A Guide to Brooklyn Bridge Walk
Walking across Brooklyn Bridge belongs among the top experiences you can enjoy in New York. With our travel blog, you can easily tick off this attraction from your bucket list. From how to get to Brooklyn Bridge to how to enjoy it the best, we've got you covered.
Before we start writing this post about Brooklyn Bridge, we must tell you one thing.
Born and raised in Europe and living in Prague, to be more specific, we are pretty much spoiled by historical architecture, old cobblestone streets, and medieval castles. That's why we are easily excited by modern attractions, contemporary arts, and skyscrapers made of steel and glass.
It is completely different from what we can see every day.
That's why we could not resist visiting New York, a destination, which for a long time had been on our bucket list, and we had an absolute blast.
With a camera in hand, we were walking the streets of New York day and night to get the most of our time. We were driven to see famous landmarks such as Statue of Liberty and get sweeping views of the bustling city from Empire State Building.
Last but not least, we unmistakably included the walk across Brooklyn Bridge in our itinerary, so we could admire the iconic cityscape of one of the most famous cities in the world.
Brooklyn Bridge plays a major role in New York's transport system as it connects Manhattan with Brooklyn borough and allows thousands of people to travel from one side of the bay to another every day, either by metro, on foot, by bike or by car.
But when we put the functionality aside, visiting Brooklyn Bridge is also the top tourist attractions, and walking across the bridge rightfully belongs among the best things to do in New York.
Why is that possible?
First off, the proximity to the major sights helps a lot, but it would not be enough.
Most importantly, Brooklyn Bridge is equally spectacular when you are looking at it from the shore, or when walking across it, also the views from the bridge when you can see the skyline of the city is amazing, plus the lively atmosphere mirrors New York's pulsing vibe on several hundred meters.
In this travel guide, we will share with you tips on how to visit Brooklyn Bridge, how to get there, what to expect, and what is the best way to cross it.
In nutshell, we will tell you everything you need to know before visiting Brooklyn Bridge.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF BROOKLYN BRIDGE
Plans for a bridge which will connect boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan date back to 1800, because at that time the only way how to cross East River, was to take a ferry.
But the construction of the suspension bridge started much later in 1867, and the main engineer was John Augustus Roebling, who at that time proposed his daring project which included building the longest suspension bridge in the world.
From the very beginning, the bridge should have served pedestrians, cars, and tracks for the railway were incorporated as well.
Unfortunately, Roebling died because of a fatal injury caused by a ferry, but he passed his legacy on his son Washington Roebling who took over his job.
The construction finally began at the beginning of 1870 and the bridge was finally opened to publc in 1883 by Roebling’s widow, because also her son died during the construction.
The construction of Brooklyn Bridge was at that time technological advanced and was massively celebrated.
Although since the 19th century the bridge was upgraded, we must say that the construction is a real masterpiece, and when walking across the bridge, we could imagine the sweat and hard work, which was needed to finish the construction.
BROOKLYN BRIDGE FACTS
Before you set off, it might be interesting to know the basic Brooklyn Bridge statistics.
Brooklyn Bridge is 1833.7 meters long, 25.9 meters wide, and 82.9 meters high.
Although in the past everyone who wanted to cross the bridge had to pay a toll (the bridge was too expensive to build, so the toll should have covered a part of expenses), nowadays there is no entrance fee or fee for crossing Brooklyn Bridge, which makes from this landmark a perfect place for visit even for budget travelers.
Because you will soon find out that entrance fees in New York are pretty steep.
Extra Tip: If you plan on visiting more top attractions in New York, consider purchasing New York City Pass. We bought it and saved a lot of money.
HOW TO GET TO BROOKLYN BRIDGE
Getting to Brooklyn Bridge is pretty easy.
Although for sure the easiest way to get there is by taxi, we think that traveling around New York by metro is part of the fun to see places. But of course, in case you are short on time, yellow cabs in Big Apple are plentiful, and they are not even that expensive.
Obviously, you can start walking across the bridge from either the Manhattan side, or Brooklyn side, but for more breathtaking views, we recommend you to walk from Brooklyn towards Manhattan as only this way you will be able to admire the panorama.
After a day or so, we found using New York public transport pretty straightforward, and you should not experience any problem either, especially if you are staying in the city center.
To get to Brooklyn Bridge from Brooklyn Side, take a metro line A or C, and get off at High Street - Brooklyn Bridge Station. From here it is only a short walk to get to the beginning of the bridge, but before you start your walk, do not forget to stop by at the shore of East River and chill out for a bit (and, of course, take plenty of photos).
Also, stop by at DUMBO, New York's artsy district, where you can also find many restaurants and coffee shops. The Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway starts at the intersection of Tillary Street and Boerum Place, or you can reach it via the underpass on Washington Street.
In case you want to walk the opposite way from Manhattan to Brooklyn, take line 4,5, or 6 to Brooklyn Bridge - City Hall Station.
If you plan on getting around New York by public transport, consider buying MetroCard, which will save you money.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
Views, views, and views.
This is what you can expect from walking across Brooklyn Bridge. In the distance you will see the Statue of Liberty, sparkling East River will be dotted with boats, and ahead of you will be Manhattan with hundreds of towering skyscrapers.
And then, there is, of course, the bridge itself.
Take your time, and before entering the bridge, stop by on the shore, and find the right angle to photograph Brooklyn Bridge.
When the sun is out, and you can feel the gentle breeze, this moment is not far from being perfect.
Once you are on the bridge, do not rush. Take your time, pay attention to small details, and read displays along the way describing the history of Brooklyn Bridge.
HOW TO CROSS THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE
You have several options on how to cross Brooklyn Bridge. For us, walking is always option number one.
Walking across the bridge gave us plenty of time to take in the atmosphere and to take as many photos as we wanted.
In case the weather is in your favor, we strongly recommend you to do the same, because only by exploring the bridge on foot you will be freehanded, and your only concern will be sightseeing.
When walking across the bridge, always pay attention to your surroundings. Brooklyn Bridge is a busy place that is used by both pedestrians and cyclists, so make sure you will not step in the bike lane as it can be pretty dangerous.
Another way how to cross Brooklyn Bridge is to rent a bike, as there is a designated lane for cyclists.
As keen photographers, we found this option a bit inconvenient because you will have to stop a lot, but if your main intention is to get the experience of crossing Brooklyn Bridge, or if the bridge is only one of many stops on your day's itinerary, it is for sure a way to go.
Here you can rent a bike in advance.
The last option on how to see Brooklyn Bridge is to drive by car across it or to hail a cab, but according to us, this way really lacks the beauty of sightseeing.
HOW LONG IT TAKES TO WALK THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE
How much time do you need for experiencing Brooklyn Bridge? We walked across the bridge quite slowly, and it took us approximately one hour to get from one end to another.
Of course, it is surely doable to walk less than two kilometers in thirty minutes if you have to, but there is no reason to hurry.
If you rent a bike, you will need around 20 minutes to cross the bridge, but watch out for inattentive pedestrians.
THE BEST TIME TO CROSS BROOKLYN BRIDGE
Brooklyn Bridge can be visited all year round. As it is one of the most visited attractions in New York, it is often crowded, especially in summer months between May and September.
The most popular time to visit is during sunset and sunrise, but we were walking across the bridge in the afternoon, and there were still quite many tourists and locals.
For the best photo opportunity, head to Brooklyn Bridge during sunset, but we found the views of Manhattan beautiful even during broad daylight. There is something magical about exploring New York after dark, and visiting the bridge in the evening is not a bad idea at all.
The bridge is absolutely safe even after dark because many travelers and locals are still around, but always, as usual, watch out for pickpockets and speeding cyclists.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
BROOKLYN BRIDGE TOURS
As Brooklyn Bridge is among the top things to see and do in New York, you can easily find a guided tour, in case you prefer to explore a strange city with a group of people.
Here's our top pick:
New York Harbor | It is not absolutely necessary to walk across the bridge to admire the panorama of Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge. Simply hop on one of many cruises, and enjoy the views from a boat deck.
Brooklyn Bridge Walking Tour | Are you looking to get more information about the bridge? Book this guided tour.
Private Brooklyn Bridge Tour | In case you want to go with a guide, but do not want to share the experience with others, there is nothing easier than booking a private tour.
WHAT TO PACK FOR BROOKLYN BRIDGE WALK
You do not need many things to pack for walking across Brooklyn Bridge.
Have comfortable sneakers, a daypack, travel camera, rain poncho or umbrella, and windbreaker as it can be sometimes windy up there.
WHERE TO STAY
New York is not a cheap destination when it comes to accommodation, we learned that very soon after we started looking for a place to stay. For sightseeing, the best place to stay is the Manhattan district, but in general, it is enough to find a hotel nearby the metro station, and you will be able to get around very easily.
We've handpicked three top hotels in New York for every budget category, but please note, that even the cheapest hotels are not exactly cheap here in New York, plus the cheapest once usually have terrible reviews.
Cheaper Mid-range | Seton Hotel - This hotel is conveniently located close to the most major sights, and we promise that you are going to love the decor.
Mid-range | Hilton Garden Inn Central Park South - There is a large number of mid-range hotels in New York, and we know it is hard to pick the right one. What we also know, that you can never go wrong with Hilton chain, as it offers clean rooms, great location and well-trained staff.
Luxury | Baccarat Hotel and Residence New York - Modern decor, elegant rooms and perfect services, this hotel is true gem for all travelers who require the best service and can afford it.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
