10 Awesome Things to Do In Prospect Park

Prospect Park has everything! Year-round this beautiful 585-acre park provides fun things to do for the whole family. From boating to ice skating, from delicious food to amazing playgrounds, kids and adults alike will find something enjoyable to do at Prospect Park. Here are the top 10 things we love about this Brooklyn landmark:

Prospect Park houses 7 playgrounds within its walls, making for a fun-filled day outdoors. The playgrounds are: Harmony Playground, located just behind the band shell, Vanderbilt Playground, which provides a separate play area for little ones, the Donald and Barbara Zucker Natural Exploration Area, which provides a natural environment for kids to explore, Third Street Playground, with jungle gyms and bouncy toys, Garfield Tot Lot, exclusive to toddlers, Lincoln Road Playground houses a large jungle gym and a sand pit and other classic playground structures, and Imagination Playground which has several fun climbing structures.
The LeFrak Center at Lakeside is a 27 acre recreation area that provides visitors the opportunity for seasonal ice skating, roller skating, biking, boating and water play. Boating is definitely a highlight and families can rent a paddleboat or a kayak in the warmer months.
The Audobon Center provides visitors a chance to take in all the natural wonders of Prospect Park. Families can hike through the Ravine or explore Brooklyn’s only lake. There are 150 acres of woodlands to explore and the center also offers public educational programs through out the year.
In the summer months the Splash Pad at Lakeside is the place to be. It has 21 water jets and provides serious water play for kids 12 and younger. Admission is free! In the winter it is converted into an outdoor ice skating rink.
Try your hand at fishing at The Lake, which is home to largemouth bass, bluegill, and pumpkinseed sunfish. The Prospect Park Alliance holds fishing clinics in the summer months.
One exciting way to explore Prospect Park is on horseback. Kensington Stables, which located right outside the park, offers horses for rental, riding classes for all levels, pony rides and parties. The 3.5-mile bridle path provides great views of the park.
Foodies will love visiting Smorgasburg, where on Sundays from April through October, local and regional food vendors serve up their very best meals, snacks, and beverages. There are over 100 vendors that participate.
The carousel, located in the Children’s Corner, was originally carved in 1912 and restored in 1990. It has 53 different horses for children to ride on, along with two dragon-pulled seated chariots. It is definitely one of the park’s most popular destinations.
You can’t possibly talk about Prospect Park without mentioning the Prospect park Zoo. It is home to over 400 animals and is located in the Children’s Corner. It is open every day of the year and is operated by the Wildlife Conservation Society. Check their website for the calendar of programs and events.
Catch a show at BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival. It is the only free outdoor summer concert series in New York City. Catch a musical or dance performance at the iconic Band Shell. Check the website for 2018’s lineup of performers.