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Starting Your Walk: Manhattan Side or Brooklyn Side?

There's no "right" place to start your walk. It really depends on where you want to end up and what you'd like to explore afterward. You can start from Manhattan and walk across into Brooklyn, where you can explore all that Dumbo and Brooklyn Heights have to offer. Or, begin in Brooklyn and walk toward Manhattan to explore the downtown neighborhoods. During the holidays, I like to walk with my kids from Brooklyn into Manhattan and grab dim sum in Chinatown.

In Manhattan, the main entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge is near City Hall at Centre Street. The closest subway stations in Manhattan are the Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall station on the 4/5/6 lines and the Chambers Street station on the 1/2/3/J and Z lines.

To start in Brooklyn, use the Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian path to begin your walk. Either enter from Cadman Plaza in Downtown Brooklyn at the intersection of Tillary and Brooklyn Bridge Boulevard or access the pedestrian walkway via the staircase located at the underpass on Washington Street/Cadman Plaza East and Prospect Street. The closest subway station in Brooklyn is the High Street station on the A/C lines.

Highlights of Walking Across the Brooklyn Bridge

Whatever direction you're walking, you can take in the spectacular views on both sides of the river from the Brooklyn Bridge's two towers. You'll enjoy unobstructed views of the Manhattan and Brooklyn skylines and see some of NYC's most famous skyscrapers, like One World Trade Center, the Empire State Building, and the Chrysler Building. On most days, you'll be able to see the Statue of Liberty across the harbor.

In addition to the spectacular views, it's worth taking a little time to spot the unique features of the bridge. The two Gothic towers are perfect pit stops to admire the beauty of the architecture. There are plaques around each of the towers with dedications and descriptions of the design and construction of the bridge.

Ask the kids if they spot the cast-iron lamps, the circular "fans" on top of the towers (which are actually fences to prevent people from climbing), the American Flag, the Gothic arches, and all the cables. The cable spinning plaque is definitely worth a read to get a sense of how the cables were designed.

What To See and Do in Brooklyn

After finishing your walk, your kids will no doubt want snacks and refreshments. Head to one of our favorite family-friendly restaurants in Dumbo. We love the pizza slices at Front Street Pizza, or if you're prepared to wait in line, head to the famous Grimaldi's Pizzeria. Then, grab an ice cream cone at the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory and sit by the waterfront.

Dumbo offers so much to do for families. Take a spin on Jane's Carousel, go shopping, see unique art exhibits, and play on the beach. Brooklyn Bridge Park has some of the best playgrounds, plus kayaking, sports facilities, indoor play spaces, and lots more.

Head further north into Brooklyn Heights, where you can catch some amazing views of the New York Harbor along the Promenade. This historic section of Brooklyn has many restaurants, including one of my favorites, Noodle Pudding, and kid-friendly attractions like the New York Transit Museum.

What To See and Do in Lower Manhattan

The closest neighborhoods on the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge are Chinatown and the overlapping enclaves of the Financial District, South Street Seaport, and Battery Park City.

Chinatown is great for exploring so much varied cuisine, from custard buns to hand-pulled noodles and dim sum. We love getting dim sum at Jing Fong. The Museum of Chinese in America is definitely worth checking out and has many family-friendly activities.

It may surprise you that the Financial District has a ton of activities and attractions geared toward families, including the National Museum of the American Indian, One World Observatory, and the Complete Playground indoor play space, to name just a few. Battery Park has lots of amazing playgrounds like the Battery Playscape and Teardrop Park. South Street Seaport is known for its historical attractions.

FAQs for Your Brooklyn Bridge Adventure

• Is walking the Brooklyn Bridge stroller-friendly? Yes! The entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge on either side has ramps, making it easy to use strollers or wheelchairs.
• How long does it take to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge with kids? For grown-ups, it takes about 30 minutes to walk the Brooklyn Bridge one way. Give yourself about 45 minutes with kids, taking into account stops to take photos and admire all the views.
• Are there bathrooms on the Brooklyn Bridge? There are no bathrooms on the Brooklyn Bridge. The closest bathroom in Brooklyn is at Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 1.
• What is the best time to walk the Brooklyn Bridge with kids? The Brooklyn Bridge is one of NYC's top attractions, so expect big crowds throughout the year. I like to take my kids as early in the morning as possible, when they're fresh and eager, and it's less hot, especially in the summer. Evening strolls are also lovely, so you can catch the sunset. Make sure to wear comfy shoes, hats, and sunscreen in the summer. In the cooler months, it can get windy on the Brooklyn Bridge, so make sure to bring lots of warm layers.
• Is the Brooklyn Bridge safe for young children? Yes! While walking across the Brooklyn Bridge with kids is a wonderful and safe activity, it's important to keep a watchful eye on kids at all times. Kids should not climb on anything on the Brooklyn Bridge. Don't worry about the traffic, though, because the walkway is elevated 18 feet above the cars and bicycles.