NYC Guide · 2026
Things to Do in Brooklyn
Brooklyn is NYC's coolest borough — and arguably its most rewarding. From DUMBO's iconic Manhattan Bridge view to Williamsburg's food scene and Coney Island's boardwalk, here are 30+ of the best things to do in Brooklyn.
We've grouped picks by neighborhood so you can plan a full day. Brooklyn is huge — most visitors focus on DUMBO + Brooklyn Heights, Williamsburg, or Prospect Park + the Brooklyn Museum.
34 picks · Updated September 2026
#1 · Brooklyn
Prospect Park
Brooklyn's flagship park, designed by the creators of Central Park, featuring lakes, wooded trails, open meadows, and year-round recreational activities.
#2 · Brooklyn
Brooklyn Bridge Park
A revitalized waterfront park with converted piers, offering stunning Manhattan skyline views, sports facilities, and landscaped green spaces.
#3 · Brooklyn
Brooklyn Museum
One of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States with diverse collections.
#4 · Brooklyn
Hamlet
Experience a bold new take on Shakespeare's most iconic tragedy with Hamlet at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. This contemporary production, directed by Robert Hastie, brings a fresh and sharply modern perspective to the classic story, blending dark humor with psychological intensity. Starring Hiran Abeysekera in the title role, the show reimagines the journey of a conflicted prince grappling with power, loyalty, and uncertainty in a world shaped by privilege and expectation.
#5 · Brooklyn
The Maids
Step into a bold and visually striking reimagining of a classic with The Maids at St. Ann's Warehouse. Directed by Kip Williams, this contemporary adaptation of Jean Genet's seminal play reinterprets the story through a digital-age lens, blending live performance with multimedia elements. Starring Yerin Ha, Phia Saban, and Lydia Wilson.
#6 · Brooklyn
Domino Park
A modern waterfront park built on the site of a former sugar refinery, featuring industrial design elements, playgrounds, and East River views.
#7 · Brooklyn
Barclays Center
Barclays Center stands at the heart of Downtown Brooklyn as one of the city's busiest entertainment venues, hosting everything from NBA games and global concert tours to major cultural events. Its striking modern design and lively plaza make it a neighborhood focal point.
#8 · Brooklyn
Brooklyn Bus Tour + Chocolate Tasting
A 3-hour guided bus tour through DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights, and more with curated chocolate tastings at beloved local artisan shops.
#9 · Brooklyn
New York Transit Museum
Museum in a decommissioned subway station exploring transit history.
#10 · Brooklyn
Pioneer Works
Multidisciplinary cultural center with art, science, and music.
#11 · Brooklyn
Brooklyn Navy Yard Center at BLDG 92
Brooklyn Navy Yard Center at BLDG 92 traces the site's transformation from a naval shipbuilding powerhouse to a modern manufacturing and innovation campus. It offers a compelling look at New York's industrial past and its evolving creative economy.
#12 · Brooklyn
Center for Brooklyn History
The Center for Brooklyn History preserves and interprets the borough's layered past through archives, exhibitions, and public programs. Housed in a landmarked building, the institution offers deep insight into Brooklyn's evolution from colonial settlement to global cultural powerhouse.
#13 · Brooklyn
Weeksville Heritage Center
Weeksville Heritage Center celebrates one of America's first free Black communities, founded in 1838 in Brooklyn. Through restored historic houses, exhibitions, and educational programs, the center illuminates the lives and cultural contributions of early African-American residents.
#14 · Brooklyn
McCarren Park
A popular neighborhood park serving Williamsburg and Greenpoint, with sports fields, a public pool, and plenty of space for recreation.
#15 · Brooklyn
Brooklyn Graffiti Workshop
A hands-on graffiti workshop where local artists guide participants through spray-painting techniques, lettering, and mural history.
#16 · Brooklyn
Brooklyn Donut Tasting Tour
A guided walking tour through Brooklyn's bakeries and specialty shops sampling classic and artisanal donuts.
#17 · Brooklyn
Brownstone Brooklyn Food Tour
A guided walk through historic brownstone-lined streets with stops at local eateries, bakeries, and specialty shops.
#18 · Brooklyn
Dyker Heights Holiday Lights Tour
A festive tour of Brooklyn's Dyker Heights Christmas light displays with stops at Bryant Park Winter Village.
#19 · Brooklyn
DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights & Bridge Tour (French)
A guided walking tour in French through DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights with stunning Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn Bridge views.
#20 · Brooklyn
Brooklyn Children's Museum
First museum in the world dedicated to children.
#21 · Brooklyn
BRIC House
BRIC House serves as a lively contemporary arts and media hub in Downtown Brooklyn, bringing together performance, exhibitions, public programs, and community storytelling under one roof. Known for showcasing emerging artists alongside established voices.
#22 · Brooklyn
City Reliquary
A quirky, beloved Brooklyn museum devoted to everyday New York artifacts and local lore. Its eclectic collection ranges from subway tokens and vintage postcards to oddball objects tied to the city's history and cultural myths.
#23 · Brooklyn
Lefferts Historic House
Lefferts Historic House in Brooklyn's Prospect Park is a restored 18th-century Dutch farmhouse that interprets early New York agricultural life. Through family-oriented exhibits, craft demonstrations, and seasonal events, the museum brings colonial-era history to life.
#24 · Brooklyn
Waterfront Museum
The Waterfront Museum, located on a restored historic barge in Brooklyn, explores the city's maritime history and waterfront culture. Exhibits include historic artifacts, model ships, and interactive installations about New York Harbor's industrial past.
#25 · Brooklyn
MoCADA - Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts
Contemporary art from the African diaspora.
#26 · Brooklyn
Harbor Defense Museum
The Harbor Defense Museum, located within Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, explores the military history of New York Harbor. Exhibits include coastal defense weapons, uniforms, and archival materials that trace the evolution of harbor protection.
#27 · Brooklyn
Jewish Children's Museum
The Jewish Children's Museum in Brooklyn offers an interactive, family-friendly exploration of Jewish history, traditions, and culture. Through hands-on exhibits, multimedia displays, and educational programs, the museum invites visitors to engage with Jewish life past and present.
#28 · Brooklyn
Living Torah Museum
The Living Torah Museum in Brooklyn presents biblical history through artifacts, reconstructions, and immersive displays that link ancient traditions to the modern world. Its exhibits include rare objects and interactive experiences designed to make religious history tangible.
#29 · Brooklyn
Wyckoff House
Wyckoff House, built in the 17th century, is the oldest surviving structure in Brooklyn. The museum preserves the Dutch Colonial architecture and interprets early settler life, offering educational programs and exhibitions that explore the area's rich historical roots.
#30 · Brooklyn
The Museum of Food and Drink
Exploring food culture through exhibits and tasting experiences.
#31 · Brooklyn
Coney Island Museum
Coney Island Museum celebrates the colorful, eccentric history of one of New York's most famous seaside destinations. Exhibits explore amusement park culture, sideshow traditions, vintage rides, and the personalities who shaped the boardwalk's mythic reputation.
#32 · Brooklyn
Williamsburg Art & Historical Center
The Williamsburg Art & Historical Center combines contemporary art exhibitions with programming that celebrates Brooklyn's cultural and historical heritage. Located in a historic building, the center hosts rotating shows, community events, and educational workshops.
#33 · Brooklyn
EastVille Comedy Club
A lively Brooklyn comedy club showcasing rising talent and established comedians with stand-up, improv, and weekly open mic nights.
#34 · Brooklyn
New York Aquarium
A classic seaside destination on Coney Island with sea lions, sharks, penguins, tropical fish, and vibrant coral reef exhibits.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best thing to do in Brooklyn?
Walking the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan into DUMBO at sunset, then dinner along the waterfront with Manhattan skyline views, is the classic Brooklyn experience. The Brooklyn Museum and Prospect Park are the top cultural picks.
Is Brooklyn worth visiting?
Absolutely — Brooklyn has world-class food, museums, parks and architecture. Most NYC visitors spend at least a half day in DUMBO and another in Williamsburg or Prospect Park.
How do you get from Manhattan to Brooklyn?
The subway is fastest — the F, A, C and 2/3 trains all serve Brooklyn neighborhoods. The Brooklyn Bridge is a 30-minute walk from City Hall to DUMBO and one of NYC's best free experiences.
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