The Brooklyn Bridge is an iconic suspension bridge that connects the Manhattan Borough with the Brooklyn Borough of New York City. It is located across the East River and is a prominent part of the New York City skyline. It was consecrated as a National Historic Landmark in 1964. The Brooklyn Bridge also has a beautiful park below it which provides incredible views of the bridge, the New York Harbor, and downtown Manhattan.
The Brooklyn Bridge was finished in 1883 and is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. It was designed by German-born American civil engineer, John Augustus Roebling who also constructed many other bridges across the United States. He decided to build the bridge in 1869 after he once took a boat across the East River and got stuck. After Roebling suffered an injury to his toes and later a tetanus infection which would end his life, he handed the project over to his son, Washington Roebling, who also faced sickness after beginning on the project. His wife, Emily Warren Roebling served as the intermediary between him and the project and constructors for 11 years. When construction was completed, the Brooklyn Bridge was the largest suspension bridge in the world with a span of 1,595.5 feet or 486 meters. John Augustus Roebling never got to see the bridge he designed.
The Brooklyn Bridge provides an unparalleled view of Manhattan, and you can access it by car, bike, or by foot. There is a wide pedestrian walkway above open to accommodate a large number of pedestrians. You can access the bridge from the Manhattan side of City Hall. If you’re coming from Brooklyn, you will get an even nicer view and you can get to the footpath from the intersection of Tillary Street and Boerum Place, or the underpass from Washington Street which is located around two blocks away from Front Street in the DUMBO neighborhood in Brooklyn.
Another great way to enjoy the magnificent landmark that is the Brooklyn Bridge is to go to the Brooklyn Bridge Park which is currently under construction. The first sections of the 85-acre park, Pier 1 and Pier 6 are open to the public and are beautiful and clean. There are many grassy areas where you can have a picnic and sunbathe and benches where you can relax and read. It’s also a popular place for dog walking, biking, and running and there are many well-lit trails.
There are a ton of vendors and food stands selling delicious pizza, ice cream, and other goodies at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Be sure to try ice cream from the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. In the summertime, there are DJs spinning music, walking tours, and free movie projections. You can engage in a game of beach volleyball and get in some free kayaking, Pilates, or yoga while at the park. If you have kids, you can take them to one of the park’s playgrounds.
Here you will get breathtaking views of the Brooklyn Bridge up close and of Manhattan and is a great place for picture-taking. The park is a very romantic spot for couples, both during the day and night. The park is easy to navigate and has clean bathrooms. It’s also only a few steps away from the famous Grimaldi’s pizza place in Brooklyn.