Audubon Center

Section Topics:

Home > Visit the Park > Places to Go > Audubon Center

Plan Your Visit

Audubon Center

Lefferts Historic House

Audubon Center

Lead sponsor of public programs at the Audubon Center

"The National Grid Foundation Into the Forest" school program is funded entirely by

Programs at the Prospect Park Audubon Center are also supported, in part, by public funds from

Programs at the Prospect Park Audubon Center have also been made possible through the generous support of: The Sulzberger Foundation, Inc.; Michael Tuch Foundation; JP Morgan Chase Foundation; The Lucius N. Littauer Foundation; Toyota; The Laura B. Volger Foundation, and the generous support of our elected leaders in Washington, Albany, and New York City.

Special thanks to

About the Audubon Center at the Boathouse

The Prospect Park Audubon Center at the Boathouse is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to wildlife preservation and natural education, located inside an historic New York City Landmark. Surrounded by interpretive nature trails in acres of carefully restored natural habitat, the Audubon Center also houses the Park’s Visitor Center, with an information desk, a café, and interactive exhibits. The second floor houses the Con Edison Discover Nature Theater and the Verizon Learning Lab, home to various live animals, changing exhibits and a beautiful balcony overlooking the Lullwater. Downstairs you can climb into a human-sized bird nest, see life from a bird’s eye view, and explore the lives of insects.

The Audubon Center is the result of a trailblazing partnership between the Prospect Park Alliance and Audubon New York. The first urban-area Audubon Center in the nation, it is a place of active discovery with hands-on exhibits and innovative programming for children and adults. Exhibits allow visitors to explore the world of nature through interactive technology, using the Park’s diverse natural habitat as a venue for learning and fun.

The Boathouse is the focal point for one of the most dramatic landscapes in the Park, with a lavish green canopy enclosing waterfalls, serpentine paths, and carved bridges. The design of this 1905 Beaux Arts structure was inspired by the architecture of a 16th century Venetian library, complete with elegant arches, decorative tiles, and classical balcony.

In the early 20th century, boating along the serene surface of the Lullwater was a favorite pastime of Park visitors, and the Boathouse added to the natural beauty of the Park’s watercourse. After undergoing years of much-needed restoration, it reopened in spring 2002 as host to the Prospect Park Audubon Center. The Camperdown Elm, made famous by poet Marianne Moore, is also located next to the Boathouse.

Click here to learn about the history of the Boathouse and Audubon Center.

Hours

March 12 – 4 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday
Holiday opening: March 27 – April 6, 12 – 4 p.m.

April 10 - May 30 12 – 5 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday
Holiday opening: Monday, May 31, 12 – 5 p.m

June, July, August 12 – 5 p.m.
Thursday – Sunday
Holiday opening: Monday July 5, 12 – 5 p.m.

Cost

• Free admission.
• Electric boat tours are $8 for ages 13 & up; $4 for ages 3-12; ages 2 & under ride free.

School Groups

The Audubon Center offers educational programming for children and school groups including nature-based science classes with a hands-on approach, teacher workshops, and in-school programming. To learn about school programs, including lesson plans and special events, please call (718) 287-3400 x101 or click here for more information.

Songbird Cafe

At the Audubon Center’s Songbird Café, you’ll find baked goods and desserts, grab-and-go snacks, soft drinks, smoothies, and more. There are plenty of options for kids. Outdoor tables on the terrace overlooking the flora and fauna of the beautiful Lullwater make the café a perfect place for lunch, a snack, or a quick break during a day of exploring the Park. The Songbird Café is open during regular Audubon Center hours, and is operated by The Moveable Feast.

Permit & Rental

The Boathouse is available for rental for private events. Click here or call (718) 287-6215 for more information.

Directions

The Audubon Center at the Boathouse is located just inside the Lincoln Road/Ocean Ave. entrance to the Park. Click here to view this location on our Interactive Map.

By Subway: (MTA map)
• Q, S or B trains to Prospect Park station. Exit at Lincoln Road and follow Lincoln Road to park entrance on Ocean Avenue. Walk along the roadway, cross the Drive and continue following the path downhill through the Cleft Ridge Span Bridge.

By Car:
• From Manhattan via Manhattan Bridge: Go straight on Flatbush Avenue for about 2 miles until you reach Grand Army Plaza. Go halfway around the circle and continue on Flatbush Ave. (the Brooklyn Public Library will be on your left and the Park on your right). After you pass the Zoo and the Lefferts Historic House on your right, make a right hand turn at the traffic light at Ocean Avenue. Follow Ocean Avenue to the next major intersection, which is Ocean and Parkside Avenues. Make a sharp right into the Park. Proceed slowly on the Park Drive to the flashing light where you make a left into the Wollman Rink parking lot. Follow signs to the Audubon Center, a five minute walk from the parking lot.
• From Long Island via Brooklyn-Queens Expressway: Exit at Tillary Street and turn onto Flatbush Avenue. Then follow the above directions: Manhattan via Manhattan Bridge.
• From Staten Island via Verrazano Bridge: Follow Brooklyn Queens Expressway, Exit at Atlantic Avenue, making right onto Flatbush Avenue. Then follow the above directions: Manhattan via Manhattan Bridge.

Contact

• Prospect Park Audubon Center (718) 287-3400
• Events Hotline (718) 965-8999