Enjoy Prospect Park with a Winter Checklist
January 14, 2025
Brooklyn’s Backyard has fun to offer in every season, even on the coldest of days. Whether you’re looking for that perfect New Year’s resolution to lend a hand to your community this year, or searching for seasonal fun to make the most of colder temperatures, we’ve put together 7 activities in a Prospect Park Winter Checklist for a winter well-spent.
Both through nature and by design, Prospect Park’s landscape is dotted with rolling hills, which makes it prime territory for winter sledding on a snowy winter day. When conditions are right, make sure to check out the top sledding destinations in Brooklyn’s Backyard. See you on the next snow day!
2. Winter Birdwatching
Brush off the binoculars! While winter may seem like a quiet time, Brooklyn’s Backyard continues to be bustling with feathered friends throughout the park. Make the most of the season with leaf-less trees to spot exciting species that frequent the park in the winter. Learn more about the 250+ bird species that can be spotted in Prospect Park, and join an upcoming Saturday morning Introduction to Birdwatching Walk with the Brooklyn Bird Club.
3. Ice Skating at LeFrak Center at Lakeside
Glide into the new year at Prospect Park’s two open-air ice skating rinks! Enjoy a day of open-air skating, take ice bumper cars for a spin, try your hand at hockey and more for cold weather fun.
4. Take a Winter Walk
If summer crowds aren’t your scene, the colder months are the perfect time of year to explore Prospect Park’s 585 acres of meadow, forest and Brooklyn’s only Lake. Take a look at our suggestion for a scenic winter walking route to take advantage of the season.
5. Volunteer in Prospect Park
Explore your park while giving back to the park you love. Join Prospect Park Alliance for Winter Corps volunteer events on Wednesdays from 10 am–1 pm through February 26. Assist in raking, minor shoveling, litter pick up, and other landscaping needs to help Brooklyn’s Backyard thrive this season.
6. Enjoy family fun at the Audubon Center
Don’t miss family friendly nature education activities! Visit the Boathouse for mid-winter recess from February 16–20 to get to know the plants and animals that call Brooklyn’s Backyard home through seasonal discovery stations, animal encounters and a winter wilderness walk and more. Plus, don’t miss upcoming school holiday hours at the Boathouse.
7. Fuel Up to Brave the Cold
Warm up with some of Prospect Park’s best bites during your visit. Stop by WINNER for delicious pastries and sandwiches, grab authentic breakfast tacos from King David’s Tacos, or enjoy a hot drink from Duck Island Cafe & Bar. As spring approaches, keep an eye out for Poetic Coffee, Purslane Cafe and Lark by the Park as they reopen for the season. You can also shop fresh, locally grown produce and more at GrowNYC’s two year-round greenmarkets in Prospect Park.
Complete your 2026 Winter Checklist? Learn more about more upcoming events in Prospect Park.
