Everything You Need to Know About the Brooklyn Bridge Walk 

I’ve had the privilege of visiting New York City dozens of times since my mom’s side of the family is from the Big Apple. And while I love searching for new experiences each time I’m here, there are some absolute classics that I do time and time again. The Brooklyn Bridge walk is one of those; I’ve done it four times already, and I’m certain that I’ll go back many more times in the future. 

Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is the best way to see this engineering marvel up close. You’ll also get fantastic views of Manhattan’s Financial District, making this a photographer’s dream. And in a notoriously expensive city, the fact that this walk is free is quite nice. 

But before you visit, you should take some time to learn about the essential practicalities. The bridge is uncomfortably busy at certain times, for example. Based on my experiences here, I’ve compiled this comprehensive guide with everything you need to know about the Brooklyn Bridge walk. 

Which Way Should I Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge? 

To be honest, it doesn’t matter too much. I’ve done both, and you get an equally fantastic view either way. 

However, I prefer going from Manhattan to Brooklyn because you get the most crowded parts out of the way more quickly. Knowing that you’ve gotten past the most annoying part makes it much easier to enjoy the walk, in my opinion. 

How to Get to the Brooklyn Bridge 

From Manhattan

Brooklyn Bridge – City Hall (4, 5, and 6 lines) is the closest subway station on the Manhattan side. From here, the bridge’s entrance is pretty much right outside. 

The bridge is also an easy walk from the Staten Island Ferry’s Manhattan terminal. We did this in December 2024 and it was just under 25 minutes. You go through the Financial District on the way, including past the New York Stock Exchange building. 

From Brooklyn

If you’re already on the Brooklyn side, you can take the A or C line to High Street station. Alternatively, York Street (F line) is a 10-minute walk away.

Important Note: The NYC subway can be quite confusing if you’re a first-time visitor. You’ll see numerous entrances with the same name, but served by different lines. Make sure that you get on the *exact* lines that I mentioned above. 

How Long Does It Take to Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge? 

Normally, it would take around 30 minutes to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. When I visited in December 2017, this is roughly how long it took (it was freezing cold, which significantly reduced the crowds). However, I recommend allocating more time than this. 

Firstly, you’ll probably want to take photos along the way. Giving yourself more time to do so is ideal if you want better images. Most importantly, the bridge is often very crowded. When we visited in 2024, it took us almost an hour—and at times, we had to wait before we could move forward. 

I recommend doing the Brooklyn Bridge walk when you don’t have anything planned soon. We were late getting to the Top of the Rock because we then needed to get back over to Manhattan (we also had to get a taxi because of this). 

Here’s When I Recommend Doing the Brooklyn Bridge Walk 

Based on my experiences doing this walk at different times throughout the day, I think that just before sunrise (or any time before 8 am) is by far the best time to visit. The crowds are much thinner, and you’ll also get a great golden hour glow—just like you would at sunset. 

I strongly suggest NOT walking across the Brooklyn Bridge in late afternoon or early evening. It was uncomfortably crowded when I did this, and I can imagine that would feel like absolute hell if you’re claustrophobic. 

The bridge is also busy during the day, but when I visited in November 2023, it was at least more manageable. Admittedly, this could be a result of visiting around Thanksgiving; maybe it was quieter as a result. 

You *Probably* Don’t Need a Tour for the Brooklyn Bridge Walk 

Although you can book tours along the Brooklyn Bridge, you don’t need one. It’s completely free to walk across, and you don’t need to book tickets. 

If you book a tour for the bridge, you should do so because you want a specific experience or to learn more about the bridge itself. Otherwise, feel free to go whenever you want. 

What to Do When You Get Over to Brooklyn

Brooklyn is one of my favorite parts of NYC, and I love how unique it feels. It’s hardly a hidden gem these days, but I still recommend spending some time here. 

Though I could cover countless things to do in Brooklyn, I’m going to mention the coolest things you can do that are close to the bridge. 

Brooklyn Bridge Park 

I love how New York City’s waterfront areas have been transformed since I was a child, and the Brooklyn Bridge Park is superb to visit year-round. It’s an absolute must once you’ve finished walking across the bridge. 

From the park, you get a fantastic view back toward Manhattan. Though it’s quite busy, there’s certainly some breathing room. There’s also a small beach here and lots of seating areas. It’s a superb place to take in NYC’s unique atmosphere. 

Explore DUMBO 

I was skeptical of visiting DUMBO for the first time because I was dreading the crowds. These definitely exist, but the district is still worth exploring. Of course, you’ll have *that* iconic view of the Manhattan Bridge between buildings on either side of the street. However, that’s not the only reason to come here. 

DUMBO has numerous bars and restaurants. I really like the architecture here, too. This area isn’t too big, so unless you’re staying for food and some drinks, you can cover everything in a few hours. 

Go to Front Street Pizza 

The headline was also a command; you need to visit Front Street Pizza. The portions are very generous, to say the least, and the garlic dough balls are delightful. 

I’ve visited twice, and while it can get quite crowded here, you can always take your pizza with you. Otherwise, you’ll find both indoor and outdoor seating. Besides pizzas, you can indulge in calzones and more. 

How to Get Back to Manhattan

Once you’re on the Brooklyn side of the bridge, you can explore this neighborhood further or head back into Manhattan. The A and C lines from High St will take you back into Manhattan, passing through West Village, Soho, and Greenwich Village. 

You can get the train up to Central Park and the Upper West Side if you want, too. For what it’s worth, the Upper West Side has several great places to eat—including Jacob’s Pickles (my personal favorite). 

We took the F train from York Street in 2023, which was better for going to East Village, the Empire State Building, Bryant Park, and other points of interest.

You can, if you’re short on time, order Lyft or Uber. We tried to hail a taxi when we were in a rush in 2024, but failed spectacularly. So, the abovementioned options are better. 

Watch Out for the Bike Lanes…

With all of the crowds, it’s easy to forget about the bike lanes on the Brooklyn Bridge. However, these get a lot of daily traffic—and let’s just say that NYC cyclists don’t always play nicely. 

Pay attention to the bike lanes and stay out of them unless it’s impossible to do so. Though you’ll normally hear a bell when a cyclist approaches, it’s still worth staying out of their way at all times. 

What to Wear When Walking Across the Brooklyn Bridge

For the most part, you can wear what you normally would on a trip to NYC. However, comfortable shoes are important; the walk is often longer than you think. Plus, you’ll be exploring the Big Apple on foot anyway… save the dress shoes for a nice evening meal instead.

Don’t underestimate how windy it gets here in the winter, too. A good jacket is worth bringing, especially if the weather forecast says that it’ll be cold. Bringing gloves is also wise in the winter; I normally pair these photography gloves with some running gloves as a baselayer. 

Photography Tips for the Brooklyn Bridge Walk

Most of my reasons for doing the Brooklyn Bridge walk are for photography. I’ve learned a lot over my various visits, and based on what I’ve learned, I’ll share my top photo-taking tips below. 

• Include People in Your Photos: If you’re unfortunate enough to visit at a peak time, I recommend making people a part of your photos. Firstly, you can show just how busy it is. However, they’ll also add a nice element if you don’t want your image to look generic. 
• Do NOT Climb on the Structure: You shouldn’t do this in general, but I strongly advise against climbing on parts of the bridge’s structure. It’s very dangerous, and you actually risk a hefty fine and imprisonment. Tourists have been arrested in the past.
• Look Out for NYC Taxis: I think that New York City taxis are the coolest in the world, and it’s certainly worth adding these to your photo. I recommend waiting for one to pass into your frame when taking pictures toward the Financial District.
• Don’t Ignore the Other Side: As visually appealing as the Financial District is, don’t forget to look on the other side for more photo opportunities. You can see the Empire State Building and Manhattan Bridge when walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. The light shines beautifully in this direction during golden hour, and it’s worth including these in your pictures. 
• Bring a Compact Lens if Possible: I recommend taking a 50mm lens with you so you can be more versatile. Take this from personal experience, too; it’s not nice to walk across the bridge with something more bulky.

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