Ready to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge?
Typically at the top of sightseeing itineraries, a Brooklyn Bridge walk is one every visitor (and local) must take! The bridge’s architecture alone is a work of art, the surrounding views are unbeatable, and once you get to Brooklyn, there’s so much more to explore. You can check out the hip neighborhood of Dumbo, relax in a beautiful park with stunning views, and stroll on a lovely promenade.
This walk includes some of the best views New York City has to offer and will likely make you fall in love with the city.
And if you’re on a quest for the city’s most instagrammable places, you’ll knock out a bunch of them here! So get ready to take tons of photos and have an incredible day of sightseeing.
Follow the numbered steps (and maps) below and let’s get walking!
#1: Walking the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn
How to Get to the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Entrance
Click for an interactive version of the above map.
The pedestrian entrance on the Manhattan side of the bridge is across from City Hall Park, located at Centre Street and Park Row. The following subways will get you there:
- 4, 5, or 6 train to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall Station
- J or Z to Chambers Street
- R or W to City Hall
- A, C, 1, 2, or 3 to Chambers Street
Once you’re in City Hall Park, you can’t miss the Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian entrance. Cross Centre Street (toward the bridge), where you’ll see lots of other people streaming onto the bridge’s walkway, along with plenty of souvenir vendors.
The path is somewhat narrow at first but does widen as you continue on. This is an incredibly popular attraction–prepare for crowds, but don’t let them stop you!
The Brooklyn Bridge spans the East River, connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn. Up the river on your left, you’ll spot the Manhattan Bridge and to your right, way out in the New York Harbor, is the Statue of Liberty. Underneath your feet is the six-lane highway that carries cars and trucks across the bridge.
And of course straight ahead, you’ll see the bridge’s looming granite towers, as well as the intricate woven steel cables. Leave plenty of time to take in the view from Brooklyn Bridge and perhaps contemplate what an engineering feat this was when it opened to the public in 1883, when it was the first steel-wire suspension bridge in the world.
As you’re walking the Brooklyn Bridge, be sure to turn around frequently for those stunning Manhattan skyline views, made up of One World Trade, that wavy Frank Gehry skyscraper, the Woolworth Building, and many more. This is absolutely New York City at its finest.
Read on for common Q&A’s about the Brooklyn Bridge or skip to the next section to learn about things to do in Dumbo.
Common Q&As about the Brooklyn Bridge
Q: When was the Brooklyn Bridge built?
A: Construction began in 1869 and was completed in in 1883.
Q: Who built it?
A: The Brooklyn Bridge was designed by John A. Roebling, who died early in the bridge’s construction after an on-site accident. His son Washington Roebling took over, but he too was soon disabled by decompression sickness. This is also known as “the bends” and occurs when gas bubbles form in the body due to rapid changes in pressure. 110 bridge workers were treated for decompression sickness; three died. Emily Roebling, Washington’s wife, took over engineering duties after her husband became ill. She oversaw the construction of the bridge to its completion.
Q: How long is the Brooklyn Bridge?
A: The walk across the Brooklyn Bridge is 1.3 miles (2.1 kilometers). Walking at a regular pace without stopping would take around 25 minutes.
Q: Is there a bike lane?
A: Yes, there’s a dedicated two-way bike lane as of September 2021, so picture-taking pedestrians no longer have to dodge speeding cyclists.
Q: How much does it cost to cross the bridge?
A: It’s free for cars, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Q: How many people cross the bridge each day?
A: NYC DOT determined that as of 2018, an average of 116,000 vehicles, 30,000 pedestrians, and 3,000 cyclists cross the Brooklyn Bridge daily.
#2: Exit the Brooklyn Bridge Toward Dumbo
The map below is meant to give you a zoomed out view of the full walking itinerary. There are ten stops on the map. #1 shows where you came from in Manhattan. #2 shows where to exit the Brooklyn Bridge toward Dumbo. The final destination is the Brooklyn Heights Promenade (#10). Click for an interactive version of the map.
There are two options for exiting the pedestrian walkway on the Brooklyn side. One leads to Dumbo and the other leads to downtown Brooklyn. Follow the exit that leads to Dumbo, where you’ll discover all the wonders of the neighborhood whose acronym stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass.
#3: Check Out Street Art in Dumbo
Where: Along York Street between Washington and Pearl Streets
I love large-scale street art so we decided to seek this out, and while the graffiti murals in Dumbo are nowhere near the scope and magnitude of the murals in Bushwick, they’re definitely worth a look.
#4: Take a Selfie at the Famous Dumbo Photo Spot
Where: the intersection of Washington and Water Streets
There’s a famous spot in Dumbo where everyone goes to snap a photo; I would be negligent if I didn’t direct you to go there too. Note that it will probably be crowded as everyone else is there for pictures, too. But it also happens to be a very picturesque view, so you won’t be sorry you went. The view up the cobblestone tree-lined street ends with a slice of the Manhattan Bridge perfectly centered between residential buildings, making it a quintessential NYC scene all around. Take it in, get your selfies, and move on.
#5: Browse the Wares at Brooklyn Flea
Where: Pearl Plaza-80 Pearl Street
NOTE: Brooklyn Flea is seasonal: Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. from April through December
Brooklyn Flea is a lively and beloved flea market that takes place on seasonal weekends under the arch of the Manhattan Bridge, spilling out onto Pearl Plaza.
Take some time to wander among the 40-plus vendors selling a wide array of items including furniture, clothing, antiques, jewelry, and arts and crafts made by local artists. This is the perfect place to purchase a truly unique gift or souvenir while also supporting local artists and businesses.
I love Brooklyn Flea because of its town square vibe. You’ll see a side of the city that’s very different from the touristy shops of midtown Manhattan.
The people who started Brooklyn Flea also run Chelsea Flea, a year-round outdoor (weekends only) market. They’re also the folks behind Smorgasburg, an outdoor food market that originated in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and has expanded to several New York City locations (and beyond).
#6: Take a Break at Time Out Market
Where: 55 Water Street (in Empire Stores)
The next stop on this Dumbo walk is Time Out Market. Along the way, you’ll see the historic Jane’s Carousel (built in 1922). You may want to make a detour here if you have kids with you who would like to take a spin.
Time Out Market is loaded with restaurants that were vetted by Time Out magazine editors. Their mission was to bring together culture with cuisine. The result is a massive (24,000 square-foot) indoor food hall packed with outposts of some of New York’s best restaurants. There are also art installations, live music performances, workshops, classes, and a weekly viewing of family-friendly movies.
Above all, this is a great place to regroup, use the restroom, and grab a coffee, ice cream, or full meal if you’re ready for that at this point in your walk. Dining options are plentiful and include Ess-A-Bagel, Mr. Taka Ramen, Fornino, The Migrant Kitchen, Clinton St. Baking Company, and many more. There are also three bars and a fifth-floor rooftop. Time Out Market is in the same space as Empire Stores, in case you want to add on a shopping excursion.
#7: Check Out a Fancy Waterfront Restaurant
Where: 1 Water Street
Now is probably not the time to splurge on an expensive meal at one of the fanciest restaurants in New York City but I recommend taking a quick look at this Michelin-starred restaurant tucked under the Brooklyn Bridge.
Famous for its carefully curated wine list, outstanding classic American cuisine, and spectacular city views, The River Café appears again and again on lists of the best special occasion and romantic restaurants. Their white linen tablecloths, live piano music, and strict dress code are even further evidence that this is not a restaurant you can pop into and grab a bite when you’re in the middle of a Dumbo walking itinerary.
However, a walk down the cobblestone garden path to get a glimpse of this fancy waterfront restaurant is worth a slight detour, even if you’re not dining there. File it away for later when you have a special occasion to celebrate. Prix-fixe three course dinner: $180 per person. Reservations available Wednesday-Sunday from 5:30-10:30 p.m.
#8: Feast on Brooklyn Pizza
Where: Grimaldi’s (1 Front Street); Juliana’s (19 Old Fulton Street); Ignazio’s (4 Water Street)
If you didn’t have a big meal at Time Out Market and you’re ready to eat, this next stop is all about Brooklyn pizza. When it’s time for pizza in Dumbo, the struggle is usually between two pizzerias: Grimaldi’s and Juliana’s.
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria has name recognition along with locations around the country, making it a must-eat experience for many. But Juliana’s Pizza, mere steps away, is owned by Patsy Grimaldi, the original (but no longer) Grimaldi’s owner. The story of how this came to be is an age-old feud that I won’t go into here because, riveting as it may be, we’re only here for the pizza.
As a New York City local, my suggestion is this: you can’t go wrong with pizza, especially when you have two excellent choices. Both Grimaldi’s and Juliana’s are known to serve outstanding pies. Both make thin-crusted pizza in coal-fired ovens and both receive consistently positive online reviews.
You will also most likely see a long line of tourists waiting to get into both Grimaldi’s and Juliana’s, so the best way to make your choice should be based on who has the shortest line.
Now, please allow me to throw you a curveball: you could go to a different restaurant altogether.
While I’ve had excellent pizza at both Grimaldi’s and Juliana’s, Matt and I didn’t feel like waiting for 20+ minutes for lunch on our recent visit to Dumbo. So we bypassed both and went to Ignazio’s, where we were seated right away and had a lovely view of the Brooklyn Bridge.
That view was soon marred by the line that formed outside Ignazio’s, a line that we just missed by moments. But remember, it’s all about timing, which goes back to my advice of making your choice based on the shortest wait time at the moment you’re ready to eat.
That, for us, was Ignazio’s. I’m happy to report that our Margherita pizza was delicious, with a savory flavorful sauce. The dough was ever-so-slightly undercooked, though not enough to prevent us from returning.
Ignazio’s also serves slices (to go only), something that neither Grimaldi’s nor Juliana’s does.
#9: Relax in Brooklyn Bridge Park
Where: 334 Furman Street. Stretches 1.3 miles along the East River.
It’s time to explore beautiful Brooklyn Bridge Park, a public park along the East River made up of several piers, green lawns, pedestrian and bike paths, and an endless selection of opportunities for recreation and relaxation. You can take a long walk and meander onto the piers that jut out over the river or perhaps, with a belly full of pizza, you want to find a shady spot to rest. If rest is what you’re after, see a map of the park’s lawns.
Otherwise, check out all you can do at Brooklyn Bridge Park. There’s a designated bicycle path from Pier 1 to Pier 6. Ride your own bike or find a nearby CitiBike docking station. At Pier 2, you could take part in free kayaking on the East River. There’s also roller skating and Ping Pong tables for public use.
Pier 6 has three sand volleyball courts and Pier 5 has soccer fields. There are also plenty of playgrounds and play areas for kids (Pier 1, Pier 2, Pier 5). And of course, incredible views are always within easy reach.
#10: Stroll on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade
Where: Montague Street and Pierrepont Place
To get to the promenade, you’ll head away from the waterfront and up, toward the raised pedestrian platform of the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.
You can reach the promenade via a couple of different routes. We walked to Pier 5 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, then made a left and walked up Joralemon Street, a lovely cobblestone street lined with townhomes, creating a quintessential Brooklyn scene. From Joralemon Street, take a left on Hicks Street and then another left on Remsen Street, which takes you to the promenade entrance.
Next to walking the Brooklyn Bridge, a stroll on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade is my favorite thing to do on this walking itinerary. The raised platform makes it so there are views in every direction—my neck actually got tired from swiveling back and forth! Along with the Brooklyn Bridge, East River, and Manhattan skyline, you’ll see the gorgeous homes and gardens that line the promenade. There are also plenty of benches if you just want to sit and take it all in.
The Brooklyn Heights Promenade is relatively short: it’s 1,826 feet long (557 meters), which comes out just 0.4 miles (.64 kilometers). It ends at Squibb Park, where stairs lead back down to Brooklyn Bridge Park.
#11: End the Day with Ice Cream
Ice cream is plentiful in this waterfront neighborhood near the Brooklyn Bridge. But like the popular Dumbo pizzerias, anything worth eating leads to very long lines. If you’re like us and dislike long lines, look on any corner for a parked Mister Softee or other ice cream truck as an alternative to the following very busy (but admittedly delicious) nearby ice cream spots:
- OddFellows Ice Cream Co.: 44 Water Street
- Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory: 14 Old Fulton Street
- Ample Hills Creamery: 1 Water Street
- Sugar Hill Creamery at Time Out Market: 55 Water Street
Getting Away
Once you exit the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, you have several options for getting away.
- Ferry: Continue walking to Pier 1 and the NYC Ferry dock. You can catch the East River route and the South Brooklyn route here. This is a good option if you want to continue getting great views but also take a rest.
- Subway: Take the A or C train from High Street-Brooklyn Bridge Station. Take the 2 or 3 train from Clark Street Station.
- Walk: If you have the energy, I recommend walking back across the Brooklyn Bridge toward Manhattan. You’ll get that amazing Manhattan view from Brooklyn, and end up right back where you started at City Hall in Manhattan.
- There are two entrances to the Brooklyn Bridge walkway on the Brooklyn side: at the corner of Tillary Street and Boerum Place, and via the underpass on Washington Street, which leads to a stairway up to the walkway.
I hope you had an awesome walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and a great adventure in Dumbo! If you love doing your own self-guided walking tours, consider taking a walk along the Hudson River as your next excursion.
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