Five Things to Do on New Year's Day in Brooklyn

The New Year doesn't officially begin in Brooklyn until the Coney Island Polar Bear Club takes a dip in the frigid Atlantic Ocean. You don't have to be a member to partake in the annual Polar Bear Club's swim. The event takes place at 1 p.m. and folks assemble at the Boardwalk at Stillwell Avenue. The Polar Bear's suggest bringing warm clothes, surf boots and old sneakers. There is a $25 minimum suggested donation, which benefits the Coney Island community including the New York Aquarium. You can register here or at the event. Don't forget to take a picture. As added plus, all swimmers get free admission to the New York Aquarium and depending on the size of the donation an assortment of Polar Bear Club merch. 

Aim for a strike in the New Year when you take your family bowling at the Brooklyn Bowl in the heart of trendy Williamsburg. On January 1st from 12 p.m.-8 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl hosts their annual Family Bowling event, where kids and their parents can compete in a family friendly bowling game as they chow down on food from the brunch menu. 

What a wonderful way to start the New Year! Have a stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge. Be forewarned, it can get crowded! Stop and take pictures of the view as you welcome this New Year. Depending on which side you end your trip, enjoy brunch in Dumbo or walk to Chinatown and start the New Year with Dim Sum.

The morning after the night before! You can stand in line at your favorite brunch place, or make a reservation in advance! Here are some good bets for last minute brunch rezzies for New Year's Day in Brooklyn. One great brunch spot is Fonda in Park Slope, where you can dine on Mexican brunch classics.

The Prospect Park Zoo is open on New Year's Day and there's a special reason to visit. November 2017, a baby red panda was born and you must visit the zoo to check out the cute animals. Start the year strolling through this zoo, which is open daily from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.