Updated May 12, 2025
As a two-time resident, here is my honest take on the Best Things To Do in Park Slope, Brooklyn!
Park Slope is my favorite neighborhood in NYC! If you’re looking to explore a cozy neighborhood with plenty to do year-round, this is it!
The rustic brownstones in Park Slope give off this quaint vibe that can’t be found elsewhere.
I love that you can easily walk into amazing restaurants without a booking, and have easy access to Prospect Park.
Itโs definitely a super family-friendly neighborhood thatโs easy to navigate and low-stress for first-time New Yorkers. I love that you can get culture without the hustle and bustle thatโs common in the rest of New York City.
With all that, letโs dive into the Best Things To Do in Park Slope, Brooklyn!
What’s the vibe? Get me oriented!
Park Slope is a pretty big neighborhood for NYC standards. It’s flanked by Prospect Park on the east.
North Slope has a lot of beautiful brownstones. The cutest are on St John’s Place, Lincoln Place and Berkeley Place from 6th Avenue to 8th Avenue. I used to live in a brownstone in the Park Slope historic district, and I miss it dearly.
The vibe of this area is young families and Teva-safe. Brooklyn neighborhoods with a similar vibe are Crown Heights and Clinton Hill. It’s bougee but much more low-key and crunchy than fancier Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill.
Park Slope is topped by Barclays Center and Grand Army Plaza (2, 3, 4 trains).
South Slope, where I also lived, is more low-key and retains more of the industrial Brooklyn feel. It’s a mix of both brownstones and new builds that have been cropping up. The F, G, and QNRW run there.
7th Avenue will give you a good taste for the neighborhood life, with tasty af bakeries like Winner and Cousin John’s. 5th Avenue is the main commercial street, with fun restaurants and shops like Something Else on Fifth.
Best Things To Do in Park Slope
- Best Outdoor Activities in Park Slope
- Best Art & Culture in Park Slope
- Cool Shops in Park Slope
- Best Restaurants in Park Slope
Best Outdoor Activities in Park Slope
Prospect Park: Rollerblade & Smorgasburg ๐
Brooklyn’s Central Park is pretty much void of tourists & there’s so much going on, especially during the summer!
The parkโs main circular path is about 3-4 miles long and is the perfect place for chill strolls and running. Why not rent a CitiBike and whizz around?
You’ll eventually stumble onto Prospect Park Lake — and if you’re lucky, you might even spot the resident swans!
With plenty of greenery and more privacy, it’s the perfect place for a picnic!
Here are incredible things to do in Prospect Park:
1. LeFrak Center at Lakeside: Ice Skating & Rollerblading
Check out LeFrak Center at Lakeside, which is a skating rink during the winter and a rollerblading rink in the warmer months. The facility is super new and the sound system is pretty great, as the center was renovated in 2013.
2. Smorgasburg Prospect Park: Eat To Your Heart’s Desire
If you’re visiting during the summer, be sure to check out the food trucks at the Smorgasburg, which opens every Sunday from April to October in Prospect Park’s Breeze Hill.
3. Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket: Baked Goods & Knick-Knacks
Nom on delicious baked goods and check out small business knick-knacks at the Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket!
The market is open year-round and takes place every Saturday from 8am to 3pm.
Sink your teeth into Bread Aloneโs baked goods (from upstate New York), grab some fresh herbs from Furnace Creek Farm (from Pennsylvania), and decorate your apartment with the beautiful flowers from Moonshot Farm (from New Jersey).
The greenmarket is located across from the Grand Army Plaza arch (itโs a historic landmark!) at the main entrance to Prospect Park. You can get there by taking the red 2 and 3 express trains, or the green 4 express train to Grand Army Plaza station.
Address: Prospect Park West & Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn
4. Free Outdoor Concerts at Prospect Park
During the warmer months, vibe out to the live music at the amazing Free Outdoor Concerts at Prospect Park!
Past performances have included free Afro-futurist music by Soul Science Lab, rock from The Wallflowers, and paid ticket benefit concerts (that support BRICโs free performances!) by artists like Anderson.Paak.
Every summer, BRIC (Brooklyn Information & Culture) partners with Prospect Park Alliance to host New Yorkโs longest running, free outdoor performing arts festival.
The live performances are hosted at the Lena Horne Bandshell, which is an entertainment venue and performance space named after the namesake black Brooklyn-born singer, actress and civil rights activist.
Address: 141 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY 11215
5. Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch at Grand Army Plaza
The majestic Grand Army Plaza Arch forms the main entrance to the park.
This National Historic Landmark commemorates the Union Army soldiers who fought during the Civil War.
The plaza has a long history. The largest battle of the Revolutionary War โ the Battle of Long Island โ actually took place here!
6. Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Beautiful Stroll & Date Idea
Bordering Prospect Park is Brooklyn Botanic Garden. If you’re in for more greenery, trust me, you won’t regret this one.
At $18, the ticket price is pretty high, but the experience was totally worth it in my opinion.
There was such a diversity of exhibitions, from a Japanese-Hill-and-Pond Garden to Trees of Little Caribbean.
If you get a little peckish, stop by at the Yellow Magnolia Cafe, which is located inside the garden.
7. Beautiful Brownstones in Park Slope Historic District
I lived in two brownstones in Park Slope, both erected in 1899. The charm of the historic brownstones is what drew me into the neighborhood in the first place!
The most beautiful brownstones can be seen in Park Slope Historic District.
I think the best brownstones are along the tree-lined streets in the heart of Park Slope, along St John’s Place, Lincoln Place and Berkeley Place from 6th Avenue to 8th Avenue.
8. Old Stone House in Washington Park: Revolutionary War & Baseball
The Old Stone House, formerly known as the Vechte-Cortelyou House, is both a Revolutionary War landmark and was the clubhouse for the Brooklyn Superbas for 15 seasons (before becoming the Brooklyn Dodgers!).
The house was the site of a bloody battle between George Washingtonโs Continental Army and the British troops on Aug 27, 1776. The Continental Army regained the house twice (before ultimately losing control), but close to 300 out of 400 American troops died in the battle against 2,000 British and hired German Hessian soldiers.
Address: 336 3rd St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Best Art & Culture in Park Slope
9. Brooklyn Museum: BK’s Met Museum
The Brooklyn Museum is an art museum that has hosted some really cool special exhibitions in recent years!
Plus, tickets are pay-as-you-wish, making it a great low-cost, educational experience if youโre on a budget!
The special exhibitions, though, are usually ticketed and priced around $25, like the Spike Lee and Alicia Keys/Swizz Beatz exhibitions.
The Brooklyn Museumโs permanent collection is pretty diverse, from Egyptian archeological finds to mid-century furniture.
Plus, the museum has a ton of free weekend events for kids if youโre visiting with family, like clay figure-making!
Address: 200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11238
10. Central Library: Library With Cool Exhibitions
Visit the main library of the Brooklyn Public Library! The Central Library is right across Grand Army Plaza and has some really cool exhibitions that make it a great place to cool off after a walk at Prospect Park.
If you havenโt gotten your library card yet, get a cool physical card from the Central Library! Theyโve got some Brooklyn-inspired designs, like ones with graffiti art and on occasion, limited edition designs like the ones by Jay-Z.
Fun Fact: the Central Library is actually part of the National Register of Historic Places!
Address: 10 Grand Army Plz, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Cool Shops in Park Slope
11. Life Boutique Thrift: Good Quality Thrifting
I snagged an almost-new cream beige Calvin Klein dress with the tag on for $25 at this small thrift shop with amazing prices and good finds, from clothing to bags, shoes and even furniture.
Address: 515 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215
12. Something Else on Fifth: Crunchy BK-Wear & Gifts
From outdoorsy clothing to a collection of fun, eclectic gifts, you’ll find it all here at this classically Brooklyn-esque clothing and gift shop.
Address: 206 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217
13. Midoriya Japanese Grocery: Hidden Gem
The shop is small but somehow has everything you need, from Japanese fresh ingredients, frozen foods, condiments, to even chopsticks, pots, makeup and trinkets, all at an affordable price.
Address: 60 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Best Restaurants in Park Slope
14. Pasta Louise: Tasty Fresh Pasta in Chill Environment
Pasta Louiseโs fresh pastas make you sigh with pleasure upon first bite. Theyโre made from her grandmaโs recipes โ the namesake Louise โ who taught founder Allison Arevalo how to cook when she was young.
Their cacio e pepe is best-selling for a reason, with fragrant cracked pepper and salty pecorino ($16.50). Itโs jaw-dropping with a side of spicy, crispy prosciutto on top ($4).
Address: 1114 8th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Check out these other incredible Italian spots in Park Slope!
15. Haenyeo Restaurant: Fancy Korean Fusion That Hits
Haenyeoโs fusion surprisingly works. I stand by that as a Korean who is constantly disappointed by the typical k-town classics.
Itโs proven by the dukboki fundido, with a sauce so deep it could stand on its own as a soup, bites of chorizo and hunky layers of Oaxaca cheese ($19).
The fluke crudo is beautifully served, with blood orange on top, dunked in a bright pool of olive oil with sesame seeds, and oozing with the pickled tang of chili jangajji ($20).
The kalbi jjim is the best cooked Iโve ever had, with the tender beef giving way to the bone ($46).
Donโt skimp on the beignets; served piping hot, and completely snowed in powdered sugar ($12).
16. al di la Trattoria: Incredible Italian Date Spot
al di la is a delicious northern Italian restaurant with some of the best pastas Iโve tried in New York City! Itโs been recognized by the Michelin Guide and was reviewed by Frank Bruni of The New York Times.
al di la Trattoria is the perfect way to experience the unassuming but amazingly good food in Park Slope.
The homemade pasta is fresh and always delivers โ the tagliatelle al ragu ($24) is my absolute favorite!
The main dining room has a warm atmosphere with the wooden tables, warm lighting and Art Deco patterned ceilings.
Itโs fancy enough to make for a popular spot for dates, but casual enough that you could totally have a comfortable family dinner. No wonder al di la is such a popular spot among Park slope residents!
Address: 248 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Want more ideas? Here’s the full guide to Park Slope dining!
Best Coffee Shops & Bakeries in Park Slope
17. Winner: Amazing Sourdough & Dessert
All the baked goods I’ve tried are amazing here, from sourdough to sweet treats! Try this local favorite thatโs sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Address: 367 7th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215
18. Cousin John’s Cafe & Bakery: Tasty Neighborhood Pies & Dessert
Ugh. The sweet baked goods are like no other here, and the prices are so reasonable.
This is where I used to buy small pies, cake slices and tarts here before heading to dinner parties! They were a party favorite.
Cousin Johnโs new location (located on the same block) is much bigger, and theyโve now got plenty of seating. I can attest their baked goods are still just as good!
Address: 60 7th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217
19. Simple Loaf Bakehouse: UGH the Sourdough!
Everything I’ve tried here has been amazing! They are famous for their sourdough, which tastes great even after freezing and defrosting.
Their sweet baked goods and sandwiches are also fantastic.
Address: 310 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215
20. Cafe Regular: The Outdoor Seating is Such a Vibe
This corner coffee shop, which was on my block when I lived in Park Slope, made me smile every time I walked past it.
With amazing coffee, a cozy antique-themed interior and outdoor seating, this charming cafe is a local favorite.
Fore more coffee reccs, check out the Top 6 Best Park Slope Cafes.
Address: 158 Berkeley Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Best Quick Bites in Park Slope
21. Banhmigos: Take Out & Eat At Prospect Park
Ahh. Their banh mi (Vietnamese baguette sandwich) never disappoints. It’s a ton of food for a reasonable price.
Each part of the banh mi is so good, from the texture of the chewy, warm baguette, to the flavor of the cold cuts and pate, to the pickled and fresh veggies, and it all comes together to form a mouth-watering banh mi.
I used to pick up the banh mi and take the short walk to the Prospect Park to eat it there.
Address: 178 Lincoln Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217
22. Bagel Pub: Bagel Sandwich Classic
Grab a bagel sandwich at this local favorite. The decor is beautifully classic, its woody interior and nostalgic designs blending in with the historic brownstones.
Address: 57 7th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Best Bars in Park Slope
23. Union Hall: Play Bocce & Watch Comedy
Grab a couple beers on tap, play a round of bocce and relax by the real fireplace at this neighborhood favorite hideout with live entertainment.
This warehouse-turned bar is one of the best Iโve seen; theyโve retained the charm of and exhibit the depth that only an age-old venue can have.
Thereโs a signup sheet for bocce, but the real way to get a play is to hang around and secure your spot.
Underground are performance spaces that regularly host hilarious local and regional comedians (check out their upcoming events).
With draft beers starting at $8, Union Hall is a vibey, familiar hangout spot perfect for a weekday adventure or a Sunday scaries cure.
Address: 702 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Best Activities Near Park Slope
24. Green-Wood Cemetery: Historic & Beautiful
Did you know that in the 1860s, this cemetery was the second-most popular American tourist destination (only second to Niagara Falls)?
Notable figures buried at this cemetery include artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, politicians like William โBossโ Tweed of Tammany Hall, and many Civil War generals.
Green-Wood Cemetery is a huge, 478 acre National Historic Landmark that serves as the resting place for 570,000 people. This beautifully landscaped cemetery opened in 1838.
Walk along the winding paths of Green-Wood Cemetery and soak in the peacefulness of the glacial ponds and the historic sculptures.
Address: 500 25th St, Brooklyn, NY 11232
25. Barclays Center: Home of the Brooklyn Nets
Barclays Center is the home of the Brooklyn Nets and quite a sight with its modern wooden exterior thatโs shaped like an oval.
Address: 620 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217
26. Atlantic Terminal Mall: From Uniqlo to Pandora
Atlantic Terminal Mall has everything you need, from big box retailers like Target and Best Buy, to brands like UNIQLO and Pandora. If you miss the suburban charm of malls, this is your spot!
Address: 139 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Best Things To Do in Park Slope, Brooklyn (Conclusion)
Iโm so thrilled to share my honest take on the Best Things To Do in Park Slope, Brooklyn!
I truly loved living in Park Slope because of the charming brownstones, the easy access to Prospect Park and the low-key but delicious restaurants. Here are some of my top tips:
- LeFrak Center at Lakeside: Ice Skating & Rollerblading
- Smorgasburg Prospect Park: Eat To Your Heart’s Desire
- Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket: Baked Goods & Knick-Knacks
- Free Outdoor Concerts at Prospect Park
- Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch at Grand Army Plaza
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Beautiful Stroll & Date Idea
- Beautiful Brownstones in Park Slope Historic District
- Old Stone House in Washington Park: Revolutionary War & Baseball
- Brooklyn Museum: BK’s Met Museum
- Central Library: Library With Cool Exhibitions
- Life Boutique Thrift: Good Quality Thrifting
- Something Else on Fifth: Crunchy BK-Wear & Gifts
- Midoriya Japanese Grocery: Hidden Gem
- Pasta Louise: Tasty Fresh Pasta in Chill Environment
- Haenyeo Restaurant: Fancy Korean Fusion That Hits
- al di la Trattoria: Incredible Italian Date Spot
- Winner: Amazing Sourdough & Dessert
- Cousin John’s Cafe & Bakery: Tasty Neighborhood Pies & Dessert
- Simple Loaf Bakehouse: UGH the Sourdough!
- Cafe Regular: The Outdoor Seating is Such a Vibe
- Banhmigos: Take Out & Eat At Prospect Park
- Bagel Pub: Bagel Sandwich Classic
- Union Hall: Play Bocce & Watch Comedy
- Green-Wood Cemetery: Historic & Beautiful
- Barclays Center: Home of the Brooklyn Nets
- Atlantic Terminal Mall: From Uniqlo to Pandora
Thanks for checking out my guide to the Best Things To Do in Park Slope, Brooklyn!
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