brooklyn bridge cost to visit

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge (Easy to Follow Local’s Guide + Tips)

Our easy to follow guide to walking the Brooklyn Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge tips will help you plan your dream visit to one of the most famous landmarks of NYC, not to mention the history of the Brooklyn Bridge is also fascinating.

We provide you with everything you need to know before walking the Brooklyn Bridge including the history, where to go, what you’ll see, and how to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian walkway as well as how to bike it or drive it!

Here’s all the tips, tricks, dos, and don’ts of walking the Brooklyn Bridge, one of the best walks in Brooklyn and NYC!

Brooklyn Bridge Walk Guide & Tips

Table of Contents

Brief history of the brooklyn bridge, ways to cross the brooklyn bridge, how long is the brooklyn bridge, how long it takes to cross the brooklyn bridge, walking across the brooklyn bridge directions, best views walking the brooklyn bridge, tips for walking the brooklyn bridge, what to do nearby the brooklyn bridge, brooklyn bridge walking tour.

The Brooklyn Bridge was completed in 1883 and is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. The historic and iconic bridge is one of the most recognizable in the country and connects the two boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn over the East River.

Brooklyn Bridge was designed by John Augustus Roebling, but after suffering an injury and complications with recovery, he died and his son Washington Roebling took over the project. This wouldn’t be the first complication during the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Many workers developed “caisson disease,” which occurs when workers would leave a compressed atmosphere and enter into a normal atmosphere too quickly.

This took place when workers were sent below the surface of the East River to clear mud and boulders from the bottom of the river to begin laying down granite.

Washington Roebling fell ill to this disease and his wife Emily Warren Roebling took over the operation.

When the Brooklyn Bridge opened to the public on May 24, 1883. Emily Roebling was the first to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.

On the opening day, over 150,000 pedestrians crossed the bridge including American President Chester A. Arthur and New York Mayor Franklin Edson.

Shortly after the Brooklyn Bridge’s completion, rumors that it would somehow collapse filled the city with panic. In order to put these rumors to rest, P.T. Barnum led 21 elephants across the bridge in 1884, wouldn’t that be a sight?

You can find a plaque on your Brooklyn Bridge walk dedicated to John Augustus Roebling, Washington Roebling, and Emily Roebling.

The Brooklyn Bridge’s total cost was over $15 million in the 19th century and led to a few dozen deaths and over 100 caisson disease cases.

Learn more about the history of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Back to the Top

There are a few different ways to cross the Brooklyn Bridge, by foot, car, bicycle, and below by water taxi or ferry.

Driving across the Brooklyn Bridge

If you’re looking for a quick cityscape fix, cruise across the Brooklyn Bridge in your car, rideshare, or taxi. This famous New York City bridge is actually one of the rare toll free motorways in and out of Manhattan, which makes it more appealing for drivers in NYC.

Although you can observe the beautiful skyline from the comfort of your car, don’t forget that traffic is a possibility. If you’re looking for a day of being a tourist and taking your time at this national landmark, you might want to consider our other options of crossing the bridge.

Biking across the Brooklyn Bridge

The key to biking in New York City as a visitor or someone without their own bicycle is using CitiBike rentals who have docking stations all throughout the city.

CitiBike is really easy to use, you just have to download the app for payment as well as finding your nearest docking station to pick up or drop off your bikes.

As of September 2021, biking the Brooklyn Bridge is no longer possible on the pedestrian pathway on the top of the bridge. Prior to the change, bikers and pedestrians shared the same pathway with a few painted lines that distinguished where cyclists stayed and where pedestrians stayed.

This was chaos for everyone as often unknowing tourists didn’t obey either the bike lane or the pedestrian lane making it a really frustrating and chaotic experience.

Now, there is a designated bike lane on the lower level of the bridge alongside the motor traffic. While the lane is separate from the motorists, you do not get the same ‘views’ as you did previously when the bike lane shared the upper level of the bridge with pedestrians.

Crossing By the Brooklyn Bridge by Water

A unique vantage point for seeing the Brooklyn Bridge is via below from the water using the NYC Ferry or New York Water Taxi to take you from Brooklyn to Manhattan or vice versa on the East River.

The NYC Ferry has a route that takes you from South Brooklyn to Wall Street (Pier 11) in Lower Manhattan. This costs $4. However, if you’re bringing a bicycle for any reason there is a small additional fee when you go to buy your ticket.

The other water option is by the New York Water Taxi. This is a sightseeing cruise with multiple stops around popular city landmarks by water! You will have to by an all day pass, so this option only makes sense if you plan on using this to see many attractions.

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge

Many would say, walking the Brooklyn Bridge is the best way to do it. You will deal with difficult crowds, flying selfie sticks, and aggressive cyclist commuters, but it’s totally worth it. I mean taking the slowest way possible gives you a chance to soak in this amazing NYC landmark and views!

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most popular and iconic things to do in Brooklyn and in New York City. Because of its popularity you can imagine that there will be many other people on the bridge trying to see this iconic landmark from up close and experiencing the epic views along the way.

It is estimated that nearly 4,000-10,000 people walk the Brooklyn Bridge per day!

Something you used to have to keep in mind when walking the Brooklyn Bridge is that you needed to stay in the pedestrian lanes, but now that’s no longer an issue, the upper level of the Brooklyn Bridge is now for pedestrians only. 

Before, many people stop to take photos not realizing they are standing directly in the bicycle lane. You’ll probably see at least a dozen during your visit and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge if not more. Besides giving tourists on bikes a hard time, I mean it when I say that these New York City bicyclists will run over you and not even look back. So now, that dilemma is no more.

Many people wonder these common questions including how long the Brooklyn Bridge is in feet and how long the Brooklyn Bridge is in miles! When you’re there in person it really doesn’t look as long as it really is!

How long the Brooklyn Bridge is in feet

The Brooklyn Bridge is 5,989 total feet.

How long is the Brooklyn Bridge in miles

The Brooklyn Bridge is 1.134 miles but the entrances for the Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian walkway are approximately 1.6 miles apart.

Planning to cross one of the most famous NYC bridges ? You might want to plan for how long it takes to cross the Brooklyn Bridge, especially if you’re trying to plan around visiting this iconic landmark.

As we mentioned before, time spent driving on the Brooklyn Bridge can vary. If you’re traveling in the early morning or mid-day when everyone should be in their offices, you may be able to drive across the whole bridge without delays. As mentioned, the Brooklyn Bridge is just over 1 mile long, so you can expect to cross quickly by car if there is no traffic.

I would not suggest taking this route when you’re in a cab around rush hour, unless you’re prepared for a long wait and a higher fare at the end of your ride.

You can also ride across the bridge quickly in the later hours of the night if you’re coming back from a night out in Brooklyn or Manhattan.

If you’re in a taxi, you can always ask your driver what the conditions are on the bridge, since they are driving the city all day everyday they might have a good idea of whether or not its a good time to drive across. If not, you can always have them drop you off at the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway to finish the rest of your journey by foot!

Biking across the Brooklyn Bridge may take you as little as 15 minutes. Biking across the Brooklyn Bridge bike lane is on the lower level next to motorists. While there is a barricade between the bike lane and the motorists, some have said that the fast moving vehicles can be a bit alarming, so if you’re new to biking in the city just be aware of this.

If you’re visiting and walking the Brooklyn Bridge for a first time, chances are you’re going to want to take your time and rightfully so.

The quickest walk by foot without stops will take around 30 minutes. However, with crowds and photo and view stops along the way you can expect walking the Brooklyn Bridge to take closer to 60 minutes plus depending entirely on you and your stops as well as the crowds.

Remember, the Brooklyn Bridge is just over 1 mile long, and if you’re walking you’re using the Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian walkways which are approximately 1.6 miles apart.

Unless you come on a slow day, you can imagine that when you’re adding hundreds of people and other people trying to sell you things as you’re walking the Brooklyn Bridge, it could lengthen the process.

My pro tip would be walking across the Brooklyn Bridge at a slow pace – expect for it to take longer than you planned that way you have extra time for unplanned stops and photos and you won’t be in a rush.

This won’t be something you’re going to do everyday whether you live in New York or you’re just visiting, so make it count. Enjoy every second of walking the Brooklyn Bridge.

Read Next: Williamsburg Bridge Walk Guide & Tips

Using the Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian walkway is the only way to cross the bridge by foot or access the bridge if you’re a pedestrian. Here are detailed steps on how to access the Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian walkway from both the Brooklyn side and the Manhattan side of the Bridge.

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge: Brooklyn Side

Starting your Brooklyn Bridge walk in Brooklyn? Great, there are a couple of entrances to the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway.

If you’re entering from Downtown Brooklyn, the walkway begins on Tillary Street and Boerum Place. On Google maps, this location is called “Brooklyn Bridge Walkway Starting Point.”

The second entrance is a stairway in the underpass located in DUMBO on Washington Street , 2 blocks from Front Street where the famous DUMBO Instagram photo is at. There is a stairway in the underpass that is the entrance leading directly to the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway.

I would always recommend walking the Brooklyn Bridge starting in Brooklyn because of the breathtaking Manhattan and famous NYC skyline views. This is where you can get the most famous views of the city.

Nearest Subway:

Unless you are already in the Downtown Brooklyn or DUMBO neighborhoods of Brooklyn, you will probably be taking the subway to the Brooklyn Bridge and going by foot the rest of the way.

There are a few different options each within a reasonable walking distance to the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway. All of these subway stations are relatively the same distance from the entrance, so choose whatever is most convenient from your starting point!

• A, C or F subway lines to Jay Street/MetroTech Station
• N or R subway lines to Court Street Station
• 2/3 or 4/5 subway lines to Borough Hall Station
• A or C subway lines to High Street (take the High Street Exit – this is the most direct route)

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge: Manhattan Side

I won’t lie, sometimes when I’m traveling back home to Brooklyn, I will just do the Brooklyn Bridge walk to avoid putting more money on my Metrocard and to just enjoy the bridge. I also consider this option after I’ve eaten a delicious New York meal and need to burn some calories.

From the Manhattan side, you can enter the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway at the northeast corner of City Hall Park along Centre Street.

There’s usually a lot of vendors on the Manhattan side, so don’t be afraid to snag a hot dog or pretzel and a souvenir before you embark on your Brooklyn Bridge walk.

Nearest Subway

Chances are you need to get close to the Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian walkway via the Manhattan side before crossing! Here are the closest subway stops that are just a short walk away.

The Brooklyn Bridge—City Hall and Chambers St. are closest to the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway, the bridge is located right across the street from these subway stations.

• 4, 5, or 6 subway lines to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall
• J or Z subway lines to Chambers St.
• 2 or 3 subway lines to Park Place
• N or R subway lines to City Hall
• A or C subway lines to Fulton Street

As mentioned before, the best views on the Brooklyn Bridge are starting/coming from the Brooklyn side and walking toward Manhattan. The best way to soak in all the amazing views and photo ops is to take your time on your Brooklyn Bridge walk. This really is one of the best free things to do in Brooklyn too!

Here are some of my favorite views to take in while on the Brooklyn Bridge walk, one of the best places for Brooklyn photography and Instagram spots:

Brooklyn Bridge towers— Pose underneath the famous arches while walking on the Brooklyn Bridge. These pictures turn out the absolute best on an empty bridge day.

Statue of Liberty— Take a look off into the distance and find Lady Liberty dazzling in the horizon during your Brooklyn Bridge walk.

Lower Manhattan— The staggering and stunning skyline is jaw-dropping, make sure to pose for a couple pictures with the cityscape including the World Trade Center.

Manhattan Bridge— Don’t forget about the blue beautiful bridge right across from the Brooklyn Bridge.

About halfway through walking the Brooklyn Bridge, there will be some little areas to pull over and snap some really great shots with Lower Manhattan as your backdrop.

When taking photos, DO NOT SIT OR STAND ON LEDGES when posing for pictures. There are no rails to protect pedestrians from falling down onto the roadway below and besides risking your life, you’re putting others in danger. Please be responsible.

The key to walking the Brooklyn Bridge is being prepared for the possibility of crowds and if you don’t want that experience, you will need to have patience and plan around it.

It’s easy to get frustrated with big crowds, especially if you’ve had a long touristy day. Here are a couple of pro local tips when walking the Brooklyn Bridge:

Wear comfortable shoes:   You’ll be walking alot during your visit to Brooklyn and NYC. Save your feet by coming prepared with stylish and comfortable walking shoes.

Bring your camera: Most people already have great cameras built into their smartphones, but if you do have a DSLR or other camera we do recommend bringing that on your Brooklyn Bridge walk as this is one of the best places for photos in the city. Leave your tripod behind unless you plan at coming as early as sunrise to get to the bridge before anyone else or are coming on a day where the bridge is empty.

Come on a crappy day: Want to avoid people? The worst the weather the more likely the crowds will thin out on the Brooklyn Bridge! Rainy and cold winter days are some of the best times to experience the Brooklyn Bridge without hoards of people!

Prepare for the weather: Rainy and cold days are some of the best times to visit and walk the Brooklyn Bridge if you’re looking to avoid the crowds. If this is the case for you, come prepared! It gets pretty windy above the water so you will probably need more than just an umbrella. Layer up if its a chillier day to make your Brooklyn Bridge walk more enjoyable!

Be ready to be patient: You will get irritated, you will get separated from your group, you might get smacked by a selfie stick, but remember it’s part of sharing this experience with everyone else and while it might test your patience, it’s good to come prepared ready for a more crowded experience.

Start on the Brooklyn Side: This is just a reminder that if you are looking for the most ‘iconic’ way to do the Brooklyn Bridge walk you should start on the Brooklyn side so you can see Manhattan and the NYC skyline when you walk.

Weekdays can be less crowded*: Unless it’s peak summer season, if you come on a weekday you have a better chance to avoid the bigger crowds than on the weekends! But notice we said, *can be*. This is not always the case.

Holidays are always busy: Planning a visit to the Brooklyn Bridge around a holiday? Expect more crowds and be ready to have to practice some extra patience!

Don’t leave a lock on the bridge: This is not allowed and you could get ticketed with a fine if caught.

Be sure to see our entire Brooklyn packing list guide for what you don’t want to leave home without when planning your Brooklyn trip and more great tips.

Both sides of the Brooklyn Bridge have so much to offer, which is the best part about having this bridge that connects the two of the best boroughs in New York City.

Here are some of my top picks for what to do before or after your Brooklyn Bridge walk.

If you’re looking for another bridge walk with views, consider walking one way on the Brooklyn Bridge and the other way on the Manhattan Bridge walk .

Things to do nearby the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan

City Hall— Located right next to the Brooklyn Bridge walkway entrance, check out New York City Hall. This City Hall is the oldest city hall in the United States. Built from 1803-1812, so ultimately it’s labeled a U.S. National Historic Landmark!

One World Trade Center— Take about a 15 minute stroll over to the One World Trade Center after walking the Brooklyn Bridge. Make sure to get tickets for the observation deck, one of just three observation decks in New York City! This destination is just about one mile away from the Brooklyn Bridge walking entrance/exit. Alternatively, you can just visit from the outside and enjoy all the colorful murals here too.

9/11 Memorial & Museum— Just down the street from the One World Trade Center, visit the 9/11 Memorial & Memorial. The Memorial’s twin reflecting pools are free of charge, but if you have time, we would suggest checking out the Museum as well. This historical spot is a little over half a mile from the Brooklyn Bridge walking entrance, about a 15 minute walk.

Oculus Center— Ever wonder what that crazy looking white building is near One World Trade and the 9/11 Memorial? It’s called the Oculus Center, it’s full of high-end stores, kiosks, and subway stops! Located just half a mile from the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway, it should take just about 12 minutes to walk there.

Brookfield Place— Brookfield is also another spot to fulfill all your shopping needs in New York City. Around a 17 minute walk (.7 miles) from the Brooklyn Bridge walking entrance, you can find some of New York’s best stores such as Lululemon, Madewell, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton, J. Crew, and much more!

SoHo— Visit one of the most famous shopping spots and trendy neighborhoods there is! SoHo is just under a mile away from the Brooklyn Bridge walking entrance and takes just under 20 minutes to get there! Find every store you could imagine just in this area of NYC! Check out some of the options like Topshop, Zara, Urban Outfitters, H&M, & Other Stories, Forever21, and all the designer brands you can think of.

Chinatown— While you’re in the area, check out one of the iconic areas in Manhattan! Chinatown is just about a 16 minute (.7 miles) walk from the Brooklyn Bridge walkway entrance. You can check out some historical museums, the famous Canal St, and try some awesome Chinese food.

Things to do nearby the Brooklyn Bridge in Brooklyn

Hang out in DUMBO – DUMBO is one of our favorite neighborhoods to hang out in. If you’ve built up an appetite be sure to try some of the best pizza in DUMBO (some of the best in the city) or check out the different DUMBO restaurants with a view before/after exploring the rest of the best things to do in DUMBO.

Brooklyn Bridge Park-  Visit this Brooklyn park with the best views in the city! Located on DUMBO’s waterfront you have some of the best views of Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Manhattan Bridge all in one spot. See our entire guide for best things to do in Brooklyn Bridge Park .

Time Out Market New York— Time Out Market New York is an amazing food hall in DUMBO featuring the best foodie scene of the city under one roof. There are 21 different gourmet vendors located overlooking the East River and the Manhattan skyline. Time Out Market is about a 7 minute walk (.3 miles) from the Brooklyn Bridge walking entrance.

Dekalb Market and Food Hall— You will not want to miss this famous Brooklyn spot a short 15 minute (.7 miles) walk away from the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway on Tillary St. Equipped with multiple stores such as Trader Joe’s, Target, Century 21, an ahhhhmazing food hall with over 40 vendors, and the Alamo Drafthouse, you can’t ask for anything more.

Junior’s— Junior’s Restaurant is a New York delicacy with amazing food and even better desserts. Did you even go to New York if you didn’t have a slice of Junior’s cheesecake? Dine in after a quick 16 min walk (.7 miles) from the Brooklyn Bridge walking entrance.

Fulton St Mall— What is a trip to New York without a shopping spree? Although you can do this in SoHo and other hot spots in Manhattan, you can do it right here in Brooklyn too. Check out awesome stores like Macy’s, Nordstrom Rack, H&M, American Eagle, Old Navy, TJ Maxx and more just a short 13 minute walk (.5 miles) from the Brooklyn Bridge walking entrance on Tillary St.

Stay in DUMBO – Want to stay in DUMBO with an amazing view of NYC in this popular neighborhood? See our full guide for where to stay in DUMBO for your best accommodation options for your visit.

Want to learn about the fascinating history of the Brooklyn Bridge? From the deadly construction to other historical events that took place around the bridge and the fabric of NYC?

Join a Brooklyn Bridge walking tour with a guide! This 2-hour Brooklyn Bridge walking tour will cover all things related to the Brooklyn Bridge from fun facts to history as well as stops in DUMBO and Manhattan.

Book your Brooklyn Bridge Walking Tour

Found this guide to walking the Brooklyn Bridge helpful or interesting? Bookmark for later or share the love below on Pinterest!

My name is Katie and I went to college here New York City at LIU in Brooklyn! I love photography and am excited to share some of my favorite Brooklyn and New York City tips and spots on Your Brooklyn Guide.

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Do you have any tips for low-cost parking near DUMBO?

Check for free street parking first – although there are very few streets available for this and it’s competitive. Otherwise, there are two Kwik Parking lots available for a fee.

This page was incredibly helpful as I was trying to figure out how to go about walking the bridge from Brooklyn. I was having trouble understanding where the entrance was with Google Maps and the reference on this site to Tillary St. until I spied a marker on google: Brooklyn Bridge Walkway Starting Point

If you’re open to suggestions, adding that reference to this web page might be helpful to those getting their directions from the map app. (It’s how I get anywhere when I’m traveling!)

Thank you for this website!! I especially appreciated the history and looked for the plaques while we walked. And I can see why the bike path changed – who thought bikes and pedestrians was going to work in the first place??

Thanks Kate!! I have added that tip – glad you found the guide helpful!

This whole article was so completely helpful! My mom and I will be driving from Pennsylvania just to walk the bridge in a few weeks. Where would you recommend parking so that we can access the bridge from the Brooklyn side? Thank you so much for the very specific Google map area too!

Glad you found this helpful! Parking isn’t great down there, but there are parking garages, I recommend the garage at 200 Cadman Plaza W.

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Walking Across the Brooklyn Bridge

This post aims to help you plan your walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.

We'll show you where to start, how to get here, when to go, and what else there is to do around the bridge.

As tour guides, we lead dozens of visitors across the bridge each day on our Brooklyn Bridge walk.

As locals, the bridge is a part of our daily life. Many of us walk across it to get to our tours.

In the video above, Katie, a tour guide with Free Tours by Foot, explains how to walk across the bridge.

We have used our experiences as tour guides to help craft this how-to guide.

• Plan Your Walk
• Best Times to Visit
• How Long to Walk Across
• Guided Tours
• Audio + Self-Guided Tours
• Other Things to Do in NYC

Walking over the Brooklyn Bridge should be on every tourist's Bucket List of things to do in New York City.

Setting aside time on your trip is absolutely worth it! It's a significant part of the city's history and the views are spectacular!

The bridge is one of the very best locales for New York City photography. So grab your camera and let's start walking!

DOES IT COST ANYTHING TO CROSS THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE?

It is legal and free to cross the Brooklyn Bridge whether walking, biking, or driving.

HOW LONG IS THE BRIDGE?

The Brooklyn Bridge is 5,989 ft. long (or 1825 meters) from one end to the other, but the river span is 1,595 feet (486 meters).

The pedestrian pathway across the bridge is slightly over 1.1 miles, or 1.6 kilometers long.

HOW TO GET TO THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE?

That depends on whether you want to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan into Brooklyn or from Brooklyn to Manhattan.

Both are lovely, but you do have a pretty spectacular skyline view if you choose to walk from Brooklyn to Manhattan.

You could also walk from the Manhattan side halfway across the bridge and then come back. Either way, you can best get to the bridge via the subway.  

Be sure to consider our  daily guided tour and our GPS-enabled audio tour of the Brooklyn Bridge.   

If you are new to NYC public transportation, then you might consider reading our two subway guides.

• Tips on Navigating the NYC Subway
• Which Subway Pass to Buy?  

If you are considering a hop-on-hop-off bus service , all major companies have stops near both entrances.

Starting from the Manhattan Entrance

There are 2 entrances to the Brooklyn Bridge on the Manhattan side. The most commonly used is along Centre Street, across from City Hall Park.

Regardless of how you get here, we recommend using this Google Maps link for directions to the pedestrian walkway .

The picture and map below will help you find the pedestrian promenade. 

Map of the Entrance on the Manhattan Side 

Arriving by subway

• Take the 4, 5, or 6   trains to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall Stop or the J or Z trains to Chambers Street Stop.
• The bridge will be right across the street from the subway station. The picture and map below will help you find the pedestrian walkway. 
• You could also take the 2 or 3 train to Park Place, the N or R train to City Hall, or the A or C train to Fulton Street (circled in black on the map.)
• The red arrow points to where you will be entering the pedestrian walkway.

 View of the Manhattan Entrance to Brooklyn Bridge

Park Row Underpass Entrance

This is the 2nd entrance on the Manhattan side.

Park Row bends off from City Hall Park and winds underneath the Brooklyn Bridge. And roughly 500 ft (150 meters) is another entrance.

This entrance could be more practical for those coming from South Street Seaport, Pier 15 and 17, or for those coming from the eastern parts of the Financial District.

This will likely save you 5-10 minutes coming from these areas. It is a staircase and there is no elevator.

Click here for directions to the Park Row Underpass entrance ( map ).

Walking from the Brooklyn Entrance 

There are 2 entrances on the Brooklyn side. You will likely be using the subway if you decide to start on the Brooklyn side.

Even if you are in Brooklyn and want to find your way to the Brooklyn Bridge, use this Google map for directions to the start of the walkway  from your starting destination.

The Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway and Bicycle Lanes begin at the intersection of Tillary Street and Boerum Place (also known as Brooklyn Bridge Boulevard).

Finding the entrance to the pedestrian walkway is easy, but the intersection is very busy and there is often road construction in the area, so be ready for that.

  View of the Brooklyn Entrance to Brooklyn Bridge (walkway is in the middle of the car lanes)

Depending on where you are coming from, there is a shorter alternative route, though there is a shortcut .

Arriving by Subway

You can get take these subways whose stops will be within walking distance of the entrance to the walkway leading to the bridge.

• A, C, or F to Jay Street/MetroTech Station
• N, R to Court Street Station
• 2/3 or 4/5 to Borough Hall Station .

The red arrow points to where you will be entering the pedestrian walkway. The subway stations are circles in black.

Map of Brooklyn Entrance to Brooklyn Bridge

Washington Street and Prospect Street Underpass Entrance

Rather than beginning your walk at the above entrance, we recommend this shortcut to get onto the bridge faster and enjoy a more scenic route.

This entrance makes more sense to use if you are coming from Brooklyn Heights or DUMBO.

Take the A or C Train to the High Street Station. 

Exit the station at the High Street exit . Other exits will leave you in the wrong place.

When you exit, there will be a large park across the street, Cadman Plaza Park.

Safely cross the street, enter the park and there is a paved, curved walkway where you will see people coming and going in both directions.

Take this pathway through the park (it is safe except in the middle of the night.

The walkway will turn into Washington Street at the intersection of Cadman Plaza East and you will walk one block until you reach an underpass.

On the left side of the street, there is a set of stairs built into the bridge. You may not see them at first, but they are there! 

Use this Google Maps link for directions to the staircase entrance on Washington Street from your starting destination.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  When you reach the top of the stairs, veer to the left into the pedestrian lane. Watch for bikes as you cross. 

THE BEST TIME TO CROSS THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE

Access to the Brooklyn Bridge is 24 hours per day and it is beautiful at any time of day, but sunset is particularly nice!

We ran a poll in our NYC Travel Tips Facebook group asking members what they thought was the best time to cross.

As you can see, slightly more than half chose sunset.

This way, you can take in the views of both Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Statue of Liberty while there is still light out and then watch as all the sights come to life with electric wonder. 

This goes for sunrise as well.

Be warned for whatever time of day you go, it can get chilly up there on the bridge.

Plan ahead and bring a jacket or sweater (in fall, winter, or spring) so that you can enjoy your walk!

In the summer, on a bright sunny day, be sure to put on sunscreen before walking over the bridge.

Be sure to check out our guide to New York City weather  to help plan which pieces of clothing to bring.

It is also very safe to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge at night, as many tourists and locals use the bridge until about 11 pm (23:00) at night.

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge at night is one of the top free things to do at night in NYC .

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO WALK OVER THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE?

New York commuters hurrying to work spend 25 minutes crossing the 1.3 miles (2.09 km) long bridge.

But they aren't taking pictures or admiring the panoramic view. 

So how much time should you give yourself as a newcomer to the Brooklyn Bridge?

There are a few factors that will affect how long your walk will be.

First, the bridge is a very popular tourist attraction. In the summer months, especially from midday through sunset, the bridge can be packed with tourists.

Add to that the many locals who walk to and from work over the bridge and it can a bit claustrophobic.

Approximately 30,000 pedestrians and 3,000 cyclists travel over the Brooklyn Bridge each day.

Second, the pedestrian walkway is somewhat narrow and you can only walk as fast as the flow of the crowd.

If you want to walk faster, it is possible to pass people but be careful.

Below are estimated times based on the average walking pace of about 3.1 miles per hour (5 km/h) on an off-season day.

In the summer months, especially in the afternoons or sunset, add 10 minutes or more.  

30 minutes  - Walking at a steady pace, stopping for just a few pictures.

35-45 minutes - Strolling casually, taking some pictures, and admiring the view.

45-60 minutes  - Your walk can take this long under the following circumstances:

• You choose to spend this time for a very slow walk, enjoy the views, take lots of photos and savor the moment (or you are using our audio tour ).

TIPS WHEN TRAVELING WITH KIDS: 

To keep your child engaged and energized, we recommend that at the Manhattan-side tower, you stop for a few minutes.

Around this tower where the walkway widens, there are a series of engraved plaques that detail the construction of the bridge step-by-step.

Some kids (and adults!) find these instructive plaques interesting.

This is also a good time to take a break from walking and take pictures.

At the Brooklyn-side tower, more plaques identify the sights you can see along the Manhattan skyline.

TOURS OF THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE

There are many ways to tour the Brooklyn Bridge, particularly with us .

However, you won't be able to ride over the bridge on a bus tour, as all buses and coaches are banned. In other words, you have two options: walking and bike tours .

There are more options than what you'll find listed below, but this list will serve you well.  

If you are considering the purchase of a New York Pass or the Explorer Pass, then you will be entitled to a free walking tour of the bridge.  

Read our post to determine if a concession tourist pass is for you .

GUIDED WALKING TOURS

Free tours by foot .

First, we offer an anytime, GPS-enabled audio walking tour  (in both English and Spanish versions).

We also offer two guided Brooklyn Bridge tours along with one self-guided option.

Each trek will take between 2-3 hours to complete, giving you plenty of time to cross over and learn all about this important landmark.

Our walking tours are  pay-what-you-wish , meaning that you get to decide what your experience was worth.

This is a great way to save money while discovering New York City on vacation.

• Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights & DUMBO Tour  - Daily at 9:45 and occasionally in the afternoon.
• 911 Memorial and Brooklyn Bridge Night Tour  - Runs several evenings a week from April-October.
• You can also use our  self-guided tour of the Brooklyn Bridge .

Our amazing guests have seen fit to give us an overall rating of  5 out of 5 stars  on TripAdvisor.  

We also have a guide " Things to Do in Brooklyn ". 

OTHER TOUR COMPANIES

Brooklyn Bridge Sightseeing  

This company offers a variety of tours across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Although you won't be able to name your own price, you can save 20% on tickets by using the promo code FTBF .

Their walking tour runs for approximately 2 hours and covers a variety of subjects related to the history of New York.

While on this trip, you'll learn about sites such as Battery Park, the World Trade Center, Chinatown, and Little Italy. 

• Ticket Prices: $19 for Adults | $15 for Children (with the promo code FTBF )
• Daily @9 am
• Duration: 2 hours
• Save 20% with promo code FTBF
• Tour for free with New York Pass/Explorer Pass .

With an overall rating of 4 ½ out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor, it's clear that most reviewers are very happy with this service.

There are a few negative reviews, but they don't indicate any serious problems with Brooklyn Bridge Sightseeing. 

Inside Out Tours  

This company offers a Brooklyn Bridge tour that is very similar to our pay-what-you-like tour but without a stop in Brooklyn Heights and 1 hour shorter in duration.

If you can't manage to reserve a spot on our trip across the bridge, this is an excellent alternative.

At the end of this journey, you'll have the opportunity to explore Dumbo, one of the most interesting neighborhoods in Brooklyn.

This trek is provided in both English and Spanish.

• Ticket Prices: $35 for Adults | $28 for Children
• @11 am every day but Sundays.
• More information or to book .

Reviews on both TripAdvisor and Get Your Guide are very impressive, with most customers giving Inside Out Tours either a 4-star or 5-star rating ( read some of the reviews ). 

GUIDED BIKE TOURS

In addition to their walking tours, this company also provides bike tours across the Brooklyn Bridge.

While riding on a Cannondale bicycle, you'll enjoy wonderful views of the entire New York Harbor.

Stops will be made to give you a chance to take some breathtaking photos.

Travel from Manhattan's southern tip to Brooklyn Heights and back while learning all about the history of this modern marvel.

This trip will take approximately 2 hours to complete.

• Ticket Prices: $36 for Adults | $32 for Children (with the promo code FTBF )
• Daily @9 am and 4 pm
• Save 20% with the promo code FTBF

New York Pass/Explorer Pass holders can also save money on these tours

Brooklyn Bridge Sightseeing currently enjoys a 4 ½ star rating on TripAdvisor.

Reviews for their bike tour are especially positive, with most guests showing a lot of admiration for their incredible tour guides. 

New York Tourist Passes  

Purchasers of the New York Pass and Explorer or Go Passes are also entitled to a free bike tour of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Read our post to determine if a concession tourist pass is for you .

AUDIO TOUR AND THINGS TO SEE (SELF-GUIDED TOUR)

This is a self-guided tour of a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and begins at City Hall Park, on the Manhattan side of the bridge, and ends on the Brooklyn side of the Bridge.

We also have an anytime GPS-enabled audio tour of the bridge, that starts from either the Manhattan or Brooklyn side (you're choice) and is more extensive than the written version below. 

Here is an audio sample.

Estimated time to finish tour: 1-2 hours, depending on how much of a photographer you are.

Total Distance across the bridge: 1 mile (1.6 km)

This is an interactive map. To enlarge it, click on the small box in the upper right-hand  corner.

(Point A) - Tour Starting Point  

Click here  for directions to the starting point from anywhere in the city.

Manhattan Municipal Building (1914)  

This beaux-arts beauty was the last and possibly the most glorious example of NYC's part in the City Beautiful Movement.  

Designed to meet the increased administrative, which had grown into five boroughs in 1898 following the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge, this 40-story building is today one of the largest government buildings in the world.

See that shiny statute up at the top?  

She is called Civic Fame: 20 feet tall, copper-skinned, and hollow, she stands barefoot, wearing a flowing dress and laureled crown to represent glory.

She holds a five-pointed crown to represent the five boroughs of NYC in her left hand.

Be sure to also get a look at her and the building beneath her feet when you are on the bridge.

Frank Gehry's 'New York' 

This is 'starchitect" Frank Gehry's first skyscraper.

This is one of the tallest residential buildings in the world, containing just about 900 units, all for rent, which is very unusual for a high rise in NYC.  

This gleaming 76-story tower, "clad in a rumpled stainless-steel skin”, according to a review in the NY Times was the tallest residential structure in the Western Hemisphere, when it opened in February 2011.

The tower stands on a six-story public elementary school.  

Be sure to check out our Midtown, Central Park, and Harlem tours where you can get a look at some more captivating architecture.

Old New York Times Building

Before moving to Longacre Square (soon to be renamed Times Square), the New York Times, A.K.A. the Old Gray Lady, was headquartered here in this building on News Paper Row. The paper was here from 1889-1903.   

At 13 stories, this Romanesque Revival building now houses classrooms for Pace University.  

Out front is a statue of American founding father Benjamin Franklin, himself an owner of a printing press, a fitting statue for Newspaper Row.

The Potter Building  

Had the finest fireproofing technology of the time, featuring cast-iron columns and thick brick walls.  

Its terra-cotta ornamentation at the top inspired Mr. Orlando B. Potter to start his own terra-cotta company on Long Island.

This old classic was converted into an apartment building in 1979-81.

Okay, now it’s time to hit the bridge.  The first few minutes will bring you through a rather uninspiring set of buildings.

 After a couple of minutes on the walkway, you should reach a section where there are vehicle access roads allowing cars and trucks to enter or exit the Brooklyn Bridge from underneath.

(Point B) -  Woolworth Building

In the image below, the Woolworth Building is a white, wedding cake-style skyscraper.

Seen frequently in movies, it was the tallest building in the world from 1913-1929.

This neo-gothic building was a central figure in the great skyscraper race of the first few decades of the 20th Century and was called the "Cathedral of Commerce."

It had an observation deck until 1941 and high-speed elevators, which were state-of-the-art at the time. 

It was sold by the Woolworth Company in 1998 for $155 million.  

Read our blog post on the Woolworth Building and learn how you can visit its impressive gold-leafed vaulted ceilings in its lobby.

One World Trade Center - The Freedom Tower

Towering over the Woolworth Building is New York City's (and North America's) largest skyscraper.

Standing at 1,776 ft. (541 meters), it is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.  

The height was chosen to honor the year of American Independence (1776), hence the original name, the Freedom Tower. 

It is now open and you can go to the top of it for amazing views. See our post on getting tickets to  Freedom Tower Observatory Tickets and Tours .

Now, continue walking toward the Manhattan tower until you reach the point where the great cables that are suspended from the tower reach the promenade that you are walking on.  

In front of you are the four main cables holding up the bridge platforms. Attached to this thin rope was a piece of 8 gauge wire.

Each of the four cables is made up of 6,289 wires, each thinner in diameter than a human hair.

If these thin wires were attached end to end would measure more than 3,500 miles (5600 km).

Did you know that the Brooklyn Bridge was built with defective wire?

At one point, a politically connected man named Haight was given the contract to supply the wire.

Haight went ahead and supplied bad wire. By the time it was determined that poor-quality wire had been used, it was too late to replace it.

Fortunately, since the bridge had originally been intended to be six times stronger than necessary, it was decided that even if it was now only four times stronger, that that would be sufficient.  

The bridge is standing the test of time.

(Point C) - A lfred E. Smith Houses & FDR Drive

As you approach the Manhattan tower, the housing complex to your left, with the red arrow in the image above (12 buildings, housing almost 6000 people) is named after four-time New York Gov. Al Smith.

Smith served as governor of New York from 1919-1920 and 1923-1929 and was the first Catholic ever to win a presidential nomination.  

You’ll also notice a highway (yellow arrow) running up and down the Manhattan waterfront. This is the Franklin D. Roosevelt E. River Drive, better known as the FDR Drive.

It was designed by Robert Moses, the city's planning commissioner during the first half of the 20th century, and is a little over  9 1/2 miles long, it covers the entire length of Manhattan along the East River.

Manhattan Bridge (Green Arrow)

The Manhattan Bridge, like the Brooklyn Bridge, is a suspension bridge. It connects lower Manhattan, near Chinatown, with downtown Brooklyn.

The main span is 1470 feet (448 m) and the suspension cables are 3, 224 ft. (983 m) long.

The total length is 6855 feet or 2089 m. The bridge opened in 1909 and it's the first suspension bridge to employ ‘deflection theory’.  

The bridge was off-limits to pedestrians for 40 years, until the summer of 2001 when the pedestrian walkway was re-opened.

The entrance on the Manhattan side features a rather impressive arch and colonnade.

The designers of the bridge also built the main New York Public Library, at 5th and 42nd St.  

The Manhattan Bridge was featured in many films, including   Once Upon a Time in America and King Kong (2005). The bridge carries subways, cars, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

Now look to your right (south).

40 Wall Street - Trump Building

You now have a clear view of Lower Manhattan's Financial District. The red arrow is pointing to the Trump Building at 40 Wall Street.  

The height of the great skyscraper race featured this 927 ft (283 m) skyscraper in competition with the Chrysler Building for the title of the world’s tallest building.  

At the time, in 1930, the Woolworth Building was the tallest.

You can get a good look at this building, the one with the green top, on the right as you make your way toward the Manhattan tower.  

The Chrysler Building can be seen as you move past the Manhattan Tower.

For just a few days, 40 Wall Street was the tallest building in the world before the Chrysler Building and its spire exceeded it.

We love taking our guests and stopping right here to take a look over at the magnificent skyline.

Continue walking toward the Manhattan Tower. As you get closer, look closely toward the top and you will see an engraving of the date 1875, the year this tower was completed.

(Point D)  Manhattan Tower

Once you have arrived at the Manhattan tower you will want to spend some time up here.

Take note of the tablets, the earlier one dedicated to John Augustus Roebling and his son Washington Roebling and the later one, placed there during the 1948-54 reconstruction.

The granite towers, the first parts of the bridge to be constructed, Rise 276 feet above the East River.

When these towers were completed, only Trinity Church’s spire stood taller.  

Beneath the towers, at the bottom of the East River, are gigantic bottomless wooden boxes called caissons, which were sunk into the river bed and inflated with compressed air.  

Once the caissons were sunk, the men working on the bridge would enter the caissons and dig for bedrock.

During this phase of construction, many men, including Washington Roebling, became very ill with what is called ‘the bends’ or caisson’s disease.  

Read more about Caisson's disease here .  

South Street Seaport

To your right (south) you'll see the historic South Street Seaport.  

In 1625, the Dutch West India Company opened its first port here.  

Later, from 1797 to the mid-1800s, the 'Port of NY' was the largest maritime trade area in the country.

Many buildings in this area were burned down during the great fire of 1835 but were rebuilt in the 1850s.  

The Seaport stopped functioning in the 1930s, was converted into a museum in 1967, and upgraded into a 'festival marketplace’ in 1982.

It was severely damaged during Superstorm Sandy in October 2012 and the renovation process continues.

To see a guide to the new South Street Seaport and the fun things you can do there, see our post,  South Street Seaport in New York City | A Self-Guided Tour .

Now continue toward the Brooklyn Tower.  Stop about halfway between the two towers.  

(Point E) -  Vehicle Roadway

Below is a six-lane highway.

The roadway, which is 135 feet (41 m) above the average tide-water level, permitting vessels weighing under 1,000 tons to cross the bridge under it, was completed.

The elevated roadway, just as John Roebling had envisioned, was finished not long after that.

The designated bike lane was added in the early 1970s and is said to be one of the first dedicated bike lanes in the country.

Elevated trains and trolley cars stopped running in the 1940s. The roadway was widened to accommodate more automobiles during the 1948-1954 reconstruction.

The East River

The East River below you (it's a tidal strait) runs for 16 miles (26 km) between Brooklyn and Manhattan, under the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg Bridges and it has an average depth of about 30 feet (9 m).

It is the strait that links the Harlem River, the Long Island Sound, and the New York Harbor.

The part of the strait that separates Manhattan from Brooklyn was one of the most central and significant channels in the world during the first 300 years of New York City's history.

Due to hundreds of years of industrialization, this river is still not safe to swim. However, as of mid-2007, it’s safer than it is been in over 30 years.

Governors Island

Off to your right (south) lies a small island in the New York Harbor (see red arrow).

The Dutch West India Company hired the English explorer, Henry Hudson, to find a route to China.

Instead, he wound up on what was called ‘Nut Island.’ Thus, began the history of New Netherlands.

For more information on Governor's Island and how to get there, read our blog post by clicking here . 

Steve Brodie

People always want to know if anyone has ever jumped off the bridge.

The answer is yes, unfortunately. It's said that every 15 days someone jumps to their death from the Brooklyn Bridge.

Perhaps the most well-known jump is a jump that never happened.

Steve Brodie (December 25, 1861 – January 31, 1901) born in New York City was reported to have jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge and survived on July 23, 1886.

This was big news and helped Brodie's acting career and his saloon business.

It was later discovered that he staged the jump to gain publicity. Well, it worked!  Brodie's legend lived on after his death.  

Many films were made which referenced him, including On the Bowery(1933), in which George Raft played Brodie.  

"Brodie"— became a popular slang term as in to "do a Brodie"— meaning take a chance or a  great risk,  the language, meaning to take a great risk.

Now continue walking toward the Brooklyn tower until you reach the point where the cables emerge once again from under the pedestrian walkway.  

Brooklyn Bridge Park

For many years the site of commerce, shipping, an entry point for immigrants, and then a center for artists and activists, there are now signs dotted throughout Brooklyn Bridge Park that provide details of this compelling history.

Currently, the park hosts many free events including music and movies, and is filled with local fauna, concessions including the Brooklyn Ice-Cream Factory, public restrooms, a ferry terminal, as well as some eye-popping views of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge.

TIP: For a list of locations where you can fantastic views of the New York Skyline, click here .

Brooklyn Heights Promenade

World-famous for its views of the Manhattan skyline, the promenade is the ideal place for doing just that - promenading.

One of the most romantic spots in the city, it’s been the destination for thousands of dates, anniversaries, and marriage proposals.

The Brooklyn Heights Promenade opened in 1950 and has appeared in countless photos, television shows, and movies, most notably Annie Hall and Moonstruck.  

You could continue your walk with our self-guided Brooklyn Heights tour.

DUMBO Art Galleries

Once a thriving manufacturing and industrial district, economic change sapped the area of its economic strength, leaving large and vacant factory lofts that became attractive to artists starved for decent workspaces, who were also just starving in general.

The name ‘Dumbo’ stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass and was conceived in 1978 by resident artists as a way to make the area sound unattractive to prospective buyers.

It didn’t work, and today the area is awash with technology companies, luxury residences, top eateries, and designer boutiques.

There are also over twenty galleries dotted around the place, with highlights including Farmani Gallery, A.I.R Gallery, Smack Mellon, and the Dumbo Arts Center.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BRIDGE

On the Manhattan side :

You have Lower Manhattan, with a wealth of history to be explored. St. Paul’s Chapel, City Hall, Wall Street, and much more are within walking distance of the Brooklyn Bridge. 

Try one of  our free Lower Manhattan walking tours ! You can follow up your tour with a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.

On the Brooklyn Side

You can explore the beautiful Brooklyn Bridge Park, stroll along the Brooklyn Heights Promenade , and grab a pizza from either the famous Grimaldi Pizzeria or its equally delicious competition Juliana.

If you want to combine your walk across the bridge with a Brooklyn Tour, check out our Brooklyn Heights Tour  or our 3-hour Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights, and DUMBO Tour ! 

See our  calendar for dates/times of the tours.

There is also an East River Ferry to get back to Manhattan that is the same price as a subway ride and much more pleasant! See our detailed post on the  East River Ferry .

Be sure to read our definitive guide " Things to Do in NYC "!

Some FAQs and Fun Facts about the Brooklyn Bridge

• Look for the large collection of “love locks” near the Manhattan Tower of the bridge.  Couples leave padlocks on the bridge and throw the keys into the river as a show of everlasting love.  Bring a lock and someone you love to the Brooklyn Bridge!  Be warned though, the Department of Transportation has been known to cut the locks off from time to time.
• On the Brooklyn Tower, there is a plaque dedicated to Emily Warren Roebling.  When all of the men in her family fell victim to the bridge, she stepped up and got the job done!
• One of the bridge’s anchorages on the Manhattan side is on the site of the former Osgood House.  The house, which was located at 1 Cherry Street, served as the first Presidential Mansion of the United States.  George Washington lived there in 1789 and 1790.

Hotels Near The Brooklyn Bridge

• See our list of  25 Best Cheap Hotels in New York City  which includes some affordable and nice hotels in downtown Brooklyn within walking distance to the Brooklyn Bridge.
• Marriott at Brooklyn Bridge - this hotel is located just a block from the Brooklyn entrance to the Bridge as well as several subway lines for easy access to Manhattan. This hotel has an above-average rating on TripAdvisor .
• TripAdvisor Hotels Near the Brooklyn Bridge  - another option is to see TA's list of hotels within 1 mile of the Brooklyn Bridge.   You could filter this list by pricing or rating.

RELATED POSTS

• Things to Do in NYC
• Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO Tour
• Things to Do in DUMBO
• Things to Do in Lower Manhattan

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Stephen Pickhardt

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Quick Guide to Brooklyn Bridge Park (Highlights and Best Views)

Note: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a commission at no additional cost to you. More details are  here .

Some pockets of nature in NYC were the result of early visionaries who knew this growing city would become something of itself, and they knew it was important to preserve natural spaces for the public to enjoy. This history is one of the many reasons places like Central Park are iconic, but I’m also fascinated by those once-industrial spaces that have been transformed into something new, reclaiming the green spaces that they once were.

Brooklyn Bridge Park is surprisingly young, and I recently spent two days doing a deep dive exploration of all corners of this modern-day park so I could give readers a tour of its highlights. 

There are so many amazing things to do at Brooklyn Bridge Park—I hope this gives you a high-level view of what the park is like, the top sights, hidden gems, and some of the best things to enjoy there. 

Just here for the best photo spots? 📷 Jump straight to the best views in Brooklyn Bridge Park here .

Brooklyn Bridge Park Overview

Brooklyn Bridge Park is located on the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge and offers incredible views of Manhattan as well as a variety of activities, such as bike trails, picnic areas, sports courts, kayaking, quiet walking paths, and more.

If you’ve seen photos of the Brooklyn Bridge with Manhattan in the background, it was most likely from a viewpoint in this park (keep reading to find out where). The majority of the park is to the south of Brooklyn Bridge, but it also runs underneath the bridge and a little to the north. 

This area was once a shipping port and later served as a storage area—as recently as 20-25 years ago. When the Port Authority of New York decided to get rid of it, the area’s future was unknown, but eventually the park plans won out. The first portions of Brooklyn Bridge Park opened in 2010, followed by additional sections over the next ten years. 

This old working waterfront has now been transformed into a beautiful park that’s beloved by locals. 

Today, its industrial past is hidden beneath nature and park amenities. The thoughtful design has a lot of surprising details—like topography created from subway fill on the once-flat waterfront, mature trees planted that conceal the park’s youth, and completely native vegetation that provides habitat and food for wildlife. All of the lawns and native plants in the park are managed organically. 

Brooklyn Bridge Park Info

Hours:  6 AM–1 AM // Some piers have more limited hours Cost:  Free, including most programming Dogs Allowed:  Yes, on a leash on the promenades and pathways only // Off-leash allowed at designated dog runs Bathrooms:  Yes, in various places throughout the park Places to Eat: Several options at Pier 1 and Pier 6, as well as nearby Time Out Market

*For detailed information about hours, rules, live music, movies in the park, free history tours, and other events, check out the helpful Brooklyn Bridge Park website .

Park Layout — Piers and Points of Interest

To the south of Brooklyn Bridge, you’ll find six areas that were formerly shipping piers. Some of the park area is actually built on the former pier structure, making it jut out onto the water, while other sections are just the land that the pier used to be connected to. Each pier area is distinct, and they alternate between nature-focused and park amenities like sports courts. Around the outer edge of each pier, you’ll find a wide promenade for walking or jogging. 

To the north of Brooklyn Bridge, there are some great views from plazas, grassy areas, and viewpoints. Some have their own park name but are actually part of Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Note: I’ve found that many of the location markers on Google have photos uploaded that are from another spot in the park. I’ve done my best to give you photos of the actual location I’m mentioning, as well as the true location markers in the interactive map at the end.

Also, I looked at some of these locations on Google Street View, and in the process I noticed how much the park has changed in the few years since the street view was recorded! Here and there, I’ve included links to a spot on the map for a more immersive experience, but only where it looks similar to today. bikKeep this in mind if you’re perusing the park’s layout on Street View—it may look very different! 

Overall, keep in mind that Google Maps isn’t perfect, and the best way to experience the best of Brooklyn Bridge Park is to visit in person. 

At Pier 1 , there’s a lot of variety and a nice balance between nature and manmade. 

There are pathways through the woods on a gently rolling landscape, a walkway along the East River with benches to relax, a salt marsh, a playground, and several lawns and overlooks with views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Downtown Manhattan, and Statue of Liberty. At the northern end of Pier 1, you’ll find a ferry landing, places to eat and get ice cream, and a connection under the bridge to other areas of the park.

This is the largest pier and while it does jut out slightly onto the water, it’s not built on top of the old pier structure like the others, but was created from landfill. 

The pilings from the old pier are still visible in the water at the southern end of Pier 1 near the salt marsh (check out Google Street View here ). When I visited, I saw a lot of birds enjoying this area, and it makes for an interesting photograph with the NYC skyline in the background. 

Pier 2 is all about sports. This mostly covered pier has a roller skating rink, basketball courts, pickleball courts, handball courts, turf fields, and more. 

There’s a rental locker for some sports equipment (like a basketball, football, etc), and the roller skating rink not only has rentals available, it has a lot of different public skate events and lessons (admission price varies). This pier was super popular when I visited on a summer weekend!

Want to get a feel for what Pier 2 is like? Jump right into the center of the courts on Google Street View here . 

Tip: Throughout the park, you’ll see pathways to either side of the main promenade (Brooklyn Bridge Park Greenway). Many of them lead to tucked away little spots—from benches to splash pads—and I recommend following your curiosity to see where they lead!

Heading towards Pier 3 , it looks like you’re going to be engulfed in nature as you enter from the north side. A heavily wooded maze of pathways is interspersed with salvaged materials, including bollards (metal posts used for mooring ships), that form interactive explorations. There’s also a lawn for picnicking, a wide open plaza on one corner, and a section with picnic tables. 

Pier 4 is the pier that’s not actually a pier, or any structure for that matter. There’s a small beach area where this pier used to stand, though no swimming is allowed (humans or pets). You can walk on the beach, look at the man-made “tide pools,” or join in on the free kayaking (temporary location at Pier 4).

Pier 5 offers another sports area—this one an uncovered turf field—plus a playground, picnic peninsula (this BBQ and picnic area was super popular when I visited on a holiday weekend), Pier 5 uplands, and Visitors’ Center. 

At Pier 6 , you’ll find more natural space, sand volleyball courts, picnic tables, a lawn with nice views, and some restaurants. Unlike Pier 3 with its maze of shrubs and woods, the green space here is more meadow (with a beautiful array of wildflowers), so it feels more open and airy as you look out over the river towards Manhattan. 

Back on land in the Pier 6 section of the park, you’ll find a huge interactive playground with tons of splash pads.

There’s another ferry landing at the end of this area, with service by both the NYC public ferry and the Governors Island Ferry. This is where I hopped on the ferry to head back to Lower Manhattan (Wall Street/Pier 11 landing), and it was significantly less busy than the Pier 1 ferry landing on a summer afternoon. 

Tip: There are more bathrooms than those marked on Google Maps, so I recommend watching the park directional signs to find the closest one. 

North of Brooklyn Bridge

If you head north from the Pier 1 area, under the Brooklyn Bridge, you’ll find more interesting places to explore. The open space is not as large here as on the Piers, but there are plenty of benches, steps, and lawn areas to rest and take in the beautiful views from this part of the park.

Stop off at the historic marker on Emily Warren Roebling Plaza to read about her role in seeing the Brooklyn Bridge’s construction through to completion. Admire the LAND art installation as you make your way towards Jane’s Carousel , an antique 1920s restored carousel that’s a popular stop for families visiting the park.

As I walked around the carousel on a beautiful summer weekend afternoon, I saw lots of people hanging out on the wide steps overlooking the river, along with a few musicians busking here and there. 

If you want arguably the best bridge views in Brooklyn Bridge Park, don’t stop walking yet. 

At Pebble Beach , you’ll (usually) find a spectacular view of Brooklyn Bridge with Manhattan in the background. Unfortunately, when I visited in 2023, there was a large float with construction equipment in the cove between Pebble Beach and Jane’s Carousel. I’m not sure how long that will be there, but I found a nearby alternative if you’re looking for an uninterrupted postcard view. 

Head up the stairs and follow the pathway to the left. There’s a viewpoint above the beach where I found a similar view and some bushes that blocked the construction float. 

In the early evening, the Pebble Beach area was pretty busy, but at sunrise I had the place pretty much to myself to capture the glowy morning light as it lit up the bridge and Manhattan skyline.  

Finally, you can head a little farther north to John Street Park if you want a view that includes the Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge. 

Recommended: Check out this post for fun facts about Brooklyn Bridge Park and interesting history tidbits !

Best Viewpoints in Brooklyn Bridge Park

• Pebble Beach (and nearby overlook) : This is the classic postcard view of Brooklyn Bridge with Manhattan in the background, including the skyline standout of One World Trade Center. If there is construction or anything blocking the view, head up the stairs and to the left on the pathway for a little overlook. There are shrubs here that can block obstructions on the left of the frame.

• John Street Park : Nice views that include both bridges. Manhattan Bridge becomes more of the focal point, and the Manhattan skyline is still visible but not as prominent. There are places to sit along the walkways in the park.
• Pier 1 Outer Promenade : The views here are some of the best in the park (aside from Pebble Beach). Enjoy the benches with unobstructed skyline views straight ahead, along with the Brooklyn Bridge in view to the right. 
• Granite Prospect at Pier 1: From the pathway leading to the top of the stairs, the river and portions of the skyline come into view and are framed by the surrounding trees. This is a nice place to snap a photo or just sit down on the stairs for a rest. After exploring all areas of the park over two days, this became one of my favorite places!

Elevated views:

• Time Out Market Rooftop : The rooftop of Time Out Market offers pretty good views of the Brooklyn Bridge to the left and Manhattan Bridge to the right. It’s popular, so it can be hard to frame photos just the way you want them, but if you’re just looking for a place to enjoy the scenery this is a great spot! Taking the stairs up also offers a few interesting photo opportunities of the bridge through the arched brick windows.
• Squibb Park Bridge : This spot on the walkway bridge from Squibb Park offers a unique skyline view with the bridge and trees in the foreground. It’s a nice photo spot, but note that there are no benches or anywhere to sit.

• Harriet’s Rooftop Bar : This popular rooftop bar is part of 1 Hotel and is an amazing place to grab a cocktail around sunset for spectacular views of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Where to Picnic in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Whether you’re looking for picnic tables with a view or a grassy lawn to spread a blanket, there are lots of options for places to picnic throughout the park. Here are my top picks, but head to the map at the bottom of the post for even more ideas.

• Bridge View Lawn or Harbor View Lawn at Pier 1 : The thoughtful park design is evident with the gentle slopes and views nicely framed by trees on these Pier 1 lawns. Get two drastically different picnic views from each of these lawns. 
• Picnic tables at Pier 3 or Pier 6 : Enjoy the “pier” experience at these picnic table groves with waterfront views surrounded by nature.
• Granite Terrace : This is a nice spot to bring takeout or a small lunch picnic for a couple of people. There are a few tables and chairs here, and it has a decent view while being tucked away from the crowds.

Where to Read or Journal with a View

If you’re looking for peace and quiet, I recommend going to the park early in the morning before all the crowds. There are lots of benches along walkways, as well as outdoor furniture tucked away in many places (even during busy hours). This is just a small selection, and I recommend exploring to find a place you find relaxing!

• Benches along the Pier 1 outer promenade : These run up and down the promenade. The south corner near the marsh is a little quieter (though not as great views as you’re facing away from the bridge).
• Granite Prospect : If you’re comfortable sitting on granite steps, this spot is a little more tucked away than directly on the promenade.
• Granite Terrace at Pier 3: There are some tables and chairs here, as well as little nooks with different types of seating, where you may be able to find quiet spots even during busy times of day. This area and the surrounding pathways are my top pick for tucked away spots to enjoy a book.

Where to Walk in Brooklyn Bridge Park

• Any of the winding pathways to the left or right of the main promenade (Brooklyn Bridge Park Greenway). Follow your curiosity along these unique paths, each with their own surprises, like hidden seating areas or small splash pads for kids.
• Pier 3 Labyrinth : This maze of pathways winds through dense shrubbery, and the interactive features made of salvaged materials make it an interesting place to explore.
• Pier 6 Meadows: The pathways on this pier lead through beautiful wildflower meadows, so they’re especially great in warmer months when the flowers are in bloom.  
• If you’re looking for a long walk to get in your steps rather than meander aimlessly, loop around the outer promenades of each pier . This route is about 2 miles one way. 

Tip: Another great way to see Brooklyn Bridge Park is to take a bike ride! Bikes are only allowed on the main path (greenway), so you can bike one direction on a CitiBike and walk the other—allowing you to take different routes. ✨ Want to explore NYC by bike beyond Brooklyn? The Hudson River Greenway is a great bike path around Manhattan (guide).

Brooklyn Bridge Park Map

Feel free to open up this Google My Map and make a copy into your own Google account. Access it on the web to edit your copy or simply view it on the Google Maps app on Android or iPhone. Never used Google My Maps? Check out my  guide to planning a trip with Google My Maps  for more info!

Brooklyn Bridge Park Photos

Have you been to Brooklyn Bridge Park? What’s your favorite thing to do there?

Travel Photographer | FAA Certified Drone Pilot

Naomi is the coffee-loving, crazy-about-Latin-America writer and photographer behind everything here. She's guided by curiosity and a belief that every place has a story to tell–whether it’s through the intricate details of nature, history that has shaped a culture, or the people who call a place home. Learn More

Top 10 Tips for Walking Across the Brooklyn Bridge

 TripSavvy / Winifred Lao

Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge has become one of the top tourist activities for visitors to New York City. But as with any major tourist attraction, there are tips for a Brooklyn Bridge walk. If you want to look like a local check out these ten tips to enjoy the trip. 

The Do's and Don'ts of Walking Across the Brooklyn Bridge

• Do plan to spend at least an hour in each direction, so there’s time to stop and look. The Brooklyn Bridge has a few spots where you can read historic plaques. You can also take a guided  walking tour of the Brooklyn Bridge. There are many informative walking tours that focus on different aspects of the bridge's history. If you want to impress your friends, have these facts about the Brooklyn Bridge handy.
• Do bring your street smarts: Go during daylight hours, or any evening when there are lots of other pedestrians.  Although there is a strong police presence on the bridge, it isn't wise to travel across the bridge in the middle of the night or at off times. In the warmer months, the bridge has more pedestrians than in the winter. However, if you find the bridge to be desolate, you should consider walking across it at a time when it's a bit safer.
• Do wear comfortable shoes and not high heels.  The planks of wood will catch small heels, but it's also a rather lengthy and often windy walk across the bridge, and you don't want to focus on your feet but rather the architecture of this historic bridge and the insanely captivating views of Manhattan and Brooklyn as you stroll across the bridge.
• Do realize that it’s a 1.3-mile walk, perhaps longer than you (or your children) expected.  If you have kids in tow, you might want to just walk across a small portion of the bridge and return to lower Manhattan or Dumbo. If you do brave the 1.3-mile walk, bring snacks and stop to take pictures. Allowing your child to use your phone to take their own photos or purchasing a disposable camera for them to use for this journey, might be enough incentive for them to make it across the bridge. Also, if you have a stroller, you must be patient as you weave the stroller through the foot traffic on the bridge.
• Do take a moment to get a photograph of the Manhattan skyline.  This might seem like a no-brainer, but do stop and take pictures. It's a simply stunning view.
• Do stay in the pedestrian lane.  If you get within an inch of the bike lane, most likely you will hear a cyclist shout at you to keep out of the bike lane. The cyclists go pretty fast, so it's best to avoid the bike lane.
• Do pay attention to all the traffic.  Watch for cyclists who might be riding in the pedestrian lane and people stopping to take photos.
• Don't expect to find bathrooms, food vendors or water available on the Brooklyn Bridge. There are no bathrooms, food or water on the bridge, so be prepared.
• Don't climb the Brooklyn Bridge. DON'T!  This is extremely dangerous and utterly foolish.
• Don't walk across the Brooklyn Bridge in inclement weather. The bridge gets very windy, so unless you are prepared for the wind, and complete exposure to rain and snow, take the trip when it's nice out.
• Don't forget to take pictures . If you do have a selfie stick, please be mindful of others when you take pictures.

Once you cross the bridge into Brooklyn, you will be blocks from the chic shopping in Dumbo. Try to schedule ​time to explore this once Industrial neighborhood that's home to galleries, trendy restaurants, and cafes, as well as a gorgeous waterfront park . Here's a  Visitors Guide to DUMBO  to lead you on your DIY walking tour of this vibrant Brooklyn neighborhood.

Edited by Alison Lowenstein

Brooklyn: A Visitors Guide

Tips for Walking and Biking Across the Williamsburg Bridge

48 Hours in Brooklyn: The Perfect Itinerary

48 Hours in Lower Manhattan: The Perfect Itinerary

Taking a Run or Going for a Jog Across the Brooklyn Bridge: 4 Tips

Can You Walk From Brooklyn to Staten Island on Verrazano Bridge?

How to Walk the Brooklyn Bridge

The Coolest Bridges in New York City

The 4 Best Things to Do After Walking Across the Brooklyn Bridge

10 Things to Do in DUMBO on Front Street

Bike the Brooklyn Bridge, Take a Ferry Back

New Year's Eve Walk Over the Brooklyn Bridge

Walking over the Queensboro (Ed Koch) Bridge

12 Top Summer Things to Do in Brooklyn

The 20 Best Things to Do in Brooklyn

Top 10 Things to Do in DUMBO, Brooklyn

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge Local’s Guide | Avoid Crowds & Tips

By: Author Charles

Posted on October 20, 2023

By far one of the most popular activities to do while visiting New York City is walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. Heading on the pedestrian pathway with the iconic bridge towering above you and the Manhattan skyline out in the distance is truly a remarkable moment to enjoy.

This guide will go through everything you will need to know to complete a Brooklyn Bridge walk on your own, including some helpful tips on how to avoid the crowds.

*  Affiliate Disclosure : This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase through the links provided, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting the work I put into TripTins!

1) Facts & History

Below are just some facts about the bridge so you have an idea of what the Brooklyn Bridge is all about:

Construction : The bridge was constructed from 1869 to 1883 and was designed by John Augustus Roebling. He passed away during the construction of the bridge from a result of an accident on site. His son, Washington Roebling, took over construction but soon fell ill and was subject to his Brooklyn apartment. From there he directed his wife, Emily, to oversee the day to day construction of the bridge.

Setbacks : There were several setbacks while building the bridge including a compressed air explosion, a large fire, a broken cable that fell into the river, steel wire replacements, as well as 20 workers who died during the construction.

Opening : The bridge officially opened on May 24, 1883 and was at the time the longest suspension bridge in the world.

Length : Including the approaches on both sides, the bridge measures 6,016 feet or 1,834 meters (the official walk will be a bit longer than this).

Cost : At the time of opening, it costs a penny to cross by foot – that’s more than what it costs now (it’s free!).

Color : And if you were wondering, the official color of the Brooklyn Bridge is of course “Brooklyn Bridge Tan”.

Learn More : Read some more interesting Brooklyn Bridge facts to get you ready for your visit

2) Brooklyn Bridge Walking Map

Below is a helpful Google Map, showing all the important points to note in order to take part of a Brooklyn Bridge walk.

It includes the two entrances on the Brooklyn side, the two entrances on the Manhattan side, as well as some of the main nearby subway stations to get you to/from there (I’ll talk more about those next!).

You can make the walk across the bridge in either direction, HOWEVER, the recommended way would be to start on the Brooklyn side and walk into Manhattan. This way you get the Manhattan skyline in the background during the duration of the walk. Remember – even if starting in Manhattan, you can still walk to Brooklyn and then turn around and come back the same way you came. This way you get to see the bridge from both directions. There is no wrong way to experience the bridge!

3) Walkway Entrances & Subways

Unless you are already staying close to either entrance (Manhattan or Brooklyn side) and are walking distance to the start, you most likely will be utilizing the NYC subway .

Luckily, there are plenty of subway options to choose from and no matter where you are coming from, you shouldn’t have an issue getting close by.

I would highly recommend using the subway (if you are not within walking distance), as it can be much cheaper and sometimes even faster than a taxi or Uber. One-way Metrocards cost $2.90 per trip.

Learn more about how to get to the Brooklyn Bridge for more insight into particular directions

Below are some of the main subway lines that are close by the Brooklyn side entrance and the Manhattan side entrance.

Brooklyn Bridge Walking Entrance Brooklyn Side

There are two entrances on the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge:

• Tillary Street & Brooklyn Bridge Blvd
• Brooklyn Bridge Underpass on the corner of Prospect Street & Cadman Plaza East (aka Washington Street)

Tillary Street & Brooklyn Bridge Blvd:  the main entrance on the Brooklyn side is at the intersection of Tillary Street and Brooklyn Bridge Blvd (screenshot below). Here is where the pedestrian pathway begins that will take you all the way to the bridge, and across into Manhattan.

The pathway starts in the middle of the street between the lanes of traffic and can’t be missed here. The next section of this guide goes into more detail about this entrance in particular.

Prospect Street & Cadman Plaza East:  if you are already a bit closer to the waterfront in Brooklyn, it may make more sense to begin the walk a bit further down the pathway at the corner of Prospect Street and Cadman Plaza East (aka Washington Street).

At this intersection, you will arrive at an underpass, where you will be directed up a staircase and right onto the Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian pathway. Note that you can visit the famous Manhattan Bridge photo location right nearby as well.

Nearest Subway Lines:

• High Street – Brooklyn Bridge Station : A / C
• Jay Street – Metrotech Station : A / C / F / R
• Borough Hall Station : 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

Brooklyn Bridge Walking Entrance Manhattan Side

Similarly, there are also two entrances on the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge:

• Brooklyn Bridge Promenade on Centre Street (east side of New York City Hall)
• Park Row Underpass

Brooklyn Bridge Promenade on Centre Street: if you make your way to the New York City Hall area, just head to the eastern part of it, where you will then cross Centre Street and onto the promenade itself. From here just walk straight along the pathway and onto the bridge (screenshot below).

Park Row Underpass : there is also a lesser known entrance to the walkway on Park Row. Park Row is a street that heads under the Brooklyn Bridge promenade. If walking along the street, there is a staircase entrance that will take you right onto the walkway.

• Brooklyn Bridge – City Hall Station : 4 / 5 /6
• Chambers Street Station : J / Z
• Fulton Street Station : A / C / J / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
• City Hall Station : R / W

Learn more about the various entrances in this guide that talks about the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Entrance points

4) Entrance Directions

Although there are 4 main entrances to choose from here, I will talk about the directions to the “main” Brooklyn entrance at the corner of Tillary Street & Brooklyn Bridge Blvd.

By starting at this entrance, you will get to walk the entirety of the Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian pathway (1.5 miles), and take in those beautiful Manhattan skyline views along the way.

Once you are off the subway (or if just walking from nearby), you will want to make your way to the main Brooklyn Bridge Boulevard.

The “Boulevard” essentially starts right at Borough Hall – one of the main subway stops here. Prior to switching names to Brooklyn Bridge Boulevard, the street will be called Boerum Place.

You will want to walk north along Brooklyn Bridge Blvd until you reach the intersection at Tillary Street. It is important not to miss the intersection because the walkway starts in the middle of the multi lane street.

Pictured below is the very start of the walkway (right behind the police car). From here you will continue to walk northbound on the pathway, where soon enough it will curve towards the Brooklyn Bridge itself.

You should begin to get those views in no time and from there it is a straight shot down the pathway towards Manhattan.

Be sure to also check out some of the other top things to do in New York City during a visit!

5) Brooklyn Bridge Walk Details

Below are some helpful details to know about walking the Brooklyn Bridge to better prepare you for your day. Note the distance and duration are for ONE WAY across.

• Brooklyn Side Entrance / Exit | Tillary Street & Brooklyn Bridge Blvd OR Brooklyn Bridge Underpass on the corner of Prospect Street & Cadman Plaza East (aka Washington Street)
• Manhattan Side Entrance / Exit | Brooklyn Bridge Promenade on Centre Street (east side of New York City Hall) OR Park Row Underpass
• Walkway Distance : 1.5 miles / 2.4 km
• Duration : 35 minutes (no stops) → Plan for 60 to 90 minutes with stops/pictures
• Walkway Material : Concrete -> Wooden Planks
• Cost : Free!
• Opening Hours : Open 24/7

NYC Itinerary : Visit the Brooklyn Bridge as part of a longer New York 4 day itinerary  that takes you throughout the city

6) Helpful Things to Know

Two Lanes : The walkway is split into 2 lanes – one for pedestrians walking from Brooklyn and one for pedestrians walking from Manhattan. Just recently, the bicycle lane was moved from the walkway down to the car level, so there is no more worry about sharing these lanes with bikes.

Restrooms : There are no bathrooms on the walkway itself, so be sure to prepare for that depending on how long you plan to spend on the bridge. Once you are off the bridge in either direction, you should be able to hop into a nearby restaurant, coffee shop, etc.

Vendors : Along the bridge you may find a few different food, beverage and souvenir stalls. At the start of the bridge on the Manhattan side, you should come across many more of these food stalls in case you didn’t find anything of interest on the bridge itself.

Locks : On the bridge you will see some signs not to put any locks on the fencing, so be sure to obey by the law or you can get fined $100!

No Climbing : Another warning sign that has been recently been added on states “Climbing on any part of the structure is strictly prohibited”. I would caution against those photos of sitting on the structure itself.

Protection : If heading there on a sunny spring or summer day, don’t forget to bring the sunscreen. There isn’t too much shade on the bridge so you will want to be protected from the sun.

Layering : If heading there early or later on in the day, or in the cooler times of year, be sure to bring another layer. It can get chilly and windier up there so it’s better to come prepared (especially if visiting the Brooklyn Bridge in winter ).

Walking Shoes : Lastly, I would recommend walking shoes for the walk across (and walking around NYC in general). Not only will it be easier and more comfortable on your feet, but the NYC streets can get a bit dirty, which wouldn’t bode well for flips flops.

Learn More : Check out some other viewpoints around the area in the guide to the top views of NYC

7) Can you Bike Across

Yes, you can bike across the Brooklyn Bridge in either direction. As mentioned, there is actually a lane of the bridge that is labeled for bicycles only.

As of September 2021, the bicycle lane has moved from the pedestrian pathway down to the car level. There is essentially one car lane that was removed in favor of a two way bicycle line.

This change has some downsides and upsides for those wanted to ride across. On the positive side of things, bicyclists no longer need to worry about the hundreds of pedestrians walking aimlessly into the bike lanes. They now have their own dedicated lane.

On the downside, bicyclists now will not be able to enjoy that same bridge experience, as they will be riding by the car lanes. That means you will not get to see the same views that are shown in the pictures throughout this guide.

Renting a bike is also a very easy thing to do in Manhattan with its Citi Bike program . You can download the Citi Bike app and find various bike stations all around the city to pick up and drop off your bike.

A day pass for Citi Bikes is $19, which is good for unlimited 30 minute rides for a 24 hour period. If you go over the 30 minute per ride, you will be charged $4 for every additional 15 minutes. If you are just looking for one single ride, a 30 minute rental costs $4.49 (with overages at $0.26 per minute).

8) A Brooklyn Bridge Walking Experience

Now that you have all the necessary background information, let’s dive into what a Brooklyn Bridge walking experience is all about. I will go about the full walk starting at the Brooklyn Bridge Blvd / Tillary Street entrance in Brooklyn and ending by Centre Street in Manhattan.

After getting off the subway or coming from a nearby spot in Brooklyn, you will first make the walk to the Brooklyn Bridge Blvd / Tillary Street intersection. Once at the intersection, cross the street to the middle divider, where the pedestrian walkway begins.

You will begin the official walk from here as you head northbound on the walkway. For the first portion, you will be on ground level with cars on either side of you, and a portion of the nearby Manhattan Bridge in view out in the distance.

The pathway will then soon curve left to the west, when you will then begin to see the Brooklyn Bridge itself with the Manhattan skyline right behind it.

From here it is a straight shot right towards the heart of the bridge. The walkway will begin to gain a bit of elevation as it goes above the main street level.

The pathway itself will turn from the concrete pavement to the wooden plank walkway as you are now on the official bridge portion of the walk.

I like to break up the bridge into three main parts from here as you can see in the screenshot below. The first is the portion before the initial arches, the second portion is between the initial arches and the final arches, and the third portion is after the final arches.

Depending where you are on the bridge, you will see that your views will be slightly different. In some spots you will be surrounded by the suspension cables, where in other spots, the walkway may feel a bit more open.

I really enjoyed all the various portions of the walk as the arches, cables, and skyline views were changing with every step.

Below are some pictures that I took during the three portions of the walk so you can get a better understanding of what the layout out in front of you will look like.

The first portion of the bridge walk really starts before you even make it over the river.

During this section you will see the suspension cables going up towards the arches, with the American flag up top, and the skyline further out in the distance.

For me, this was probably my favorite section of the bridge as you not only got a great skyline view, but the arches and bridge cables made the experience that much better.

Once you are past those initial arches, you will be on the second portion of the bridge walk and will now be over the river itself.

During the second portion, the initial cables will be going down, followed by no cables at all, and then the second set up cables going up towards the second arches.

You can see in the image below what a unique view it is straight down the bridge with the cables on either side of you and the final set of arches further out in the distance.

You will continuously have the skyline in view but now will be getting closer and closer to the other side of the bridge. For a short portion in the middle of the bridge, you won’t have any cables on either side of you.

The bridge here feels more open and you can get some great views of the Manhattan Bridge and uptown NYC skyline on one side and the Statue of Liberty on the other.

Soon enough you will be walking alongside the next set of cables going up to the arches, for another beautiful view.

After crossing underneath the second set of arches and making your way alongside the cables, you will be very close to crossing over the final river portion and into Manhattan.

As you are getting closer, the skyline will slowly disappear as you now have some other buildings blocking your view. However, you should still be able to enjoy views south down the waterside as well as the Freedom Tower up above you.

Continue the walk along the pathway as the end slowly comes into view with the Manhattan entrance to the bridge just out in the distance. From here you can decide to enter Manhattan, or if you are heading back to Brooklyn, feel free to cross the bridge in the opposite direction.

9) What Can You See

Beyond the bridge itself, you are sure to get some views of various buildings and structures as you are making your way across. Some of these highlights include:

Freedom Tower / One World Trade Center

The most famous building of the Manhattan skyline will be the Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center .

The building was opened in 2016 and is one of the highlights to visit while in Manhattan. It has the One World Observatory on the top of the building, which has some of the best views in the city.

If you have some time after the Brooklyn Bridge walk, you can head there next on your day.

8 Spruce Street / New York by Gehry

Another building that will constantly be in view is the silver curvy looking building. This is 8 Spruce Street also known as New York by Gehry and is one of the more unique looking buildings you will find in Manhattan.

The Statue of Liberty

While a bit further away, you should be able to take in views of the Statue of Liberty way out in the distance. It will be on your left hand side if walking from Brooklyn to Manhattan.

This is another potential add on to your day if you would like to make your way to the statue itself and the nearby Ellis Island.

Governor’s Island

A bit closer in view than the Statue of Liberty will be Governors Island . This 172 acre former military base is now a fan favorite recreational place to visit during a trip to New York.

It is a great place to visit to “escape” the city and also get some great views of the skyline to relax for a few hours.

The Manhattan Bridge

You also have the Manhattan Bridge right next door to the Brooklyn Bridge. This is another bridge you can walk across if you have the time.

While it certainly is not as scenic of a bridge itself, you can get some great views of the Brooklyn Bridge and downtown Manhattan.

If you have the time I would highly recommend walking across the Manhattan Bridge as well to get some great views of the Brooklyn Bridge.

NYC Skyline

While you will have the downtown NYC skyline out in front of you during a walk across, you can also get views of the midtown/uptown skyline as well. During the middle of the walk, you should get some great views of some of the the iconic buildings of NYC.

These include the Empire State Building , Chrysler Building, One Vanderbilt, MetlLife Building, Hudson Yards, The Edge, and some of the towers overlooking Central Park .

10) Walking from Manhattan to Brooklyn

While the most popular route is to start in Brooklyn and end in Manhattan, that doesn’t mean you can’t do it the other way around.

Although you will need to turn around for the views of the Manhattan skyline, you will still have beautiful views of the Brooklyn Bridge itself along with the Brooklyn skyline in the other direction.

Another way to go about your day, would be to start in Manhattan, walk the bridge one way into Brooklyn, and spend some time enjoying some activities around Brooklyn Heights & the DUMBO neighborhood such as Brooklyn Bridge Park (aka D own U nder the M anhattan B ridge O verpass neighborhood).

Once you are all set with your time in Brooklyn, you can then walk right back across the bridge in the other direction towards Manhattan and get those more popular views during your second walk across.

Be sure to check out some of the other best photo spots in NYC during a visit to the city .

11) How to Avoid the Crowds

So, given crowds can certainly be an issue here, I want to talk about how to avoid them as best as possible.

Whether you are photographer or just someone who wants to enjoy the bridge without all the craziness around them, below are some helpful tips to have a better chance of having the bridge to yourself.

Brooklyn Bridge Sunrise / Early Morning

The best way in my opinion to avoid the crowds is to head there for sunrise or soon after. Anytime before 9AM or so I would say you have a good chance to have little to no people around. Once you hit mid morning, you will have more and more people coming along.

As you can see in my photos, I headed to the Brooklyn Bridge for sunrise and spent a couple hours walking the bridge in both directions. I would highly recommend if you are up for it.

Brooklyn Bridge Night Walk

After the sun goes down, you will find that the people on the bridge begin to subside. If you are up for a night walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, that could be another way to avoid the crowds.

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge at night can be a whole other experience as you now have the skyline lit up with the dark sky all around. A late hour walk may very well give you the chance to enjoy the bridge all to yourself. 

You can also try sunset at the Brooklyn Bridge just for the experience but I would still expect some crowds at that time.

No matter what time you decide to go, coming on a weekday will almost certainly be less crowded than the weekend.

Not only will you have the usual tourist crowd on the weekend but you will also have all the locals, who want to enjoy the walk themselves.

While all the photos you will find in this guide are during those crowd free times, I did want to show a couple “normal” pictures of what the bridge usually looks like.

The below photos were taken on a weekend afternoon walk. It is clearly two different types of experiences visiting with and without the crowds.

So, if you want to avoid those crowds, be sure to go about a visit during those off peak hours!

12) What To Do Near the Brooklyn Bridge

After finishing up a Brooklyn Bridge walk, you will be let out in downtown Manhattan or the Dumbo area in Brooklyn. While the bridge itself is sure to be a highlight of the day, there are many other nearby things to do on either side of the bridge.

Depending on which way you walk, you can take part of these Manhattan and Brooklyn activities before or after your walk across:

Manhattan Side

• South Street Seaport • Pier 17 • One World Observatory • The Oculus • Brookfield Place • 9/11 Memorial & Museum • Battery Park • Hudson River Park

Brooklyn Side

• Brooklyn Bridge Park • Timeout Market Rooftop • Brooklyn Heights Promenade • Manhattan Bridge Photo Spot • Walk Around Dumbo • Manhattan Bridge Walk

Learn More | Best Things To Do Near the Brooklyn Bridge

13) Best Views of the Bridge

If you not only want to enjoy the best views on the bridge, but also want to enjoy the best view of the bridge from afar, then this is for you.

All throughout the Manhattan and Brooklyn downtown waterfronts, you will find various viewpoints of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Depending on your route for the day, you can include several of these viewpoints along the way. 

• Pier 35 • East River Greenway • South Street Seaport • Pier 17 • Pier 15 • One World Observatory

• Pebble Beach • Time Out Market Rooftop • Empire Fulton Ferry • Emily Warren Roebling Plaza • The River Cafe • Pier 1 Ferry Landing • Pier 1 • Brooklyn Heights Promenade

Other Options

• Manhattan Bridge • Governors Island • Liberty State Park • NYC Ferry or Boat Cruise • Helicopter Ride -> NYC Helicopter tour

Learn More | Best Views of the Brooklyn Bridge

14) More Photos

Over the course of the yeas of living in NYC, I have been able to visit the Brooklyn Bridge multiple times. Below are some additional photos that I have taken in the past as I walked over the Brooklyn Bridge:

15) Where to Stay in NYC

There are so many different neighborhoods to choose from when visiting NYC. Below are some helpful articles to help you make the best choice for your trip.

Looking for the top hotels & neighborhoods in NYC? Check out some helpful accommodation resources when it comes to picking the best spot for you! Neighborhood Overview : Best Places to Stay in NYC Best Skyline Views : NYC Hotels with a View Times Square : Top Times Square Hotels with a View Theater District : Hotels in Broadway Theater District Central Park : Best Hotels with Central Park Views Tribeca : Best Tribeca Hotels SoHo: Where to Stay in SoHo Greenwich Village : Top Greenwich Village Hotels Brooklyn Bridge : Hotels with Brooklyn Bridge Views Best Panoramas : Hotels in NYC with Floor to Ceiling Windows

Also be sure to check out some of my Central Park travel guides including the Bow Bridge , The Ramble , and the Reservoir Loop !

That about does it for your local’s guide to walking across the Brooklyn Bridge of New York City. If you have any questions or comments feel free to add them in below.

Also don’t forget to check out the other helpful New York travel guides up on the site for more to do in and around the city!

Have fun out there and safe travels!

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Unlimited Biking

Friday 4th of November 2022

The Brooklyn Bridge is beautiful! One of our most popular tours is our Highlights of Brooklyn Bridge bike tour where you can explore lower Manhattan, ride over the Brooklyn Bridge and experience the best of DUMBO!

Saturday 28th of May 2022

Is the walk across the bridge described above wheelchair accessible? If not, do you have a wheelchair accessible option?

Sunday 29th of May 2022

Hi John - yes, if you start/end the walk on the Brooklyn Bridge Blvd entrance (and not the underpass), it would be wheelchair accessible. Hope you enjoy it!

Brooklyn Bridge

Price & Hours

• Facilities 3.0
• Atmosphere 3.5

One of many signature landmarks of New York City, the Brooklyn Bridge is also one of the oldest suspension bridges in the country and a National Historic Landmark. Its six lanes (and one pedestrian and bicycle walkway) span the East River, connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn. Walking across the bridge remains a tourist pastime.

Some visitors decide to skip the bridge in favor of other attractions, but if you're short on money, this truly is one of the best ways to experience the city and to get a unique view of either borough at no cost. Several reviewers warn that since there is no shade along the bridge, it can get quite hot in the summertime (though there are vendors selling bottles of water). Many also warned that it can get quite crowded, and advised visiting in the morning before 9 a.m. if you don't want to maneuver around crowds.

You can take the A or C train to the High Street stop in Brooklyn and stroll along the bridge back to Manhattan. It takes about 30 minutes to walk from one side to the other (or an hour, if you're stopping to snap photos), and it's free to visit. Several of the best walking tours in NYC make stops at the bridge. For a unique perspective of the bridge, consider signing up for boat tour , many of which pass under the iconic landmark, or a helicopter tour . And if you'd like to explore Brooklyn, consider our list of the top things to do in Brooklyn .

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More Best Things To Do in New York City

#1 Central Park

This part-park, part-museum, part-concert hall swallows central Manhattan, and many of the city's most notable attractions are situated next to it or within its limits ( the Guggenheim , the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History , to name a few). But travelers insist that you shouldn't just pass through Central Park on your way to another place. This 843-acre green space is a favorite of New Yorkers and tourists; you can come here to exercise, dine, go to the zoo and more.

Almost everyone has a positive impression of the park, but no one has quite the same experience or recommends that you do quite the same thing. There's an almost impossible amount of sights to see here (hidden treasures, indeed), including more than 20 playgrounds, 48 fountains, monuments or sculptures, and 30 bridges. Here's a shortlist:

Explore More of New York City

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Philadelphia

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Brooklyn Bridge

By: History.com Editors

Updated: December 12, 2023 | Original: March 22, 2010

The Brooklyn Bridge looms majestically over New York City’s East River, linking the two boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Since 1883, its granite towers and steel cables have offered a safe and scenic passage to millions of commuters and tourists, trains and bicycles, pushcarts and cars. The bridge’s construction took 14 years and cost $15 million (more than $320 million in today’s dollars). At least two dozen people died in the process, including its original designer. Now more than 125 years old, this iconic feature of the New York City skyline still carries roughly 150,000 vehicles and pedestrians every day.

The Man with the Plan

John Augustus Roebling, the Brooklyn Bridge’s creator, was a great pioneer in the design of steel suspension bridges. Born in Germany in 1806, he studied industrial engineering in Berlin and at the age of 25 immigrated to western Pennsylvania , where he attempted, unsuccessfully, to make his living as a farmer. He later moved to the state capital in Harrisburg, where he found work as a civil engineer. He promoted the use of wire cable and established a successful wire-cable factory.

Did you know? On May 17, 1884, P. T. Barnum led 21 elephants over the Brooklyn Bridge to prove that it was stable.

Meanwhile, he earned a reputation as a designer of suspension bridges, which at the time were widely used but known to fail under strong winds or heavy loads. Roebling addressed these problems by combining structural elements from previous bridge designs—including cable arrays and stiffening trusses. Using this model, Roebling successfully bridged the Niagara Gorge at Niagara Falls , New York , and the Ohio River in Cincinnati, Ohio.

In 1867, on the basis of these achievements, New York legislators approved Roebling’s plan for a suspension bridge over the East River between Manhattan and Brooklyn. It would be the very first steel suspension bridge, boasting the longest span in the world: 1,600 feet from tower to tower.

Just before construction began in 1869, Roebling was fatally injured while taking a few final compass readings across the East River. A boat smashed the toes on one of his feet, and three weeks later he died of tetanus. His 32-year-old son, Washington A. Roebling, took over as chief engineer. Roebling had worked with his father on several bridges and had helped design the Brooklyn Bridge.

A Perilous Process

To achieve a solid foundation for the bridge, workers excavated the riverbed in massive wooden boxes called caissons. These airtight chambers were pinned to the river’s floor by enormous granite blocks; pressurized air was pumped in to keep water and debris out.

Workers known as “sandhogs”—many of them immigrants earning about $2 a day—used shovels and dynamite to clear away the mud and boulders at the bottom of the river. Each week, the caissons inched closer to the bedrock. When they reached a sufficient depth—44 feet on the Brooklyn side and 78 feet on the Manhattan side—they began backfilling the caisson with poured concrete and brick piers, working their way back up to the surface.

Underwater, the workers in the caisson were uncomfortable—the hot, dense air gave them blinding headaches, itchy skin, bloody noses and slowed heartbeats—but relatively safe. The journey to and from the depths of the East River, however, could be deadly. To get down into the caissons, the sandhogs rode in small iron containers called airlocks. As the airlock descended into the river, it filled with compressed air. This air made it possible to breathe in the caisson and kept the water from seeping in, but it also dissolved a dangerous amount of gas into the workers’ bloodstreams. When the workers resurfaced, the dissolved gases in their blood were quickly released.

This often caused a constellation of painful symptoms known as “caisson disease” or “the bends”: excruciating joint pain, paralysis, convulsions, numbness, speech impediments and, in some cases, death. More than 100 workers suffered from the disease, including Washington Roebling himself, who remained partially paralyzed for the rest of his life. He was forced to watch with a telescope while his wife Emily took charge of the bridge’s construction. Over the years, the bends claimed the lives of several sandhogs, while others died as a result of more conventional construction accidents, such as collapses, fires and explosions.

By the early 20th century, scientists had figured out that if the airlocks traveled to the river’s surface more gradually, slowing the workers’ decompression, the bends could be prevented altogether. In 1909, New York’s legislature passed the nation’s first caisson-safety laws to protect sandhogs digging railway tunnels under the Hudson and East rivers.

A Bridge Unveiled

On May 24, 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge over the East River opened, connecting the great cities of New York and Brooklyn for the first time in history. Thousands of residents of Brooklyn and Manhattan Island turned out to witness the dedication ceremony, which was presided over by President Chester A. Arthur and New York Governor Grover Cleveland . Emily Roebling was given the first ride over the completed bridge, with a rooster, a symbol of victory, in her lap. Within 24 hours, more than 150,000 people walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, using a broad promenade above the roadway that John Roebling designed solely for the enjoyment of pedestrians.

With its unprecedented length and two stately towers, the Brooklyn Bridge was dubbed the “eighth wonder of the world.” For several years after its construction, it remained the tallest structure in the Western hemisphere. The connection it provided between the massive population centers of Brooklyn and Manhattan changed the course of New York City forever. In 1898, the city of Brooklyn formally merged with New York City, Staten Island and a few farm towns, forming Greater New York.

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Walking The Brooklyn Bridge At Sunset + Night

by Mark and Kristen Morgan

Published: March 29, 2021

Walking across New York City’s most iconic bridge is a spellbinding experience no matter the time of day you choose to visit. But there is something extra special about walking Brooklyn Bridge at sunset and at night.

We believe walking over Brooklyn Bridge is one of the best things to do in New York City as it connects the two famous boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn over the East River.

In this detailed NYC travel guide, we are going to explain everything you need to know including:

• History about the Brooklyn Bridge
• Best time to visit the Brooklyn Bridge
• Best subways + pedestrian entrances for the bridge
• Brooklyn Bridge sunset photography locations
• Where to find best views of the bridge with the NYC skyline
• How to walk the Brooklyn Bridge at night
• Our own Brooklyn Bridge photos

Now, let’s walk the Brooklyn Bridge together to find the best photography spots!

Our Brooklyn Bridge Experience

Kristen is a New York State native and we have also lived in NYC, so you can consider us experts when it comes to the Empire State.

Having crossed the Brooklyn Bridge numerous times in all four seasons during different times of the day, we can tell you from experience there is no better way to spend your time in New York City.

The NYC Brooklyn Bridge is an iconic structure that resonates with both locals and tourists alike. Crossing this famous bridge is an experience you will never forget.

Our guide will show you why you should consider adding a Brooklyn Bridge sunset or night walk into your New York City itinerary .

Heading to NYC? You might like our New York City Guidebook to help you prepare for your trip.

Brooklyn Bridge History

Before we get into the nitty gritty details about a Brooklyn Bridge walk, let’s discuss a little bit of history you need to know about this famous structure.

Construction for the bridge began in 1869 and was completed 14 years later in 1883. At the time when it was finished, the Brooklyn Bridge held the record for the longest suspension bridge in the world.

While the bridge no longer holds this record, it is still one of the most recognizable landmarks in the entire United States and officially became a National Historic Landmark in 1964 .

John A. Roebling was responsible for designing the Brooklyn Bridge. Unfortunately, Roebling suffered an injury and died due to complications in recovery while the bridge was still being built.

But when the bridge opened on May 24th, 1883, his wife Emily Roebling made history as the first person (and woman) to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge .

The total length of the Brooklyn Bridge including approaches is 6,016 ft (1,834m) while the main span of the bridge is 1,595.5 ft (486m) and the clearance at the center of the Brooklyn Bridge is 135 ft (41m).

There are two large trusses of the Brooklyn Bridge that now support five lanes of vehicle traffic, a two-way bike lane and pedestrian promenade.

According to 2018 statistics from the NYC DOT , over 116,000 vehicles, 30,000 pedestrians and 3,000 cyclists travel across the Brooklyn Bridge every single day.

Can You Walk Across The Brooklyn Bridge?

Yes, you walk across the entire Brooklyn Bridge via the pedestrian promenade.

But if you want to cycle across the bridge, you must use the designated two-way bike lane next to the traffic lanes on the lower level of Brooklyn Bridge.

Up until September 2021, the pedestrian promenade was shared with cyclists through painted lines on the bridge, but this shared setup between cyclists and pedestrians did not work well.

Unfortunately, crowds on the Brooklyn Bridge didn’t follow the bike lanes and cyclists often tried to make dangerous points as they whizzed through groups of people at very high speeds.

This recent change moved the bike lane down to the lower level of Brooklyn Bridge which means cyclists don’t get to experience the same great view from the pedestrian promenade.

So if you want to experience the best views of the Brooklyn Bridge, walking across is your best bet.

How Long Does It Take To Walk Over The Brooklyn Bridge?

The Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian promenade is just over 1.0 mile long and it takes an average of 30 minutes walk across.

But if the bridge is very crowded and you stop for photographs, you should plan for about an hour to walk the entire way across the Brooklyn Bridge.

To give you an example, it usually takes us around 1 hour 30 minutes with stops to enjoy the views and take numerous photographs.

So if you take a lot of photos like we do, you might want to plan for a little longer.

Interested in photography? Don’t miss our popular guide featuring the best NYC photography and instagram locations .

What Is The Best Time To Walk Brooklyn Bridge?

Walking across the legendary Brooklyn Bridge when sunset fades into night is about as quintessential NYC as it gets. You simply cannot miss a walk over Brooklyn Bridge from your New York City itinerary .

Tourists, locals and even professional photographers will be left in a spin with endless wow-moment locations offering incredible views over the bridge and Lower Manhattan.

The best time to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge for the electric atmosphere with hundreds of people soaking up a positive vibe is later in the day near sunset when the light is soft .

However, many other people will have the same idea so if you want a more quieter and relaxing experience, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise .

There is no wrong time to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, it just comes down to what you want to experience throughout your NYC trip.

Interested in a sunrise on Brooklyn Bridge? You might like to read about walking across the Brooklyn Bridge during sunrise .

Best Direction To Walk Across The Brooklyn Bridge

You can walk across the Brooklyn Bridge two ways:

• Manhattan to Brooklyn
• Brooklyn to Manhattan

Depending on which neighborhood in New York City you have based yourself, one direction may work better for you.

In this guide, we will walk across the bridge in both directions so you can see the advantages or disadvantages to both ways.

First, we will begin in Manhattan and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to Brooklyn during sunset .

You will see the blazing orange sun set behind the Statue of Liberty as well as Manhattan, but a perpetual feel-good aura brings the steel and granite bridge back to life in darkness.

After showing you some of the best photo locations along Brooklyn Bridge Park , we will then slowly walk across the Brooklyn Bridge at night from Brooklyn to Manhattan once NYC is shrouded in darkness.

You will see how walking the Brooklyn Bridge at night is sensory overload with romance in the air, excitable tourists laughing, camera shutters snapping and helicopter tours whizzing by overhead as the gorgeous Lower Manhattan skyline lights up.

It is an unforgettable experience and best of all, walking the Brooklyn Bridge any time of day is completely free!

Closest Subways For Walking Brooklyn Bridge

To make the most of your experience, we recommend walking over Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan at sunset and back over again once the sun has completely disappeared.

However, if you’re short on time or don’t want to walk across twice, you should walk across the Brooklyn Bridge towards Manhattan .

This way you will experience the breathtaking views of the NYC skyline over both Midtown and Lower Manhattan. Our favorite part about sunset is watching the lights spread throughout the entire city.

Here are Manhattan subway stations for walking the Brooklyn Bridge :

• Brooklyn Bridge / City Hall – Green Line 4, 5, 6
• Chambers St – Brown Line J, Z
• City Hall Station – Yellow Line W, R, N

Here are Brooklyn subway stations for walking the Brooklyn Bridg e:

• High Street / Brooklyn Bridge – Blue Line A, C
• Borough Hall – Red Line 2,3

Pedestrian Entrances For The Brooklyn Bridge

There are four different pedestrian entrances you can use to access the Brooklyn Bridge promenade (also known as the pedestrian walkway).

Two of the pedestrian entrances can be found in Manhattan while the other two entrances can be found in Brooklyn.

In either borough, you can use the main pedestrian entrance or an underpass featuring a staircase leading to the pedestrian promenade.

Manhattan pedestrian entrances for Brooklyn Bridge promenade :

• Centre St : This main entrance is located by New York City Hall in Manhattan. Begin walking where Centre Street meets Park Row. You can immediately join the promenade and continue along the pathway to the bridge.

New York City Hall Google Maps location (look for Living Memorial Groove).

• Park Row Underpass : We like this lesser known option along Park Row because it runs underneath the pedestrian promenade in Manhattan. Look for a staircase leading directly up to the main walkway.

Brooklyn pedestrian entrances for Brooklyn Bridge promenade :

• Tillary St + Boerum Place : Located in downtown Brooklyn, this is a very popular and well known entrance leading directly to the pedestrian promenade.

Tillary St + Boerum Place Google Maps location (known as Brooklyn Bridge walkway starting point).

• Prospect St + Cadman Plaza Underpass: This is a great entrance if you are close to Brooklyn’s waterfront or taking photos at DUMBO. Use the staircase to connect with the pedestrian promenade.

Sunset Brooklyn Bridge Walk (From Manhattan)

If you have time and don’t mind walking double the distance, we highly recommend you walk from Manhattan to Brooklyn before and during sunset.

Check sunset times for NYC and start walking across the bridge 1 hour before sunset time.

For example, if sunset is 7:00pm, you should begin walking from near City Hall subway station in Manhattan at 6:00pm. That way you can walk past the Lower Manhattan skyline by 6:30pm.

Once you start walking across the bridge at sunset, try not to hang around too long because the best views will be about half way across the bridge.

Brooklyn Bridge Sunset Photography

There are numerous photography locations when walking the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan. Here is what you can expect from walking over the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset:

1. Half Way Across Brooklyn Bridge

You should aim to be half way across the bridge by sunset to have the best NYC views. If you look closely the iconic Statue of Liberty is a tiny silhouette backed by a burning orange sky at sunset to the left.

As you continue walking towards Brooklyn, turn around often to see skyscrapers like Empire State Building and Top of the Rock in Midtown backed by stunning colors in the sky.

2. Manhattan Skyline View

We were lucky enough to see the sky illuminate with streaky yellows and oranges as we looked toward Midtown Manhattan from Brooklyn Bridge at sunset.

Starting on the left of this photo, you can see the Empire State Building, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt and the Chrysler Building.

Interested in NYC Observation Decks? Don’t miss our popular guide on how to visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt .

3. Famous Brooklyn Bridge Trusses

You will pass under the two bridge trusses as you walk the entire length of the pedestrian promenade. These trusses are one of our favorite Brooklyn Bridge photo spots .

Keep in mind the pedestrian walkway will fall into in shadow when the sun disappears behind the horizon so if you want to capture a certain photo in the soft light, be sure to take it before the sun sets.

4. Lower Manhattan

Another amazing photography location on the Brooklyn Bridge is about the halfway point when you can see Lower Manhattan as well as the lanes of traffic.

You can also find large informational plaques showcasing points of interest in the Manhattan skyline.

Stay on the bridge about half of the way to Brooklyn as the sun disappears over the horizon or behind Manhattan.

5. Midtown Manhattan

Sunset is a magical time in New York City because the surrounding skyscrapers put on a show as they glimmer and twinkle in the day’s last few rays of sunshine.

As you continue walking, don’t forget to stop and look around to soak up the other famous New York City buildings sparkling in the sun.

Photography Tip : Use the bridge as a foreground while you take photos of the Manhattan skyline.

6. Brooklyn Bridge In Shadow

The best part of sunset is always right after the sun disappears because the sky fills with gorgeous hues of red, orange and pink.

As you continue walking over the bridge, you want to look out over ther East River to see the colors at their finest.

Finish the walk and take the staircase leading down to Washington Street.

Want more sunset inspiration? Don’t miss our popular guide featuring beautiful sunset quotes .

Best Locations In Brooklyn For Bridge Photography At Night

Once you arrive into Brooklyn, find a restaurant for dinner and wait for civil twilight to transcend into total darkness. There are dozens of eateries around the DUMBO area you are now in.

We like Time Out Market , which has a wide range of cuisines in a fantastic setting overlooking both Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges on the riverside. Or alternatively, grab a pizza at famous Grimaldi’s or highly rated Juliana’s .

Interested in NYC pizza? Don’t miss our amazing NYC pizza places features classics, famous spots and top rated pizza from all over New York City.

After dinner and a drink, let’s check out some awesome photography locations in the area:

1. Time Out Market Roof Terrace

Another reason to eat at Time Out Market? You don’t need to go anywhere to grab your first fantastic shot of the Brooklyn Bridge at night.

Head up to the top floor and find a great spot to set up. Be aware there will be other photographers up here, so take care not to stand in shot.

2. Framed Manhattan Bridge

There is also a cool photograph of Manhattan Bridge you can frame with an arched brick window as you climb the staircase.

The building behind lines up almost perfectly to look as though Manhattan Bridge was designed with a super-sized glass column.

If you want to know more about the Manhattan Bridge, we will discuss the Manhattan Bridge late in this guide. This is another famous bridge you should consider walking over during your trip to NYC.

3. Jane’s Carousel

Right next to Jane’s Carousel is a wooden promenade hugging the river bank. You will find one section where the boardwalk extends further out in which you can set up a tripod and open up the angle nicely.

Marriage proposals are frequent in this exact spot, so be prepared to either wait patiently or even be kicked out for a more important purpose.

A wide angle lens is required if you want to capture more bridge from this range.

Alternatively, this is a fantastic spot to use a telephoto lens and capture a vertical shot of the far granite column with Manhattan’s skyline compressed.

Look how awesome One World Trade Center looks with it’s blue spire bursting high into the sky.

Want to visit One World Trade Center? Don’t miss our popular guide featuring everything you need to know about One World Observatory .

4. Pebble Beach

A little further away from the bridge and directly behind Jane’s Carousel, you will find Pebble Beach . Notice the bright yellow glass building below Brooklyn Bridge, that is the carousel illuminating brightly.

At Pebble Beach you will find amphitheater style seating which can be used to set up a tripod if you want to use the beach as foreground.

Alternatively, you can walk down onto the beach to cut out the gravel and only have water as foreground.

All lenses are great here for different purposes. Personally, we prefer the 16mm wide angle shot of Brooklyn Bridge at night with Time Out Market buildings to the left.

This photo was taken with snow covering Pebble Beach on a very cold evening.

5. Brooklyn Bridge Park

Next, walk under the bridge and follow the river until it leads you to Brooklyn Bridge Park which will reward you with views of the bridge from the other side.

This walk will take less than 10 minutes from Pebble Beach. While this side of the bridge has less iconic bridge photography opportunities, it is still definitely worth visiting.

From Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 1 you will be able to take awesome photographs of the New York City skyline lit up at night.

If you have a wide angle lens you can include a small portion of Brooklyn Bridge in the same shot.

6. Old Pier 1

Professional photographers and serious hobbyists will always be on the lookout for the most amazing photography locations in NYC and Old Pier 1 is one of the best in the city.

Wooden poles remain from an old shipping port and they create stunning leading lines to the amazing Lower Manhattan skyline background.

Continue to walk around Brooklyn Bridge Park hugging the waters edge until you arrive at the remnants of Old Pier 1.

Take the slip road down towards the water, look to the right at New York City’s skyline and attach that camera to your tripod!

Photography Tip : This spot at Old Pier 1 is also stunning at sunset as blues and purples reflect on the foreground water surface.

Walking The Brooklyn Bridge At Night (From Brooklyn)

Now you’ve seen Manhattan at sunset and the Brooklyn Bridge from various locations in Brooklyn including the very popular Brooklyn Bridge Park.

So, let’s walk back over the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan, with plenty of photography stops of course.

It will be busy an hour or so after sunset so you can expect to share the walkways with plenty of others who all want to take home memories of their visit to NYC.

Photographers will need a lot of patience walking over the Brooklyn Bridge at night. Unless you wait until after 11pm, you will struggle to get clean shots with few to no people.

If you’re not here for photography, take things slowly and relaxed to soak up the electric atmosphere, before heading back to your top rated NYC hotel .

Best Photography Spots For Brooklyn Bridge At Night

You will need a tripod if you plan to take clean photographs with your camera as you walk back to Manhattan in darkness.

And even then, the bridge vibrates significantly from road traffic, which means the only way of getting a blur-free shot is to dial up the ISO on your camera for a fast shutter speed.

Long exposures of the Manhattan skyline with cars driving below are fantastic images to capture. But you will need to strike it lucky with no cars passing below and no people walking by creating vibrations.

Even though we just witnessed a beautiful sunset on Brooklyn Bridge, it’s time to see the Brooklyn Bridge surrounded by shimmering lights. Here is what you can expect from walking over the bridge at night:

1. Lower Manhattan And Traffic

We mentioned this location was one of our favorites during the sunset walk, but this photo spot on the Brooklyn Bridge gets even better when night set in.

Take a long exposure with oncoming traffic highlighting the Lower Manhattan skyline and a crescent moon.

2. Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway

We recommend waiting until the crowds thin out shortly after sunset to walk the Brooklyn Bridge at night.

This will make your walk across the bridge a little more comfortable so you can experience the enchanting lure of the city lights to their fullest.

The magic of the twinkling NYC skyline is certainly one of the best photography locations in the entire city.

Travel Tip : This photo was taken when we lived in NYC during the coronavirus pandemic, but it will not be this crowd-free on a normal night.

3. Trusses In Darkness

Remember the large trusses from earlier in our guide?

We think they look just as good as nighttime as they tower over visitors on the Brooklyn Bridge at night.

But while this photo looks very serene, take note of the two lanes of passing cars on each side of the pedestrian walkway because the bridge was anything but calm during this shoot.

4. Lower Manhattan Skyline

As you make your way to Manhattan, the sparkling Lower Manhattan skyline is hard to miss. The lights draw you in just like a moth to a flame.

You will find numerous photography spots as you walk Brooklyn Bridge at night. We encourage you to get create and find some new angles to remember this amazing night by.

And there you have it, we have not only walked over the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset, but we have also walked over the Brooklyn Bridge at night.

Even if you have walked the Brooklyn Bridge a hundred times, it never gets old!

Is Brooklyn Bridge Open At Night?

Yes, the Brooklyn Bridge is open at night and does not close at night to pedestrian traffic. However, there are gates on the Brooklyn Bridge that close under special circumstances.

So, technically you could walk across the Brooklyn Bridge at any time of day but sunrise, sunset and at night are the best times.

We would not recommend you walk across the Brooklyn Bridge mid day because the bridge will be very crowded and the sun will be directly in your photos.

Are you visiting New York City in Winter ? Wrap up in a big warm coat, grab a hot chocolate and take a romantic stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset or at night.

Is Brooklyn Bridge Safe At Night?

Yes, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge at night is safe as well as any time of the day. Having walked across the bridge numerous times, we have never felt unsafe or concerned.

The Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian promenade has improved with the removal of the bike path, which is now found on the lower section of the bridge next to the traffic lanes.

But here are a few safety tips you should consider when walking across the Brooklyn Bridge:

• Like in any other major city, use common sense and be aware of your belongings.
• You will share the bridge walkway with hundreds of other tourists and locals, who are all soaking up the positive vibe so be kind and patient to others.
• The bridge is well lit the entire way from Brooklyn to Manhattan and the pedestrian walkway is never enclosed so you will be walking across an open walkway the entire time.
• You can expect to see regular golf cart police patrols.
• To play it as safe as possible, don’t walk the bridge very late at night (after midnight).

Walking The Brooklyn Bridge At Sunrise

Night time and sunset are the most popular times of day to walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, but one of our best pieces of advice for first time visitors to New York City is to walk across again at sunrise.

If you are a photographer and find these later times are far too busy to get the images you want or maybe you aren’t a fan of large crowds? Then sunrise is the time to mobilize!

There’s a strong possibility you will have the entire bridge to yourself for long periods around sunrise. We have personally walked across the bridge at sunrise numerous times and had all the time in the world to get the photographs we wanted.

Use our Brooklyn Bridge sunrise guide to read about photo locations and tips for walking the bridge in the early morning hours.

Manhattan Bridge Vs. Brooklyn Bridge

If you have already walked over the Brooklyn Bridge and want a new experience, you should try walking over the Manhattan Bridge to see the city from a different perspective.

We like the Manhattan Bridge because you can take the famous ‘Hole-in-the-Fence’ photographs from the bridge.

Use our guide featuring a walk over the Manhattan Bridge to see what you should expect when crossing this famous NYC landmark.

Looking To Save Money In New York City?

We love the Brooklyn Bridge because it does not cost a penny to walk across this famous NYC attraction. Unfortunately, this is not the case with many of the other attractions in New York.

But if you plan to visit several of New York City’s top attractions, we recommend you consider purchasing an attractions pass.

Buying a New York attractions pass will give you instant access to the most iconic NYC museums, landmarks and observation decks at a discounted price.

The idea is simple in that the more attractions you visit, the more discount you will recieve and the more money you save. It’s very similar to buying in bulk.

Having used the NYC attraction passes ourselves when we lived in New York, we recommend the New York Sightseeing Pass because its extremely easy to use while offering both flexibility and big savings .

We have teamed up with Sightseeing Pass to offer our readers an exclusive 10% discount .

Want To Save Money In NYC?

Use the button below to claim 10% off any NY Sightseeing Pass.

You can also read our detailed comparison to the New York attractions passes to help you decide which New York pass you should purchase for your visit to the Big Apple.

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FAQ’s For Walking The Brooklyn Bridge

Let’s take a quick look at some of the most frequently asked questions about walking Brooklyn Bridge at night.

Yes, you can see Lady Liberty standing tall with flaming torch raised high into the sky on Liberty Island when walking across Brooklyn Bridge. But from the bridge, the Statue of Liberty is an ant sized silhouette against the distance horizon and you will need either a super-telephoto camera lens or binoculars to get a good view of her from the bridge walkway.

Yes, it is worth walking over the Brooklyn Bridge because you will see stunning Manhattan and Brooklyn views. Taking a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the best free things to do in New York City.

If you only had a short time in NYC, we recommend you walk across the Brooklyn Bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan during sunset. But if you are a morning person, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge during sunrise from Manhattan to Brooklyn is our favorite time to walk across due to minimal crowds.

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We hope this detailed guide helps you experience a Brooklyn Bridge walk at night in New York City!

Please let us know if you have any questions about a Brooklyn Bridge night walk or a sunset from Brooklyn Bridge in the comments below.

Happy Walking ,

Mark and Kristen

Enjoy This Brooklyn Bridge Walking Guide? Pin It For Your Visit!

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All Rights Reserved © Where Are Those Morgans, LLC. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, maps, graphics, etc.) in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.

Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us .

2 thoughts on “Walking The Brooklyn Bridge At Sunset + Night”

Agreed, one of the best tips and must do – walking the Brooklyn bridge at sunset. I ❤️ NY, this blog and info on the city!

Thank you so much for your kind words Mariana! Walking Brooklyn Bridge at sunset has to be up there with the very best free things to do in NYC.

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Brooklyn Bridge

About the bridge, current projects, previous contracts, upcoming contracts.

The iconic Brooklyn Bridge connects Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn Heights. Known for its stone arches, the Brooklyn Bridge supports six lanes of vehicles (no trucks) and a shared pedestrian and bicycle path. As of 2018, an average of over 116,000 vehicles, 30,000 pedestrians and 3,000 cyclists travel over the Brooklyn Bridge each day.

Bridge Facts

• Total length of bridge and approaches: 6,016 feet
• Main span: 1,595.5 feet
• Clearance at center: 135 feet

The Brooklyn Bridge was designed by John A. Roebling. Construction began in 1869 and was completed in 1883. At the time, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. The Brooklyn Bridge connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn by spanning the East River.

Because of the elevation of the span above the East River and the relatively low-lying shores, the rest of the bridge, sloping down to ground level, extends quite far inland on both sides of the river.

Between 1944 and 1954, a comprehensive reconstruction took place. The inner and outer trusses were strengthened, new horizontal stays were installed between the four main cables, the railroad and trolley tracks were removed, the roadways were widened from two lanes to three lanes, and new approach ramps were constructed. Additional approach ramps to the FDR Drive were opened to traffic in 1969.

The Brooklyn Bridge was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1972. The bridge and multiple Manhattan and Brooklyn lots comprising the approaches were designated as NYC Landmarks in 1967. In recent decades, the structure has been refurbished to handle the traffic demands during its second century.

In September 2021, a two-way protected bike lane opened along the Brooklyn Bridge, repurposing one lane of vehicular traffic to accommodate the rise of cycling in NYC.

Rehabilitation of Towers and Approach Arches

Project scope:.

• Strengthen masonry towers 
• Rehabilitate arch blocks and foundations
• Replace brick infill walls
• Rehabilitate basement floors
• Repoint and reset granite stones
• Improve lighting at the towers
• Occasional lane closures will take place to inspect and repair bridge components
• The bridge promenade will be open at all times, although portions of the walkway may be narrowed at times
• Limited vehicular lane and sidewalk closures

Construction Project Contact:

The Brooklyn Bridge is continuously maintained in a State of Good Repair through capital projects and routine, in-house repairs to improve its components as they withstand weather conditions and vehicular traffic.

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Brooklyn Bridge Walk – Self Guided Walking Tour

Visit the brooklyn bridge, brooklyn bridge facts, best time to visit and how to get there.

Brooklyn Bridge is easily accessible from Chinatown ; you can walk from Chinatown to Lower Manhattan towards Foley Square and City Hall. There are street signs pointing to the Brooklyn Bridge, follow those or follow the path in google maps. The Brooklyn Walk – Self Guided Walking Tour will take you to the to the pedestrian walkway on Brooklyn Bridge. The entrance to the pedestrian walkway on the Manhattan side is on Center Street across from the Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall Metro Station for line 4, 5 and 6. Subway information is at the bottom of of the page, CLICK HERE

The map below explores the neighborhood of DUMBO, Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass”. Visit this area once you cross the Brooklyn Bridge. It is located between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. You can access the INTERACTIVE map or the PDF to visit the sites. To explore the area on the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge, click HERE for a tour of Chinatown, New York. Chinatown is about a 15 min walk on the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge and worth a visit

Download the interactive map HERE to explore the Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO

Click HERE to Download the PDF Map of the Brooklyn Bridge Walk

Video of the Brooklyn Bridge, explore the DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights neighborhoods on Brooklyn side of the bridge

Visit Brooklyn – Walking Map

The Brooklyn Bridge connects New York’s Manhattan island to Brooklyn over the East River. The Brooklyn Bridge, also known as the East River Bridge, proposal was suggested in the 1800’s to connect two different cities, Brooklyn and New York. The bridge was completed in 1883 after 14 years of construction. It involved 600 workers and cost 5.5 million dollars, an astronomical sum for 1883. Within 24 hours of opening, an estimated 250,00 had crossed the bridge by either walking or driving across. It is the oldest suspension bridges in the United States carrying 150,000 vehicles and pedestrian traffic a day

Use the map to visit:

• DUMBO – Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass
• Archway under the Manhattan Bridge
• Brooklyn Flea Market
• Brooklyn Historical Society – documenting 400 years of Brooklyn history
• Jane’s Carousel
• Brooklyn Bridge Park – an 85 acre park under the Brooklyn Bridge
• The Granite Prospect
• Truman Capote’s House
• Brooklyn Heights Promenade
• Use Brooklyn Bridge Walking map to explore the area under the bridge from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Manhattan Bridge. This area is known as DUMBO
• Use the Brooklyn Bridge Walking map to explore the area under the Brooklyn Bridge including Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn Bridge Promenade and Brooklyn Heights neighborhood

Brooklyn Bridge: Facts

• One year after its opening, P.T. Barnum, the predecessor to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus, crossed the bridge with 21 elephants to prove how sturdy the bridge was
• Is known by several names throughout its history including Great East River Bridge, Great East River Suspension Bridge, New York and Brooklyn Bridge and officially named the “Brooklyn Bridge” in 1915
• Compartments were built into the bridge, that were used as storage granite walled spaces. Many companies paid rental feels to rent out the compartments to store products such as wine. The coolness of the compartments stored the wine at a perfect temperature
• It was a cold war shelter at one time. During the cold war, food supplies, medicine and water were stored in the storage compartments
• About 20 people died during the construction phase including the engineer who designed the bridge. The engineer, John A. Roebling, died in 1869 on the job before it was completed
• After the Engineers death, his son took over. He was bedridden with an illness attributed to the bridge. His mother and wife of the original engineer, Emily Roebling took over the project and completed the bridge. She was also the first person to cross the bridge
• It was the worlds first steel and wire bridge and was the longest in the world. It held that title for 20 years
• On the sixth day after opening, a woman tripped and the resulting stampede of 20,000 people rushing to leave the bridge caused the death of 12 people. It was thought that the woman tripped because the bridge was about to collapse
• After opening, there was a toll to cross the bridge. It costs a penny by foot, a horse and rides costs 5 cents and a carriage was 10 cents. Even animals had to pay, 2 cents for a sheep or hog and 5 cents for a cow. After much protest, the pedestrian toll was abandoned in 1891 and road toll was abandoned in 1911
• Peregrine falcons call the bridge their home. They nest at the top of the two towers and if you look up you may see them coming and going
• About 125,000 vehicles, 2,600 cyclists and 4,000 pedestrians cross the bridge everyday. If you are walking across, stay on the right as the cyclists zoom on the bicycle lane on the walkway

Best time to Walk the Brooklyn Bridge

The bridge is open 24 hours a day, however sunrise and sunset are great times to visit the bridge when it is not crowded and the views are spectacular at that time. It can get a little cold on the bridge and you may want to bring a light sweater or jacket. It will take about 30 minutes to cross the 1.6 km bridge (1.3 miles). The bridge is very busy with locals crossing to go to and from work and tourists visiting this popular attraction. The path is too narrow for the number of people on the walkway. You can also rent a bike and use the bike path to cross the bridge

Helpful Tips

• The walkway is shared by cyclists, stay in your pedestrian walking lane as the cyclists whiz by at great speeds in the bike lane
• Wear walking shoes as it is about 1.6 km one way. It gets very busy and sometimes the walk depends on the pace of the other pedestrians
• Avoid the walk during inclement weather. There is very little shelter on the bridge and it is an unpleasant walk during bad weather
• Do NOT attempt to climb on the bridge for the perfect picture as this is really dangerous
• Spend at least one hour each way giving you plenty of time to enjoy the view and take pictures
• If you want to buy some souvenirs, bring cash as there are vendors on the bridge. You will find souvenirs, water bottles and snacks for purchase
• Walk to the Brooklyn side and catch the NYC ferry back to the Manhattan side for a nice change of pace. The ferry can be taken from pier 1 (DUMBO) on the Brooklyn side to drop off points on the Manhattan side at East 34th Street or the financial district at Wall St (Pier 11)
• When you get to the Brooklyn side, walk to the neighborhood of DUMBO for great places to eat. DUMBO stands for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass”. It is definitely worth a visit

The Brooklyn Bridge and East River

The Brooklyn Bridge is used to cross the East River. The East River with a dept of 9 M (30 feet) is a tidal strait linking Harlem River, Long Island Sound and the New York Harbour. With the advent of industrialization the river became polluted and it is NOT advisable to swim in it

When you cross the River, you will also notice Governors Island which is accessible by ferry. You can catch the ferry from Battery Maritime Building/Ferry Terminal. The subway line 1 (train to South Ferry), subway line R (To Whitehall Street) and Lines 4 and 5 (to Bowling Green) will take you to the ferry terminal. Purchase a round trip ferry ticket to visit Governors island. There are food vendors and restrooms on the island. It is easy to spend a full day there enjoying the spectacular views of Manhattan, renting a bike, walking, having a picnic, Ziplining or visiting one of the many kids playgrounds

Getting to the Brooklyn Bridge

Video on entrances and subway to access the Brooklyn Bridge Promenade

Using the Subway

Purchase a MetroCard, then fill or refill the card. They can be purchased, filled and refilled at subway station booths, MetroCard Vending machine or local kiosks. They cost $1 to purchase, you can then add monies to the card and use it when you use public transportation. Unlimited rides one-week or one-month MetroCards can also be purchased. If you are going to be visiting for several days you may want to look into this option

Use Google Maps or the MTA trip planner site or download the Trip Planner app to get the best routes using the subway

At the Brooklyn Bridge – Manhattan side

Entrances to the brooklyn bridge walkway or promenade from the manhattan side:.

• The entrance is across the street from City Hall along Center Street, refer to map above
• subway lines 4,5 or 6 Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall Stop or
• subway lines J or Z Chambers Street Stop
• subway lines 2, 3 Park Lane Stop or
• subway lines A, C, or F Chambers Street Stop
• The subway lines above and their associated stops will take you across the street from the entrance to the Brooklyn Promenade/Walkway
• On the Manhattan Tower, you will find padlocks, these love locks are placed their by couples processing their undying love to each other. You may want to put one there your self but keep in mind that sometimes the Department of transportation will cut off the locks
• Just below the bridge at 1 Cherry Street is Osgoode House, the former resident of the United States President, George Washington. It was the Presidential Residence from 1789 to 1790

At the Brooklyn Bridge – Brooklyn side

• at the intersection of Tillary Street and Adams Street. A word of caution, its a busy intersection that you will need to cross to get to the Brooklyn bridge Promenade / Walkway
• using the underpass on Washington Street. This will lead to a stairway that takes you up onto the Pedestrian walkway. The stairway makes it difficult for those who have mobility issues
• subway lines 2, 3, 4, 5 and exit at the Borough Hall station
• subway lines A, C , or F and exit at the Jay Street Station
• subway lines N/R and exit at the Court Street Station
• The Brooklyn Tower has a a commemorative plaque dedicated to Emily Roebling who completed the bridge and was the first person to cross it
• Visit the Brooklyn Bridge Park on the Brooklyn side. It is a popular place with free events including a ferry terminal, music festivals, movies, vendors (Brooklyn Ice Cream factory) and great views of Manhattan island. Take the ferry from here back to the financial district on Wall Street Pier 11 or East 34st

New York attractions

New York Chinatown Self guided Walking Tour – visit the popular attractions in Chinatown, including your own personal Chinatown food tour. Visit the popular local restaurants to sample the cuisine. Once you have completed the food tour and attractions tour in Chinatown. Use the guide to walk 15 min to the Brooklyn Bridge and complete the Brooklyn Bridge tour (below)

Brooklyn Bridge Self guided Walking Tour – Use the map and attractions guide to cross the Brooklyn Bridge and visit areas such as Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Flea market, and Brooklyn Promenade. When you are done, head over to the Manhattan Bridge to visit DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass).  Once you have completed the walking tour you can either:

• Cross the Brooklyn Bridge again to return to Manhattan Island
• Take the Ferry from Pier 1 in Brooklyn Park to go back to Manhattan Island. The ferry will drop you at Pier 11 Wall Street (financial district) or East 34th Street
• From DUMBO, head upstairs to the Manhattan Bridge and walk across the Manhattan Bridge back to Manhattan Island.  You will return to Chinatown on the Manhattan side

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Watch CBS News

NYC congestion pricing start date set for June 30. See a map of the zone and how much it will cost

By Jesse Zanger , Alecia Reid , Tim McNicholas

Updated on: April 26, 2024 / 11:20 PM EDT / CBS New York

NEW YORK - New York City's congestion pricing plan has a start date. 

The controversial plan charges a fee to  enter Manhattan's Central Business District , which the MTA is now calling the "Congestion Relief Zone," which is surrounded by more than 100 MTA cameras that will scan license plates. 

The MTA estimates congestion pricing will result in 100,000 fewer vehicles in the zone every day. 

The MTA says congestion pricing is necessary not only ease street traffic but also to raise critical funds to support mass transit projects, such as revamping the subway signal system. The MTA says a revamped signal system will improve overall train service, particularly during rush hour, by making it possible to run trains closer together, and trains therefore less crowded. 

"I think the main thing is, New York is, at our density, we're a mass transit city, and many people have already come to the realization that it's cheaper and faster to travel by mass transit," MTA Chairman Janno Lieber said. 

When does congestion pricing start in NYC?

According to the MTA's website, congestion pricing will begin on Sunday, June 30. 

The MTA is still contending ongoing lawsuits , including one from the state of New Jersey. The MTA has pushed back against those lawsuits, and has said  the litigation is effectively  hampering their ability to make new improvements . 

What about MTA congestion pricing exemptions?

The MTA says there are some discounts and exemptions for congestion pricing. 

Among the discounts:

• A 50% discount is available for vehicle owners who are enrolled in the Low-Income Discount Plan . The discount kicks in after the first 10 trips in any month. 
• Residents in the zone whose household income is less than $60,000 may qualify for a tax credit
• The  Individual Disability Exemption Plan will provide relief for those who have medical conditions that prevent them from using mass transit. Similarly, an Organizational Disability Exemption Plan will address vehicles for organizations like Access-A-Ride
• Certain emergency vehicles will be exempt
• School buses, commuter buses and certain other buses will be exempt
• As will certain other specific types of government vehicles that perform public works

NYC congestion pricing map 

The congestion pricing zone encompasses Manhattan's Central Business District, including all of Lower Manhattan and running north through 60th Street. 

That area includes  the Queensboro Bridge, Queens-Midtown Tunnel, Williamsburg Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, Hugh Carey Tunnel, Holland Tunnel and Lincoln Tunnel. 

What are the congestion pricing hours and fees? 

Peak congestion pricing time runs from: 

• 5 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday
• 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

The toll structure listed below is for E-ZPass users. The MTA says fees for non E-ZPass users, such as tolls by mail, will "generally be 50% higher than the E-ZPass rates." 

• Passengers and small commercial vehicles will pay $15 during peak/$3.75 overnight
• Motorcycles will pay $7.50/$1.75
• Trucks and buses will pay either $24 or $36 and $6 or $9 overnight
• The fee will be reduced for drivers with an E-ZPass who use the following four tolled entry points in the zone during peak hours: The Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, Queens-Midtown Tunnel and Hugh L. Carey Tunnel. Those credits include $5 for passenger vehicles, $2.50 for motorcycles, up to $12 for small trucks and charter buses, and up to $20 for large trucks and tour buses. There will be no credit offered during the discounted overnight period. 

Here's how to sign up for an E-ZPass . 

The MTA has posted extensive information about the congestion pricing plan on their website.

Pending congestion pricing lawsuits

Congressman Josh Gottheimer says pending lawsuits could halt the congestion pricing plan .

New Jersey lawmakers have argued congestion pricing would negatively impact the environment .  

"We should get an answer any day now. That could literally freeze it up and say you actually have to study the impact of the cancer-causing pollution that will come out because of more traffic," he said. "I'm very optimistic about these lawsuits. You gotta keep fighting this because families can't afford it."

Multiple suits have been filed in three separate federal courts.

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Jesse Zanger is the managing editor of CBSNewYork.com. Jesse has previously worked for the Fox News Channel and Spectrum News NY1. He covers regional news around the Tri-State Area, with a particular focus on breaking news and extreme weather.

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