Brooklyn Bridge plus DUMBO and/or Brooklyn Heights or Lower Manhattan
 19th century charm in Brooklyn Heights
Note: the Brooklyn Bridge can be very crowded, especially in the busy season (as long as it's not off hours). It may not be "worth it" to have a tour guide with you, especially if you're a large group. Here's my guidance on how to walk the bridge on your own.
Enjoy stunning views of the Manhattan and Brooklyn skyline; discover the adjacent waterfront neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Most tours of the Brooklyn Bridge start in Manhattan and end in Brooklyn. I can and do lead such tours, starting at various points in Lower Manhattan (like Wall Street or City Hall Park), then proceeding to DUMBO, Fulton Ferry, and Brooklyn Heights. However, as a Brooklyn-centric tour guide, I also recommend doing the opposite: start on the Brooklyn side. After all, starting in Brooklyn means you get a much better, longer look at the Manhattan skyline. We can start with a good walk through downtown Brooklyn and Brooklyn Heights, the city’s first landmarked neighborhood. Or we can start instead in DUMBO, which is closer to the bridge, and gives us a look at Brooklyn Bridge Park and Fulton Ferry. Or we can do both. As we walk over the bridge, we get great views of the harbor and a chance to learn the bridge’s complicated, glorious history, the innovations behind it, and the family that oversaw it (and died/suffered during construction). Today, the Brooklyn Bridge remains a marvel and an icon, albeit one that requires ongoing repair. (Alternative to save time: skip the bridge; take the NYC Ferry.) We can end just over the bridge at City Hall Park, where there are many subway options, or we (or you) can walk around Lower Manhattan, including to Wall Street/Financial District, and ultimately to Ground Zero. For those new to Brooklyn, please note this tour focuses only on a small piece of Brooklyn, with the bridge plus part of the Brooklyn Heights & DUMBO tour. For a more extensive introduction, I recommend the Brooklyn 101 tour, with the bridge as an add-on. |
Distance from Midtown Manhattan: 20-25 minutes by subway
Basic tour length: 2-2.5 hours (see fees) Starting place: Varies, possibly Borough Hall, Brooklyn. (Or do the route " backwards" and start in Manhattan) Ending place: Varies, possibly City Hall, Manhattan. (Or if we start in Manhattan, we end in Brooklyn.) Reminders: the bridge can be windy and cool/cold; plan ahead for bathrooms/snacks; be careful to stay in your lane; avoid peak hours and crowds Alternative: Skip the bridge, take the NYC Ferry from Fulton Ferry in Brooklyn to Pier 11 in Lower Manhattan Highlights: History, architecture, waterfront views, parks Before tour: Visit the Transit Museum in Brooklyn After tour: If in Manhattan, near the City Hall subway station. Potential tour extensions with me: Brooklyn 101, Atlantic Avenue Why I like leading this tour: The bridge is always majestic, and the two skylines tell stories. Sure, you can walk the bridge on your own, but you'll get more with a guide. |