10 Things to Do in Prospect Park Before Summer Ends

If you’re looking for the best free or low-cost things to do in Brooklyn, Prospect Park is the place to be. With just a handful of gloriously long summer days left, now is the perfect time to explore the hidden gems all throughout the park. Did you know that Prospect Park has a historic house museum with free tours? Or that you can play pickleball, roller skate to live music and take out a paddle boat all at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside? We compiled a list of ten events, activities and locally-loved spots for you to check out this August. 

1. Dance the Night Away at BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!

Prospect Park transforms into a music festival on select nights this August with the return of the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Series. Visit the Lena Horne Bandshell to catch an innovative show by RuPaul’s Drag Race icon Sasha Velour, a celebration of Dominican music with Brooklyn Borough President Anthony Reynoso and more. Plus, stop by the Brooklyn Made pop-up tent to shop from local vendors and get your own Prospect Park x Parks Project apparel!

2. Set an Intention and Stroll With Us

Walking in nature regulates the nervous system and has incredible health benefits. Head to the Prospect Park Boathouse to join scenic Wellness Walks on Fridays at 10 am and Stroller Walks for parents and caregivers and young ones along the park’s peaceful waterways on Thursdays at 10 am.

3. Find Your Zen at Yoga in the Park

Catch the final class in our ever-popular, free yoga series hosted by Brooklyn Flow and sponsored by New York-Presbyterian. Bring your mat and find peace in nature as teachers lead participants through a series of poses on the Long Meadow on Thursday, August 27.

4. Embark on Nature Exploration at Prospect Park Audubon Center

If your idea of New York city nature is all pigeons and rats, think again! There is so much local flora and fauna to discover at the Audubon Center in the Prospect Park Boathouse. Join us for Nature Exploration on Thursdays through Sundays for free, family-friendly activities that will introduce you to the wild world of Brooklyn’s Backyard. On weekends, you can also find Pop-Up Audubon events all around the park!

5. Rollerskating, Pickleball, and Boating at LeFrak Center at Lakeside

Have you tried every activity available at the LeFrak Center? With pickleball, boating, water play and rollerskating, consider this your one-stop destination for summer fun! 

6. Step Back in Time with Free Tours from Lefferts Historic House

Did you know that you can see free art and historical exhibits at Lefferts Historic House? Plus, join us for free tours of the park to learn about the Battle of Brooklyn, including replica fortifications at Battle Pass. Along the way, attendees will learn about the battle and its aftermath from the perspective of the Africans enslaved by the Lefferts family, soldiers who fought in what is now Prospect Park, and the overall impact of the conflict on Flatbush and Brooklyn.

7. Glide and Groove at LeFrak Center at Lakeside

This summer, lace up for Glide & Groove Roller Skating Series, featuring live bands and unbeatable seasonal vibes. See the full lineup and get your tickets today!

8. Take a Hike Through our Nature Trails

You don’t have to leave the city to get lost in nature. Last year, Prospect Park Alliance and NYC Parks launched the park’s first formal nature trail system in Prospect Park, with five routes through the heart of the park’s 350 acres of woodlands and waterways, including Brooklyn’s last remaining upland forest. Try to hit all five trails before the end of summer!

9. Spin the Summer Away at the Carousel

For the young and young at heart, there is nothing more magical than a visit to the Prospect Park Carousel. Carved in 1912 by Charles Carmel, the Carousel was restored by the Prospect Park Alliance in 1990, with subsequent improvements in 2020 through funding from the New York City Council. It is one of the only wheelchair accessible carousels in the nation.

10. Lend a Hand to Help Your Park

If you want to show the park some love after a busy summer season, join us at one of our many volunteer events! If you’re looking for a community experience, find out how you can join our Ecozone Volunteer Crews at an upcoming open house.

How many of these activities will you do before summer ends? Show us how you’re enjoying the park this August by tagging us @prospect_park and using the hashtag #prospectpark.