Tuesday 10 September 2013

a day in dumbo, brooklyn


It's funny growing up my whole life just outside New York City I have never even thought about walking across the Brooklyn Bridge.  This even includes a semester at NYU living in a dorm on Water Street right across from the Brooklyn Bridge.  My 3.5 year old boy has become completely fascinated with the Brooklyn Bridge this summer and convinced us all to make the pilgrimage across.  We ended up spending the day in Dumbo and really had such a fantastic day.  I'm a huge fan of Mommy Poppins which an amazing website for things to do, see, eat with kids in NYC.  I found great tips on their Dumbo guide for our day on the other side of the East River and here are the highlights.

The Brooklyn Bridge is definitely one of the most beautiful bridges in the world and the oldest suspension bridge in the United States.  The upper level is a walkway for pedestrians and the views are spectacular from up there.  Not only were we in awe of the bridge itself but when you get a really good look of the NYC skyline it really leaves you breathless.  Although there are cars driving across the bridge just beneath you there is something so peaceful about being up there and I can't believe it took me 33 years to make it up there!  

PS - There is a flight of stairs up to the bridge so be prepared to lift the buggy/stroller up.


Just under the Brooklyn Bridge you will find Brooklyn Bridge Park that is right on the waterfront and you can enjoy all the views from down there.  Most importantly there are loads for the kiddos to do including the famous Jane's Carousel which we unfortunately did not get a chance to check out.  We ended up spending most of the day at the Main Street Playground that is also know as the "pirate ship playground."  Such a great way for the kids to run off all that extra energy while playing make believe on a giant pirate ship inspired climbing frame.  The playground is tucked right in-between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges so my son was in heaven looking in awe of both enormous suspension bridges.  For all those train enthusiasts out there subways run constantly on the lower level of the Manhattan Bridge so needless to say this is now my son's favorite playground.



After our walk across the bridge and chasing the kids around the park, we definitely deserved some ice cream on that warm summer day.  Luckily on the other side of the park at Fulton Ferry Landing you will find the famous Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory which serves up simple and classic ice cream flavors made from the finest ingredients.  The Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory is housed in the old light house at Fulton Ferry Landing and is total Americana.  We ended up getting vanilla chocolate chunk and chocolate chocolate chunk and really tastes like an idyllic American summer served up in a cup.  The best part of the ice cream is the views it comes with!

If you are ever in Manhattan with or without the kids, a trip over to Dumbo is such a great way to spend the day and not to be missed.


1 comment:

  1. I lived in the city but never have been to Brooklyn! Looks nice so maybe next trip...

    ReplyDelete