As both a Brooklynite and a local tour guide, I spend quite a bit of time in DUMBO in Brooklyn.
It’s one of my favorite neighborhoods because it has the perfect combination of culture, greenspace, history, food and shopping.
What more could anyone want? Oh, the skyline views from the waterfront are incredible!
This post is a self-guided tour of DUMBO that takes you to historic locations, street art, architecture and wide open spaces.
It's easy to find your way around, but if you'd like some guidance, both our 3-hour pay-what-you-wish Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights, and DUMBO Tour and our self-guided GPS audio tour visit many of the places in this post.
Also, at the bottom of the post, I recommend places to eat and shop, including where to find some of the best pizza in New York City!
- Getting to DUMBO
- Things to See and Do
- Nearby Activities
- Where to Eat and Shop
- Things to Do in Brooklyn
- Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
- Where to Stay in NYC
Our most popular tour is our
It runs as a pay-what-you-wish tour, which means that when the tour is done, you decide how much to pay for the experience.
WHAT AND WHERE IS DUMBO IN NYC?
DUMBO is located in the northeast of Brooklyn, just across the river from Lower Manhattan and just to the north of Brooklyn Heights.
If you are wondering if it's named after the loveable Disney elephant, it isn't!
DUMBO is an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass.
Find out more about the origin of the name DUMBO. The story is quite interesting!
There are 4 ways to get here from Manhattan:
- Take the Subway
- Ride the East River Ferry (aka NYC Ferry)
- Walk over the Brooklyn Bridge
- Bike across the Bridge
Regardless of how you get here, you can use this Google Maps link for directions.
There are detailed directions for each option at the bottom of this page.
What to See, Eat, and Explore in DUMBO
If you have the time, a trip to DUMBO is worth it, if only for some of the best views of the Manhattan skyline in the entire city.
The neighborhood has more to offer, like several large waterfront parks, great street art and delicious food.
DUMBO has embraced its past as an industrial neighborhood by re-purposing 100-year-old warehouses into luxury condos, hip restaurants, cutting-edge art galleries, and small boutiques.
The views, the vibe, the food scene, and the architecture, make it appealing to young professionals.
Families also gravitate here given the large parks and the fact that DUMBO is a safe neighborhood, though, at night, some caution is warranted.
ATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN DUMBO
The list below takes you to the most interesting locations in DUMBO that tell the story of the neighborhood's history and current day culture.
Click the map to enlarge.
1 – The DUMBO Walls
I'm a big street art fan and the DUMBO Walls have some of the best murals in the city.
This project began in 2012. Eight walls near the York Street subway station were selected as sites for large murals by famed artists like Shepard Fairey, MOMO and Yuko Shimizu.
Some of these eight sites have the original murals, while some have new ones.
One of the most beautiful murals, while faded, is CAM’s huge, colorful owls. I love how these giant birds peek out behind the trees.
It's on a wall at the intersection of York Street and Pearl Street, which is just two blocks when you get off the Brooklyn Bridge (see the map above).
If you, too, are a mural lover like me, you can find a map to the DUMBO Walls here.
From the mural, make a left on Pearl Street and walk two blocks to Water Street.
2 - Manhattan Bridge Archway
When the bridge was completed in 1909, no one could have imagined that the dark space underneath the noisy bridge would be used for fun activities.
The Archway has a lot of cool things going on! I've attended concerts, light shows, and even sports event viewings on jumbotrons.
At the December holidays, the archway hosts a Christmas market on weekends from mid-November to just before Christmas Day.
This and other holiday markets in the city are my go-to destinations for artisan crafts and playful gifts for friends and family.
You've likely noticed that many of DUMBO’s streets are cobblestone, which I think is one of the neighborhood's most charming features.
This and other characteristics make the archway and the surrounding streets a perfect location for filming movies that take place in the past.
Some scenes from Steven Spielberg's Bridge of Spies were filmed here since the movie takes place in the 1960s.
3 - Brooklyn Flea
Under the Manhattan Bridge archway at 80 Pearl Street.
Every weekend from April to December, from 10 am to 5 pm, Brooklyn Flea takes place under and around the archway.
Of the city's many flea markets, this is the one I recommend most to my tour guests looking for one.
It is a unique blend of artisan crafts, vintage clothing, handmade jewelry, and retro furniture.
Dig through old dusty records, and find unusual, funky clothing and souvenirs unique to Brooklyn.
If I am in DUMBO on a weekend, I'll head over to Brooklyn Flea not to shop but to dig into Smorgasburg, a group of local food vendors.
Walk through the archway onto Adams Street.
Prefer a guide? We also run a small-group DUMBO & Brooklyn Bridge walking tour and a self-guided GPS audio tour that follows many of these stops. If you want turn-by-turn directions and local history on the go, they’re a great companion.
4 - PowerHouse ARENA Bookstore
28 Adams Street
This is an awesome bookstore! It's a good place to pick up Brooklyn-themed gifts.
Before I visit friends overseas, I'll come here to grab magnets, postcards and other goodies.
In 2006, the critically acclaimed publisher PowerHouse Books opened PowerHouse ARENA in DUMBO as a venue for creative thought and top-notch art exhibitions, performances, and readings.
It drew both locals and travelers who came to see famed authors and it helped put DUMBO on the map as a world-class venue for arts and literature.
A few of the authors I have seen read here over the years include Paul Auster, David Sedaris, Jonathan Lethem, Joyce Carol Oates, Jonathan Franzen, and Pete Hamill.
Check their website to see if anyone famous will be stopping by when you are there.
Turn left onto Water Street.
5 - Gleason's Gym
130 Water Street
Gleason's Gym is one of the most famous boxing training gyms in America.
The original Gleason’s Gym was located in the Bronx, having opened in 1937 by the late, great boxer Bobby Gleason. It moved to DUMBO in 1984.
Over the years, many legends have trained for fame at Gleason’s.
At the original Bronx location, stars like Jake LaMotta, Roberto Duran, and Mike Tyson trained.
In 1963, a young man named Cassius Clay learned how to box like a champ as he prepared for his famous match with Sonny Liston.
Clay changed his name to Muhammad Ali and the rest is history.
The gym has also been the setting for several boxing movies.
Robert DeNiro trained in the gym's Manhattan location to prepare for his role as LaMotta in Raging Bull.
Wesley Snipes trained in DUMBO to prepare to play Roland Jenkins in the 1987 film Streets of Gold.
Actress Hillary Swank, in preparation for her Academy Award-winning role in Million Dollar Baby, was trained by Gleason's boxing trainer Hector Roca.
Continue along Water Street until Washington Street.
Turn right onto Washington Street and immediately you will be struck by an incredible view. Read on.
6 - Iconic view of the Manhattan Bridge
At the intersection of Washington Street and Front Street is a photo op you will not want to miss.
As you walk down Washington Street, look straight ahead and you will see the blue-gray steel of the Manhattan Bridge, completed in 1909.
Far off in the distance, you can see the Empire State Building perfectly framed in the archway of the bridge.
If the view looks familiar, it's because you may have seen it in photos, postcards and films.
It appears prominently in the film Once Upon a Time in America (1984).
The streets surrounding the Manhattan Bridge base and archway have appeared in films including:
- The Naked City (1948)
- The French Connection (1971)
- Serpico (1973),
- Scent of a Woman (1992)
- American Gangster (2007)
- The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
- The Amazing Spider-Man (both 2012)
Know in advance that you won't be the only person here taking photos. It is often packed, especially on weekend days.
I know this because I have taken friends there to capture this iconic shot and we always have a hard time getting a view all to ourselves!
My advice if you want a photo with no one else in it, is to go very early in the morning on a weekday.
Also, be careful when standing in the middle of the street to get that perfect shot.
Although cars are active along these streets, most drivers go slowly knowing that lots of people stop here to take photos.
Walk along Washington Street toward the bridge to the corner of Plymouth Street. Look down at the street.
7- Jay Street Connecting Railroad
If you have noticed that some streets have what looks like trolley tracks, you've been walking over what is left of the former Jay Street Connecting Railroad (JSC).
It was created by the Arbuckle Brothers, Brooklyn's original coffee king.
By 1900, the Arbuckle Company had a factory and a group of warehouses on the Brooklyn waterfront.
Believing that a railroad was the best way to effectively move cargo through the buildings, they created the JSC.
The railroad had terminals to serve the various industries and factories in the area.
With the rise of trucks as the dominant means of transporting goods, the small local railroad stopped operating by 1958.
The tracks remain and are yet another aspect of DUMBO that is a reminder of days gone by.
For history buffs and train aficionados, read more about the JSC here.
If you want a picture similar to the one I took above, you need to stand on Plymouth Street looking at the Brooklyn Bridge.
I cannot recommend this, but what I did was crouch down on the street. I had a friend there to warn me if cars were coming through.
From here, you are at one of the entrances to the Main Street Park. Head on in!
TIP: There is an information center should you have any questions. There are also public bathrooms! A rare commodity in NYC!
8 - Main Street Park
This 3.5-acre park offers spectacular views of the East River and Manhattan.
This neatly groomed park has a few shady trees but is mostly open lawns. Bring a blanket and laze with the locals for an hour or more.
Warning! If you do decide to stay for a bit, the peaceful atmosphere is interrupted about every three minutes by the rumbling of a subway train crossing the Manhattan Bridge.
The park often has public art displays, too. Click here for the Park's website.
Once you are in the park, walk southwest toward the Brooklyn Bridge and the water's edge.
You will see a small curved beach of rocks level with the river. Head down there and get your camera out for some of the most monumental photos you will get on your trip to New York City.
9 - Pebble Beach
When you planned your trip to New York City, you probably didn’t contemplate being able to dip your toes into the East River!
At Pebble Beach, you can walk down to the water, watch it lap up against the land, and take a pebble for a souvenir.
The water is clean enough that the Brooklyn Bridge Boathouse sponsors a free kayaking program every summer where you can get 20 minutes free of kayak time and get out into the river.
It is an unusual experience that not many travelers know about.
It is NOT something you will forget. Bring a waterproof camera! Find out more information here.
Read our post on the number of free ways to get on the water in NYC.
From Pebble Beach, turn away from the water, look back at the buildings and you will see a building several stories high.
At the top, the building is fitted with a 14-foot glass clock.
10 - 1 Main Street
(aka the Clocktower Building) corner of Plymouth Street and Main Street
The Clocktower has special significance in that it was the first of the old, abandoned industrial buildings in the area to be converted into luxury apartment buildings.
In the 1980s, property developer David Walentas had the brilliant foresight to purchase the area's mostly empty big loft-like spaces.
At the time, the entire Clocktower Building cost just $12 million – a real steal for a building so large.
While all the apartments in the Clocktower have great views, the penthouse triplex is like no other.
It has four 14-foot-high (4.2 m) round windows, each with four working clocks.
I like to follow the prices of some of NYC's most outrageously priced apartments. In 2017, the penthouse sold for the bargain price of…$15 million!
I hate to say this, but that's not bad for a three-bedroom apartment with fantastic views in a great neighborhood!
Continue walking south through the park along the footpath toward the massive brick warehouse-like structure known as Empire Stores.
11 - Empire Stores
53-83 Water Street
This 500,000-square-foot brick warehouse situated close to the waterfront is Empire Stores.
It was built just after the Civil War in 1868 and was used to store coffee for the Arbuckle Coffee Company.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the vast majority of the country’s coffee supply arrived through New York Harbor.
It's kind of a cool fact since the neighborhood has a series of local coffee roaster coffee shops!
As industry slowed down along the Brooklyn waterfront in the 1940s and ‘50s, many of the area’s warehouses were torn down for the construction of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.
By the 1960s, Empire Stores was abandoned. This warehouse remained, though boarded up.
But with the rise of DUMBO as a vibrant neighborhood and the development of its splendid waterfront, it has been brought back to life.
In 2013, investors and real estate developers converted the warehouses into a mixed-use project with 420,000 rentable square feet of office space and 80,000 square feet of retail.
See a listing of the dozens of retail stores and places to eat in Empire Stores here.
12 - Time Out Market
Located inside the Empire Stores complex, this large food market has 21 eateries and a communal space where you can sit and enjoy your meal.
This is an absolute destination in DUMBO for the variety of food and the best feature -- a 5th-floor that includes a rooftop with waterfront views!
You don't have to order food to go up there and get some shots of the views.
Here's a picture I took facing the Brooklyn Bridge and Lower Manhattan! Wow, right?
For other great, free views, see our post on the best NYC skyline views.
The market is open Sunday through Thursday, 8 am - 11 pm, and Friday and Saturday, 8 am to 11 am. See what food is available here.
NOTE: Nearly all eateries do not accept cash, so have a debit or credit card with you.
13 - Jane's Carousel
Located in Brooklyn Bridge Park, this 1922 carousel, featuring 48 carved wooden horses, was built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company and stationed in Idora Park in Youngstown, Ohio.
When Idora Park closed in 1984, Jane and David Walentas bought the carousel at auction for $385,000 and had it stored in a warehouse.
Jane Walentas spearheaded its restoration, and in 2011, it was installed at its current location. The carousel is contained in a massive glass box.
Some locals initially found the design unattractive, but I (and plenty of others, including Travel and Leisure magazine) love the juxtaposition!
It's just $3 to take a ride on this beautiful historic carousel with great views of Manhattan and the river.
The carousel hours vary by season, but generally it opens between 10 am and 11 am and closes between 5 pm and 7 pm.
Check here for complete hours.
From the carousel, head out of the park and walk along the path. On your left is the side of Empire Stores and on your right is another former warehouse turned art center.
14 - St. Ann's Warehouse
45 Water Street
Housed in a former tobacco warehouse is St. Ann's Warehouse, a state-of-the-art performance space.
Founded 34 years ago, when DUMBO was not the hotbed it is now.
They are known for their cutting-edge and innovative theater and concert presentations.
Among many performances are highly acclaimed productions by Debbie Harry of Blondie, Al Pacino, Marianne Faithfull, Charlie Kaufman, and the Coen Brothers.
One unforgettable performance I saw was the late, great Lou Reed.
Check St. Ann's website to see what events are going on.
When you exit the park, you will be on Old Dock Street. If you have a sweet tooth, make a left on Water Street and walk halfway down the street.
15 - Jacques Torres Chocolate
66 Water Street
This shop is the first of several locations for the world-famous chocolatier. It opened in 2000 and is a must-see, or rather must-eat, destination.
Torres pioneered mixing unusual flavors into filled chocolates such as Alize liqueur, chocolate infused with the tingle of fresh mint tea, and freshly squeezed lemon.
They are not only delicious but quite beautiful.
My favorites are Earl Grey tea infused in a dark, creamy chocolate square and the mysterious Love Potion #9.
In winter, it is practically required in DUMBO to go and get a Chili Hot Chocolate, ideal for cold days in DUMBO.
Get information about hours and directions by clicking here.
Turn back on Water Street and head west, in the same direction as the cars.
Walk one block to Dock Street and make a left. Dock Street merges with Front Street.
Walk on Front Street for about 100 yards and you will arrive at Old Fulton Street.
16 - Grimaldi's and Juliana's
You have probably heard of Grimaldi's Pizza, long believed to be one of the best pizza pies in New York City.
Before DUMBO was a destination of its own, crowds of people came down to Old Fulton Street to wait for hours in line for a taste of Grimaldi’s famous pizza.
Well, in 2012, a new kid moved into town – Juliana’s Pizzeria. Turns out that Juliana’s is not new at all. It was opened by the original owner of Grimaldi’s!
It’s a long story of a pizza war. You can get all the juicy details if you read this article.
Both pizzerias are very good. I prefer Juliana’s, though.
I like that it is run by the family that started it all. The pizza is unbelievable. You will gobble it up fast.
In the end, my advice is to go to whichever has the shorter line!
Look across the street at the imposing red brick building with the large arched entrance.
17 - Brooklyn Eagle Warehouse
28 Old Fulton Street
This neo-Romanesque building was constructed in 1893 on the site of the old Brooklyn Eagle Newspaper building.
The Brooklyn Daily Eagle began publication on October 26, 1841. At that time, Brooklyn was still a city independent of New York.
For two years, from 1846 to 1848, a young Walt Whitman was the paper’s editor.
The paper was relocated in the late 1800s, making room for the warehouse to be built. It is now, of course, a luxury condominium.
Walt Whitman is best known for “Leaves of Grass”, the revolutionary collection of poems he authored in 1855.
Lines from his famous poem “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” have made an everlasting impression at our next site on the tour.
Continue toward the water along Old Fulton Street until you come to the end of the street and the entrance to Fulton Ferry Landing and Brooklyn Bridge Park.
18 - Fulton Ferry Landing
On your way to the wooden landing, stop by the large boulder with a plaque commemorating one of the most important historical locations in all of New York City.
(Indulge me as I write quite a bit about this incredibly significant site in American history. It's the kind of story that makes living in New York City feel so monumental!)
What happened here in 1776 is one reason that Americans don't speak with an English accent.
In what is now known as the Battle of Brooklyn, George Washington found himself between a rock and a hard place in August of 1776.
Washington and his troops had almost been pushed out of Brooklyn by the British Army.
He was faced with the choice of remaining to fight the much superior British forces or evacuating his troops and avoiding what would surely have been a bloody defeat.
Washington made his decision and under the cover of night on August 29th, 9,000 troops secretly departed from the Fulton Ferry shoreline via boat, canoe, raft and any other object that could float.
All night long, troops were shuttled to safety in Manhattan.
At sunrise, with troops and Washington himself still waiting to evacuate, a heavy fog formed, which concealed the last leg of the retreat.
By 7 am, the entire Continental Army had arrived safely on Manhattan Island.
The British didn’t know what happened until a few hours later. The rest is history!
To see other landmarks related to this epic evacuation, try our Brooklyn Heights Tour.)
As you walk to the end of the landing, your eyes will be focused on the skyline of Manhattan.
If you can take your eyes off the view for a minute, look down and you will see bronze relief drawings of historic local scenes embedded in the wooden pier.
Also, the landing’s railings are engraved with lines from Walt Whitman’s famous poem, “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry".
As for why it is called Fulton's Ferry Landing, that is because, in 1814, Robert Fulton launched his steamboat ferry service which instantly became the foremost means of transport between Brooklyn and Manhattan.
The ferry remained successful until the 1883 opening of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Eventually, ferry service tapered off and ceased completely in 1924.
Excitingly, ferry service to DUMBO began again in 2006, run by the NYC Ferry service.
That concludes the tour, although there is so much more to do in the area.
Below are suggestions for places to shop and eat, in addition to Grimaldi's and Juliana's Pizzerias.
We have also included other activities nearby.
If you are ready to head home, here are the nearest departure points.
If you are ready to leave DUMBO, you can walk up Old Fulton Street along the right side of this busy street.
After two long curved blocks, you will come to Henry Street. Make a right onto Henry and walk up the slight hill.
Walk one block and make a left onto Middagh Street. Walk one short block on Middagh and you will come to the High Street Station for the A/C train.
If you prefer the 2/3 train, continue on Henry Street for four more blocks and you will be at the Clark Street Station.
WHERE TO EAT & SHOP IN DUMBO
Dining
Two of the best pizzerias in NYC are right next to each other! Grimaldi's at 1 Front Street or Juliana's at 19 Old Fulton Street.
Time Out Market has 21 eateries, some sit-down and some to-go as well as three bars. Grab your food and head to the 2nd-floor outdoor terrace for amazing views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline.
ShakeShack on 1 Old Fulton Street has familiar family-pleasing "fast food" with what some say are the best burgers in NYC.
Cecconi's Dumbo at 55 Water Street is an upscale waterfront restaurant that serves delicious Italian food with equally sumptuous views.
Westville at 81 Washington Street serves American food with an emphasis on fresh produce & locally sourced meats.
Luke's Lobster Rolls is near Jane's Carousel in the historic Smokestack building in Brooklyn Bridge Park. They serve up much more than fresh lobster rolls. You can get soup and salads as well.
Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory at 14 Old Fulton Street across from Brooklyn Bridge Park has been a favorite in the neighborhood for years.
Click here for more dining options.
Shopping
Dumbo is filled with artsy, unique stores as well as some chain shops you are familiar with such as West Elm.
For an extensive listing and a map of retail stores, click here.
NEARBY ACTIVITIES
Outdoor activities
Free kayaking at Brooklyn Bridge Park between Piers 1 and 2 is a unique opportunity to see the Brooklyn Bridge from a different perspective without paying a thing.
It starts the first weekend in June and runs through the end of August. Click here for more information.
TIP: Want to get out on the water without getting too wet? See our post on Free New York Boat Tours.
The multiple playgrounds in Brooklyn Bridge Park are great for those with kids.
The southern part of Brooklyn Bridge Park has several piers offering basketball, handball, bocce, shuffleboard, a roller rink, and rock climbing.
Cultural Events
In summer, the park is host to Movies with a View, a free outdoor movie showing every Thursday night.
I've been attending Movies with a View for at least 15 years and it's always a blast seeing movies with the Lower Manhattan skyline view just behind the Jumbotron.
For more information about other free outdoor movie screenings, see our NYC Summer Guide.
At Shakespeare at Sunset you can see free performances of Shakespeare plays. This is a great alternative if you can't get tickets to the famous free Shakespeare in the Park in Central Park.
Bargemusic hosts free one-hour classical music performances. Doors open 15 minutes before the performance. No reserved seating is available.
So find out about all the amazing offerings in the park, see their events calendar.
For even more ideas, check out our Things to Do in Brooklyn post.
DETAILED DIRECTIONS
By subway:
A/C Train to High Street:
Take the exit that says Cadman Plaza West.
When you exit, there will be a big park across the 4-lane street. Cross the street to the park, and walk directly across the park to the pathway that curves to the left.
You will see plenty of people coming and going from the bridge. Walk downhill on Washington Street.
2/3 Train to Clark Street:
Exit the station and turn left onto Henry Street.
Pass Cranberry Street and make a right on the footpath; you will see the A/C train station. Then follow the instructions above regarding walking through the park.
F Train to York Street:
York Street is the closest station to the start of this self-guided tour.
When you exit the station, make a right turn onto Jay Street. At the corner make a left turn onto York Street.
Walk four blocks to Washington Street and make a right. Walk down one block to the first stop of the tour.
By foot from the Brooklyn Bridge:
If you have walked from Manhattan over the Brooklyn Bridge, you can get to DUMBO very easily.
As you walk through the second tower of the bridge, you will be nearing one of two exits from the bridge.
You will come to a fork in the walkway – to the left, there is a small set of stairs going down off the bridge.
On the right, the walkway and bike path continue.
Be sure to take the exit on the left with the stairs and be sure to watch for speeding bicyclists as you must cross the bike path to get to the stairs.
Walk down the stairs and you will be at the perfect spot to start the tour.
To make the most of your walk over this splendid and beloved bridge, be sure to read our guide to walking the Brooklyn Bridge.
By bike:
Despite some bumpiness along cobblestoned streets, DUMBO is a great neighborhood to bike around.
Not a lot of car traffic and plenty of places to lock your bikes and several nearby docks for bikes rented from the city's Citibike Share system.
For information on the best bike rentals, see our post, Best Bike Rentals in New York City.
Click here for information related specifically to biking in DUMBO.
By ferry:
The East River Ferry (NYC Ferry) operates to and from Brooklyn Bridge Park from several locations along the Manhattan and Brooklyn waterfronts.
When you disembark, leave the ferry landing located inside the park, exit the park and you will find yourself on Water Street.
Turn left onto Water Street and walk 3 blocks until you reach Washington Street for the first stop on the tour.
Our post on the NYC River Ferry Service has all the details you will need.
Read about all of NYC's ferry services here.
TIPS FROM LOCALS AND TRAVELERS
Here are some thoughts about DUMBO and recommendations of things to do there from members of our New York City Travel Tips Facebook group.
If you are looking for more thoughts about DUMBO or any other NYC topic from locals and tourists, make sure to check out our Facebook group!
Quite often, DUMBO appears in our group members’ recommendations of “must-see” places in NYC. It’s right up there with the best of them!
A group member planning a trip to New York City asked for recommendations for the best places to get pictures of the sunrise and sunset in New York City.
Of course, NYC’s observation decks like the Empire State Building and Edge were popular answers.
But dozens of people said DUMBO, specifically Pebble Beach and Brooklyn Bridge Park, both mentioned in this post.
DUMBO is known for its great views, but also its great food.
These locals never get tired of DUMBO!
I hope that these comments have convinced you that DUMBO is a fabulous destination. I love it and I think you will too!
Frequently Asked Questions about DUMBO
How long should I spend in DUMBO?
2–3 hours covers the Washington St. photo spot, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Time Out Market (rooftop), and Jane’s Carousel. Add more time if you want pizza or sunset shots.
What’s the best time to visit for photos?
Early weekday mornings for the Washington St. view (fewest crowds). Golden hour/sunset is best for skyline shots from Pebble Beach and the Time Out rooftop.
Where exactly is the famous Manhattan Bridge photo spot?
Washington St. at Front St. Look south toward the bridge—on clear days, the Empire State Building sits in the arch.
Can I walk from DUMBO onto the Brooklyn Bridge?
Yes—use the stairs at Washington St./Prospect St. (signed access to the pedestrian path). See our bridge-walking guide for step-by-step directions.
Subway or ferry—what’s the easiest way to DUMBO?
The F train to York St is closest; High St (A/C) and Clark St (2/3) are a short walk. The NYC Ferry to DUMBO/Brooklyn Bridge Park is the most scenic.
Is DUMBO safe at night?
Yes—busy and well-patrolled, especially near the park and restaurants. Use normal city awareness and stick to lit streets.
Where are the best skyline views?
Pebble Beach, Main Street Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park piers, and the Time Out Market rooftop.
What are the top food stops?
Grimaldi’s or Juliana’s for pizza, Time Out Market for variety + views, Jacques Torres for chocolate, and Leewen's Ice Cream near the park.
Are there public restrooms?
Yes—Brooklyn Bridge Park has facilities (including near Main Street Park). Seasonal hours apply.
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