, while pedal boating is popular in summer.
As soon as it gets warm, the park comes alive. Friends and family meet up for picnics and concerts or go to the Smorgasburg food festival. Foodies should not miss this. From April, there will be weekly food stalls and food trucks in a relaxed atmosphere. The New York Times even called the open-air market “The Woodstock of Eating”.
Pictures of Park Slope
Food and Drinks in Park Slope Brooklyn
Park Slope is loaded with restaurants. You can find many cuisines in the area. Checking out food establishments are just one of the best things to do in Park Slope Brooklyn. Here are some of our favorite places below.
In the Vicinity: Prospect Heights
For those who could no longer afford the exploding prices of Park Slope have discovered the equally beautiful Prospect Heights neighborhood. The triangular neighborhood on the border of Fort Green and the Crown Heights is often referred to in the same breath as Park Slope Brooklyn.
Brooklyn’s Very Own Park
Opened in 1867, Prospect Park, Brooklyn’s equivalent to Manhattan’s Central Park, is the green oasis and the heart of the area. The 2.4 square kilometer park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux after completing their work in Manhattan’s Central Park. If you’re looking for things to do in Park Slope, make sure you visit this landmark. The park has many special features in addition to many large green areas, such as Long Meadow. Brooklyn’s only lake is located on 24 acres in Prospect Park. The Brooklyn HQ for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation is The Litchfield Villa which is located in the park and the former home of Edwin Clark Litchfield.
Other attractions inside the park are The Prospect Park Zoo, a boathouse, the Botanical Gardens, the Prospect Park Bandshell (a concert venue) and many sporting entertainment venues (such as a baseball field, tennis center , basketball courts & soccer fields). Just like Central Park, Prospect Park is an ideal getaway during the warmer months. For the residents of the area, the park is the treasure of the neighborhood.
For you bird watchers, many people marvel at the approximately 200 species of birds that live in the park. Read more about bird watching in Prospect Park here.
Grand Army Plaza: The Main Entrance of Prospect Park
As you enter the park, we recommend you use the main entrance. The Grand Army Plaza is pretty much the gateway to Prospect Park. It’s located on the intersection of Flatbush Avenue, Eastern Parkway, and Prospect Park West in Brooklyn make up the Grand Army Plaza.
The New York version of the Arc de Triomphe, one of the most important monuments in France, is a memorial of great importance to the city of New York City. The picturesque archway of the Soldiers ‘and Sailors’ Arch , dedicated to the defenders of the Union between 1861 and 1865, forms the Grand Army Plaza.
The Brooklyn Public Library is also located in the same area and is definitely worth a visit as well.
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden in Prospect Park
Another one of the most popular things to do in Park Slope is to visit The Brooklyn Botanic Garden. It is the natural wonder of New York City and very popular during the cherry blossom season. Many come straight to the Botanic Garden in Brooklyn to see this natural spectacle. Click here for more information about cherry blossoms.
The garden is divided into many different individual gardens. The Japanese hill-pond garden exudes calm and serenity, the scent of the Cranford-Rosengarten will linger in your mind for days and the Steinhardt conservatory with the world-famous CV Starr Bonsai Museum invites you in for a stroll. New York Pass holders have free admission to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Learn more about the New York Pass and get great discounts and free entry to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE NEW YORK PASS
Sporting Events at The Barclays Center
One of the best things to do in Park Slope is to attend a sporting event. Okay, so it’s not exactly inside Park Slope, but The Barclays Center, which is NYC’s newest arena is located right on the edge of the neighborhood. The Brooklyn Nets have made this arena their new home also their fourth club name. They were first called The New Jersey Americans, then The New York Nets, followed by The New Jersey Nets. Since 2012, the basketball team is now known under the name, Brooklyn Nets. Music mogul, Jay-Z played a part in bringing the Nets to Brooklyn.
The relocation and construction of the stadium is part of an initiative to restore Downtown Brooklyn to its former glory despite the initial skepticism of Brooklyn residents.
Tickets for the Brooklyn Nets can be conveniently ordered in advance on this page. The prices for tickets start at $28. Just an FYI, the NBA season runs from October to April. You can also catch an NHL game and even boxing. The Barclays Center has become the mecca of boxing in the East Coast.
Shopping at Park Slope Brooklyn
Walk through Park Slope Brooklyn and you’ll find that there’s a lot of stores to shop at. Don’t expect to see any major retail stores in the area such as Macy’s or H&M. Here, you’ll find small boutiques, vintage stores, second hand stores and local designers.
Beacon’s Closet is a trendy second-hand store. Here, you’ll find designer fashion brands at bargain prices. The Cog & Pearl (address: 190 Fifth Avenue) sells handmade jewelry and local designer art. Super trendy and sometimes hard to find sneakers can be found at Premium Good. Other recommendations are the Housing Thrift Shop (address: 266 5th Ave) and Summer Stoop Sales which are private individuals selling their clothes on the doorstep. It’s a Brooklyn thing.
7th Avenue also boasts great stores including Brooklyn Industries. Lion in the Sun offers creative stationery and great cards. Great souvenirs are also available at the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company.
The Brooklyn Museum
One of the most popular things to do in Park Slope is visiting The Brooklyn Museum. It’s essentially Brooklyn’s answer to Manhattan’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Designed by McKim and Mead & White in 1897, The museum has the seventh largest art collection in the US, with more than 2 million items.
Exhibitions include the Egyptian collection on the fourth floor, as well as the pre-Columbian collection on the first floor. The so-called “Period Rooms”, which are located on the fifth floor, display more than 20 living and dining rooms from New England homes from 1675 to 1830.
Visitors also receive a very good overview of US art with works of Albert Bierstadt such as “A storm in the Rocky Mountains”. Be sure to check out the Museum’s exhibition calendar beforehand, as there are always shows, controversial presentations and other events (swing dancing or portraiture lessons, cinema screenings, world music concerts and hip-hop DJ sets) (Address: 200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn).
The Best Places to Stay In or Near Park Slope Brooklyn
- At Home Brooklyn (15 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY 11215)
- The Park Slope Bed and Breakfast (604 5th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215)
- Hotel Le Bleu (370 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215)
Neighborhoods Nearby Park Slope
Other neighborhoods in Brooklyn that you should check out is DUMBO (Down Under The Manhattan Bridge Overpass) and also Williamsburg. Both places have their unique atmosphere and touch.
