Brooklyn in the summer is a vibe — part heatwave, part street festival, part unexpected weirdness. Whether you’re a long-time New Yorker or just crashing for a few months, there’s something about summer in the borough that makes everyday moments feel slightly off — in the best way.
After a few months of long walks, stoop sitting, late-night bodega runs, and overheard conversations in Prospect Park, here are 5 weird, wonderful, and totally real things I’ve noticed about Brooklyn this summer.
1. The Parrots Are Real — and They’re Loud
Yes, wild green parrots actually live in Brooklyn. Specifically, they hang out around Green-Wood Cemetery and Midwood, squawking like tropical birds who missed their connecting flight.
They’re monk parakeets, originally escapees from a shipment in the ’60s, and now they’ve built entire apartment-style nests on telephone poles.
Nothing says “Brooklyn summer” like eating a bagel while parrots scream from above a subway line.
2. E-Scooter Culture Is Wild and Unregulated
If you haven’t almost been run over by someone in flip-flops on a Lime scooter, do you even live here?
This summer, e-scooters and bikes have taken over sidewalks, crosswalks, and, occasionally, parks. People ride them in business suits, beachwear, and wedding dresses (yes, really). And if it rains? Doesn’t matter. Brooklyn riders have no fear.
Pro tip: Always look both ways before stepping into a bike lane — or a sidewalk.
3. Goats Are Doing Lawn Care (Seriously)
In Prospect Park and Riverside Park, goats have been hired to clear invasive weeds. It’s environmentally friendly and delightfully strange.
Locals gather to watch them do their thing — chewing through vines, climbing rocks, and living their best life. Some even have fans on Instagram.
You haven’t lived until you’ve watched a goat named “Skittles” do landscaping while a kid DJs nearby.
4. Ice Cream Trucks Are Now Basically Nightclubs
Gone are the days of the gentle jingle. Today’s Brooklyn ice cream trucks bump bass-heavy remixes of “Pop Goes the Weasel” or blare reggaeton so loud it rattles air conditioners.
You’ll hear one five blocks away and then three more show up like backup dancers. It’s chaotic, it’s nostalgic, and it’s somehow soothing after 90° days.
Don’t be surprised if your midnight snack sounds like a block party.
5. Every Other Sidewalk Has a Free Pile of Treasures
Brooklynites love giving stuff away — couches, books, houseplants, oddly specific art (think “cat but make it Renaissance”).
This summer, it’s felt like a constant sidewalk flea market. You’ll see handwritten signs like “Still Works!” or “Please Love This Lamp.” Some things are genuinely amazing. Others?… less so.
–I scored a mint-condition bookshelf, a half-used candle, and someone’s old tarot deck — all in one walk.
Conclusion: Embrace the Weird, Brooklyn Style
Summer in Brooklyn doesn’t just bring heat — it brings personality. From street goats to free furniture, parrots to scooter parades, the borough somehow manages to be both chaotic and charming all at once.
Whether you’re sweating through your shirt on the G train or dancing with strangers in McCarren Park, just remember: this weirdness is the Brooklyn experience. And honestly? You wouldn’t want it any other way.
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