Walk the Brooklyn Bridge and Take the Ferry Back to Battery Park

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

Yes. This is one of the best loops in the city, and New Yorkers do it all the time. You walk the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan into DUMBO, spend time on the Brooklyn waterfront, then catch the NYC Ferry from Fulton Ferry Landing back to Lower Manhattan. No retracing your steps. No subway transfer. Just water, skyline, and a perfect afternoon.

How to do the Brooklyn Bridge to ferry loop, step by step

1. Start on the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge. The pedestrian entrance is near City Hall, at the intersection of Centre Street and Park Row. Look for the staircase and ramp leading up to the elevated walkway. The walk across takes 25 to 35 minutes at a comfortable pace.

2. Exit into DUMBO on the Brooklyn side. When you come off the bridge, follow the path down toward Washington Street. You’ll land right in the heart of DUMBO, Brooklyn’s most photogenic waterfront neighborhood.

3. Explore DUMBO before you catch the ferry. You’re steps from some of the best spots in Brooklyn:

• Washington Street and the Manhattan Bridge view: The iconic photo spot where the Manhattan Bridge frames the Empire State Building between two brick warehouses. You already know this shot.
• Brooklyn Bridge Park: Stretches along the waterfront with lawns, playgrounds, and unobstructed views of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.
• Jane’s Carousel: A beautifully restored 1922 carousel inside a glass pavilion designed by Jean Nouvel, right on the waterfront. Rides are $2.
• Pebble Beach: A small, rocky beach tucked under the Manhattan Bridge with direct views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the skyline.
• Time Out Market New York: A food hall at 55 Water Street with curated vendors. Good for a quick bite before the ferry.
• Grimaldi’s Pizzeria and Juliana’s Pizza: Both sit on Old Fulton Street, steps from the ferry dock. Juliana’s tends to have a shorter wait.

4. Walk to the Fulton Ferry Landing dock. The NYC Ferry pier is at the foot of Old Fulton Street, right on the waterfront in DUMBO. It’s a two-minute walk from Jane’s Carousel and about five minutes from the Washington Street photo spot.

5. Board the NYC Ferry (East River route). Take the ferry heading toward Wall St./Pier 11. The ride is short, roughly 5 to 10 minutes, and the views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Governors Island, and the Lower Manhattan skyline from the water are outstanding. Fare is $4.00. You can pay through the NYC Ferry app (download it beforehand) or buy a ticket at the dock.

6. Arrive at Wall St./Pier 11 and walk to Battery Park. Pier 11 is on the East River side of Lower Manhattan, at the foot of Wall Street. From there, Battery Park is about a 10-minute walk south and west along the waterfront. Follow the esplanade past the Staten Island Ferry Terminal and you’re there.

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

If you have a full afternoon, extend the loop. After crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, head into DUMBO first, then walk south along the waterfront through Brooklyn Bridge Park. From there, climb up to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, a cantilevered walkway above the BQE with panoramic views of the harbor and Lower Manhattan. Stroll through the tree-lined streets of Brooklyn Heights, one of the oldest neighborhoods in the borough, with 19th-century brownstones on every block. Then loop back down to DUMBO for the ferry.

A solid route:

1. Brooklyn Bridge walk (30 min)
2. Washington Street photo spot (10 min)
3. Pebble Beach and Jane’s Carousel (20 min)
4. Walk through Brooklyn Bridge Park to Pier 6 (20 min)
5. Up to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade (15 min)
6. Wander Brooklyn Heights streets back toward Old Fulton Street (20 min)
7. Grab pizza at Juliana’s or a bite at Time Out Market (30-45 min)
8. NYC Ferry from Fulton Ferry Landing to Wall St./Pier 11 (10 min)

Total: roughly 3 to 3.5 hours with stops.

What time of day is best for this loop?

Late afternoon into early evening. Start the bridge walk around 3:30 or 4:00 PM. You’ll arrive in DUMBO with golden light on the Manhattan skyline, explore the waterfront as the sun drops, and catch the ferry back around sunset. The views from the water at dusk are hard to beat.

Mornings work too, especially on weekends when the bridge gets crowded by midday. Before 9:00 AM, you’ll practically have the walkway to yourself.

Tips a local would tell you

• Walk the bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn, not the other way. The skyline views ahead of you are better in this direction, and you end up in DUMBO where the ferry dock is.
• Stay on the pedestrian path. The Brooklyn Bridge has a separated bike lane. Wandering into it will earn you some colorful New York feedback.
• Check the NYC Ferry schedule before you head to the dock. Ferries run every 20 to 30 minutes, but service is less frequent on weekday evenings and weekends. The app shows real-time arrivals.
• Bring cash or a card for Jane’s Carousel. It’s $2 per ride and worth it, especially with kids.
• The ferry has outdoor deck seating. Grab a spot on the upper deck for the best views. There’s also a small snack bar on board.
• Battery Park is not the same as the Battery Park City Esplanade. Pier 11 is closer to Battery Park (the southern tip with Castle Clinton and the Statue of Liberty ferry terminal). The walk is straightforward along the waterfront.