Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City’s five boroughs, with 2.6 million residents. It has a proud history, having been one of the original five settlements that united to form New York City in 1898. Since then, it has grown into a multicultural hub for arts and culture, as well as an increasingly popular destination for tourism and business.
Brooklyn is known for its diverse population, excellent public schools, affordable housing options and access to green spaces worthy of a city twice its size.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly neighborhood in Brooklyn, here are some great options:
Best Neighborhoods In Brooklyn For Families
1. Williamsburg
Williamsburg is one of Brooklyn’s most popular neighborhoods, with a population of more than 200,000. It’s known for its hipster culture and nightlife, but it also has plenty to offer families. The neighborhood is home to more than 100 restaurants and bars and has some great parks. The Williamsburg Waterfront is a great place to walk or bike along the East River, while McCarren Park provides ample green space for families to picnic or play sports.
2. Park Slope
Park Slope is an upscale neighborhood that’s popular with young professionals and families alike. It’s named after Prospect Park — one of Brooklyn’s largest public parks — but there are plenty of things to do in this part of town beyond exploring the park itself. There are dozens of shops and cafés along Fifth Avenue in Park Slope, as well as several playgrounds and recreation centers where kids can play or take part in classes like dance lessons or karate lessons if they’re interested.
3. Brooklyn Heights
Brooklyn Heights is one of the most charming neighborhoods in the borough, with a leafy residential streetscape, scenic promenades and views of the East River.
With an abundance of parks and playgrounds, Brooklyn Heights is an excellent choice for families looking to settle down in a quiet neighborhood with plenty of green space.
The Promenade offers spectacular views of the New York Harbor and Manhattan skyline, while Cadman Plaza Park offers children a playground and picnic area with benches.
Brooklyn Heights is also home to many historic sites, including the Old Stone House, a museum that dates back to 1699; Brooklyn Historical Society; and Jane’s Carousel, a vintage carousel.
4. Bushwick
Bushwick is a neighborhood in North Brooklyn that has seen a lot of change in the last few years. In the early 2000s, Bushwick was known as a crime-ridden area with high rates of poverty and unemployment. However, over the last few years, Bushwick has become one of New York City’s most sought after neighborhoods for young people and families alike.
Today, you can find beautiful brownstones and townhouses for sale on every block in Bushwick. There are also lots of great restaurants and bars where you can enjoy a nice meal with friends or family. It’s also worth noting that Bushwick is home to many different cultures including Italian, Polish, Latino and Chinese communities who have all contributed to making this neighborhood so unique!
5. Dumbo
Dumbo is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. It’s located at the western edge of Downtown Brooklyn, on the southern end of the area known as South Brooklyn. It is bounded by Vinegar Hill to the north, Brooklyn Bridge Park to the west, and Downtown Brooklyn to the east. The neighborhood is named after the Dutch word for a seagull, due to its proximity to the East River.
DUMBO has been popular with artists for many years. Today, it is home to many living spaces and businesses. The neighborhood’s main commercial strips are Jay Street, Main Street and Water Street; which contain many art galleries, boutiques and restaurants.
6. Carroll Gardens
Carroll Gardens is one of Brooklyn’s most charming neighborhoods. Located just south of DUMBO, Carroll Gardens is a quiet, tree-lined area with brick townhouses and brownstones. The neighborhood has a strong sense of community and plenty of great restaurants and shops to explore.
The Carroll Gardens neighborhood is a great choice for families who want an easy commute to Manhattan, but still want to live in an up-and-coming area that’s not too far from the city.
Carroll Gardens is home to many parks including one with an old-fashioned carousel that children will love. There are also several public elementary schools in the area.
7. Greenpoint
Greenpoint is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Brooklyn, but it’s also one of the best.
It’s a great place for families, with lots of parks and playgrounds nearby, as well as great public schools.
The area also offers plenty of bars and restaurants, along with a growing arts scene.
If you love nature, you’ll love Greenpoint: The neighborhood is surrounded by water on three sides (the East River, Newtown Creek and Long Island Sound).
8. Prospect Heights
Prospect Heights is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Brooklyn. It has a large number of restaurants and shops, as well as some great parks for families. This neighborhood is great for families with children because it has plenty of affordable housing and it’s close to Prospect Park, which is one of the largest parks in New York City.
Prospect Heights is home to:
Prospect Park – Prospect Park is a 1,800-acre park that was established in 1867 by Frederick Law Olmsted Sr., who also designed Central Park. Today, it’s known for its beautiful scenery including meadows, lakes and wetlands that are home to many different species of birds and animals. The park also offers plenty of recreational activities such as biking, jogging or simply walking along its many trails.
Brooklyn Children’s Museum – The Brooklyn Children’s Museum is located on the edge of Prospect Park and offers interactive exhibits based on different themes each month. Some exhibits include a grocery store where kids can pretend they’re shopping for groceries; an art studio where kids can paint their own artwork; and an ice cream factory where children can pretend they are making homemade ice cream.
9. Downtown Brooklyn
Downtown Brooklyn is a great place to raise a family. The neighborhood is full of parks and playgrounds, which makes it an ideal place for active kids.
The neighborhood also has several restaurants and cafes, so you can take your kids out to eat without having to travel far. And if you’re looking for some peace and quiet, there are plenty of quiet nooks and crannies where you can escape the noise.
If you’re looking for a safe place with lots to do, Downtown Brooklyn is a great choice.
10. Fort Greene
Fort Greene is one of the most sought-after neighborhoods for families in Brooklyn. Fort Greene Park is a beautiful green space with a playground, basketball courts and baseball diamond. The park also has a dog run and a cafe where you can get coffee and pastries. The Clinton Hill/Fort Greene area has lots of great restaurants, including Fort Greene Pizza, which serves delicious thin-crust pizza by the slice or whole pie.
The Fort Greene neighborhood is filled with beautiful brownstones with stoops that make it easy to walk around with your kids. There are also plenty of shops and restaurants along DeKalb Avenue and Fulton Street.
If you want to be close to Manhattan but still live in the suburbs, Fort Greene is the perfect place to raise a family in Brooklyn
