The best parks in Brooklyn in 2026 are Prospect Park, Olmsted and Vaux's masterpiece, Brooklyn Bridge Park for skyline views from its piers, Domino Park and McCarren Park in Williamsburg and Greenpoint, and Fort Greene Park. Marine Park, Shirley Chisholm State Park, Sunset Park, Owl's Head Park and the Coney Island boardwalk round out the list.
Olmsted and Vaux's 526-acre masterpiece.
Prospect Park has the Long Meadow, a lake, woodlands, the Prospect Park Zoo, LeFrak Center and summer concerts at the Lena Horne Bandshell.
Good to know: Smorgasburg sets up here on summer Sundays.
Waterfront piers with Manhattan skyline views.
Brooklyn Bridge Park's piers have lawns, sports fields, playgrounds, Jane's Carousel and kayaking, facing Lower Manhattan.
Good to know: Pier 1 has the classic skyline view at sunset.
A waterfront park on the old Domino Sugar site.
Domino Park has a riverfront promenade, a playground inspired by the sugar refinery, a taco kiosk and great views of the Williamsburg Bridge.
Good to know: Come at sunset for the bridge and skyline.
15 River St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
North Brooklyn's backyard, with a big public pool.
McCarren Park has sports fields, a running track and the restored McCarren Park Pool, a huge public pool open in summer.
Good to know: The public pool is free in summer — arrive early.
A hilltop park with the Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument.
Fort Greene Park, designed by Olmsted and Vaux, has rolling lawns, a Saturday greenmarket nearby and the Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument on its summit.
Good to know: Visit the Saturday greenmarket at the park's edge.
Brooklyn's largest park, with salt marshes and trails.
Marine Park has sports fields, a golf course and a salt-marsh nature trail on Jamaica Bay, with a nature center.
Good to know: Walk the salt-marsh trail at the nature center.
Former landfills turned hilltop bike trails over Jamaica Bay.
New York City's largest state park has miles of trails on reclaimed hills with views of Jamaica Bay, plus free bike rentals in season.
Good to know: Borrow a free bike in summer.
A hilltop park with one of the city's great harbor views.
The park that gives Sunset Park its name sits on a hill with sweeping views of the harbor, the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan.
Good to know: Go at sunset, of course.
Brooklyn's beach and its famous boardwalk.
The Riegelmann Boardwalk runs along Coney Island and Brighton Beach, with the beach, Luna Park and the New York Aquarium alongside.
Good to know: Walk from Coney Island to Brighton Beach for Russian food.
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Domino Park and the Brooklyn Heights Promenade face the Manhattan skyline; Sunset Park's hilltop has a sweeping view of the harbor.