Ultimate Visitor’s Guide to Brooklyn Bridge Park

Stunning Views Plus Sports, Kid Fun, Concerts, Boating

Brooklyn Bridge Park, nestled on the shore of the East River across from lower Manhattan, offers spectacular views, including a breathtaking vista of New York Harbor, the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, lower Manhattan, boat traffic on the East River, and of course, the iconic Statue of Liberty.

Moreover, Brooklyn Bridge Park serves as a cultural and sports venue, featuring a vibrant calendar of concerts, summer outdoor movies, outdoor exercise classes, chess instruction, kayaking, and more. Consequently, locals often flock to this park, and for tourists, it’s a must-see destination.

Why Visit Brooklyn Bridge Park

Here are 8 good reasons to visit Brooklyn Bridge Park:

• Stunning views and fantastic photo opportunities.
• An airy, open, and modern space that differs from 19th-century Prospect and Central Parks.
• Free cultural events set in a spectacular environment.
• Opportunities to rent bikes, play sports, jog, or simply relax.
• Facilities such as bathrooms and excellent food concessions.
• A charming wine bar available for visitors.
• Brooklyn’s largest waterfront park.
• Watch for ongoing growth and activities; something new happens regularly!

How to Get to Brooklyn Bridge Park

You can reach Brooklyn Bridge Park via car, bus, subway, bike, foot, or, in summer, by ferry. If you seek specific addresses or events, here are detailed directions to different sections of Brooklyn Bridge Park: Pier 1, Pier 6, and Main Street.

Photo Opportunities

Another compelling reason to visit Brooklyn Bridge Park is for the stunning views and photo opportunities. Here’s what you can see while there:

• The breathtaking Manhattan skyline
• The tranquil East River
• Wall Street
• South Street Seaport
• New York Harbor
• The famous Statue of Liberty
• The iconic Brooklyn Bridge
• The Manhattan Bridge
• Various ferry boats, tug boats, sailboats, motorboats, and other traffic on the East River
• The Empire State Building in the distance

Getting Around Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Bridge Park is relatively narrow but quite long; when fully developed, it will stretch along 1.3 miles from DUMBO to Atlantic Avenue. Even in its current state, there’s plenty to explore. With varying sections located in DUMBO, including Front Street, as well as playgrounds a twenty-minute walk away, it’s wise to plot your itinerary, especially when traveling with young children or the elderly. This planning ensures that you can directly reach your destination or appreciate all that the park has to offer!

Jane’s Carousel in Empire Fulton Ferry Park

Opened in 2011, Jane’s Carousel is a delightful family attraction. This carousel is a beautifully restored 1922, 48-horse ride located centrally in DUMBO. It holds the distinction of being the first carousel on the National Register of Historic Places and is housed within a pavilion designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel. The “Jane” is named after the wife of real estate tycoon David Walentas, the developer of much of modern DUMBO. You can enter at New Dock Street or Main Street.

Family Programs & Activities for Kids

Kids will delight in two fantastic playgrounds with world-class views in Brooklyn Bridge Park. They can roll down grassy hills and explore the park’s walkways. Depending on the season, you might find:

• Kayaking, sports, and chess lessons during the summer
• An Easter egg hunt for children in the spring
• Sledding and snowman building in the winter

The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy hosts a comprehensive schedule of family programming. Weekend family activities cover a variety of topics, including recycling, boats, storytelling, masks, and solar power. Their hands-on educational programs regarding the environment cater to kids of all ages, from kindergarten to high school, and are utilized by public schools and summer camps.

Pop Up Pool in Brooklyn Bridge Park

During summer, enjoy a temporary Pop Up pool at Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Where to Eat in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Bridge Park features numerous dining options, ranging from casual to upscale, with some restaurants operating year-round and others seasonally. Pizza lovers should flock to Fornino for delicious brick oven pizza. On warm days, be sure to visit the rooftop dining room for drinks and a slice. Along with exceptional pizza, Fornino offers an extensive selection of salads, providing a fantastic way to enjoy the views and sunshine while indulging in high-quality food without the hefty price often associated with waterside dining experiences.

What’s Nearby? Fulton Ferry Landing

Here are 5 reasons to appreciate the charming Fulton Ferry Landing:

• Photos: It’s a fabulous site for wedding and scenic photos capturing New York City’s skyline, the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.
• Ferries: Fulton Landing serves as a stop on the seasonal summer water taxi running to Governors Island, Manhattan, and Williamsburg.
• Antique Concert Barge: Fulton Landing is the permanent home for New York City’s only floating concert hall, BargeMusic.
• History: The Fulton Ferry first operated between Brooklyn and New York, where George Washington famously escaped from the British during the Revolutionary War.
• Food: The River Cafe is situated here, along with the seasonal Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory.

What’s Nearby? The Brooklyn Bridge, of Course

Ah, the iconic, often-discussed, much-walked Brooklyn Bridge! If you’re in Brooklyn Bridge Park, why not take a stroll across it?

What’s Nearby? Brooklyn Heights & DUMBO

Be sure not to miss the wonderful, landmarked Brooklyn Heights. Take a stroll along the Promenade overlooking Brooklyn Bridge Park, admire historic Pierrepont Street, and explore the charming fruit-named streets like Pineapple and Orange Streets. Visit the Brooklyn Historical Society and gaze at the remarkable architecture of the old Packer Collegiate Institute and elegant Brooklyn Borough Hall.

DUMBO is just a block away from Brooklyn Bridge Park, featuring an array of attractions from restaurants to boutiques to art galleries, including the famous chocolate emporium Jacques Torres.

Looking for a Breath of Fresh Air?

Brooklyn Bridge Park is an expansive, green oasis on the East River waterfront, providing visitors with a refreshing escape, a breeze, and abundant sky. A visit to Brooklyn Bridge Park presents the perfect antidote to the long hours spent in front of computer screens. It offers a genuine break from the busy streets of Manhattan and the congested alleys of Wall Street. Airy, open, and filled with light, Brooklyn Bridge Park serves as a perfect balance to neighboring DUMBO, where old warehouses are overshadowed by the grand structures of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.