When you go to New York, surely the first thing you think of is visiting the Statue of Liberty or going to the Empire State Building, but you can’t miss visiting this famous American city and not getting to know and cross the Brooklyn Bridge. The best thing is that there is a tour, totally free, with its version in Spanish, the only thing is that you must book in advance.
This bridge, the first suspended with steel cables, is known for appearing in movies, series, award-winning and historical photographs for its neo-Gothic architectural beauty and style.
The Brooklyn Bridge joins the district of Manhattan and Brooklyn and it took thirteen years to build it, between 1870 and 1883. When it was inaugurated it was the largest suspension bridge in the world and it was for 20 consecutive years, with its 1,825 meters long and two towers that rise 84 meters above the water.
Before its construction, the only way to cross from one district to another was through a ferry on the East River, but the rains and frosts, along with other problems, caused the suspension of the route, hence the engineer John Augustus Roebling, proposed to build the bridge.
How to get to the Brooklyn Bridge
You can book a ride from Boston to Brooklyn NY or If you go from Manhattan, the access to the bridge is right in front of the New York City Hall, it is also difficult not to find the entrance ramp because more than one visitor will be looking for it. If you go by subway, the closest one from Manhattan is Brooklyn Bridge – City Halla or Chambers St.
Now, if you access it from Brooklyn you should look for the entrance ramp, near the Dumbo neighborhood. And the closest subway from this side of the district is the York St or High St – Brooklyn Bridge. Another curious way to get there is on the NYC Ferry.
As you begin your walk across the bridge, keep in mind that the bicycle and pedestrian lanes are only divided by a white stripe painted on the ground. Pedestrians and joggers go in the south lane and bicycles in the north. The paths are narrow so you have to be careful if the bikes are going very fast. If you go on foot try not to cross that lane or you will hear how they whistle.
The best time to cross
It is best to cross the bridge in the morning or at dusk, and if you are an early riser, arriving before sunrise is an incredible time to take great pictures without people in the way. However, between 9 and 10 am is also an excellent time to cross it.
After this time it can get a bit overwhelming because there will be many people taking photos and you must walk slowly and you will see the tours that circulate along the bicycle lane.
Another popular time for visitors is sunset, as the sun sets behind the skyscrapers, and if you walk from Manhattan to Brooklyn the images will be beautiful. At nightfall, the bridge lights up, as well as the buildings and you will have another beautiful perspective of this icon of the city. The moment you go it will be unforgettable and the experience unique.
Related: Travel to the Boston
What we do not recommend is to cross it at noon and less if you go in summer, because there will be no shade to protect you from an inclement sun. The entire route, if you go on foot, counting the steps you can make to take your pictures, will be 45 minutes.
Regardless of which way you decide to cross it on both sides, you will find restaurants or attractions nearby that will complement your journey.
Brooklyn Bridge Facts
Just one week after its inauguration, 12 people died from a human stampede, after the rumor spread, among the people passing by, that the bridge was collapsing. After this incident, people did not trust the structure and for a year it stopped having the influx of visitors and pedestrians that it had.
Even the officials who guarded the structure began to feel fear, thinking that a tragedy would occur. Even the press was part of the uncertainty and many were those who doubted its security and stability.
Nearly a year after the tragic stampede, PT Barnum decided to put on a show to restore confidence to New Yorkers and pedestrians. He decided that he would hold a parade, where a herd of elephants, 21 to be exact, would cross the bridge. When the parade was over and the elephants successfully crossed, Barnum addressed the spectators and said “The bridge is completely safe.”
Since then, the Brooklyn Bridge has returned to its heyday and thousands of people have started to cross it daily. So much so that today it is one of the mandatory stops for many tourists.
