A guide for walking across the Brooklyn Bridge

When I moved to New York City five years ago, I drafted a list of iconic landmarks that I wanted to experience firsthand. But as a newcomer to the city, I didn’t want to make my newness so obvious. I desperately wanted to blend in with the “cool” locals—who I thought did everything they could to avoid tourist spots. Half a decade later, my outlook has changed: I think visiting the city’s iconic landmarks is as cool as it gets. Of NYC’s high-traffic destinations, the Brooklyn Bridge is undoubtedly the star of its own show, and the best way to experience it is on foot.

Opened to the public in 1883, the steel-and-stone suspension bridge was the first permanent crossing to connect Manhattan and Brooklyn across the East River. Over the past 142 years, the passageway has remained a remarkable time capsule, while undergoing its fair share of renovations like additional car lanes and a dedicated bicycle path.

So grab a camera and your comfiest sneakers—here’s everything you need to know about walking across the Brooklyn Bridge.

In all of its magnificent entirety, the Brooklyn Bridge is 6,016 feet- or 1.1-miles long. For fervent step-counters out there—the die-hard Oura ring and Apple watch wearers—that equates to around 2,400 to 2,500 steps one way.

On either side of the bridge, concrete ramps lead to the wooden pedestrian walkway. Almost 13,000 planks of wood make up the legendary path that you’ll be stepping on. There’s something beautifully nostalgic about walking on these wooden planks. For me, it harkens daydreams of beach boardwalks and old sailing ships. It’s also good to note that the Brooklyn Bridge is wheelchair accessible, with entrance ramps on either side of the river.

And if you’re worried about being close to city traffic, don’t stress—the walkway and bike lane sit 18 feet above the roadways.

For ease and visibility, enter the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan. You’ll start in the Civic Center neighborhood, near City Hall. After crossing Centre Street, the beginning of the bridge’s pathway is right in front of you.

Otherwise, if you find yourself kicking off from the Brooklyn side, head to Cadman Plaza Park in Downtown Brooklyn. At the intersection of Tillary Street and Brooklyn Bridge Boulevard, you’ll spot a ramp that leads up to the promenade.

While in New York City, it’s practically a sin to not take advantage of our subway system. This is especially true if you’re visiting from somewhere that has little to no public transit—spread your wings, step out of your rideshare comfort zone.

On the Manhattan side, two stations will get you the closest. The Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall subway station is mere steps away and services the 4, 5, and 6 trains. Also just a few minutes stroll is the Chambers Street station, which services the 1, 2, 3, J, and Z trains.

On the Brooklyn side, I would opt for the High Street–Brooklyn Bridge station, which services the A and C trains. You’ll exit the station to Cadman Plaza Park.

Early bird gets the worm when it comes to the Brooklyn Bridge. Showing up in the morning is my tried-and-true tip for avoiding dense crowds, which tend to pack the walkway from early afternoon until sunset. Best laid plan: Check when the sun is rising the night before you plan to venture out and watch the rays gradually brighten the sky from an uncrowded outlook. Just a heads up, sometimes call time can be as early as 6 a.m.

If you’re not much of a morning person, catching sunset from the bridge is a worthy alternative. Although you might have to zigzag through fellow pedestrians, it’s a two-for-one experience since after the sun sets, you’ll be treated to the Manhattan and Brooklyn skylines filling up with city lights.

In my humble opinion, starting on either side of the bridge is a valid option. What it really boils down to is which side is most convenient and where you want to go after.

If you’re someone who wants to soak in Manhattan’s skyline, then starting from the Brooklyn side will be up your alley. Famous skyscrapers that never grow old include the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and One World Trade Center. Not to mention, there are views of Lady Liberty herself. You also need to be heading in this direction if you want to watch the sunset while on your stroll.

Brooklyn’s skyline shouldn’t be cast aside, though. If you’re walking toward Brooklyn, you’ll be able to see the massive red neon “Welcome” sign above the Panorama building and the borough’s infamous, Sauron Tower-esque residential building (trust me, you’ll know it when you see it).

Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge isn’t just about the walk itself, it’s a culmination of everything that surrounds it. These are my favorite add-ons to a Brooklyn Bridge adventure. Feel free to pick and choose what strikes your fancy—you won’t hurt my feelings.

I’m on a mission to explore every inch of Manhattan’s Chinatown. Conveniently, the buzzy neighborhood is only a 10-minute walk or car ride from the Manhattan side of the bridge. I always start here before embarking on the excursion. For a caffeine boost, Artbean Coffee Roasters is my go-to for Asian-influenced drinks like pandan or ube lattes. After, I eat my way through the hood—pineapple and pork buns from Mei Lai Wah, soup dumplings from Joe’s Ginger, chili crab noodles from Phoenix Palace. When I have the itch to shop (which is pretty much always), I stop by the family-owned Wing on Wo and Co for delicate porcelain and Yu and Me Books to find my next read among its intriguing selection of novels and poetry.

If I’m not in a rush, I also stop by The Seaport, a quaint, cobblestone pocket in lower Manhattan. It's a 10-minute jaunt or five-minute car ride from the bridge. In my opinion, movies are perfect any time of day, so I plan pre-walk film dates at the iPIC Fulton Market Theater (which I’ve fallen in love with for its cozy loungers and to-your-seat food and drink service). When I’m feeling more active, I snag a reservation at the swanky yard game arena dubbed Lawn Club, where I’ve been known to be too competitive over everything from bocce to cornhole. Depending on the weather, I’ve usually forgotten some crucial article of clothing—whether that be sunglasses or a scarf. Luckily, Club Vintage is stocked with secondhand goodies.

On the Brooklyn side, I’ve usually worked up an appetite, so off to L&B Spumoni Gardens I go. It’s just a five-minute walk or three-minute drive from Cadman Plaza Park in Brooklyn Heights. I always grab a slice of their sensational vodka sauce pizza. For something sweet, I wander over to the nearby L'Appartement 4F for a pain au chocolat.

I always try to squeeze Brooklyn Flea under the Brooklyn Bridge in DUMBO into my itinerary. It’s open on weekends during the less frigid months of the year (April to December). The open-air market features an eclectic array of clothing, furniture, jewelry, crafts, and art created and sourced by mostly local vendors. You’ll find me here searching for leather jackets and furs or cute tchotchkes to fill my bookshelves.

Finally, I like to end my adventure by seeing the bridge from a different vantage point. DUMBO’s Pebble Beach is the most picturesque final stop. Although it can be chock-full of tourists securing their photo opps (the beach offers the perfect bridge backdrop), at night it’s far less crowded and offers exquisite views of the glittering Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline. It’s here you can really lean into the romance of New York City and officially mark “walking across the Brooklyn Bridge” off your list.