Things to do nearGrand Army Plaza

Grand Army Plaza was laid out in the 1860s and 1870s as part of Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux's sweeping vision for Brooklyn's Prospect Park. The centerpiece Soldiers and Sailors Arch, modeled loosely on the Arc de Triomphe, was dedicated in 1892 to honor Union Army veterans of the Civil War. Bronze quadriga sculptures crown its top, and interior bas-reliefs depict Lincoln and Grant among the figures commemorated.

The plaza anchors a neighborhood rich with cultural landmarks. Just to the south, Prospect Park offers meadows, a lake, and woodland trails across 585 acres of carefully designed landscape. The plaza itself hosts public art installations and seasonal events that draw residents from across Brooklyn throughout the year.

The Saturday greenmarket draws thousands of visitors weekly, making it one of the borough's most social outdoor spaces. Stalls offer everything from artisan cheeses to cut flowers, and the surrounding streets are lined with handsome brownstones and cafes worth exploring on foot.

Grand Army Plaza rewards the curious visitor who slows down long enough to read the history carved into its stone, feel the energy of the market, and appreciate how thoughtfully this civic landmark anchors its neighborhood.