The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Kings County

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is an essential New York City experience, offering a unique perspective on the urban landscape. You'll stroll along an elevated wooden boardwalk, high above the East River, with the bridge's intricate neo-Gothic towers and steel cables framing your journey. The highlight is undoubtedly the sweeping panorama of the Manhattan skyline, featuring landmarks like One World Trade Center and the Empire State Building, making this an easy 2.1-mile (3.3 km) route that feels incredibly rewarding.

This easy walk, with only 38 feet (12 metres) of elevation gain, takes about 51 minutes to complete, but allow extra time for photos. To make the most of your visit, aim for early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heaviest crowds, which can make the shared pedestrian and cycle path feel narrow. While there are no restrooms on the bridge itself, benches are available for a quick rest.

Completed in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was a monumental engineering feat, the world's first all-steel suspended span. It remains a designated National Historic Landmark and an architectural marvel. The walk connects Manhattan to Brooklyn, providing easy access to vibrant neighborhoods like DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights, perfect for exploring before or after your crossing.

The Prospect Park Loop offers a truly unique urban hiking experience, guiding you through Brooklyn's last remaining upland forest and past scenic landmarks like the historic Litchfield Villa and the picturesque Nethermead Arches. You'll encounter a diverse range of terrain, from mulched paths and paved sections to gravel and even some singletrack, with the route winding past the tranquil Prospect Park Lake and its cascading waterfalls. This extensive circular walk provides a refreshing connection with nature, making you forget you're in the heart of the city.

This difficult hiking route spans 12.3 miles (19.7 km) with 423 feet (129 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 5 hours and 8 minutes to complete. The park is well-equipped with amenities like water fountains and restrooms, making it convenient for visitors. Public transportation to Prospect Park is excellent, and while some sections can get muddy, the trails are generally well-maintained. Consider visiting in spring for wildflowers or autumn for vibrant colors.

Designed by the renowned Olmsted and Vaux, Prospect Park is a carefully planned oasis known for its significant biodiversity, hosting over 250 bird species during migration. It's home to Brooklyn's oldest known forest and features a unique man-made watercourse with several waterfalls, including Fallkill Falls. The formalized nature trail system, with marked routes and signage, protects fragile habitats while allowing public access to this remarkable natural gem.

The Highland Park Greenway offers a refreshing urban escape, winding through diverse terrain on a high plateau. You'll traverse paved, gravel, and dirt paths, moving between wooded sections, wetlands, and open meadows. The route provides unique elevated viewpoints, allowing glimpses of the surrounding city, cemeteries, and even the Atlantic Ocean, especially during leaf-off seasons. Keep an eye out for the historic Ridgewood Reservoir, a central feature that has transformed into a vibrant natural area. It's an easy 2.7-mile (4.3 km) hike with minimal elevation gain, making it a perfect low-impact activity.

Planning your visit is straightforward, as the trail is highly accessible with multiple pedestrian entrances from various Brooklyn and Queens neighborhoods. While specific parking information can vary, public transportation is a viable option for reaching the park. The 1 hour and 7 minutes duration makes it an ideal choice for a quick outing, and it's particularly pleasant during the milder spring and autumn months, though it's open for enjoyment year-round.

This greenway is a significant part of the Atlantic Flyway, making it an excellent spot for wildlife spotting, particularly birdwatching, with over 151 species recorded. The historic infrastructure, including gatehouses and an old stone bridge from 1902, adds a charming layer to the natural beauty. It's a family-friendly hike that offers a unique blend of natural serenity and urban vistas, providing a valuable green space within the bustling city.

The Peaks of Prospect Park offers a delightful urban escape, guiding you through a surprisingly varied landscape of woodlands, meadows, and the rugged Ravine. You'll encounter Brooklyn's last remaining upland forest, the Midwood, with its ancient trees, and enjoy picturesque views of the park's intricate watercourse and lake. This moderate 5.3-mile (8.5 km) hike, with 199 feet (61 metres) of elevation gain, takes about 2 hours and 13 minutes, providing a refreshing journey through nature.

Planning your visit is straightforward, as Prospect Park is well-served by public transport, making it easy to reach the trailheads near Grand Army Plaza or the West Entrance. While street parking is available, it's often busy, so consider public transport or arriving early. Spring and autumn are particularly beautiful for wildflowers and fall foliage, respectively, while summer offers welcome shade under magnificent tulip and oak trees.

This route is a testament to the vision of Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who designed the park to be a natural oasis. Beyond its scenic trails, the park is a crucial habitat for hundreds of bird species along the Atlantic Flyway, making it a prime spot for wildlife spotting. It's a fantastic way to experience the natural features and landmarks of Prospect Park.