19 Fun Things to Do in Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park. Photo: Julienne Schaer
If you’re looking for an outdoor haven—one filled with quiet pockets of nature, lawns for sprawling out, plenty of areas for kids and adults to play plus the occasional cultural activity—Brooklyn Bridge Park is the place. Well into the mid-1800s, the waterfront area was an industrial hub welcoming mostly trade ferries and cargo ships. In the years that followed, changing times left the port deserted until it was at risk for commercial development. Fortunately, in the 1980s, community members in Brooklyn’s Dumbo neighborhood fought to preserve and revitalize it.
Since opening in phases starting back in 2010, the park has become one of the City’s most beloved public spaces, drawing millions of visitors a year. Spend an afternoon (or the whole day!) exploring its 85 acres along 1.3 miles of scenic waterfront, family-friendly recreational spaces and more. Read on to discover a few of our favorite ways to experience Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Jane’s Carousel. Photo: Julienne Schaer
Take a ride on Jane’s Carousel
Kids (and kids at heart) shouldn’t miss this classic Brooklyn attraction. Created in 1922 and originally housed in Ohio, the carousel was purchased in 1984 by Jane Walentas and her husband, David, both patrons of the arts who played a big part in redeveloping Dumbo as an arts neighborhood. Jane then began a decades-long restoration of the carnival relic, detailing all 48 antique horses, out of her Dumbo studio. The ticketed attraction is open year-round, though hours vary seasonally.
Soccer players at Pier 5. Photo: Julienne Schaer
Have a cookout and kick-around on Pier 5
To grill with a stellar view, pack your outdoor-meal favorites and head to the Picnic Peninsula on Pier 5. Shaded tables and open grills are plentiful (first come, first served). Kids can work up an appetite on the playground, and all are welcome on the soccer fields during open hours(just bring your own ball). Come dessert time, swing by Oddfellows for hand-crafted scoops—vegan ones including—then sit back and take in a picturesque sunset over the marina.
Skating at Pier 2’s open-air roller rink. Photo: Julienne Schaer
Go skating in different seasons
Don’t skip on the chance to skate by the skyline. All ages and skill levels are welcome at Pier 2’s open-air roller rink. Admission is free most Sundays, Mondays and Fridays (other days you’ll pay $12 plus skate rental), and be sure to check the rink’s calendar for fun themed nights like Y2K and Havana Night. Looking to ice-skate? Head to Emily Warren Roebling Plaza from November to February to perfect your triple axel under the Brooklyn Bridge.
Stay fit with a riverside workout class
Bring a friend and break a sweat at this annual summer series of free fitness classes. From May to September, Waterfront Workouts welcomes all to join in Zumba, pilates, sunset yoga and other scenic exercise sessions. No equipment is required—just come dressed to move and bring your water. And don’t forget to register in advance; walk-ins are welcome but spots are limited.
Movies with a View. Photo: Julienne Schaer
Watch an outdoor movie
On Thursday nights in July and August, Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn turns into a cinema under the stars. Featured flicks—from cult classics (say, The Matrix) to family classics (The Wizard of Oz finishes this summer’s series)—start at sunset, but filmgoers should arrive early to snag a good spot. Don’t forget to bring a blanket and your favorite snacks, though if you need more munchies, food vendors will be on-site.
Stroll through a field of flowers
Take a moment to find some zen with a walk through the Pier 6 Flower Field. You’ll discover a half acre of native wildflowers ranging from summer’s seasonal swamp rose mallows to fall’s asters and goldenrods. Visitors can also look out for monarch butterflies, which are drawn to the colorful blooms and especially abundant in August during their great annual migration.
Brooklyn Bridge Park, near the Manhattan Bridge. Photo: Julienne Schaer
Roam around on a self-guided audio tour
Curious to know more about the history—from the area’s beginnings right through its revitalization—of this beloved park? Bring a pair of headphones with you and click play on one of these newly launched audio tours, enjoyed at your own pace.
Runner in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Photo: Julienne Schaer
Bike (or run) along the waterfront greenway
Catch a breeze in your hair while taking in all the sights by cycling down the bike-friendly path that runs from Pier 1 to Pier 6. With five Citi Bike stations throughout the park, renting and returning is easy—just don’t forget your helmet.
Kayaking on the East River. Photo: Julienne Schaer
Go kayaking on the East River
There’s no better way to see the City’s harbor than to be in it. Visit Pier 4 Beach from May through August for free public kayak sessions every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday (with kids days on Sundays, when children 7 and above can try solo paddling with supervision and a nearby guardian). Boats, paddles and life vests are provided, but reservations are required. On the water, try your hand at kayak polo (think basketball meets water polo and kayaking); don’t worry, instructors will teach you all you need to know.
Slide Mountain at Pier 6, Brooklyn Bridge Park. Photo: Julienne Schaer
Climb, swing and slide on the playgrounds
There’s no shortage of play areas scattered throughout the park for kids of all ages. Start at Pier 6, where kiddos can stay cool among interactive splash zones at the Water Lab, release their inner Tarzan at Swing Valley or build castles and moats in Sandbox Village. Young thrill seekers will also love Slide Mountain, where a winding two-story slide awaits.
Empire Fulton Ferry Lawn, Brooklyn Bridge Park. Photo: Paola Chapdelaine
Lay out and enjoy the views
If sprawling out in the sun is your vibe, head to either of the park’s most scenic lounging spots: Main Street Lawn and Empire Fulton Ferry Lawn. Both offer stunning riverfront looks of the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge with lots of room for picnic blankets. If you’re craving a little more scenery with some peace and quiet, swing by Pebble Beachtoo.
Bird-watching. Photo: Julienne Schaer
Bring your binoculars for bird-watching
More than 160 species of birds, including falcons, herons, sapsuckers and warblers, have been spotted among the flora of the park. Birders will likely find feathered friends in the salt marsh on Pier 1 or the various natural habitats of Pier 4, but more can be seen nestled throughout the park. The NYC Bird Alliance has a seasonal guide to what you might spot; use it as a checklist for your next outing.
Photoville. Photo: Julienne Schaer
Admire all the public art
Consider a walk through the park a trip to an open-air museum, where everything from soundscape installations and a seasonal photo village to a multicolored water tower are on display. Each year, the park introduces new works, so look out for rotating exhibits—and note that the galleries of Dumbo are just a block or two away.
Squibb Park Bridge. Photo: Julienne Schaer
Wander through Squibb Park
Stop by this play area where children can enjoy a jungle gym, a basketball court and plenty of room to scooter around. Then take a walk along Squibb Park Bridge toward Pier 1, with gorgeous views of Lower Manhattan along the way.
Bring your pup to a dog park
While canines are required to be on-leash in most areas of the park, your four-legged friends can run free and play at a handful of pup parks including Pier 6 Dog Run and Main Street Dog Run. (Note: Main Street Dog Run is temporarily located on the John Street Lawn.)
Fulton Ferry Landing Pier. Photo: Paola Chapdelaine
Explore the Fulton Ferry Landing Pier
There’s plenty to eat, see and do at one of Brooklyn’s most historic sites, where the first Brooklyn-Manhattan ferry service debuted in 1642. Walk along the pier deck to see bronze relief drawings depicting the local history and snap postcard-ready photos of the view. Chow down at Luke’s Lobster or Van Leeuwen Ice Cream. And, of course, ride the ferry if you’re ready to move to your next destination.
Courtesy, St. Ann’s Warehouse
See a theatrical or musical performance
Craving culture? Check out St. Ann’s Warehouse, an innovative performing arts theater that was once a 19th-century tobacco factory. Lineups include global musicians, avant-garde theater and art exhibits. If live chamber music is more your taste, don’t miss Bargemusic in the Pier 5 Uplands, where all concerts are admission free.
Dive into learning at the Environmental Education Center
Budding conservationists will get a kick out of all this family-friendly center. Interactive exhibits explore the history and conservation of the park, while hands-on activities and crafts illustrate geology and pollination. Get a close look at local wildlife with a tide pool and other mini live exhibits housing native fish, turtles and amphibians.
Pier 3. Photo: Julienne Schaer
Find a moment of calm on Pier 3
Visit the most recently converted pier for a hideaway afternoon surrounded by lush greenery and a bit removed from the park’s hustle and bustle. Enjoy a picnic at shaded tables, smell the flowers along the pier cliffs and meander through a soundscape labyrinth.
Posts
0 Comments