Top Attractions for Families
Brooklyn is a vibrant borough of New York City with so much to offer families visiting the area. From world-class museums and zoos to amusement parks and beaches, you’ll never run out of things to do with kids in Brooklyn. Here are some of the top attractions for families:
Coney Island and Luna Park – This classic beachside amusement park has been entertaining families for over 100 years. Ride the iconic Cyclone rollercoaster, play carnival games on the boardwalk, and enjoy Nathan’s Famous hot dogs.
Address: 1000 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224
Phone: (718) 372-5159
New York Aquarium – Get up close with over 350 marine species at this aquarium right on Coney Island. See sharks, sea lions, penguins and more. They offer fun educational programs for kids.
Address: 602 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224
Phone: (718) 265-3474
Brooklyn Children’s Museum – This interactive museum has exhibits designed just for kids to explore art, culture and science. Kids can climb a replica of the Brooklyn Bridge, shop at a bodega, and more.
Address: 145 Brooklyn Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213
Phone: (718) 735-4400
Prospect Park Zoo – Within the green space of Prospect Park, this small zoo has a petting zoo, sea lion feedings, and exhibits of over 400 animals.
Address: 450 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225
Phone: (718) 399-7339
Top Attractions for First-Timers
If it’s your first time visiting Brooklyn, you’ll want to see all the classic attractions that make this borough so iconic. Here are some top spots for first-time visitors:
Brooklyn Bridge – Walk across this suspension bridge first opened in 1883 for gorgeous views of lower Manhattan. Pro tip: Enter from the Brooklyn side in the morning to avoid crowds.
Dumbo – Short for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass,” this charming waterfront neighborhood has chic cafes, shops, bookstores and killer views of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Coney Island – Ride the landmark Cyclone rollercoaster and stroll the original Nathan’s Famous for an authentic Brooklyn experience.
Prospect Park – Brooklyn’s version of Central Park, Prospect Park offers green space, hiking trails, a zoo, lake and more city escapes.
Grand Army Plaza – This plaza serves as the main entrance to Prospect Park. It features a large Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden – Tour these 52 acres of gardens with over 10,000 types of plants and trees. Don’t miss the cherry blossom festival in spring.
Brooklyn Heights Promenade – Get an awesome skyline view of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty from this pedestrian walkway.
Top Attractions for Wine & Beer Connoisseurs
Brooklyn has exploded with craft breweries, urban wineries and cider houses. If you love discovering new drinks, put these spots on your Brooklyn bucket list:
Other Half Brewing – Some of the city’s most sought-after IPAs and stouts come from this popular Carroll Gardens brewery. Go for the fresh drafts.
Address: 195 Centre St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Threes Brewing – This spacious brewpub in Gowanus has 20 beers on tap plus weekend brunch. It gets packed, so go early.
Address: 333 Douglass St, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Kings County Distillery – New York City’s oldest operating whiskey distillery offers tours and tasting rooms to sample their moonshine, bourbon and rye.
Address: 299 Sands St, Brooklyn, NY 11205
Brooklyn Winery – This Williamsburg hotspot makes wine right in the city. Tour the winery, take a class, and enjoy a glass on their rooftop.
Address: 213 N 8th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Strong Rope Brewery – With an airy taproom and views of the Williamsburg Bridge, this is a great spot to sample innovative brews and ales.
Address: 574 President St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Top Attractions for Sports Fans
Home to the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and the NHL’s New York Islanders, Brooklyn is a great destination for catching a game. Sports fans will want to check out these top arenas:
Barclays Center – Catch the Brooklyn Nets take on the NBA’s best at this high-tech stadium in downtown Brooklyn. Music icons also perform concerts here.
Address: 620 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
MCU Park – Baseball fans can cheer on the Brooklyn Cyclones minor league team right on Coney Island’s boardwalk at this fun venue.
Address: 1904 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224
Maimonides Park – If you love soccer, come see the Brooklyn Italians soccer club play at their home turf.
Address: 2201 Avenue U, Brooklyn, NY 11229
USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center – The U.S. Open takes over this massive tennis center every August. Visit to see the courts or tour the grounds.
Address: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Flushing, NY 11368
Top Attractions for Foodies
From Michelin-star restaurants to neighborhood eateries, Brooklyn offers an incredible food scene. Foodies flock here to dine at hotspots like:
Peter Luger Steak House – Carnivores come to this Brooklyn institution for expertly cooked, dry-aged steaks. Make reservations; there’s often a wait.
Address: 178 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Roberta’s Pizza – Enjoy wood-fired pizzas with creative toppings on the outdoor patio at this hip Bushwick pizzeria.
Address: 261 Moore St, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Smorgasburg – Brooklyn’s largest weekly open-air food market hosts 100 vendors selling an epic selection of street food.
Address: 90 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
AlMar – This cozy Italian restaurant in Brooklyn Heights serves fresh pasta dishes, brick-oven pizza and other Italian favorites.
Address: 111 Front St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
The River Cafe – Splurge on a romantic waterfront dinner with stunning views of Manhattan at this upscale American restaurant.
Address: 1 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Top Attractions for Shopaholics
From vintage boutiques to major shopping centers, Brooklyn offers diverse retail therapy. Shopaholics should hit up these top shopping spots:
Brooklyn Flea – One of NYC’s best flea markets features antiques, crafts, food, vintage fashion and more from local vendors.
Artists & Fleas – Shop jewelry, clothing, art and housewares from emerging designers and artists at this fun flea market.
Brooklyn Mall – This massive mall houses department stores like Macy’s and JCPenney, plus over 200 specialty shops and eateries.
Address: 2650 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11207
City Point – Downtown Brooklyn’s City Point has big-name stores like Target, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Trader Joe’s and more.
Address: 445 Albee Square W, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Atlantic Terminal Mall – Right next to the Barclays Center, this transit-oriented mall offers major retailers like H&M, Old Navy, DSW and more.
Address: 139 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
How to Get Around Brooklyn
Light Rail
The NYC Subway system offers several train lines that serve Brooklyn neighborhoods. The 2, 3, 4 and 5 trains run along Eastern Parkway. The A, C and F trains connect to areas like Dumbo, Clinton Hill and Fort Greene. Study subway maps to pick the best routes.
Taxis and Rideshares
Yellow cabs and rideshares like Uber and Lyft operate throughout Brooklyn. They’re great for shorter point-to-point trips within the borough.
Charter Bus
For the most comfortable and convenient transportation around Brooklyn, consider booking a charter bus. A charter bus allows medium to large groups to travel together in a private, spacious vehicle. Benefits of a charter bus include not needing to coordinate multiple vehicles or carpools, having a professional driver handle navigation and parking, having space to transport luggage and sports equipment, enjoying amenities like WiFi, TVs, power outlets, and restrooms, and the ability to customize the pickup/dropoff schedule. Charter buses work great for airport transfers for large travel groups, multi-stop Brooklyn sightseeing tours, sporting events and tailgating, school field trips, corporate outings, team building, as well as weddings and private events. To rent a charter bus for your Brooklyn travels, contact Charter Bus Company Brooklyn at (646) 518-8302. Our team handles all the details, so you can focus on your trip!
Ready to Get Started?
We hope this beginner’s guide gives you a taste of what makes Brooklyn such an amazing and diverse destination. From world-famous attractions like Coney Island to hidden local gems, there is so much to see and do in this vibrant New York City borough. When you’re ready to start planning your Brooklyn group trip, Charter Bus Company Brooklyn is here to handle all your transportation needs. Our charter bus rentals provide safe, comfortable and convenient travel for medium to large groups. To learn more or request a free quote, call (646) 518-8302 today! We look forward to helping your group explore the very best of Brooklyn.