Walking the Brooklyn Bridge
Opened in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge is a quintessential part of the New York skyline and city history. The bridge has been the site for everything from illegal acrobatics to pilots flying their planes beneath it. The oldest suspension bridge in the United States even hit the silver screen, appearing in movies like Limitless, Sex and the City, Transformers, and The French Connection.
Today, the Brooklyn Bridge helps more than 125,000 motor vehicles, 4,000 pedestrians, and 2,600 cyclists cross the river each day. These statistics do not include the hundreds of people who walk the bridge for pleasure and Instagram photos. Here is everything you need to know about walking the Brooklyn Bridge.
Where to Start Walking the Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge connects Lower Manhattan with downtown Brooklyn. The beloved bridge stretches 1,595.5 feet or 486.3 meters over the East Rivers. When it comes to taking a stroll from one side to the other, there are a couple of different ways to make the journey.
New York public transportation is typically your best friend when it comes to navigating the city. From the Manhattan side, you can take the 4, 5, or 6 trains to the Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall stop or the J or Z trains to the Chambers stop. You can also take the 2 or 3 trains to Park Place, the N or R trains to City Hall, or the A or C trains to Fulton Street.
From the Brooklyn side, the A, C, and F trains will bring you within walking distance at the Jay Street/MetroTech Station stop. The N and R trains are comparably close to the Court Street Station stop. You can also take the 2/3 or 4/5 to Borough Hall Station.
Walking the Bridge at Night
The Brooklyn Bridge is open to foot traffic 24 hours a day. Some of the best views, though, come at sunset. If you cross the bridge as the sun is going down, you can see a dynamic view of Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Statue of Liberty.
With plenty of other commuters and tourists on the bridge, you can have peace of mind knowing your walk will be a safe one. The length of the bridge is well illuminated, and foot traffic is constant until approximately 11 p.m. In fact, taking a walk across the bridge in the evening is considered one of the best free things to do in New York.
Overall, the bridge takes 25 minutes to walk. That does not include taking the time to snap pictures or record videos. If you are moving leisurely or traveling with kids, the trip to cross through the bridge may take closer to one hour.
Is It Worth Walking over the Bridge?
Do you like panoramic views of New York? Is your interested piqued knowing the Brooklyn Bridge is the oldest of its kind? If you said "yes" to both of these questions, then a trip across the Brooklyn Bridge is for you.
Join the millions of people who have made it one of the most popular attractions in the city. You will get to experience stunning views, a bit of history, and some exercise on your visit. Best of all, walking the Brooklyn Bridge is free.