Things to Do in Brooklyn

The world's first children's museum, with hands-on exhibits for kids ages birth to 10. Features a water play area, block building zone, art studio, and sensory-rich galleries. Free admission for children under 1. Free every Thursday from 3-5pm and every third Thursday from 3-7pm.

An intimate, kid-friendly zoo operated by the Wildlife Conservation Society. Features a Discovery Trail, barn and domestic animals area, sea lion pool, and a nature theater. Small enough for toddlers to enjoy without getting overwhelmed. All tickets must be booked online in advance.

A 52-acre urban garden with a dedicated Children's Garden — the first of its kind in the world. Kids can explore a dipping pond, musical instruments, and touch-and-feel sensory activities. The Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden and Cherry Esplanade are beautiful for family walks. Children under 12 are always free.

Prospect Park has multiple free playgrounds and the LeFrak Center Splash Pad, named Best of New York by New York Magazine. The splash pad is free for children 12 and under, open daily 10:30am-6pm from Memorial Day through mid-September. Other top playgrounds include Harmony Playground, Vanderbilt Playground, and the Imagination Playground.

Hands-on STEAM classes where kids ages 2-14 build whimsical robots they take home. Each session features a different robot project using motors, circuits, and recycled materials. Drop-in classes, birthday parties, and camps available. A unique creative experience that blends engineering with art.

A massive 40,000 square foot indoor adventure park with ziplines, ropes courses, climbing walls, laser tag, paintball, obstacle courses, roller skating, and slides. Three hours of unlimited activities included with admission. Great for kids, teens, and families looking for active entertainment on rainy days or weekends.

A family-friendly rock climbing gym with youth programs for kids ages 3 and up. Offers after-school classes, weekend programs, summer and school-break camps, birthday parties, and parents' night out events. Minimum climbing age is 5 for drop-in, and youth programs start at age 3. Day passes available for families.

An interactive play space and toy store with themed experiences, a cafe, theater, and hands-on stations. CAMP combines retail with free interactive play — kids can explore themed rooms, do arts and crafts, and engage with rotating installations. A great rainy-day option in Downtown Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Bridge Park stretches 1.3 miles along the waterfront and features multiple destination playgrounds. Pier 6 has a massive water-play lab and sand village. Pier 5 has sports fields. The park also offers a pop-up pool in summer, Jane's Carousel (tickets $2), and stunning Manhattan skyline views. All playgrounds are free.

Brooklyn's main library offers free storytime sessions, craft programs, STEM workshops, and a dedicated children's reading room. All Brooklyn Public Library branches run free kids programming year-round, from baby lap-sit to teen maker labs. The Grand Army Plaza building itself is an Art Deco landmark worth visiting.

A family-friendly cafe with an adjacent playroom for young kids. Offers children's classes including construction workshops, sing-alongs, yoga sessions, and new-parent meetups. Parents can relax with coffee and food while kids play. Free Wi-Fi and a welcoming atmosphere for families with toddlers.

A free museum and visitor center showcasing the 200+ year history of the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Interactive exhibits cover the Yard's role in the Civil War, WWII shipbuilding, and its current transformation into a hub for manufacturing and innovation. Walking tours of the Navy Yard are also available. Great for school-age kids interested in history and engineering.

America's largest weekly open-air food market, held Sundays in Prospect Park from April through October. Over 100 local food vendors with options for every palate and dietary need. Free to enter and walk around — just pay for food. Kids love the variety and the open grassy setting for running around between bites.

Eleven hard courts at the Parade Ground managed by the Prospect Park Alliance. During the outdoor season (May through October), eight courts are available to NYC Parks tennis permit holders. During the indoor season (late October through early May), all 11 courts are covered by a bubble and available for hourly rental. Single-play passes are available for those without a seasonal permit.

Five full basketball courts on Pier 2 overlooking the East River and Manhattan skyline, including two covered courts that allow play in light rain. Free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Pickup games run constantly on weekends and summer evenings. One of the most scenic places to play basketball in the entire city.

Three regulation-sized sand volleyball courts at Pier 6 with views of the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor. Free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis when leagues are not scheduled. Bring your own ball and net -- posts are installed. Popular for pickup games on summer weekends.

A free Olympic-sized outdoor pool on the Greenpoint-Williamsburg border, operated by NYC Parks. One of the largest public pools in the city. Open daily in summer with a cleaning break in the afternoon. On busy days the pool may limit swim time or distribute return bracelets. No membership or fee required -- just show up.

A full-service NYC Parks recreation center with an indoor pool, fitness equipment, basketball gymnasium, and rotating seasonal programming including boxing, dance, and youth sports. Small annual membership fee required (reduced rates for seniors and youth). One of the most complete free/low-cost fitness facilities in south Brooklyn.

A large indoor climbing gym in Gowanus with bouldering walls, a fitness area, yoga classes, and a sauna. Day passes include access to everything -- climbing, fitness, yoga, and amenities. No membership required. Discounted $15 Fridays. Shoe rental available for first-timers. A short walk from the Union St (R) and Carroll St (F/G) subway stations.

Prospect Park's year-round recreation center with an ice skating rink (November through March) and a roller skating/splash pad in warmer months. Features both a covered and uncovered rink connected to each other. Skate rental available. Free Monday afternoon skating for children during the winter season. One of the most scenic skating spots in Brooklyn.

One of the most competitive pickup basketball spots in Brooklyn, with well-maintained full courts, handball courts, and a playground. Free and open to the public. The courts draw serious players from across the borough, especially on summer evenings and weekends. Located near the G train and several bus lines.

A 3.35-mile paved loop around Prospect Park that is car-free and open to runners, walkers, and cyclists. The route features rolling hills, scenic views of the Long Meadow and Prospect Lake, and is the home course for the Brooklyn Half Marathon. No fee, no registration -- just show up and run. One of the best urban running loops in the country.

Multiple soccer fields at the Parade Ground adjacent to Prospect Park, including both natural grass and synthetic turf surfaces. Free for casual pickup games under 20 people; organized groups of 20+ require an NYC Parks permit. Also has baseball diamonds and cricket pitches. A central hub for adult recreational soccer leagues in Brooklyn.

A renovated multipurpose synthetic turf field on the Williamsburg waterfront, used for soccer, football, lacrosse, rugby, and ultimate frisbee. Free for casual play; organized games require an NYC Parks permit. Lighted for evening play until 10:15pm. One of the best-maintained public turf fields in north Brooklyn.

Six public hard courts in Fort Greene Park, available to NYC Parks tennis permit holders. The seasonal permit is $100 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $10 for youth. Single-play passes are $15. Courts are first-come, first-served and popular for casual play on weekday mornings. A short walk from the G train at Fulton St.

A full-service YMCA in downtown Brooklyn with a 25-yard indoor pool, full gym, basketball court, and over 130 free drop-in group fitness classes per week for members, including yoga, Pilates, bootcamp, TRX, and water aerobics. Monthly membership required -- no single-visit day passes for fitness classes. Non-member swim drop-in is $30.

A community-oriented yoga studio in Carroll Gardens offering drop-in classes seven days a week with no membership required. Class styles include vinyasa, yin, restorative, and meditation. Discounted rate available for students, teachers, and military. A welcoming, low-pressure studio for all levels.

A 16-lane bowling alley, live music venue, and restaurant rolled into one. Features concerts by national touring acts, Blue Ribbon fried chicken, and spiked milkshakes. Family Bowl on weekends (Sat 11am-5pm, Sun 11am-6pm) is all-ages with free entry. Evening shows are 21+. Bowling starts at $30 per half hour.

A 650-capacity live music venue that books indie rock, electronic, and underground acts most nights of the week. Operated by The Bowery Presents, it's the Brooklyn counterpart to Bowery Ballroom. Standing room with a balcony, solid sound system, and two bars. Tickets typically range from $15-50 depending on the act.

America's oldest continuously operating performing arts center, featuring theater, dance, music, opera, and film across multiple venues including the Howard Gilman Opera House, Harvey Theater, and BAM Rose Cinemas. Known for the annual Next Wave Festival showcasing avant-garde work. Student rush tickets available for $25.

The second-largest art museum in New York City with a permanent collection spanning Egyptian antiquities, American art, contemporary installations, and a renowned feminist art center. Free for ages 19 and under. First Saturdays (5-11pm on select months) offer free admission with live music, performances, and gallery talks.

A pioneer of the dine-in cinema concept in NYC. Order craft cocktails and a full food menu delivered to your seat during the film. Programs a mix of new releases, indie films, and curated repertory screenings. The original Williamsburg location has an intimate, neighborhood feel. Also has a second location at Prospect Park.

A 12-screen dine-in movie theater with a strict no-talking, no-texting policy. Features Sony 4K Digital projection, a full food and drink menu served to your seat, and a curated mix of new releases, classic repertory screenings, and special events. The House of Wax bar is open before and after shows.

A beloved independent performance venue in a converted 1920s warehouse with a 25-foot vaulted wooden ceiling. Hosts live comedy, stand-up, podcast tapings, trivia nights, live music, and themed dance parties. The intimate main room and separate lounge bar make it one of Brooklyn's most versatile nightlife destinations.

One of Brooklyn's leading free cultural programming venues. Features a contemporary art gallery, two performance spaces, a glass-walled TV studio, and artist workspaces. Hosts free concerts, art exhibitions, film screenings, and community events year-round. Also produces the free Celebrate Brooklyn! summer concert series in Prospect Park.

The larger, newer Nitehawk location near Prospect Park with multiple screens, a full dine-in menu, and a dedicated bar. Hosts midnight movie screenings, brunch screenings on weekends, and a family-friendly programming track. A go-to date night or weekend outing for Park Slope and Windsor Terrace residents.

America's largest weekly open-air food market, held every Saturday on the Williamsburg waterfront from April through October. Over 100 vendors serve everything from ramen burgers to artisanal ice cream. Free to enter — just pay for food. The waterfront setting offers Manhattan skyline views. A quintessential Brooklyn experience.

A functioning laundromat with a hidden speakeasy-style pinball bar behind a fake washer-dryer door. Features 16 pinball machines, craft beer on tap, and a quirky, welcoming atmosphere. The only licensed laundromat in NYC serving alcohol. A totally unique Brooklyn experience that's part game room, part bar, part laundry.

On the first Saturday of select months, the Brooklyn Museum opens for free from 5-11pm with a full evening of programming: live DJs, dance performances, gallery talks, hands-on art workshops, and a cash bar. One of the best free cultural events in NYC. Regularly draws large crowds — arrive early.

A free museum and exhibition center inside a restored Civil War-era building at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Exhibits trace the Yard's 200-year history from shipbuilding to its modern role as an industrial and creative hub. Walking and bus tours of the active Navy Yard campus are also available for a fee.