Filed under: budget, City Walk, landmark, pizza, sightseeing, top-feature
The Brooklyn Bridge: Step Outside the Grid in New York City
The bustling streets of Manhattan don’t exactly allow visitors the leisure of an afternoon stroll. That’s part of the city’s charm – its pulse and vitality – but this rushing pace can easily be escaped by breaking out of the grid. New Yorkers looking for fresh air and a little exercise often choose a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. On a sunny day, this New York landmark offers some of the best views in the city, and as a bonus: it’s free. Not everything in New York has to cost an arm and a leg.
It is possible to walk in either direction (from Manhattan to Brooklyn or Brooklyn to Manhattan) but starting out in Brooklyn and walking towards Manhattan provides the best views. The subway is incredibly handy for this; no expensive cab ride required. Hop aboard the A or C train heading under the river, and get off at the first stop in Brooklyn, High Street. From here, you cross the street, walk through a pleasant little park, up the stairs, and you’re on the Brooklyn Bridge.
Or you could stop for a little energy first. One of the most famous pizzerias in all of New York City, Grimaldi’s, is located right beneath the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s a five minute walk from the High Street subway stop, and offers one of the best pies in town. No slices are available here, so bring your appetite. This fact and a cash-only policy doesn’t keep people away. You are sure to recognize the pizzeria by the big green sign and a long line outside the door. Don’t worry, it moves pretty quickly.
Grimaldi’s opens each day at 11:30am, so to avoid the line, arrive close to this time and have lunch before your stroll along the bridge. There are two size pizzas to choose from: one with 6 slices and one with 8. You then choose toppings (each for a separate price) and wait. On a recent visit, I chose pepperoni and fresh roasted red peppers on my pie. If you’re a party of 2, you will wind up sitting next to strangers and starting up a conversation. Our next door neighbors were visiting from Ireland, and couldn’t wait to try their first bite of Grimaldi’s famous coal oven pizza. This place means it when they say, ‘I’m gona make you a pizza you can’t refuse.’
When you can’t take another moment of anticipation, the pizza arrives. Straight from the oven, cheese still bubbling, with fresh basil sprinkled on top as the finishing touch. Everything from the cheese to the sauce to the crust to the toppings was just right. The owner, clearly proud of his pizza, gave me a wink from his position at the door as we dug in. One of the best parts about Grimaldi’s is that it’s an affordable family spot. With pizzas costing $12 – $14, this is a reasonable lunch out for New York City.
Pizza this good means you will probably have one slice too many. Rolling myself out of the restaurant, I was glad to have the invigorating walk of the Brooklyn Bridge ahead of me. Don’t rush straight to the bridge though, continue down Old Fulton Street to the water first for a glimpse up at the bridge. There’s a small promenade and park here that makes a great photo spot with the Brooklyn Bridge in the background. The views of Manhattan from here are great, but from the bridge they’re spectacular.
Walk straight up back Old Fulton Street, under the overpass, and up the stairs onto the bridge. There are two lanes here, one for pedestrians and one for cyclists. Unless you want commuting New Yorkers shouting at you, be conscious of sticking to the pedestrian lane. From this vantage point, it is possible to see many of the city’s landmarks. It will be easy to pick out the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building, but you will also see the skyscrapers of Wall Street and the empty space left by the Twin Towers.
Trotting along the walk takes approximately 25 minutes, but take your time. A camera is essential for this walk, as somehow the views do seem to change and the architecture of the bridge is the perfect picture frame. On warm days there will be vendors selling water and cold drinks if you forgot to bring some along. The pedestrian and bike lines are completely separate from the traffic, so although you will hear the whizzing of cars they won’t be close to you. This makes the walk even more enjoyable.
During a trip to Manhattan, get your lay of the land by seeing the city from different angles. Climb aboard the ferry at the tip of Manhattan that connects to Ellis Island. Stare down at the grid from the top of the Empire State Building. Take a stroll along the High Line Park for great views of the Hudson. New York City is full of affordable outdoor activities. All you need is a bright sunny day, and a recommendation for a pizzeria that might change your life.
Basic Info:
- To walk the bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan, take the A or C train to High Street in Brooklyn.
- To walk the bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn, take the 4, 5, or 6 train to Brooklyn Bridge / City Hall.
- At a stroll, the bridge takes about 30 minutes to cross and the pedestrian area is safely separated from traffic.
Where to Eat:
- For coal brick oven pizza, head underneath the Brooklyn Bridge to Grimaldi’s. Open daily from 11:30 am to 11:00pm. Cash only. Small pizza $12, large pizza $14. Toppings $2 – $4 each. Address: 19 Old Fulton Street, Brooklyn. (map)
Photo Credit: All photos from the personal collection of Jessica Colley.
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