Brooklyn Bridge

"So what do you want to see?"
It seems like whenever we ask someone who is coming to visit NYC this question, they usually say that they want to walk the Brooklyn Bridge. Which makes me laugh because wanting to "walk it" makes the Brooklyn Bridge sound like some important rite of passage. Maybe everyone who does walk it has some kind of great memory associated with it, hence the importance it holds in their recommendations to others who plan to visit.

I remember when I walked it. It was the night (after spending the entire night) walking around NYC with my now-husband that I knew I was in love. We didn't get home until around 7am, but this bridge does bring back memories of spending all night strolling around a (mostly) empty NYC during April 2010.

The Brooklyn Bridge was completed in 1876 and is one of the oldest bridges in the United States. It crosses the East River between Manhattan and Brooklyn, creating the first bridge into Brooklyn, In the mid 19th century, the "Port of New York" had become so populated that people began to travel into Brooklyn and set up warehouses in the Downtown Brooklyn neighborhood. These warehouses now have been transformed into many different kinds of buildings, but you can see the history as you walk around the neighborhood. Needless to say, McDonald's is so much cooler when it's inside a renovated warehouse.

The Brooklyn Bridge also cemented the community of Brooklyn Heights as the "first commuter suburb". In those days, Manhattanites had already flocked there, as they viewed the nearby neighborhood as a place to have a 'home in the country', and later as a way to escape the yellow fever epidemic that was taking over the island of New York in 1822. By the time the Bridge was completed, the neighborhood was almost entirely settled, and this is why if you walk in Brooklyn Heights today you are able to see some the oldest buildings in NYC.

photo provided for use by innyworld, check them out on Instagram

The best way to walk the Brooklyn Bridge is to take the subway into Brooklyn and walk back into Manhattan. You can of course start in Manhattan and turn around when halfway across the bridge if you would prefer. If you are looking to avoid crowds, the best bet would be to travel late (after 12pm). And, don't be scared when you see police with lights at the ends of the bridge. They do this for most every major crossing into the city and you are allowed to walk the bridge at any time (it does not close like the parks in NYC, which officially close at 1 am).

From Brooklyn:

A/C train to High Street
Walking Directions: from train to Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway
Take the stairway/exit onto Cadman Plaza, and walk to the East side of Cadman Plaza.
Walk south on Cadman Plaza East. When you reach Tillary Street, turn left. Walk for one block and turn left again, onto the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway.

2/3 train to Clark Street
Walking Directions: from train to Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway
Take the Henry Street stairway/exit.
At the corner of Henry Street and Clark Street, walk east two blocks (towards the park). Cross to the other side of Cadman Plaza West and then turn left onto Tillary Street. Walk for two blocks and turn left again, onto the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway.

F train to Jay Street - MetroTech
Walking Directions: from train to Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway
Take the stairway/exit on Jay Street.
Walk three blocks north on Jay Street, cross to the other side of Tillary Street and then turn left onto Tillary Street. Walk one block and turn right to enter onto the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway.

photo provided for use by midnight.xpress, check them out on Instagram

Into Manhattan:

4/5/6 train at Brooklyn Bridge - City Hall
Walking Directions
When exiting the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway, continue straight to stay on Brooklyn Bridge Promenade. Turn right onto Centre Street and you will be at the Brooklyn Bridge - City Hall subway station.

2/3 train at Park Place
Walking Directions
When exiting the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway, continue straight to stay on Brooklyn Bridge Promenade. Continue onto City Hall Park Path and turn left onto Broadway. Turn right onto Murray Street, left onto Church Street and left onto Park Place. You will then be at the Park Place subway station.

E train at World Trade Center
Walking Directions
When exiting the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway, continue straight to stay on Brooklyn Bridge Promenade. Continue onto City Hall Park Path and turn left onto Broadway. Turn right onto Murray Street and left onto Church Street. You will then be at the World Trade Center subway station.

N/R train at City Hall
Walking Directions
When exiting the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway, continue straight to stay on Brooklyn Bridge Promenade. Continue onto City Hall Park Path and turn left onto Broadway. You will be at the City Hall subway station.

A/C train at Chambers Street
Walking Directions
When exiting the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway, continue straight to stay on Brooklyn Bridge Promenade. Continue onto City Hall Park Path and cross to the other side of Broadway. The City Hall Park Path then becomes Warren Street. Walk until you reach Church street and then turn left onto Church Street. You will then be at the Chambers Street Subway Station.



I'm not sure where the tradition to "walk it" began , but I understand why is one of the first things that people say they want to do when they visit the city. Beautiful views. Easy to get find/travel to. Free. What else could you ask for?


So tell me...
Have you walked the Brooklyn Bridge?
Do you have a great memory associated with it?
Have you ever seen the bridge empty (or nearly empty?)

Let me know if you have any tips to add in the comments below!

                 
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