Best Neighborhoods Near Prospect Park - 2025 Guide

If you’re unsure where to find NYC’s best neighborhoods, look to the parks. 

Prospect Park’s 526 acres are a centerpiece of Brooklyn’s cultural and outdoor scene. Home to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden and the Prospect Park Zoo, the expansive space has no shortage of pop-up events and concerts, no matter the season.

Those considering a home in Brooklyn have probably heard of the iconic neighborhoods surrounding Prospect Park, but pinpointing the perfect one isn’t as easy as it may seem.

Below, the team from Prevu Real Estate will take you on a local tour of some of the top Brooklyn neighborhoods near Prospect Park, from the legendary brownstones of Park Slope to the residential charm of Windsor Terrace.

Best Neighborhoods near Prospect Park

• Prospect Heights
• Crown Heights
• Park Slope
• Prospect Lefferts Gardens
• Windsor Terrace
• Kensington

Prospect Heights

Crowning the northern tip of Prospect Park, Prospect Heights offers three primary perks: easy access to Manhattan, the park at your doorstep, and a wealth of cultural diversity.

You’ll know you’re in Prospect Heights when you catch sight of the breathtaking Grand Army Plaza archway, completed in 1889 to memorialize Union soldiers while serving as a grand entrance to the park.

No matter which street you take from there, some of Brooklyn’s most storied and desirable homes will be displayed. Pre-war masterpieces from the late 1800s showcase classic co-op layouts made prominent during that era. Expect to find high ceilings, vast living spaces, and even functioning fireplaces in these buildings.

Prospect Heights is small, though much of it is a designated historic district. Opulent Italianate and Neo-Grec home styles - the pinnacle of the brownstone era - line the entirety of Eastern Parkway, one of the neighborhood’s most picturesque streets.

But Prospect Heights is no stranger to a modern touch; just head to its northwest tip.

Barclays Center and the surrounding shopping districts give residents access to virtually every convenience, whether catching a Nets game or shopping at Whole Foods. The same convenience extends to commuting.

Grand Army Plaza’s subway station grants you access to the 2 and 3 trains, while the 7th Ave stop, just a few blocks away, provides the Q express train and a straight shot to Midtown Manhattan.

Crown Heights

Spanning almost two miles long, Crown Heights is a panorama of diversity, historic architecture, and boundless entertainment.

A melting pot of cultures, Crown Heights champions its ethnic mosaic through various home-grown businesses and cultural events. Caribbean, African-American, Hispanic, and Jewish roots have been prominent in Crown Heights for many years. The priceless contributions they’ve made to the neighborhood’s distinct character are visible in its iconic locales, such as Gloria’s Caribbean cuisine and Colina Cuervo’s Ecuadorean-inspired cafe.

The sheer size of Crown Heights allows for multiple thoroughfares that make any lifestyle accessible. Nostrand Avenue hosts countless popular locales and bars; Franklin Avenue is a go-to for traditional Mexican food; and Kingston Avenue is home to the Crown Heights Historic District and multiple museums.

Take some time to get to know the neighborhood, and you’ll realize how important the community is for its residents. NYC may be notorious for its sea of strangers, but Crown Heights clings tightly to its "stoop life" culture, and many neighbors are on a first-name basis.

You won’t have any trouble finding your new favorite restaurants and shops, and you won’t have trouble keeping your weekends busy.

Crown Heights has direct access to Prospect Park to the west, and that access comes with a unique perk: the Brooklyn Botanical Garden and the Brooklyn Museum. But if you’re not up for discovering new flora and fauna or perusing art exhibits, you can also take advantage of the nearby Prospect Park Zoo.

Depending on where you are in Crown Heights, you’ll take the 2,3 or 4 lines on Utica Avenue or the A and C lines on Fulton Street, with both routes providing easy access to Midtown Manhattan.

Park Slope

One of Brooklyn’s most desirable neighborhoods, Park Slope has steadily evolved into a near-perfect mix of residential bliss and big-city convenience.

Famous for its endless rows of luxurious brownstones, Park Slope can seem as exclusive as Park Avenue and as laid-back as the East Village, all at the same time. 

Move here, and you can have a favorite coffee shop for every day of the week, taste every imaginable cuisine, and use Prospect Park as your personal playground. You’ll have access to almost everything you need, whether it’s a fully-equipped gym, a local farmer’s market, or some of the best vegan burgers in Brooklyn.

Park Slope’s eclectic mix of upscale and casual is seamless; you can experience fine dining with a pre-fixe dinner or order hot wings and a beer all on one block. The yoga studios, local bookstores, thrift shops, and boutiques all organically intertwine amid Park Slope’s tree-lined streets.

You may have to sacrifice proximity to the subway if you want proximity to Prospect Park, depending on where you settle. The park is accessible from anywhere in Park Slope, but the closer you get to it, the further you’ll have to travel to get to the subway.

Two trains will be available to you here: the F and G lines and the N, R, and W. Both lines have stations along 9th Street, but the 7th Avenue stop is the closest to the park.

Prospect Lefferts Gardens

Sometimes called the "Upper West Side of Brooklyn," Prospect Lefferts Gardens checks all the boxes: a direct commute to Manhattan, easy access to Prospect Park, and a robust cultural fabric.

Flatbush Avenue is the lifeblood of the neighborhood; it was the cornerstone of the area even before Prospect Lefferts Gardens got its name. This is where you’ll find a display of Lefferts Garden’s rich ethnic diversity. Dominican, Caribbean-American, and Mexican cuisine create a palate of unparalleled dining options that aren’t easy to find anywhere else.  

Similar to all the neighborhoods surrounding Prospect Park, Lefferts Gardens has its own collection of majestic pre-war architecture. The Lefferts Manor Historic District, in particular, offers a glimpse into the opulence that dominated the area at the turn of the century.

Stately Italianate brownstones, immaculate Victorians, and Neo-Renaissance buildings showcase the elegant details of their era, from classic brick and limestone exteriors to spacious, detail-rich interiors.

Convenient transportation is a primary boon of Prospect Lefferts Gardens. The Prospect Park station offers the B, Q, and S lines, and the nearby Sterling Street station serves the 2 and 5 trains, making a trip to Manhattan or other parts of Brooklyn a breeze.   

Windsor Terrace

While most of Prospect Park’s top neighborhoods vie to blend city pace and convenience with their residential character, Windsor Terrace prefers to fly under the radar.

This will be the ideal neighborhood for homebuyers looking for a quiet pocket of tranquility that still grants easy access to the best of Brooklyn.

Windsor Terrace has a particularly unique location. Not only does it access the southern part of Prospect Park and Prospect Park Lake, but it also borders the legendary Green-Wood Cemetery. While a cemetery isn’t quite synonymous with cheerfulness, the Green-Wood Cemetery is a historical attraction and one of Brooklyn’s largest green spaces. 

Don’t expect streets lined with bars and shops in Windsor Terrace. The neighborhood meticulously preserves its residential charm; only a few coffee shops and dining options are available.

But you can rest easy; whenever you crave shopping and dining, just head a few blocks west to South Slope. The neighborhood appears when you cross Prospect Park West, Windsor Terrace’s western limit.  There, you'll find a selection of local shops, cozy cafes, and family-owned restaurants.

Commuting can get tricky here, however. Only two stations, on the northern and southern tips of Windsor Terrace, connect the neighborhood to the rest of New York City. Both stations only serve the F and G lines. This can make commuting complicated whenever either line undergoes maintenance, but bus lines are always available as backup options.

Kensington

Similar to Windsor Terrace, Kensington leans into its residential qualities. Yet, it doesn’t sacrifice a wealth of shops and restaurants in the process.

Though Kensington doesn’t directly border Prospect Park, it’s connected to it via the Kensington Dog Run. One block north and you’ll be right in the park itself, though getting there may take longer if you settle in the southern reaches of Kensington.

The neighborhood's primary street is Ocean Parkway, which splits Kensington down the middle and displays the area’s most coveted pre-war co-ops and apartment buildings. The wide avenue also role-plays as a park of its own, making it especially convenient for homebuyers who choose to settle further from Prospect Park.

For Kensington’s primary thoroughfare, head to Coney Island Avenue, the neighborhood’s eastern limit. This is where you’ll discover the neighborhood’s selection of local shops, bakeries, restaurants, and bars. From there, venture a little deeper into Kensington, and you’ll find almost everything you need, from car repair shops and cleaners to banks and pet-sitting services.

Commuters will need to get acquainted with McDonald Avenue, which serves as Kensington’s western border. Here you’ll get access to three well-distributed subway stations that can connect you to the F and G lines. Though the choices are a bit limited, there are plenty of buses to help you get to where you need.

Interested in buying a home or apartment in Brooklyn? Browse listings in your favorite neighborhood and see how much you can save with Prevu's Smart Buyer Rebate.