It's on 11 of my lists. Each entry below is what I wrote about it there, with my verdict on that list, the fullest first.
My guide to Brooklyn BridgeHow to Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge
- Costfree
- From my guide, updated September 2026.
Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is an famous New York City activity no matter how often you visit. I’ve done it countless times, and it still takes my breath away! The views of downtown Manhattan can’t be beat, the Statue of Liberty in the distance is mere icing on the cake.
I usually start on the Manhattan side near City Hall and end the walk with coffee or pizza in DUMBO. The whole thing takes about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on how often you stop for photos, and trust me, you’ll want to stop.
The bridge is one of the most photographed places in NYC and a must-see attraction for first-time visitors. It’s free, beautiful, and the kind of experience that gives you that real “I’m in New York” feeling. You’re walking above the city, between two boroughs, and somehow it still manages to feel peaceful.
Walking the Brooklyn Bridge with a teen is always a win. It’s active, it’s free, and it offers some of the best views in the city. We usually start on the Manhattan side near City Hall and walk across toward DUMBO. The whole walk takes about 30–45 minutes, depending on how often we stop for photos (and we always stop for photos!).
The pedestrian path makes it feel safe and easy to navigate, and the skyline view midway through is unbeatable. Once we reach the Brooklyn side, we’ll grab pizza, ice cream, or just hang out by the water in Brooklyn Bridge Park. It’s a great mix of sightseeing and fresh air, and it doesn’t feel too structured or slow. Every time I do it, I’m reminded why this walk is still one of the best ways to experience New York. It’s so fun!
Spanning a little more than a mile, the Brooklyn Bridge is an engineering masterpiece. It was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time of completion and has stood as an icon for NYC since. So it should come as no surprise that of the most popular things to do in DUMBO is to take the stroll from Brooklyn to Manhattan (or vice versa).
The trip takes about 30 minutes and is an activity the whole family can enjoy. From the bridge, you can see most of NYC’s iconic buildings, including the Statue of Liberty.
Local’s Tip: I suggest starting on the Manhattan side and crossing the Brooklyn Bridge into DUMBO. When you’re done exploring DUMBO, take the ferry back to Manhattan, you’ll get the best of both worlds!
When I asked my husband for advice curating this list of romantic things to do in New York City, he chimed in with one suggestion, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Considering we’ve spent the last 10 years exploring NYC together, I found it quite telling that this activity sticks out to him, but I can’t disagree. I’m a sucker for this famous NYC experience myself.
The bridge spans 1.1 miles and takes about 30 minutes to cross (at a leisurely pace). I think the views are better when walking towards Manhattan (starting in DUMBO). You’ll see the Statue of Liberty and Freedom Tower in their full glory, it’s a remarkable experience.
Helpful Guide20 Best Things to Do in DUMBO, Brooklyn
Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is an famous New York experience. Completed in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge is an architectural marvel that was deemed the longest suspension bridge in the world when it was built. Spanning about 1.1 miles over the East River, the bridge connects Brooklyn to Manhattan and takes about 30 minutes to cross. Offering stunning views of Manhattan’s skyline and the Statue of Liberty, this one of the coolest things to do in Brooklyn with kids in tow.
Did You Know? The Brooklyn Bridge is older than the Tower Bridge in London (by 11 years!). ReadThought-Provoking NYC Facts You Probably Don’t Know (Yet).
The Brooklyn Bridge spans a little more than one mile and takes about 15-20 minutes to walk across, but you should allocate more time because the photo-taking opportunities are endless (you can see the Statue of Liberty from here!). While crossing the Brooklyn Bridge at night it’s impossible not to drool over the twinkling skyline, which is why I recommend crossing it from Brooklyn towards Manhattan.
P.S. The Brooklyn Bridge is older than London’s famous Tower Bridge by 11 years (and other thought-provoking NYC facts you probably don’t know).
Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is a must-do for anyone visiting New York City for the first time. Opened in 1883, the bridge took 14 years to build! It spans 1.1 miles across the East River and takes 30 minutes to cross.
My preference is to walk from the Brooklyn side toward Manhattan because the views are better. Take the subway to DUMBO (acronym for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge”) before making your way up the bridge.
The Brooklyn Bridge is an instantly-recognizable landmark, and everyday more than 116,000 vehicles, 3,000 bikers and 30,000 pedestrians use it to cross the East River. You should join them. The 150+ year-old giant spans a mile and a half, and walking its length only takes about 30 minutes. Taking the time to stroll the length of it is one of the best free things to do in New York City, the view is priceless.
Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is a must-do for anyone visiting Manhattan for the first time. Opened in 1883, the bridge took 14 years to build! It spans 1.1 miles across the East River and takes 30 minutes to cross. My preference is to walk from the Brooklyn side toward Manhattan because the views are better, but either way, you can’t go wrong.
The Brooklyn Bridge adorns New York City’s epic skyline and stands as an iconic symbol for the Big Apple. As such, no list of the best New York City instagram spots would be complete without mentioning it. The Brooklyn Bridge spans one mile and takes about 15-20 minutes to walk across, but you should allocate more time because you’ll want to take plenty of photos (you can see the Statue of Liberty from here!).
Further Reading: 12 Absorbing Facts About the Beloved Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge adorns New York City’s epic skyline and is an famous symbol of the Big Apple. Some might be shocked to learn how many movies have been filmed at the Brooklyn Bridge, but its instantly recognizable structure makes it hard to beat. The Brooklyn Bridge scene in I Am Legend (2007) cost $5 million to shoot and is one of the most famous movie scenes filmed in NYC!