The Best Things to Do in DUMBO, Brooklyn

What are the most popular activities and attractions in DUMBO?

DUMBO packs more per square block than most neighborhoods in the city. Cobblestone streets, a waterfront park system, and two iconic bridges frame one of the best skyline views on the planet. Here’s what to prioritize.

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge

This is the anchor experience. The pedestrian walkway runs above the car lanes, giving you unobstructed views of the harbor, the Statue of Liberty, and both the Manhattan and Brooklyn skylines. Start from the Manhattan side (entrance near City Hall) and walk toward Brooklyn; you’ll end up right at the edge of DUMBO. The walk takes 30 to 40 minutes at a comfortable pace. Go early morning or at sunset to dodge the thickest crowds.

Stand on Washington Street for the Manhattan Bridge View

The most photographed spot in DUMBO is the intersection of Washington Street and Water Street, where the Manhattan Bridge frames the Empire State Building between its stone arches. It’s free, it’s always open, and it’s always crowded midday. Show up before 9am for a clean shot.

Ride Jane’s Carousel

A fully restored 1922 carousel housed inside a Jean Nouvel-designed glass pavilion on the waterfront. It sits in Brooklyn Bridge Park between the two bridges. Rides cost $2. Open Thursday through Sunday, typically 12pm to 6pm, with extended hours in summer. Worth it even if you’re just watching.

Explore Brooklyn Bridge Park

The 85-acre park stretches 1.3 miles along the East River waterfront. Key spots within the park:

• Pier 1: Lawns, gardens, and the best head-on view of Lower Manhattan
• Pier 2: Roller skating rink, basketball courts, bocce, shuffleboard
• Pier 5: Soccer fields, a fishing pier, and picnic areas
• Pebble Beach: A small, rocky beach tucked under the Brooklyn Bridge with direct water access and skyline views. No sand, just smooth stones and the best photo angle of the bridge from below.
• Main Street Playground: If you’re traveling with kids, this is one of the best playgrounds in the city

Visit the Waterfront and Fulton Ferry Landing

Fulton Ferry Landing is where Robert Fulton’s steam ferry once connected Brooklyn to Manhattan. Today it’s a small plaza with benches, views, and the NYC Ferry dock. Grab a slice at Juliana’s Pizza or Grimaldi’s Pizzeria (both on Old Fulton Street, steps away) and eat it on the waterfront.

Shop and Eat on Water Street and Front Street

DUMBO’s commercial core runs along these two streets. Highlights:

• Time Out Market New York (55 Water Street): A food hall with 20+ vendors and a rooftop bar with bridge views
• Cecconi’s (55 Water Street): Italian dining inside the historic Empire Stores warehouse
• Almondine Bakery (85 Water Street): French pastries, excellent croissants
• Brooklyn Roasting Company (25 Jay Street): Local coffee roaster, big industrial space
• Front General Store (Front Street): Curated gifts and home goods
• powerHouse Arena (28 Adams Street): Independent bookstore with regular author events

Catch the View from the Empire Stores Rooftop

The Empire Stores building (55 Water Street) is a restored Civil War-era warehouse. Head to the rooftop terrace for a free, elevated view of the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River. No ticket required.

What is a good afternoon walking itinerary through DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights?

Start at the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge around 1pm. Walk across (30 to 40 minutes). When you exit on the Brooklyn side, take the stairs down to DUMBO rather than continuing into Brooklyn Heights.

1. Washington Street photo spot (5 minutes)
2. Empire Stores rooftop for the view (15 minutes)
3. Jane’s Carousel (15 minutes)
4. Pebble Beach under the Brooklyn Bridge (15 minutes)
5. Lunch or snack at Time Out Market or Juliana’s Pizza (30 to 45 minutes)
6. Walk up Old Fulton Street to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade (10-minute walk). The Promenade is a third-of-a-mile esplanade cantilevered over the BQE with panoramic views of Lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and the harbor.
7. Wander the tree-lined streets of Brooklyn Heights: Cranberry Street, Pineapple Street, and Montague Street are the most charming blocks. Look for the row houses on Willow Street between Cranberry and Middagh.

Total time: 3 to 4 hours at a relaxed pace.

Can I walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and take a ferry back?

Yes. This is the best way to do it. Walk the bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn, spend time in DUMBO, then take the NYC Ferry from Fulton Ferry Landing (DUMBO dock) back to Wall Street/Pier 11 in Manhattan. The ferry ride takes about 5 minutes and costs $4 per ride. You can pay with a MetroCard, OMNY, or the NYC Ferry app. Ferries run roughly every 20 to 30 minutes. Check the East River route schedule on the NYC Ferry website for exact times.

This loop avoids the backtrack across the bridge and gives you a bonus harbor view from the water.

How can I plan a route that covers the Brooklyn Bridge, Jane’s Carousel, and Pebble Beach in one afternoon?

All three are within a 10-minute walk of each other. After crossing the Brooklyn Bridge into DUMBO, head south along the waterfront:

• Brooklyn Bridge exit to Pebble Beach: 5-minute walk
• Pebble Beach to Jane’s Carousel: 3-minute walk south along the waterfront path
• Jane’s Carousel to Washington Street photo spot: 4-minute walk inland

You can cover all three in under an hour, leaving plenty of time for food and exploring.

Tips only a local would tell you

• Sunset timing matters. The sun sets behind Lower Manhattan, which means DUMBO’s waterfront faces west. Golden hour here is legitimately world-class.
• Weekday mornings are empty. DUMBO is a weekend zoo. Visit Tuesday through Thursday before noon and you’ll have Pebble Beach and the Washington Street view nearly to yourself.
• Skip Grimaldi’s, go to Juliana’s. They’re next door to each other. Juliana’s is run by the original Grimaldi’s founder, Patsy Grimaldi, and the pizza is better. The line is usually shorter too.
• The F train to York Street drops you right in the middle of DUMBO. The A/C to High Street is a 5-minute walk away. Both work.
• Brooklyn Flea operates seasonally at nearby Pier 5 on weekends (April through October), with vintage goods, local crafts, and Smorgasburg food vendors.