Brooklyn Running Guide: Most Scenic Places to Run
Photos by Marques Jackson Photography at a Runstreet Art Run in Dumbo, Brooklyn.
By Marnie Kunz
If you’re looking for the best Brooklyn running routes, here are 3 scenic runs to check out in the beautiful borough of Brooklyn. As a longtime Brooklyn runner, I’ve had the pleasure of running all over the borough — on my own and by leading Art Runs — and these are my top scenic places for Brooklyn running. Whether you’re visiting or a resident, these Brooklyn running routes will inspire you. From iconic brownstones to incredible street art and stunning NYC views, Brooklyn offers beautiful running. I have also included some suggested Brooklyn route maps, and you can customize your route to add more miles or take some away.
Running Brooklyn Waterfront
The Brooklyn waterfront includes many picturesque views of the NYC skyline across the East River as well as miles of running paths. You’ll enjoy stunning waterfront views while running along the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway. The greenway stretches around the whole borough, with some gaps that are yet to be paved (currently, there are 20 miles of trails along the 26 miles of Brooklyn waterfront). Some of the most iconic views along the waterfront are in Dumbo. You can check out these Instagrammable NYC views by running along the Brooklyn Bridge Park Greenway.
To start your run, begin by the York Street subway station in Dumbo, at Jay Street. I recommend heading to Washington Street and going right to run toward the water. Stop at Washington Street and Water Street to snap an iconic shot of the Manhattan Bridge. This spot is a favorite of tourists and movies alike — you have most likely seen it on Instagram. Try to run at off-peak tourist times for your best chance to capture the image without people everywhere.
Keep running down Washington Street till you hit Brooklyn Bridge Park, where you can make a left and follow the running path snaking along the waterfront. You’ll be amazed by the sweeping views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline as you explore Brooklyn Bridge Park.
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Greenway in Dumbo offers beautiful views for Brooklyn running.
As you run on the Brooklyn Bridge Park waterfront path, make sure you stay on the pedestrian side and out of the designated bike lane. I recommend veering off the main path to run along the piers to see closer views of the Statue of Liberty and the downtown NYC skyline. Brooklyn Bridge Park is expansive, so running along the piers will add miles to your run. You can run along all the piers for 4 or 5 miles or just one pier (per my map) for a 5K route.
As you’re running along the Dumbo waterfront with the water on your right, another option to add more distance and scenes to your run is to veer off to the left. Take the steps to run up to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade above for more miles and stunning views and historic architecture.
A benefit of running along the Dumbo waterfront is that it’s easy to find your way and do an out-and-back 5K run by following the Brooklyn Bridge Park Greenway along the waterfront. Check out my Dumbo Running Route map for my suggested 5K run through Dumbo.
Running Bushwick
A Runstreet Brooklyn running guide would not be complete without showing some of the best places to find street art. To see sweeping murals unlike anywhere else in the world, head to Bushwick, Brooklyn. You can take the L train to the Jefferson Street stop in Bushwick and then hop off to begin your Brooklyn street art run.
You will see dozens of amazing murals by artists from around the world at the Bushwick Collective and lots of talented local artists at JMZ Walls with this Brooklyn running route.
From the Jefferson subway stop in Bushwick, begin your run by heading northeast on Jefferson Street for a block and then turn right on St. Nicholas Avenue. This will put you in the heart of the Bushwick Collective, and you’ll want to make a few stops to capture photos or videos of the amazing murals. The Bushwick Collective snakes around Troutman Street, Jefferson Street, Flushing Avenue, Starr Street, and St. Nicholas Avenue.
To get more miles in your run, from the Bushwick Collective, turn left on Wyckoff Avenue and head east to Myrtle Avenue, where you can make a right and head west to Broadway, where you will find lots of murals from the JMZ Walls project along Broadway, under the elevated subway. Make a right on Flushing to head back to the Bushwick Collective.
As with Dumbo, the Bushwick Collective has become a tourist destination, so try to avoid peak tourist times like weekends in the summer so you will have fewer people to weave through during your run.
Prospect Park
Prospect Park is a classic Brooklyn running spot and gathering place for locals. The 526-acre park was built by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the masterminds behind Central Park, and includes serene lake views, open fields, a botanical garden, a zoo, trails, and running paths.
For a scenic tour of Prospect Park, hop on the main running path that loops around the perimeter of the park. The 3.3-mile Prospect Park loop includes hills and plenty of fellow runners for company. Make sure you stay to the left and out of the bike lane (which will be on your right) so you don’t get clipped by a speeding bike.
If you want some company, there are many fun, local races in Prospect Park, including the Brooklyn Half Marathon (there are two Brooklyn half marathons now — NYCRUNS Brooklyn Marathon and Half Marathon in the fall and NYRR Brooklyn Half in the spring), Soca Run Festival, Brooklyn Pride Run, and many more.
If you prefer trail running, you can hop to the left side of the running path onto the dirt trails, circling most of the loop. Just make sure you go with a friend if you’re venturing off into the woods, and check out my running safety tips for more suggestions.
More Brooklyn Running Suggestions
There are so many beautiful places to run in Brooklyn, so this is just a starting point. For more suggestions on neighborhoods to run in Brooklyn, check out my Local’s Guide on Where to Run in Brooklyn.
Wherever you decide to run in Brooklyn, I hope you see some beautiful views and enjoy your run in the borough of Kings! And don’t forget to tag @Runstreet on Instagram to share your Brooklyn runs and get cheered on. 😊👋
Related Posts: 25 Best Places to Run in NYC, Where to Run in Brooklyn: A Local’s Guide, Central Park Running Tips
Marnie Kunz is a NASM-certified trainer and USATF- and RRCA-certified running coach based in Brooklyn, a dog lover and Akita mom, and the founder of Runstreet.
The Bushwick Collective has incredible murals.
