Flatbush Avenue

The Basics

One of Brooklyn’s oldest roads, Flatbush Avenue is where Brooklynites live, eat, shop, socialize, and relax. Stores, restaurants, landmarks, parks, and historical neighborhoods line the four-lane avenue, from the East River in the north to Rockaway Peninsula in the south. Don't miss highlights such as Prospect Park, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn Museum, Grand Army Plaza, and the 1920s-built Kings Theatre. Flatbush's innumerable eateries serve everything from Caribbean to classic American food.

Explore the avenue’s sights, shops, and restaurants on foot; and turn off to delve into old-school neighborhoods such as Park Slope, Flatbush, and Ditmas Park, where the streets are flanked with brownstones and colonial-inspired mansions. Take a walking tour of Flatbush Avenue and its Flatbush district for in-depth and informed look at the area, and are ideal for history and architecture buffs.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Flatbush Avenue is an ideal place to experience one of New York’s most authentic and historical districts.

• The avenue is accessible for strollers and wheelchair-users.

• Wear comfortable shoes: Exploring the area and its parks involves serious walking.

How to Get There

Visiting Flatbush Avenue from Manhattan is easy by subway. Stations dot the its length: If you aim for its northern end, catch the B or Q lines and alight at Seventh Avenue near Prospect Park. Alternatively, to explore central Flatbush, disembark at Cortelyou Avenue. Frequent buses run to central Brooklyn from Manhattan. If you drive, look for paid street or lot parking.

When to Get There

Flatbush Avenue is busy day and night, so don’t expect a peaceful stroll unless you dive into its parks and residential quarters. In summer, it’s best to explore starting in mid-morning, browsing the shops and finishing with lunch at one of the many restaurants.

Must-Do Activities on Flatbush Avenue

Don’t miss Prospect Park: Brooklyn’s answer to Central Park offers shaded footpaths, lakes, copses, and a small zoo. It's particularly beautiful in fall. A walk around nearby Park Slope reveals vintage stores and hip restaurants hidden along streets of elegant brownstones. As a finale, make for Junior’s on the junction of DeKalb and Flatbush avenues to savor one of its famous cheesecakes.

Ways to explore

If you’re interested in exploring Brooklyn, you’ll likely encounter Flatbush Avenue, a 4-lane avenue running from the Manhattan Bridge in the north to the Rockaway Peninsula in the south. In addition to exploring the avenue’s sights, shops, and restaurants on foot, you’ll want to wander its adjacent neighborhoods such as Park Slope, Flatbush, and Ditmas Park, with their brownstones and colonial-inspired mansions.

Learn more about the area’s history on a walking tour of Flatbush Avenue and the Flatbush neighborhood. Some tours focus on the rich past of these neighborhoods, while others focus on local cuisine, street art, and music.

Accessibility

The avenue is mostly accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Water bottle, sunscreen, smartphone with a map app

What to wear

Comfortable shoes, hat, layers of breathable clothing

Not allowed

None

Amenities

Lively restaurants, iconic parks, art deco theaters, access to historical neighborhoods

Address

Visiting Flatbush Avenue from Manhattan is easiest by subway. While it’s possible to drive to this part of Brooklyn, subway stations dot its entire length, making access by public transportation reliable, affordable, and fast.

Driving

While public transportation is strongly recommended over driving, it is possible to drive to this part of Brooklyn, though expect expensive parking and slow traffic. Drivers can choose between trying their luck with street parking or parking in one of the many garages along Flatbush Avenue.

Public transportation

For the northern end of Flatbush Avenue, take the B or Q train to Prospect Park. To explore central Flatbush, take the B or Q train to Cortelyou Road.

Best times to visit

Flatbush Avenue is busy day and night, so don’t expect a peaceful stroll unless you explore its park and residential side streets.

Best days to visit

To really get a sense of the local atmosphere, visit on a Saturday or Sunday, when locals are out and about in the parks, coffee shops, and restaurants.

Best months to visit

The best times of year to visit Brooklyn are in spring or fall. Plan a trip in May, June, September, or October for weather that’s more pleasant than hot summers or frigid winters.

Special events

Flatbush Avenue is home to a wide range of festivals, parades, and special events such as the Flatbush Avenue Street Fair each summer, the Brooklyn Reggae Fest in March, and more.