This post is about the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, with great views of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge.
We cover why you should visit, how to get here, and when to come.
- What is the Promenade?
- How to Get Here
- Come for the Views
- Let Us Guide You Here
- Guide to Brooklyn Heights
- Things to Do in Brooklyn
WHAT AND WHERE IS IT?
The Brooklyn Heights Promenade is a free, pedestrian walkway located in the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn.
It should not be confused with the Brooklyn Bridge promenade, which is a walkway on the bridge.
It offers the visitor one of the very best views of Lower Manhattan and its surroundings, and made our list of top 28 views of NYC.
It's located in the beautiful neighborhood of Brooklyn Heights.
This esplanade is roughly 1800 ft. (550 m.) long and lies directly over the Brooklyn Queens Expressway.
The promenade is open 24 hours a day and is a great place to visit both during the day and at night.
HOW TO GET HERE
For many visitors to NYC, reaching the promenade is usually the end result of walking across the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan.
The bridge has an exit that leaves you in Brooklyn Heights, just an 8-minute walk to the promenade.
Regardless of how you get here, we recommend using this Google Maps link for directions to the promenade from anywhere in the city.
Technically, the entrance to the promenade is at Remsen Street (map), which is at the southernmost point of the walkway.
It stretches up to Orange Street, but you could enter it anywhere in between:
- Pineapple Street
- Clark Street
- Pierrepont Street
- Montague Street
Take the Subway
There are several subway stations that service several New York City subway lines that are within a 10-minute walk to the promenade.
The closest stations are High Street Station (A, C) and Clark Street Station (2, 3).
From Times Square, it should take you approximately 35-40 minutes to reach the promenade.
If you are unfamiliar with the NYC subway system, then be sure to read the following posts.
Visit by Ferry
You could also take a boat. Both the commuter East River Ferry as well as the Water Taxi, more of a tourist ferry, dock at the Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier, just down the hill from the promenade.
You can reach the dock from Lower Manhattan, Midtown, Queens, and other parts of Brooklyn.
Parking
On-street parking is very limited in Brooklyn Heights, especially near the promenade.
There are a few parking garages in the area. Expect to pay at least $15 to park for a few hours.
We recommend booking convenient and affordable parking in advance through SpotHero, the nation’s leading parking reservation app.
To reserve your parking spot, visit the Brooklyn SpotHero Parking Page and book a spot with rates up to 50% off the drive-up.
THE VIEWS FROM THE BROOKLYN HEIGHTS PROMENADE
It's the views from the promenade that attract many visitors and locals alike and is one of the most photographed views in the city.
The main view is of Lower Manhattan, including the World Trade Center, 40 Wall Street, and the Brooklyn Bridge.
However, you will also be afforded views of the New York Harbor, including the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Governor's Island.
It also has a great view at night, and it's free. In fact, it's one of the top free things to do at night in NYC.
We also have a post on finding the best skyline views of NYC.
TOURS THAT VISIT THE PROMENADE
Why don't you come with us? We have daily guided tours that visit the Brooklyn Bridge, and Brooklyn Heights, including the promenade, and DUMBO.
Our tours are free to join and you can pay whatever you wish at the end of the tour.
We also offer a guided tour of Brooklyn Heights on Saturdays as well as audio tours of Brooklyn Heights that you can take any time you wish, day or night.
Here's a sample
THINGS TO DO IN BROOKLYN HEIGHTS AND BROOKLYN
A visit to the Promenade is a great place to start exploring the neighborhoods of Brooklyn.
Brooklyn Heights is the natural place to start as the Promenade is located in the heart of the Heights.
Below is a suggested itinerary for a half-day that includes a visit to the Promenade, as well as recommendations on where to eat near the Promenade.
For much more information about things to do in Brooklyn Heights, see our Guide to Brooklyn Heights.
It includes what to see, where to eat, and kid-friendly activities, like visiting the many playgrounds and parks in the Heights.
For areas and activities beyond Brooklyn Heights, our post What To Do In Brooklyn covers some of the best things to do in Brooklyn, including a top 10 list, free things to do, nighttime activities, and things to do with kids.
Lastly, for more family-friendly activities throughout NYC, see our post Things to Do with Kids in NYC.
Sample Itinerary for a Visit to the Promenade
- Walk over the Brooklyn Bridge
- Take our GPS-Enabled Brooklyn Heights Audio Tour (which includes the Promenade)
- Eat lunch at the famous Grimaldi’s Pizza in DUMBO then explore the area with our Guide to DUMBO
- Take the ferry back to Manhattan
Food Options Near the Promenade
On the weekdays between noon and 2 pm, people who work in the neighborhood can be found enjoying their lunch on the park benches that line the Promenade.
If you want to live like a local, we encourage you to get some food to go from Montague Street and dine with a view at the Promenade.
Some inexpensive and fast places to grab food to bring to the Promenade are:
- Lassen & Hennigs - 114 Montague St. Serving sandwiches, salads, and desserts since 1949.
- Montague Street Bagels - 108 Montague St. Great bagels, for breakfast with cream cheese or lunchtime with cold cuts.
- Hanco’s - 147 Montague St. Well-known NYC chain of Vietnamese sandwiches. They have bubble tea!
- B GOOD - 141 Montague St. Healthy Salads and hot food, juice bar, and smoothies.
For more suggestions of where to eat near the Promenade, see our post, Things to Do in Brooklyn Heights.
Or, check out our post on the top 28 views of NYC.
