DUMBO, Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass

Dumbo, in Brooklyn New York, has become an increasingly popular spot to get that iconic Instagram photo. Pictures of Dumbo pop up everywhere – and with good reason!

Not only is it a cool photo spot with a view of the Empire State Building under the Manhattan Bridge, but there is plenty to do in the area of Brooklyn lovingly referred to as “DUMBO”.

What Does DUMBO Stand For?

Located just across the East River from Manhattan is DUMBO. DUMBO is an acronym for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass”. This area is a popular tourist spot between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, with gorgeous views of the Manhattan Skyline.

The iconic photo spot where the Empire State Building perfectly lines up under the Manhattan Bridge is at Washington Street in Brooklyn. Brooklyn is very “industrial chic” with many converted 19th century warehouses. Spend the day and check it out – there’s more to NYC than just Manhattan!

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Things to do in DUMBO

Dumbo is more than just a photo spot, (though the views are breathtaking!) enjoy the cobblestone streets and explore Pebble Beach, the Brooklyn Flea Market, the Time Out Market, Jane’s Carousel, and the best pizza in Brooklyn, then take the pedestrian path over the Brooklyn Bridge! Catch a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty while you take the 1.25-mile walk across the bridge back into Manhattan.

How to Get to DUMBO from Manhattan

Walk the Bridge

Entrance is directly across from City Hall Park along Centre Street
Near the Financial District and Chinatown
Free to walk across
About 1.25 miles
Beautiful views, can get very busy

NYC Ferry

Check the NYC Ferry Schedule
From Pier 11 (Wall Street) it’s just 1 stop, about a 5-10 min ride with views of the Statue of Liberty on the East River Route
$4 per rider
From mid-town, get on at East 34th Street

Subway

Take the F Downtown to York, you will exit in DUMBO
From Penn Station take the A train (8th Ave) Downtown to High Street
The C train will also bring you to High Street and you can walk from there

We took the NYC Ferry from Pier 11 in the Financial District. It was a quick ride, great views, plenty of seating. Try to get a seat on the top!

You can even take the Seastreak Ferry to Sandy Hook to enjoy a day at the Jersey Shore! Hop on at East 35th Street or Wall Street. Learn more about the gorgeous beaches at Sandy Hook here.

#1. Ride Jane's Carousel at Brooklyn Bridge Park

One of the first things you run into off of the Ferry is Jane’s Carousel, conveniently located in the Brooklyn Bridge Park. Built in 1922 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, it encompasses the classic 3 rows with 48 expertly crafted horses, plus 2 chariots.

Take a ride on Jane’s Carousel! Big or small, Jane’s Carousel is a treat for any age – and only $3 per rider, with amazing views of the famous New York City skyline.

Hours of Operation

Jane’s Carousel is typically open 6 days a week year-round, closed on Tuesdays. Currently, summer hours are 11:00 am to 6:50. Winter hours are 11:00 am to 5:50. (It opens at 10:00 am on the weekends!)

You can even schedule a Jane’s Carousel birthday party or wedding!

About Jane's Carousel

Jane’s Carousel was originally located in Idora Park in Youngstown, Ohio and was later purchased at auction by Jane and Dave Wilentas. It opened in the Brooklyn Bridge Park overlooking the East River in Brooklyn in September 2011.

The glass structure surrounding Jane’s Carousel is heated for the winter months, but is not air conditioned.

#2. Sit at Pebble Beach Brooklyn

Located on Main Street is Pebble Beach in the Main Street Park. It’s a beautiful spot to sit for a moment and catch your breath. There is seating, views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge, Lower Manhattan, and tons of rocks, shells, and pebbles to discover.

Watch the boats and jet skis drive by and dip your feet in the river! There is also a playground nearby for little ones to get some energy out before discovering what else Brooklyn New York has to offer.

#3. Explore the Time Out Market

Time Out Market is a popular food spot with some of the best restaurants in New York. With 21 unique bars & restaurants over a vast 24,000 square feet extraordinary building, there is sure to be something for everyone. Bakeries, Salad Shops, a Pasta Bar, a Creamery, Pizza, BBQ, Sushi, and SO much more await you at Time Out Market.

Easily mix & match your food and drinks by using the app or ordering online. This cuts down on wait times and gets everyone what they want in one place – sort of like a “cool” cafeteria vibe/food court. Just try to go during the week, as weekends can get VERY busy and hectic.

Head to the Rooftop Area of Time Out Market with your snacks and drinks or sit at the rooftop bar and enjoy a magical sunset over the East River with a panoramic NYC Skyline view.

Spend an hour, spend 3! Most restaurants and eateries are open from 8am till 10:00 or 11:00 pm daily. Try a treat from different specialty spots and enjoy your day.

#4. Shop at The Brooklyn Flea Market

The Brooklyn Flea Market is located at 80 Pearl Street, Brooklyn NY under the Manhattan Bridge. It’s open Saturdays and Sundays from 10-5 and is chock full of fun vintage finds, collectibles, jewelry, vinyl, comics, clothing, art, gourmet foods, and more. There’s even a full bar!

Find special items at the Brooklyn Flea for actual reasonable prices! I grabbed a necklace and a ring from one vendor and they were 2/$10. Perfect spot to pick up some souvenirs. It’s been growing since 2008 and is in the DUMBO Archway – plus most vendors now accept cash or credit!

#5. Eat Famous Brooklyn Pizza

When we were in Dumbo, we were looking for the best pizza in Brooklyn for lunch. Now, there is much debate about this. Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, Juliana’s, and Ignacio’s, are among the most popular and most recommended. We decided that just whatever one we found first would be lunch. Well, we found Grimaldi’s and they did not disappoint! It’s located at 1 Front Street and is famous for their coal-burning pizza ovens and 100 year old dough recipe.

They serve beer and wine along with salads and pizza. They have larger orders of salads so you can do a family-style meal. We opted for 1 large chicken caesar salad and an 18-inch pie – plus 2 sodas and 2 apple juices. That was enough to feed 2 adults and 2 teens, and came to about $67. (which is a great deal for lunch in New York!)

Now this right here is what made the Brooklyn Bridge famous! It was not only delicious, but the ambiance was cool and classic – the pizzeria is clad with the red and white tablecloths, tall windows, and 3 floors of Brooklyn style.

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria in Brooklyn is also known to donate to the community and they partner with No Kid Hungry – committing to help get rid of childhood hunger nationwide. Great food and great morals? That’s a place I’ll support!

#6. Walking the Brooklyn Bridge

After taking the NYC Ferry to Brooklyn, we decided to walk the Brooklyn Bridge back to Manhattan. The Brooklyn Bridge is the world’s first steel suspension bridge – and quite the sight to behold! In fact, in 1884 P.T. Barnum walked 21 elephants and 17 camels across the Brooklyn Bridge to prove it’s strength – imagine seeing that! It’s really larger than life and is a significant symbol of NYC.

Many popular movies were filmed on the Brooklyn Bridge like The Amazing Spider Man 2, Enchanted, Kate & Leopold, Newsies, Sex and the City The Movie, Saturday Night Fever, and Sophie’s Choice – just to name a few favorites!

We entered the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway at Washington Street and Prospect Street, on the corner of Cadman Plaza. (You could also walk right onto it from Adams Street). There are A LOT Of people on it at MOST times of the day, so just be aware. Many families, couples, and friends travel on there to get the best pictures and go back and forth between Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan. Bring a simple cross-body bag or a backpack for an easy, hands-free day!

The Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway let us out right across from New York City Hall. We were about 20 minutes from where we left on the NYC Ferry at Pier 11. So, we just walked back there to get the car (we were able to find street parking right across from the pier – and it’s free on Sundays to park on the streets!) Enjoy the walk back – there are vendors, stores, people-watching, and fun stops along the way anytime you’re walking around Manhattan!

Tips for the Best Experience at DUMBO

My Personal Favorites

I actually really enjoyed the NYC Ferry ride! And of course the views of the bridges and walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. It's something I've wanted to do for a while. I got to have that experience with my husband and kids and these are just the best kinds of memories! I love going to iconic spots to explore and take pictures and check them off of my bucket list - it's a fulfilling sensation.

6 Fun Things to Do in DUMBO – Brooklyn New York

DUMBO, Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass

What Does DUMBO Stand For?