A guide to free things to do in Brooklyn, NYC, from artistic to history places and quirky hidden gems – must-visit places in the Brooklyn area!
From Brooklyn Heights Promenade to Bushwick’s street art murals, Brooklyn is one of the NYC boroughs you shouldn’t miss for historic charm, arty places and natural beauty.
Whether you’re spending spring, fall or Christmas in New York City, Brooklyn has so much to offer; even if you’re visiting on a budget, treading the city will inexorably bring you to gorgeous spots.
Are you looking for new – and free viewpoints?
Are you into historical buildings, landmarks, cultural centers, or simply new instagrammable places to snap a few shots?
Brooklyn has it all, and more – so much more.
NYC’s Brooklyn: 9 Free Things to Do in the Buzzing Borough
Prospect Park, the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, free-to-access museums on select days, spooky mausoleums at the Green-Wood Cemetery…
Whatever you’re into, Brooklyn is proof that even if you’re on a budget trip to NYC, you can still find plenty of free experiences in a city famous for being one of the most expensive in the world.
If you are looking to be blown away, make sure you visit Brooklyn’s Dyker Heights for the most incredible Christmas decorations in NYC.
And if you’d like to go shopping, you’ll find Brooklyn to offer some of NYC’s prettiest bookstores, along with vintage shops, independent boutiques and many a picture-worthy cafe.
Keep reading, and you’ll find here all kinds of unique and free places to visit in quaint, creative, buzzing Brooklyn!
Free Things to Do in Brooklyn NYC: Green-Wood Cemetery
One of America’s oldest cemeteries, Green-Wood Cemetery offers striking views as soon as you spot its neo-Gothic gates, which give way to stunning architecture and a perfect haven for nature lovers looking for fresh new spots to visit during NYC’s fall time.
Established in 1838, Green-Wood Cemetery offers breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline from Battle Hill, and you might even spot the Statue of Liberty on clear days.
If you are into birdwatching, you might also want to bring your binoculars along.
Indeed, Green-Wood Cemetery is a famous spot for birdwatching (snow owls in the winter add an extra-layer of magic!), in addition to intricate sculptures and overwhelmingly beautiful mausoleums.
When you’re done visiting, head to nearby Industry City to admire art installations, discover authentic NYC street food spots and go for some shopping – great to relax after the long walk around the cemetery!
Free Things to Do in Brooklyn NYC: Brooklyn Botanic Garden (on Tuesdays)
There’s something about NYC’s parks and green spaces that can make anyone fall in love with nature again, especially with hidden gems like Billings Arcade in Fort Tryon, or the Burnett Fountain in Central Park.
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is one such place, and completely free to visit on Tuesdays – additionally, the botanic garden also offers free community tickets on the daily for those who might need them.
Anchored in the heart of the borough, right next to Prospect Park, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is filled with hidden gems.
For instance, the Cherry Esplanade is perfect to visit in the spring for cherry blossom, while the Rose Garden, with its thousands of bushes, becomes one of NYC’s most romantic spots in the summer.
The Desert Pavilion in the Steinhardt Conservatory is perfect to admire succulents and towering cacti – if you’re visiting New York with kids, check out the Discovery Garden with its interactive, hands-on activities.
There’s so much to discover at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, but whatever you do, don’t miss the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden: it’s one of the oldest and most famous Japanese gardens outside Japan, and extra-beautiful in the fall.
Once you’re done visiting, walk over to the Brooklyn Museum for other kinds of aesthetics, world-class art and culture, or keep unwinding at Prospect Park!
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Free Things to Do in Brooklyn NYC: Brooklyn Heights Promenade for Free Views
Treading the Brooklyn Heights Promenade makes for a bucket list experience when visiting NYC, especially if you’d like to take in views of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge.
Stretching over a third of a mile, the walkway is anchored in the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood, NYC’s first designated Historic District, with lovely brownstones that make the area feel overly magical.
Along the promenade, plenty of benches make for perfect picnic spots, with plaques unveiling the city’s maritime history.
Once you’ve taken in the views of famous NYC landmarks like the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center (don’t miss the Christmas market at the Oculus!), take the staircase down to Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Packed with gorgeous piers, walking paths and ferries lazily cruising by, the park makes for the cherry on top of a visit of Brooklyn!
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Free Things to Do in Brooklyn NYC: Street Art in Bushwick
Brooklyn’s Bushwick is the hotspot for some of the best street art in the city, where every corner feels like an open-air museum – Rome, Paris, or London’s street art spots almost feel small compared to Bushwick.
Stroll along Troutman Street and Jefferson Street near the Jefferson L train stop for huge murals, and don’t hesitate to pop by regularly if you can: you’ll never see the same things twice!
Socially-committed, embedded in pop culture, Bushwick’s roots date back to the 70s and 80s graffiti culture, with the heart of it all being the Bushwick Collective, a collection of murals that started in 2012 thanks to local Joe Ficalora.
After soaking in the bright and colorful creativity, it’s time for some thrift shopping and window shopping at local boutiques.
Or, if you’d like to proper taste of NYC’s food, head over to famous Roberta’s for buzzing vibe and wood-fired pizza!
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Free Things to Do in Brooklyn NYC: Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn is packed with secret gardens and magical parks; the Brooklyn Bridge Park is one of them, stretching along the East River with beautiful views of Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty.
Built on repurposed shipping piers, the park is divided into distinct areas that all offer a different vibe; at Pier 5, dedicated to food lovers, you’ll find plenty to make that stomach happy.
Pier 1 is the largest and boasts one of the best views of the Brooklyn Bridge, whereas Pier 2 is where you’ll want to go for people-watching: it’s indeed filled with basketball courts, handball, free kayaking in the summer, and even a roller-skating rink!
Just north of the park is where you’ll find famous Dumbo and its cobblestreets.
Pop by Washington Street for one of the prettiest photo spots in front of the bridge, and why not end the day at Time Out Market to discover new street food?
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Free Things to Do in Brooklyn NYC: Brooklyn Museum (First Saturday of the Month)
If you’re in Brooklyn on the first Saturday of the month, make sure you head to the Brooklyn Museum!
Not only is the Beaux-Arts building reason enough to visit, but the museum’s collection is one of the most impressive in the world.
Located right next to Prospect Park, the Brooklyn Museum features anything from ancient Egyptian artifacts to American artists like Georgia O’Keeffe, and even offers free events on a regular basis.
Whether you’re visiting solo or looking for new things to do with friends but are on a tight budget, you’ll still be able to enjoy live music, film screenings and dance performances; perfect to really feel Brooklyn’s energy!
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Free Things to Do in Brooklyn NYC: Brooklyn Horror Society
Something a bit more off the beaten path now, with the Brooklyn Horror Society; fans of everything creepy and supernatural will want to join the community, which only offers free events.
Celebrating horror in all its forms, the Brooklyn Horror Society hosts trivia nights and film screenings, making horror an immersive experience in the heart of the borough.
To get info on upcoming events, check out Brooklyn Horror Society’s social media: the schedules change all the time, and no two events feel the same!
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Free Things to Do in Brooklyn NYC: Red Hook’s Valentino Pier
Tucked away in the Red Hook neighborhood, the Valentino Pier is one to visit for unbeatable views of the Statue of Liberty, and on clear days, you can also spot Staten Island, Governors Island and the Lower Manhattan skyline.
On the smaller side, the surrounding park is still a great spot to visit in NYC during the summer if you’re into kayaking: the Red Hook Boaters host free kayaking sessions on select weekends.
Simply one of the prettiest places to enjoy the sunset in New York City, Red Hook’s Valentino Pier feels romantic and adventurous – once you’ve taken it all in, make sure you explore the industrial yet artsy streets of Red Hook before getting some well-deserved food!
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Free Things to Do in Brooklyn NYC: St. Ann’s Warehouse
Established in the heart of Dumbo, St Ann’s Warehouse is a picturesque 19th-century tobacco warehouse turned creative hub: this is where you can enjoy theater, music, and pretty much all kinds of performances.
The Max Family Garden within the warehouse’s walls is perfect for a picnic or to read for a bit when the weather is nice, but the free open-air concerts and jam sessions really are why you should visit St Ann’s Warehouse.
After exploring, you can grab a bite at a local Dumbo restaurant, at the Time Out Market or take a stroll along Brooklyn Bridge Park nearby for views.
Don’t miss this quirky hidden gem inside the park: Jane’s Carousel, a restored 1922 carousel with beautiful colors and a feel of the past!
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NYC’s Brooklyn: 9 Free Things to Do in the Buzzing Borough
Exploring Brooklyn without spending a dime is possible, and while most of the free places to visit are either parks or museums, NYC is packed with free activities to enjoy in all boroughs.
Take a soothing walk through Green-Wood Cemetery to admire Victorian gravestones, admire the sunset at Valentino Pier or take pictures in front of the bridge at Washington Street and Water Streets if you’re looking for a day out.
Or, if you plan in advance, make sure you really feel Brooklyn’s creative vibe at the Brooklyn Museum and St Ann’s Warehouse – so much to do, never enough time!