10 Things To Do In Prospect Heights
Prospect Heights in Brooklyn, NY is a neighborhood bounded by Flatbush Avenue to the east, Atlantic Avenue to the south, Washington Avenue to the west, and Eastern Parkway to the north. Known for its beautiful brownstone-lined streets and historic architecture, it is a diverse and vibrant neighborhood with residential, commercial, and cultural offerings.
This community is highly desirable for those who want a lively arts and culture scene and a wide range of restaurants, cafes, and food markets. Prospect Heights is well-connected to other parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan via multiple subway lines, buses, and bike lanes.
If you want to know what to do in this area, check out the following ten suggestions for Prospect Heights.
BROOKLYN HIGH LOW
Brooklyn High Low is one of the best tea rooms in all of New York City. Opened in 2020 and located at 611 Vanderbilt Avenue, you'll be instantly transported to another world when you enter. The "classic-British-meets-Brooklyn-style" atmosphere is the perfect blend of relaxed and elegant. Reservations are required (and tough to get), so plan ahead and make a date out of it.
BROOKLYN MUSEUM
The prestigious Brooklyn Museum is conveniently located on the edge of Prospect Heights on Eastern Parkway and Washington Avenue. It is one of the country's oldest and largest museums and includes an extensive collection of Egyptian, African, European, Islamic, and Asian Art in its permanent collection. The rotating exhibits have included Mark Rothko, David Bowie, Basquiat, Georgia O'Keefe, Norman Rockwell, and many others. There is always at least one impressive temporary exhibit, so even if you’ve visited in the past you should come back again to see what’s new. On the first Saturday of the month, the museum is free to the public from 5pm-11 p.m.
GOLD STAR BEER COUNTER
After a walk around the loop in Prospect Park, reward yourself with a cold beer at Gold Star Beer Counter. Husband-and-wife duo Joshua and Maria Van Horn opened this oasis in July of 2015 and quickly gained favor among locals as a uniquely warming rat-race respite. They offer a rotation of craft drafts as well as bottles to go. Located in a quiet neighborhood pocket on the corner of Underhill and Sterling, Gold Star also spins a solid vinyl soundtrack to evoke the feeling that you’re lounging in a good friend’s den. Good beer, good food, and good vibes.
SHAMBHALA YOGA & DANCE CENTER
Head over to Shambhala for an oasis of peace, comfort, and inclusion. You can join the community to breathe deeply, restore your spirit, and regain some inner clarity and balance. They offer yoga and dance sessions led by instructors from various backgrounds who are passionate about their practice and bring a unique perspective and approach to each session.
ODE TO BABEL
The popular Prospect Heights bar is known in the neighborhood for drawing a crowd with Afropunk-themed DJ sets and tropical cocktails fortified with gin distilled in-house. Ode to Babel is owned and operated by twin sisters Marva and Myriam Babel, native Brooklynites who grew up in Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights. The stylish lounge offers cocktails that change seasonally and a surprisingly tasty menu. Arrive early on a Friday or Saturday night because the place is small and gets packed.
CIAO, GLORIA
Ciao, Gloria is a sun-kissed neighborhood hangout serving coffee drinks plus sweet & savory bites in a modern setting. I recommend their PEC breakfast sandwich (prosciutto, egg, and cheese), which comes on a brioche bread roll with pesto and arugula. Order at the counter to-go or sit and people-watch through the big windows overlooking Vanderbilt ave.
BARCLAYS CENTER
Barclays Center is a multi-purpose indoor arena on Flatbush Avenue, right on the eastern border of Prospect Heights. The stylish arena is home to the Brooklyn Nets of the NBA and the New York Liberty of the WNBA. Barclays is a great option to see more prominent acts without a smaller music venue in the neighborhood. Past performers include Katy Perry, Kid Cuti, Rolling Stones, Kendrick Lamar, and Brooklyn’s own Jay-Z.
BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN
There's something special about the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and it's worth repeat visits. The Cherry Esplanade is one of the best locations in Prospect Heights to sit and be calm in a beautiful, peaceful place. The vibrant carp in the Japanese Garden fish pond are also worth a look. The 52-acre Garden was founded in 1910 using land from Mount Prospect Park and holds over 14,000 taxa of plants.
A.MANO BROOKLYN
A.Mano is a space with many functions. It was designed with three main rooms: the main gallery, a coffee shop, and a multi-functional gallery. It is a bright and beautiful store, selling everything from home furnishings and accessories from various artists and designers to coffee and pastries. It also functions as a place to host events, exhibitions, talks, and product launches. A truly unique and thoughtful place.
UNNAMEABLE BOOKS
One of the best new & used bookstores in Brooklyn. Unnameable Books is a cozy space at 615 Vanderbilt has everything you’d want from a mom-and-pop bookshop: a nicely curated selection, occasional readings, and a friendly (but not pushy) staff. Stop by for an unexpected find in a small gem of a shop.
MOVING TO PROSPECT HEIGHTS?
If you want to move to this desirable neighborhood, you will need the services of a real estate agent who knows and understands the area. Craig Yoskowitz is one of the most respected and high-performing brokers in Prospect Heights. He's lived in the area since 2003 and has sold a number of properties in neighborhood.