Brooklyn Bridge Park a New Gateway to Iconic NYC Structure

There are few sights in the world more iconic than the Brooklyn Bridge. Visitors who want to fully experience the bridge and its surroundings should visit Brooklyn Bridge Park, which is the newest large public park in Brooklyn. From the park you can see not only its namesake bridge, but also the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor, lower Manhattan, the Manhattan Bridge and boat traffic on the historic East River.

Since its opening in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge has connected the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. It took 14 years, 600 workers and $15 million to build, which would be more than $320 million today. At least two dozen people lost their lives to bring the project to fruition, including its original designer. Even after all these years, the Brooklyn Bridge still provides passage to about 150,000 vehicles and pedestrians each day.

When the Brooklyn Bridge opened, it held the distinction for the longest suspension bridge in the world, more than 50 percent longer than any such structure built before. Architecture fans can enjoy the floodlights at night that highlight its Neo-Gothic style.

The view of the bridge is only a start for visitors, however, since the new Brooklyn Bridge Park doubles as a sports and cultural venue. All year visitors can attend concerts, see movies projected outdoors at night, take exercise classes, learn chess, go kayaking and more.

Brooklyn Bridge Park is so new that most Brooklyn residents haven’t even visited yet, and this means tourists can get a taste of the city even natives haven’t enjoyed. Aside from the amazing, iconic views and photo opportunities, the modern park feels different from Central Park or Prospect Park, public spaces that lack the open and airy feel of Brooklyn Bridge Park.

For those visitors with some time to spend, bicycles are available to rent and ride to explore all the breathtaking views from different parts of the park. Concession stands sell food, and for adult visitors there’s even a wine bar. There’s enough to have fun all day, and it’s all in full view of the historic Brooklyn Bridge.

The park will eventually encompass 1.3 miles from Front Street in DUMBO to Atlantic Avenue, so it’s recommended that visitors plot out their itinerary. This is especially important if there are elderly or very young children in the group since they can dehydrate easily. To help with this, all concession areas, restroom facilities and attractions are on this interactive map of Brooklyn Bridge Park.