The best things to do in Brooklyn

36 things to do we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

Browse another shelf: all of Brooklyn’s best · Restaurants · Shopping · Nightlife · Beauty · Bakeries & Sweets · Antiques, Thrift, & Vintage · Home & Garden · Arts & Culture · Health & Wellness · Hobbies, Books, & Crafts · Cafes · Parks & Outdoors · Sporting Goods · Services · Pets

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Entertainment · 36 places · showing the latest additions first

Chuck E. Cheese

Entertainment

Kid-friendly chain known for its arcade games, pizza parties & play zones.

162 Fulton Ave (Hempstead)

Kid-friendly chain known for its arcade games, pizza parties & play zones.

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Golf club with a pool and kid-friendly area, serving a variety of foods.

60 Front St (Hempstead)

Golf club with a pool and kid-friendly area, serving a variety of foods.

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MUSEUM OF ICE CREAM

Entertainment

Swap your doomscroll for sprinkles at Museum of Ice Cream in SoHo. Expect 14+ immersive rooms, a sweet subway, the world-famous Sprinkle…

558 Broadway (New York)

Swap your doomscroll for sprinkles at Museum of Ice Cream in SoHo. Expect 14+ immersive rooms, a sweet subway, the world-famous Sprinkle Pool, NYC’s longest indoor pink slide, and unlimited ice cream tastings that turn a random Tuesday into a mini vacation for you and your favorite people.

From the Manhattan newsletter, August 29, 2026

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Bow Bridge

Entertainment

When you need a low-effort, high-reward stroll, Bow Bridge delivers with its graceful, Victorian-era curve, decorative banister, and…

Central Park, Bow Bridge (New York)

When you need a low-effort, high-reward stroll, Bow Bridge delivers with its graceful, Victorian-era curve, decorative banister, and expansive views of the Lake. It links the Ramble and the path toward Bethesda Terrace, and it's one of Central Park’s most photographed, proposal-friendly spots.

From the North Bergen newsletter, September 8, 2026

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Whether you want open-air breeze on the 86th floor or sky-high wow on the 102nd, Empire State Building mixes classic Art Deco drama with…

20 W 34th St. (New York)

Whether you want open-air breeze on the 86th floor or sky-high wow on the 102nd, Empire State Building mixes classic Art Deco drama with museum-quality exhibits, from construction history to an interactive Kong moment, plus 360° skyline views that stretch across multiple states.

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Need a quick creative reset this week? The Greetings From Redhook Brooklyn Mural packs Red Hook inside each letter... anchors, water taxis,…

35 Seabring St

Need a quick creative reset this week? The Greetings From Redhook Brooklyn Mural packs Red Hook inside each letter... anchors, water taxis, lobster, even that grain terminal sunset, so snap a pic and soak up the grit-and-color vibe for a five-minute getaway.

From the Brooklyn newsletter, September 15, 2026

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Swingers NoMad

Entertainment

Swap the same-old bar hang for playful competition at Swingers NoMad, where multiple nine-hole courses meet legit cocktails and craveable…

35 W 29th St (New York) · ✓ checked Aug 12

Swap the same-old bar hang for playful competition at Swingers NoMad, where multiple nine-hole courses meet legit cocktails and craveable street food from Emmy Squared Pizza and a taqueria by chef Roberto Santibañez. Perfect for date night, group chaos, or just flexing that short game.

From the Manhattan newsletter, September 12, 2026

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The Greene Space

Entertainment

New York Public Radio venue where visitors can watch a variety of live broadcasts & tapings.

44 Charlton St (New York)

New York Public Radio venue where visitors can watch a variety of live broadcasts & tapings.

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Indoor golf facility featuring Trackman simulators, private bays, and a bar.

108 W 39th St Rm 310 (New York)

Indoor golf facility featuring Trackman simulators, private bays, and a bar.

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Five Iron Golf

Entertainment

Indoor golf center with 10 simulators, a sports bar, and other diversions.

22 Stone St (New York)

Indoor golf center with 10 simulators, a sports bar, and other diversions.

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Shipwrecked

Entertainment

Shipwrecked mixes mini golf, bite-sized escape rooms, and an arcade under one roof, plus beer and cider when you need a victory sip. Easy…

621 Court St

Shipwrecked mixes mini golf, bite-sized escape rooms, and an arcade under one roof, plus beer and cider when you need a victory sip. Easy pick for last-minute plans with friends or coworkers, and their QBIX immersive game cube is a wild little group challenge.

From the Brooklyn newsletter, September 7, 2026

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Regal Atlas Park

Entertainment

Theater complex with multiple screens featuring new release films, plush seating & concession stand.

80-00 Cooper Ave (Glendale)

Theater complex with multiple screens featuring new release films, plush seating & concession stand.

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Puttery

Entertainment

Indoor mini golf, with two courses, offers drinks and snacks. The themed course features digital scoring.

446 W 14th St (New York)

Indoor mini golf, with two courses, offers drinks and snacks. The themed course features digital scoring.

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SVA Theatre

Entertainment

Skip the algorithm and catch the real thing at SVA Theatre, a Chelsea cultural hub where curated screenings meet lively Q&As and fresh…

333 W 23rd St (New York)

Skip the algorithm and catch the real thing at SVA Theatre, a Chelsea cultural hub where curated screenings meet lively Q&As and fresh premieres. It’s the smarter move this week when the group chat needs plans that feel artsy without the pretension, just good films and conversations.

From the The Bronx newsletter, August 20, 2026

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Launch Family Entertainment Queens is the kind of indoor playground that burns off weekends in the best way, with wall-to-wall trampolines,…

163-50 Cross Bay Blvd (Howard Beach)

Launch Family Entertainment Queens is the kind of indoor playground that burns off weekends in the best way, with wall-to-wall trampolines, dodgeball, dunk hoops, a ninja course, rock wall, and battle beam. Bookable parties and glow sessions keep it interesting when the weather or your patience taps out.

From the Brooklyn newsletter, September 6, 2026

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Roxy Cinema New York keeps the reels spinning with indie standouts, foreign finds, and 35mm treats, including a 2006 series featuring The…

2 6th Avenue Cellar Level (New York)

Roxy Cinema New York keeps the reels spinning with indie standouts, foreign finds, and 35mm treats, including a 2006 series featuring The Departed and A Scanner Darkly, plus frequent filmmaker Q&As. When the algorithm feels stale, let a projectionist make the choices for you this week.

From the Brooklyn newsletter, August 25, 2026

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Regal Union Square

Entertainment

Theater complex with multiple screens featuring new release films, plush seating & concession stand.

850 Broadway (New York)

Theater complex with multiple screens featuring new release films, plush seating & concession stand.

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Party Solvers Entertainment does birthdays, school events, and block parties around Brooklyn with face painting, balloon animals, bouncy…

79-74 Cooper Ave (Ridgewood)

Party Solvers Entertainment does birthdays, school events, and block parties around Brooklyn with face painting, balloon animals, bouncy castles, and full decor, either at their private venue or right at your stoop. Local pros who actually wrangle chaos so you can sip coffee and be the hero.

From the Brooklyn newsletter, September 4, 2026

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Washington Square Fountain has anchored the foot of Fifth Avenue since 1852, a 50-foot-wide circle that turns everyday hangs into a little…

Washington Square N (New York)

Washington Square Fountain has anchored the foot of Fifth Avenue since 1852, a 50-foot-wide circle that turns everyday hangs into a little moment. Swing by midweek for a quick reset, then stroll the park feeling like you just unlocked a calmer version of the city.

From the Staten Island newsletter, August 28, 2026

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With tree-lined fairways, elevated greens and three water holes, Forest Park Golf Course makes Woodhaven feel pleasantly upstate for a few…

1-01 Forest Park Dr (Woodhaven)

With tree-lined fairways, elevated greens and three water holes, Forest Park Golf Course makes Woodhaven feel pleasantly upstate for a few hours. Over 6,000 yards and a clubhouse, plus lessons if rust has set in... perfect excuse to disappear for a round this week.

From the Queens newsletter, August 11, 2026

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When the kids are bouncing off your walls, Laser Bounce - Family Fun Center | Queens has the inflatable trampoline park, miniature bowling,…

80-28 Cooper Avenue The Shops at Atlas Park Mall (Glendale)

When the kids are bouncing off your walls, Laser Bounce - Family Fun Center | Queens has the inflatable trampoline park, miniature bowling, laser tag, the wacky Virtual Rabbids VR ride, a Ballocity arena, and a giant arcade to channel that energy. It’s an easy, all-indoor win for a midweek sanity save.

From the Brooklyn newsletter, August 28, 2026

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Swap delivery for a night of actually fun chopping at Taste Buds Kitchen in Chelsea, where adult classes and date nights walk you through…

109 W 27th St (New York)

Swap delivery for a night of actually fun chopping at Taste Buds Kitchen in Chelsea, where adult classes and date nights walk you through scratch-made menus, while kid-friendly camps and parties keep the littles busy. Fresh ingredients, a nut-free facility, and gluten-free menus mean everyone eats happily.

From the New York City newsletter, August 15, 2026

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Craving actual dinner with your plot twist? Nitehawk Cinema Williamsburg brings global fare and craft cocktails straight to your seat while…

136 Metropolitan Ave

Craving actual dinner with your plot twist? Nitehawk Cinema Williamsburg brings global fare and craft cocktails straight to your seat while the movie plays, so you can ditch the pre-show scramble and roll through the credits blissfully snack-happy.

From the Queens newsletter, August 21, 2026

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Cozymeal Cooking Classes NYC lines up hands-on cooking classes in NYC suited for date nights, groups, and beginners. When you want…

136 Madison Ave (New York)

Cozymeal Cooking Classes NYC lines up hands-on cooking classes in NYC suited for date nights, groups, and beginners. When you want something fun after work that doesn’t involve another packed bar, this is a solid move... good food energy, and maybe a little flour on your sleeves.

From the Manhattan newsletter, September 16, 2026

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Crush Wine Experiences leads sommelier-led day trips to New York wine country, with luxury transportation from Midtown Manhattan to top…

720 Greenwich St (New York)

Crush Wine Experiences leads sommelier-led day trips to New York wine country, with luxury transportation from Midtown Manhattan to top vineyards in the North Fork or Hudson Valley. Great for a low-effort, high-fun Saturday, they also host local tastings and virtual sessions when your couch is calling.

From the Freeport newsletter, September 9, 2026

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Low Cinema

Entertainment

Ridgewood’s own Low Cinema keeps it delightfully low-key with screenings, series, and even rentals if you’re itching to host your own…

70-11 60th St (Ridgewood)

Ridgewood’s own Low Cinema keeps it delightfully low-key with screenings, series, and even rentals if you’re itching to host your own big-screen moment. Skip the algorithms, let a real human curate your week and make a night of it close to home.

From the Queens newsletter, August 27, 2026

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Quad Cinema

Entertainment

Quad Cinema keeps cinephiles fed with four screens devoted to independent, foreign, and documentary gems, plus smart retrospectives and the…

34 W 13th St (New York)

Quad Cinema keeps cinephiles fed with four screens devoted to independent, foreign, and documentary gems, plus smart retrospectives and the occasional Rocky Horror live shadow cast. Expect filmmaker Q&As, carefully curated programs, and the Quad Bar for pre or post show chatter.

From the The Bronx newsletter, September 2, 2026

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Konnectgolf

Entertainment

Konnectgolf gives North Bergen golfers an easy excuse to keep the sticks warm with Trackman simulators, a comfy bar and lounge, and PGA pro…

590 5th Ave Fl 2 (New York)

Konnectgolf gives North Bergen golfers an easy excuse to keep the sticks warm with Trackman simulators, a comfy bar and lounge, and PGA pro lessons in eight studios. Jump into weekly challenges or book a lesson, then play the world’s best courses without braving the Hudson winds.

From the Smithtown newsletter, September 6, 2026

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Step into Eternal Nature at Arte Museum New York, where crashing waterfalls, endless blossoms, and ocean whispers surround you in light,…

61 Chelsea Piers (New York)

Step into Eternal Nature at Arte Museum New York, where crashing waterfalls, endless blossoms, and ocean whispers surround you in light, sound, and bespoke fragrance. The Musée d’Orsay collaboration reimagines Monet, Van Gogh and more through epic digital scenes, plus playful moments like Tornado and Live Sketchbook.

From the North Bergen newsletter, August 26, 2026

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From lucky cats and koi to a sly Fung Wah cameo and a nod to Nom Wah, the Greetings From Chinatown Mural packs Brooklyn-adjacent nostalgia…

1 Allen St (New York)

From lucky cats and koi to a sly Fung Wah cameo and a nod to Nom Wah, the Greetings From Chinatown Mural packs Brooklyn-adjacent nostalgia into postcard-style letters. It’s the original spark of the Greetings Tour, worth a quick color-drenched detour when your week needs a lift.

From the Brooklyn newsletter, August 27, 2026

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The Cinemas NYC

Entertainment

The Cinemas NYC retired in-seat service for an elevated food and beverage setup that keeps the picture the star, so no clinking plates…

11 Fulton St (New York)

The Cinemas NYC retired in-seat service for an elevated food and beverage setup that keeps the picture the star, so no clinking plates mid-scene. Slide in for their August Encore Series... think The Goonies, GoodFellas, The Truman Show, even Clueless, all looking fresh on a giant screen.

From the Brooklyn newsletter, August 18, 2026

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Settle into signature lounge chairs with wireless headphones and Empire State Building views while Rooftop Cinema Club Midtown rolls out…

60 W 37th St 3rd Floor (New York)

Settle into signature lounge chairs with wireless headphones and Empire State Building views while Rooftop Cinema Club Midtown rolls out newer releases, cult favorites, drag nights, queer cinema, and family matinees.

From the The Bronx newsletter, August 24, 2026

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Big Screen Plaza

Entertainment

When your next milestone, offsite, or viewing party needs serious visual punch, Big Screen Plaza delivers a 30-foot HD canvas inside…

851 6th Ave (New York)

When your next milestone, offsite, or viewing party needs serious visual punch, Big Screen Plaza delivers a 30-foot HD canvas inside private event spaces, perfect for montage reveals, branding loops, photobooth feeds, or live gaming, with rotating art from local and international artists keeping the vibe creative and…

From the Islip newsletter, September 5, 2026

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When you need low stakes competition with a view, Pier 25 Mini Golf & Volleyball delivers. Walk-in mini golf, beach volleyball rentals and…

225 West St (New York)

When you need low stakes competition with a view, Pier 25 Mini Golf & Volleyball delivers. Walk-in mini golf, beach volleyball rentals and leagues, a playground for the kids, and a laid-back snack bar, all on a breezy Hudson River pier that actually stretches out over the water.

From the Brooklyn newsletter, September 2, 2026

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Cinema Village

Entertainment

Longtime West Village theater known for showing offbeat & foreign movies, plus documentaries.

22 E 12th St (New York)

Longtime West Village theater known for showing offbeat & foreign movies, plus documentaries.

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Golfzon Social is Brooklyn’s lounge-style golf spot where you can book a bay, play courses on next‑level simulators, and actually hang with…

15 Hoyt St

Golfzon Social is Brooklyn’s lounge-style golf spot where you can book a bay, play courses on next‑level simulators, and actually hang with friends. Drop in for leagues, lessons, or just hit while you eat and watch the game with great food and drinks.

From the Brooklyn newsletter, September 22, 2026

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