Top 12 Things To Do in Brooklyn

TLDR: Brooklyn offers world-class attractions from the iconic Brooklyn Bridge walk to Coney Island's vintage amusement parks. Expect 526-acre Prospect Park, free-admission museums, waterfront views in DUMBO, and neighborhoods like Williamsburg packed with food and nightlife. 

Brooklyn isn't just Manhattan's neighbor. It's a destination that could easily fill a week of exploring. 

After spending time in neighborhoods from DUMBO to Coney Island, I've found that Brooklyn rewards visitors who venture beyond the obvious attractions. The borough has everything from 19th-century cemeteries to cutting-edge street art, vintage carousels to Michelin-starred restaurants.

This guide covers the 12 best things to do in Brooklyn based on multiple visits, with honest takes on what's worth your time and what might disappoint - also scroll down to the bottom and use our free map of Brooklyn.

1. Brooklyn Bridge

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge remains the quintessential Brooklyn experience. The 1.1-mile pedestrian walkway takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on how often you stop for photos. 

I recommend starting from Brooklyn for the best Manhattan skyline views as you walk. The Gothic stone towers and steel cables create incredible photo opportunities, especially during golden hour.

Early morning before 8 AM offers the thinnest crowds. Weekday afternoons can get uncomfortably packed with tourists walking shoulder to shoulder.

Did You Know? Over 100,000 vehicles and 30,000 pedestrians cross the Brooklyn Bridge daily, making it one of the busiest bridges in the world.

2. Prospect Park

Prospect Park covers 526 acres designed by the same duo who created Central Park, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. They actually considered this their superior work. 

The park contains Brooklyn's only lake, a 12-acre zoo, the nation's first urban Audubon Center, and the 90-acre Long Meadow perfect for picnics and people-watching.

I've found the Ravine area particularly peaceful, feeling more like upstate New York than the middle of Brooklyn. The park draws eight million visitors annually for good reason.

Did You Know? Prospect Park was a key site during the Revolutionary War's Battle of Brooklyn in 1776.

3. DUMBO

DUMBO, short for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, delivers the most photographed view in Brooklyn. The Washington Street spot framing the Manhattan Bridge with the Empire State Building visible through the arch draws photographers constantly. 

Beyond the photo op, this waterfront neighborhood offers Jane's Carousel, a beautifully restored 1922 merry-go-round with $2 rides inside a glass pavilion.

The Time Out Market rooftop provides excellent skyline views. Weekday mornings offer the best chance at uncrowded photos at Washington Street.

Did You Know? Jane Walentas spent 28 years restoring the carousel's 48 hand-carved horses to their original 1922 beauty.

4. Brooklyn Museum

The Brooklyn Museum ranks as New York City's second-largest art museum with over 1.5 million works spanning 5,000 years. The Egyptian collection rivals the Met's, and Judy Chicago's "The Dinner Party" installation draws visitors specifically for its feminist artwork. 

General admission operates on a pay-what-you-wish basis at the admissions desk, though online tickets suggest around $20.

Target First Saturdays offer free admission from 5 PM to 11 PM on the first Saturday of most months, with live music and programming. Crowds thin significantly compared to Manhattan museums.

Did You Know? The museum opened in 1897 and was originally planned to be even larger than the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

5. Coney Island

Coney Island offers nostalgic amusement parks, a wide beach, and the famous boardwalk about an hour by subway from Times Square. 

Luna Park surrounds the 1927 Cyclone roller coaster, while Deno's Wonder Wheel has been spinning since 1920, making it the oldest operating ride in Coney Island. Nathan's Famous hot dogs complete the classic experience.

The parks operate seasonally from late March through October. Rides aren't cheap, with wristbands running $50 to $80, but admission to the boardwalk and beach is free.

Did You Know? The Wonder Wheel's 16 swinging cars slide on rails between the hub and rim, creating a unique rocking sensation unlike standard Ferris wheels.

6. Brooklyn Botanic Garden

This 52-acre urban garden sits adjacent to Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Museum, making for an easy combined visit. The Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden provides peaceful retreat, while the Cherry Esplanade explodes with over 200 cherry trees each spring, typically peaking in late April. 

Adult admission runs $22, with children under 12 free.

I've found spring visits during cherry blossom season magical but extremely crowded. The garden's CherryWatch tracker helps time your visit to catch peak bloom.

Did You Know? The garden opened in 1911 and was one of the first botanic gardens to include a dedicated children's garden.

7. Williamsburg

Williamsburg anchors Brooklyn's reputation for hip restaurants, vintage shopping, and nightlife. Bedford Avenue serves as the main artery, lined with boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants. 

The Brooklyn Brewery offers $18 tours, Smorgasburg brings 100+ food vendors to the waterfront on summer Saturdays, and the neighborhood supports everything from Michelin-starred Italian at Lilia to all-night dance clubs.

The L train from Manhattan stops at Bedford Avenue. Prices have climbed significantly, but thrift stores like Beacon's Closet still offer deals.

Did You Know? Smorgasburg attracts over 10,000 visitors every Saturday, making it one of the largest weekly food markets in the country.

8. Green-Wood Cemetery

This 478-acre Victorian cemetery opened in 1838 and was once New York State's top tourist attraction, rivaling Niagara Falls. 

Today it functions as a National Historic Landmark with rolling hills, Gothic mausoleums, and famous residents including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Leonard Bernstein, and Boss Tweed. The main Gothic arch entrance alone justifies a visit.

Battle Hill marks the highest point in Brooklyn and a key Revolutionary War site. Free to enter, though guided tours cost extra. It's genuinely beautiful for walking.

Did You Know? Green-Wood contains over 560,000 permanent residents across its grounds, more than many small cities.

9. Brooklyn Bridge Park

This 85-acre waterfront park stretches 1.3 miles along the East River from DUMBO through Brooklyn Heights. The park transformed old shipping piers into green space with playgrounds, sports courts, a roller rink, and Pebble Beach for summer swimming. 

Jane's Carousel sits at the northern end, while the southern piers offer quieter spots with Manhattan views.

Free to visit and perfect for sunset views. The park connects naturally to walks across the Brooklyn Bridge, making for a complete waterfront experience.

Did You Know? The park opened in phases starting in 2010, built on piers that once handled coffee, sugar, and other cargo.

10. New York Transit Museum

Located in a decommissioned 1936 subway station in Brooklyn Heights, this museum houses vintage subway cars dating back to 1907 that you can actually board and explore. 

The collection covers NYC transit history through old advertisements, turnstiles, and construction equipment. Admission costs $10 for adults, with the museum open Thursday through Sunday.

I found the vintage cars surprisingly engaging, especially seeing old advertisements from different eras. It's compact enough to complete in 90 minutes.

Did You Know? The museum opened in 1976 for the U.S. Bicentennial and proved so popular it became permanent.

11. Bushwick Street Art

The Bushwick Collective transformed this industrial neighborhood into an outdoor gallery of large-scale murals. Local and international artists have covered building facades with colorful works that change regularly. 

The concentration around Troutman Street and St. Nicholas Avenue offers the densest collection, though murals appear throughout the neighborhood.

Free to explore anytime. Walking tours and even graffiti workshops are available for deeper engagement. The area has gentrified significantly but maintains creative energy.

Did You Know? The Bushwick Collective was founded in 2011 by Joseph Ficalora to honor his murdered father and revitalize the neighborhood.

12. Brooklyn Heights Promenade

This elevated walkway offers arguably the best Manhattan skyline views in all of New York City. The promenade runs along the neighborhood's western edge, with benches perfect for watching ferries cross the East River and the sun set behind the Financial District. 

Below, the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway runs through, but the noise doesn't diminish the views.

Completely free and accessible anytime. The surrounding Brooklyn Heights neighborhood features beautiful brownstones worth exploring before or after.

Did You Know? The promenade opened in 1950, built as a cover for the expressway to protect the historic neighborhood from highway blight.

Explore Brooklyn your own way

Brooklyn's scale and diversity can feel overwhelming when planning a visit. Each neighborhood has its own character, and trying to see everything usually means missing what makes each area special. The key is picking a few attractions that match your interests and giving yourself time to wander.

Want to discover Brooklyn at your own pace? StoryHunt's Personal Tour Guide lets you create custom audio walks based on your interests. The interactive map guides you through neighborhoods with stories and insights, turning a visit into a personalized experience rather than a checklist.