fun things to do with kids brooklyn bridge new york city - family travel   Travel for Kids
United States
  | new york | new york city
     
   

New York - Brooklyn Bridge

brooklyn bridge
  Walk over the Brooklyn Bridge – Manhattan is an island, connected by bridges, but the Brooklyn Bridge is in a category by itself. When the bridge opened in 1883, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. It was an heroic engineering effort, and more than any other landmark in New York, the Brooklyn Bridge exudes “all things are possible.”
     

Today there’s a nice wide pedestrian walkway down the center, easy for strollers, and fenced on either side. To get onto the bridge from Manhattan, get off at the City Hall subway stop, and you’ll see the entrance onto the bridge.

     

Once you get to the Brooklyn side, go under the overpass on Prospect, then right on Old Fulton St. to go down to Fulton Landing and Brooklyn Bridge Park. Kids will enjoy a snack from Brooklyn Ice Cream. To return to Manhattan, go back up Old Fulton St., follow it around to the Cadman Plaza Park and you'll see the entrance to the High St. subway (or there's also a taxi stand at Fulton Landing).

     

Tip: With older kids, rent bikes at Bike and Roll at Battery Park, and bike over the bridge and back.

tall ship south street seaport
  The Seaport – In the 19th century, this historical district was the Port of New York, ships coming and going from all over the world, loading and unloading cargoes in warehouses along the wharf. Today it’s much quieter, but kids can run around creaky old ships and imagine New York in a different era.
      Historic ships (Pier 16)
      - Tall Ship Wavertree – Sailing ship that carried cargo in the late 19th century.
      - Lightship Ambrose – This compact little red ship might not look important, but in the early 20th century, this lightship was a moving lighthouse, guiding ships into New York.
     

Harbor cruises – Take a boat cruise around New York Harbor. In the hour-long cruise, you’ll see the sights – Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, and all the boat traffic on the East and Hudson Rivers. Pick up the boats at Pier 16, NY Water Taxi or Circle Line cruises.

      Imagination Playground (Front and John St.) – At Burling Slip, this spiffy playground has water play areas where kids can sandbag and dam up the "creek," assemble large foam building blocks into their own creations, play on rope climbing structures, all inspired by the shipping history of South Street Seaport.
      Pier 17 – Large enclosed mall with shops and restaurants, and outdoor dining. In nice weather, sit out on the deck chairs, watch the boats go by, and admire a really great view of the Brooklyn Bridge.
TfK Blog
TfK Blog