Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Runners in Brooklyn
Top Things to Do in New York City for Runners in Brooklyn
1. Prospect Park Loop
Circle Brooklyn’s leafy heart on the car-free Park Drive, a classic 3.35-mile loop past Long Meadow, Nethermead, and Prospect Lake with rolling terrain and just-right elevation for steady aerobic miles or hill repeats.
✓ Why Go:
It’s Brooklyn’s signature run: safe, scenic, and social, with enough undulation to build strength without crushing your pace. You’ll share the drive with a parade of locals, strollers, and club workouts year-round.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early mornings in spring and fall for cool temps and thin crowds; weekday dawn runs are especially smooth. Summer evenings add energy but expect more foot and bike traffic.
✓ Insider Tip:
Use the Boathouse and Lakeside LeFrak Center for restrooms and water (fountains are seasonal). Run counterclockwise to attack the Battle Pass hill; go clockwise for a gentler profile.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Runners rave about the community vibe and reliable loop—"my go-to mileage"—with many calling it the best all-around training ground in the borough.
2. Coney Island Boardwalk
Glide along ocean air on the Riegelmann Boardwalk from Coney Island to Brighton Beach, a flat, forgiving surface made for sunrise strides with sea views and wide-open sky.
✓ Why Go:
It’s hard to beat waves, gulls, and salty breeze for effortless cadence. The long straightaway is perfect for tempo efforts and shakeouts before a beach dip or post-run coffee.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Sunrise year-round to avoid crowds and wind; winter offers serene emptiness, while summer mornings before 9 am are coolest.
✓ Insider Tip:
Start at Stillwell Avenue for easy transit access and bathrooms nearby; the boards can be slick after rain—pick the concrete service path on wet days.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors call it "pure joy running by the Atlantic," praising the flat profile, ocean energy, and easy refuel options steps from the finish.
3. Brooklyn Bridge Park
String together Piers 1–6 on a scenic waterfront path with skyline views, pocket lawns, and gentle rollers from DUMBO to Atlantic Avenue—ideal for photo-worthy recovery runs.
✓ Why Go:
The vistas of Lower Manhattan, the bridges, and working harbor keep motivation high, while frequent benches, bathrooms, and water make it runner-friendly.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Golden hour for dreamy light and cooler temps; weekdays are quieter. Midday weekends can be crowded—go early to float through.
✓ Insider Tip:
Add out-and-backs to Pier 5 and Pier 6 for extra mileage. Watch for bikes on the Greenway sections and slow for cobblestones near DUMBO.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Out-of-towners gush over the views—"felt like a movie set"—and locals love how easy it is to tailor distance without losing scenery.
4. Eastern Parkway Greenway
Cruise the continuous, tree-lined pedestrian malls from Grand Army Plaza through Crown Heights on a straight, slightly rolling corridor built for steady-state efforts.
✓ Why Go:
It’s predictable, shaded, and traffic-light friendly, letting you lock into pace without constant stops. Culture bonuses: you pass the library, museum, and Botanic Garden.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Morning and early evening, especially in summer for shade. Fall foliage adds a morale boost for longer workouts.
✓ Insider Tip:
Use the Brooklyn Museum plaza as a meetup spot and water stop; bring a handheld in warmer months since fountains are limited along the median.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Runners appreciate the "tempo-friendly straightaway" and the neighborhood energy—busy but not chaotic.
5. McCarren Park Track
Dial in speedwork on a public 400m oval beside North Brooklyn’s green hub, with easy jog loops around the park for warm-up and cool-down.
✓ Why Go:
If you’re chasing splits, this is the place. The surface is forgiving, distances are exact, and there’s always a fellow runner to push the pace.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early mornings for open lanes; late evenings after leagues finish. Spring and fall are peak for structured workouts.
✓ Insider Tip:
Check park schedules to avoid team practices; bring your own water as fountains can be seasonal. Add a Kent Avenue waterfront jog for variety.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors call it "friendly and fast," noting a welcoming track culture and plenty of training partners.
6. Erie Basin Park
Loop the sculpture-dotted esplanade wrapping Red Hook’s waterfront with views of tugboats, Governors Island, and the Statue of Liberty on clear days.
✓ Why Go:
Flat, breezy paths offer meditative miles and unique maritime scenery—great for recovery runs or stacked laps to build volume.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late afternoon for calmer winds and golden light; mornings are quiet but can be gusty.
✓ Insider Tip:
Restrooms and water are available inside the adjacent store during open hours; shade is limited—wear a cap on sunny days.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Runners love the "hidden gem" vibe and harbor panoramas, calling it peaceful compared with busier waterfronts.
7. Shore Road Greenway
Follow a waterside path along Bay Ridge’s shoreline to the Verrazzano-Narrows, with long, uninterrupted stretches perfect for building endurance.
✓ Why Go:
It’s one of Brooklyn’s best spots for long runs: flat, scenic, and less congested, with steady breezes and bridge views as a reward.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Sunset for glowing harbor views; weekend early mornings for quiet, especially on longer efforts.
✓ Insider Tip:
Start at the pier and add loops through Owl’s Head Park for hill work; winds pick up from the southwest—plan your out-and-back so you finish with a tailwind.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Praised as "calming and spacious," with many noting it feels safely removed from city buzz while still very accessible.
8. Bushwick Inlet Park
Stitch turf-perimeter laps with the adjacent waterfront path on Kent Avenue, linking to Domino Park for a varied workout with skyline views.
✓ Why Go:
Short loops meet scenic straights, letting you combine intervals and easy miles without traffic stress—ideal for structured sessions.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday mornings for space on the paths; evenings buzz with energy but can be crowded.
✓ Insider Tip:
Use the fieldhouse area for dynamic warm-ups; tack on a north–south out-and-back to rack up distance without repeating the same view.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Runners call it "a compact training playground," appreciating the water views and quick access to coffee after.
9. Marine Park Salt Marsh Nature Trail
Wind through low-lying coastal habitat on soft paths and boardwalk, spotting egrets and spartina marsh as you bank quiet, low-impact miles.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a rare slice of coastal nature in the city—gentle underfoot and mentally refreshing—great for recovery days or mindful miles.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Mid-morning or late afternoon to avoid bugs and midday heat; winter brings crisp air and big skies.
✓ Insider Tip:
Bring insect repellent in warm months and watch footing where sand drifts onto the path after storms.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors cherish the "nature fix," saying it feels miles from the city and easy on joints.
10. Floyd Bennett Field
Run on historic airfield tarmacs and service roads with wide-open horizons—perfect for long intervals and headspace.
✓ Why Go:
The endless straightaways let you lock pace without interruption, and the big-sky setting is a mental reset from urban routes.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Calm early mornings; avoid high-wind days, which can make efforts feel harder. Cooler seasons are especially comfortable.
✓ Insider Tip:
Map a runway-repeat workout and bring layers—exposure makes it feel cooler than inland Brooklyn even in shoulder seasons.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Runners describe it as "surreal and spacious," ideal when you want focus, distance, and zero stoplights.
