This Urban Park Rangers super hike starts at Fort Greene Park and winds through Brooklyn Heights, tying together early Indigenous life, the working waterfront and the Revolutionary War battles fought across Brooklyn. The route ends up explaining how the war's aftermath led to the borough's first public parks. If you like history best on foot, this is a meaty free morning.
What to expect
Meet at the Fort Greene Park Visitor Center and walk for about two hours with rangers stopping at historic sites. Expect city sidewalks, some hills and a group moving at a steady pace. Rangers pause at each stop to explain how Brooklyn's first public parks grew out of its wartime history.
Good to know
- No registration required; meet at the Fort Greene Park Visitor Center.
- Wear comfortable shoes, as rangers recommend.
- The B, Q and R to DeKalb Avenue or the C to Lafayette Avenue are close to the start.
- Bring water and a snack for the two-hour route.
- Best for adults and older kids interested in history.
Going? Keep it.
Common questions
Is the Downtown Brooklyn history hike free?
Yes. NYC Parks lists it as free with no registration required.
Where does it start?
At the Fort Greene Park Visitor Center.