Summary
Introduction to Grand Army Plaza
Grand Army Plaza is a prominent plaza located at the intersection of Flatbush Avenue and Eastern Parkway, marking the entrance to Brooklyn’s major public park, Prospect Park. This stunning location features a large, one-way traffic circle, surrounded by an impressive arch and a delightful fountain area.
Beware Grand Army Plaza Confusions
Confusingly, Grand Army Plaza is also the name of a nearby subway station in Park Slope, served by the #2 and #3 subway lines. Additionally, the term “Grand Army Plaza” can refer to the area near the entrance to Prospect Park, situated on the park side of the traffic circle. Notably, the farmers market at Grand Army Plaza is actually located on the Prospect Park side of the road. (But who cares? This is Brooklyn after all!)
Interestingly, Manhattan has its own Grand Army Plaza, conveniently located near the historic Plaza Hotel in midtown Manhattan.
How to Get to Grand Army Plaza
To reach Grand Army Plaza by subway, you have two excellent options:
- Take the #2 or #3 subway to the Grand Army Plaza Station. From there, walk up Flatbush Avenue or Plaza Street until you arrive at the monument and traffic circle. In case of subway complications, it is a bit further but still walkable from the Eastern Parkway #2 or #3 Station: just exit the Eastern Parkway station and walk down Eastern Parkway from the Brooklyn Museum and past the Botanical Gardens to Grand Army Plaza.
- Alternatively, take the Q or B to the 7th Avenue Station and follow Flatbush Avenue up the hill; Grand Army Plaza is about three blocks away.
What Happens at Grand Army Plaza
Grand Army Plaza is associated with several important cultural institutions and architectural monuments, including the Brooklyn Central Library, Prospect Park, and the iconic Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, which bears resemblance to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The renowned Brooklyn Museum and the beautiful Brooklyn Botanic Garden are within walking distance, making this location a vibrant cultural hub.
A large, weekly, year-round Saturday greenmarket takes place at Grand Army Plaza, offering fresh produce and local goods. Furthermore, since 2011, this site has been home to a Food Truck Rally on Sundays, operational during spring, summer, and autumn.
Grand Army Plaza is a popular venue for wedding photographs and occasionally, film shoots. During the summer months, concerts organized by various local groups held in Prospect Park often reference directions from this key starting point.
Additionally, Grand Army Plaza features one of the largest Hanukkah menorahs in the world, erected temporarily and lit each night during the eight-night Hanukkah festival, typically in December. Standing approximately 30 feet tall, this menorah becomes a focal point of the celebration.
Although frequently regarded as part of the Park Slope neighborhood, Grand Army Plaza is actually positioned between Prospect Heights and Park Slope. Every New Year’s Eve, the plaza serves as the site of lively festivities and entertainment leading up to the much-anticipated midnight firework display in Prospect Park.
