There’s a lot to love about our latest home in Brooklyn, Common Dean. Besides offering all the usual coliving amenities (private bedrooms, fully furnished suites, outdoor space, and more) this gorgeous home is located in the heart of one of Brooklyn’s coolest neighborhoods: Prospect Heights. With countless local businesses, immersive event venues, cultural institutions, and hip eateries, Prospect Heights offers opportunities for everyone — book-lovers, tree-huggers, fitness enthusiasts, foodies, you name it — to enjoy an amazing day, no matter their budget.
Here’s what to do in Prospect Heights, whether you have $0 in your pocket or $100.
On a $0 budget
10 am — No money, no problem. Start your day at Prospect Park, a true and worthy rival of Central Park. You can find lots of open fields and manicured lawns, great for frisbee and playing fetch with your pup. Sometimes, you can even catch a free community concert. Take a seat with a book or people watch all day long. If you’re feeling more active, then hike the Prospect Park Loop or bike around the 526-acre park.12 pm — Enjoy your packed lunch on one of the many picnic tables at Prospect Park. Or visit a friend who lives in Prospect Heights — maybe a Common member in Common Dean — for a free lunch in their fully stocked kitchen!
1 pm — Take advantage of the Brooklyn Public Library, stepping past the gorgeous, gold-encrusted entrance intended to resemble an open book. Explore the Brooklyn Collection, a beloved treasury of research materials for the borough, where library experts can offer guidance. The library also hosts a wide selection of readings, conversations with authors, and free workshops, suitable for all ages.Speaking of free events, local bookstore Unnameable Books has an entire calendar of free events, hosted by the Bowery Poetry Club. Topics range from poetry to meditative journaling.
3 pm — Get a history lesson at the Grand Army Plaza. Admire the fountain and the majestic Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch, a monument to Union soldiers who died in the American Civil War. On Saturdays, you can walk around the farmers’ market on the edge of the plaza.
4 pm — Window shopping has never been more fun. O.N.A. Brooklyn is a beautiful boutique selling women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories created by local and emerging designers. 1 of a Find Vintage is one of the most eclectic boutiques on Vanderbilt Avenue, stocking vintage clothes, home goods, and other accessories.
Places mentioned:
- Prospect Park
- Brooklyn Public Library
- Unnameable Books
- Grand Army Plaza
- O.N.A Brooklyn
- 1 of a Find Vintage
- Common Dean
Daily total: $0
On a $30 budget
10 am — For those with green thumbs, we recommend spending your morning at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for $15. Walk around the 52-acre indoor tropical gardens, bird spotting or on a garden tour. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden includes a number of specialty “gardens within the Garden,” such as the C. V. Starr Bonsai Museum, three climate-themed plant pavilions, and a glass aquatic plant house.
10 am — For artists and art lovers, the Brooklyn Museum offers a permanent collection of pieces from every inch of the globe, spanning millennia. Our favorite parts of the museum are the Connecting Cultures exhibition in the Great Hall and the Egyptian Galleries, where you’ll find an actual mummy along with tons of other fascinating artifacts and information. Plus, the museum is pay as you wish!
1 pm — Feeling a bit ravenous? Head to Prospect Park on Summer Sundays to find Smorgasburg, an open-air food and beverage market with over 100 vendors. You can find everything from ramen burgers and fresh-made tacos to hand-cut fries and grilled lobster.Enjoy the delicious food, Prospect Park’s open fields, and the many dogs going on their walks.
4 pm — End the day on a sweet note. Visit Four & Twenty Blackbirds Pie Counter & Bar for a slice of delicious pie — with flavors like Lavender Honey Custard and Bittersweet Chocolate Pecan — for just $6. If you’d rather indulge in some ice cream, head to Ample Hills Creamery for a scoop ($4.35) of their legendary flavors, like Ooey Gooey Butter Cake and Salted Crack Caramel. More of a donut person? Visit Doughnut Plant, and devour a simple $5 yeasted or cake donut.
Places mentioned:
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden
- Brooklyn Museum
- Smorgasburg
- Four & Twenty Blackbirds Pie Counter & Bar
- Ample Hills Creamery
- Doughnut Plant
Daily total: Varies under $30
On a $60 budget
10 am — Splurge on a workout. Prospect Heights features several different fitness classes, and most of them have first-timer deals. SoulCycle (spin) offers a First Time Ride for $25, and Tabata Ultimate Fitness (HIIT) is $25 for a single session. Pick your poison.
1 pm — It’s time to nourish your body with all the best foods — you deserve it. Maison Yaki is a French-Japanese fusion yakitori spot with a backyard patio. Each skewer dish costs under $10, so you can control how much (or little) you want to eat. If you’re looking for a “fuller” meal, try MeMe’s Diner. The cozy diner serves comfort food elevated with modern ingredients and preparations: vegan ceviche, buffalo chicken salad, meatloaf, patty melt, stovetop mac and cheese.
3 pm — Inspired by the greenery around you? Check out Natty Garden to find everything you need to add more life to your home. This charming urban nursery sells plants, flowers, garden supplies, and even offers landscaping services.
6 pm — You’ve had a busy day; it’s time for a drink. Inside its large windows, Bearded Lady Brooklyn has the aesthetic of a classic ’50s diner lounge but serves up creative cocktails, ranging from $11 to $14. Sweet Polly NYC, on the other hand, is more of a chic bar with house, classic, and frozen cocktails (along with wines and beers). Don’t miss the happy hour weekdays from 4:30 to 6:30 pm for $1 oysters!
Places mentioned:
- SoulCycle Prospect Heights
- Tabata Ultimate
- Maison Yaki
- MeMe’s Diner
- Natty Garden
- Stems Brooklyn
- Bearded Lady Brooklyn
- Sweet Polly NYC
Daily total: Varies under $60
Move into Common Dean, and enjoy these kinds of days in Prospect Heights every day, starting from day one. Your home and private bedroom come fully furnished and stocked with everything you need — mattress, pots, pans, olive oil, toilet paper — so you can spend more time exploring the neighborhood.Take a free tour of Common Dean today.