Brooklyn Bridge
Building 19th-century suspension bridge connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn
Spanning Manhattan and Brooklyn since 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge offers a raised pedestrian promenade with lines of Gothic-style towers and cable stays. Tourists walk or bike across for skyline and East River views at sunrise or dusk.
The Brooklyn Bridge is a hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge completed in 1883 that connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn in New York City. It was designed by John A. Roebling and completed under the supervision of his son Washington Roebling.
The bridge’s 1,595.5-foot main span and stone towers are iconic engineering and architectural features; a raised promenade carries pedestrians and cyclists between Brooklyn and Manhattan with panoramic views of both boroughs and the East River.
Construction began in the 1870s under John A. Roebling; after his death the project was overseen by Washington Roebling and completed in 1883. At the time of opening it was among the longest suspension bridges in the world and introduced use of steel-wire cable in major bridge construction.
The bridge links the Manhattan neighborhood centered on City Hall with the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO, spanning the East River in New York City.
- Dimensions and connections: The bridge spans the East River with a main span of 1,595.5 feet (486.3 meters), connecting Manhattan at City Hall to Brooklyn at Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO.
- Pedestrian promenade: A raised pedestrian and bicycle promenade runs above the traffic lanes, offering unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline and the river; it is busiest at sunrise and late afternoon.
How to Get to Brooklyn Bridge #
Brooklyn Bridge links Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. On the Manhattan side, take the subway to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall (4/5/6) and walk about 5 minutes to the Manhattan entrance at Park Row/Centre Street; on the Brooklyn side, use High St-Brooklyn Bridge (A/C) and walk 5-10 minutes to the DUMBO/Tillary St entrance. The bridge is also accessible on foot from City Hall Park and from Brooklyn’s DUMBO neighborhood.
By car the bridge connects to FDR Drive and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway; parking is limited on both ends so public transit or walking from nearby neighborhoods is recommended.
Tips for Visiting Brooklyn Bridge #
- Walk the bridge at sunrise or early weekday mornings to avoid the heavy tourist and photographer traffic that builds later in the day.
- Choose your starting entrance based on where you want to end: start on the Manhattan/City Hall side for easy access to lower Manhattan, or start in Brooklyn (Cadman Plaza/DUMBO side) if you want to finish in Brooklyn Bridge Park and avoid the largest City Hall crowds.
- Keep to the pedestrian side of the central promenade and be aware of the cyclists who use the adjacent lane - stepping briefly off to let faster groups pass will keep your walk moving and reduce bottlenecks at popular photo spots.
Best Time to Visit Brooklyn Bridge #
Go in late spring or early fall for comfortable weather and fewer crowds on the pedestrian walkway.
Weather & Climate near Brooklyn Bridge #
Brooklyn Bridge's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1198 mm/year), wettest in July, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (111 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 20°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (114 mm).
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August
August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (110 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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