Brooklyn Staycation: A Day In Park Slope
Looking for a way to get away without the hassle of taking a trip? How about a day trip to another part of our lovely Brooklyn? Here are our recommendations for a Saturday in Park Slope.
To get to Park Slope, take practically any train to the Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center stop. The B, D, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4, 5 trains all stop at this hub on the north side of the neighborhood. Once out of the train, make your way past the Barclays Center and head down Flatbush Avenue toward Grand Army Plaza. Stop by Hungry Ghost at 253 Flatbush Avenue and grab a cold brew coffee. They serve their Stumptown cold brew on a nitro tap, so it is very smooth and refreshing.
As you make your way down, stop by Lost & Find outside of Giti Fashion at 306 Flatbush near Park Place, where artist Hannah Rawe crafts tiny, iconic sculptures and wearable brass versions of items people have lost, so they can get them back.
When you get to Grand Army Plaza, stop by the beautiful Art Deco Central Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library. The branch hosts all sorts of events, from book readings to performances to art shows. The café is run by Four & Twenty Blackbirds, so if you are in the mood for a slice of pie, they’ve got some great combinations — we recommend the salted caramel apple.
For history buffs, the Library’s Central Branch is also the home of the Brooklyn Collection, with archival Brooklyn maps, photographs, prints, books, and the full run of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. It is open from 1-5:30pm on Saturdays.
Saturday mornings in Grand Army Plaza are also home to the Greenmarket. So pick up some fresh produce, or a pastry from Bread Alone or Baker’s Bounty. The Greenmarket also features music by local artists and cooking demonstrations.
After checking out the Greenmarket, head into Prospect Park to take in some of the natural beauty of Brooklyn. If you have kids, the Prospect Park Alliance hosts some great programs on the weekends, including their Nature Exploration and the Pop-Up Audubon. Or take a free boat ride on the lake.
Once you’ve gotten your fill of the Park, head out at Prospect Park West at 9th Street to take in the beautiful brownstone architecture the neighborhood is known for — and a great view down the slope. Keep a look out for the many summer stoop sales, and you might be able to grab a bargain on a book or some new-to-you household wares.
If you’re hungry for brunch, you’re in the right place. One spot that will satisfy everyone is Dizzy’s, which has two locations in the neighborhood, one at the corner of 9th Street and 8th Avenue and the other at the corner of 5th Avenue and President Street. They have seven different ways of making eggs benedict, and their brunch menu comes with an all you can eat basket of mini-muffins and scones as well as a mimosa or bloody Mary.
Now full of eggs and brunch cocktails, walk it off with a little window shopping on 5th Avenue — the street has an abundance of great boutiques. If you’re looking for something a bit more educational, check out the Old Stone House in Washington Park, an important site during the Battle of Brooklyn, the first battle of the Revolutionary War. It’s open on the weekends from 11am to 4pm.
Or if you’d rather take in some local art, pay a visit to Ground Floor Gallery at 343 5th Street, just off 5th Avenue, which has been hosting shows by local and emerging artists since 2013.
If you have kids (or even if you don’t), the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co. at 372 5th Avenue is a fun place to stock up on superhero essentials like invisibility paint and capes, and all purchases in the store go toward supporting tutoring and literacy programs run by 826NYC in the “secret” back room.
After all that walking around, it might be time to stop for a drink. Want to lounge outside on a nice summer evening? You’re in luck, as Park Slope is packed with great outdoor spaces.
A few we would recommend are Backyard (388 5th Avenue), which has a great (you guessed it) backyard, The Gate (321 5th Avenue), which has outdoor seating that’s great for people watching on 5th Avenue, or if you want a view (of the Gowanus Canal) with your beer, check out The Roof at Whole Foods Market on 3rd Avenue and 3rd Street.
Interested in something a little more substantial? There are also quite a few places to eat a meal outdoors in the neighborhood — 66 places, to be exact — and there are no shortage of delicious options. For something inexpensive but filling, The Dram Shop‘s (339 9th Street) burger consistently tops best-of lists, or try our favorite tacos from Varrio 408 (408 5th Avenue). For something a bit fancier, the new spot Bricolage (162 5th Avenue) has some surprising twists on traditional Vietnamese fare, while neighborhood staple Bogota Latin Bistro (141 5th Avenue) has some can’t-miss empanadas.
To top off your day, check out a show at Union Hall (702 Union Street) or The Bell House (149 7th Street at 2nd Avenue). Both feature comedy, music, dancing and more. Union Hall also has bocce ball for those of you who want some physical activity with your drinking.
Or if you’re looking for something a bit different, check out Royal Palms Shuffleboard located just across the Gowanus Canal at 514 Union Street, which features full size shuffleboards that you can rent for $40/hour. Plus, it’s just next door to the ultimate end to a summer day: ice cream on the rooftop of Ample Hills Creamery.
And that’s just the beginning. There are more great things to do in Park Slope than we could possibly list here. To keep up to date on what’s happening in the neighborhood, sign up for our daily newsletter!