For a perfect day’s itinerary that includes a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, start in Lower Manhattan. Pay your respects at the 9/11 memorial, then get a birds-eye view of NYC from the top of One World Observatory(opens in a new tab). From there, it is only a ten to fifteen-minute walk to the entrance of the Brooklyn Bridge. While you can technically cross the bridge in about twenty minutes, allow yourself extra time to enjoy the sights, and appreciate the stunning Gothic architecture of the towers. Make sure you bring your camera for lots of Brooklyn Bridge pictures.
A Perfect Pizza Picnic
I like to walk from Manhattan to Brooklyn, because underneath the Bridge, in Brooklyn, there is what many would consider the best brick oven pizza in the world – Juliana’s(opens in a new tab). Founded by Patsy Grimaldi, and named after his mother, Juliana’s offers traditional New York City pizza made in a coal-burning, brick oven. Because Juliana’s pizza is so popular, there are often long lines to get into the restaurant. Our secret is to call ahead and get a pizza for take-out (we recommend calling when you are about half-way across the Brooklyn Bridge). You’ll be able to walk in, skip the line, pick up your pizza, and then take it to the waterfront in Brooklyn Bridge Park for a perfect, pizza picnic. Brooklyn Bridge Park is also the best place for a Brooklyn Bridge view, and you will often see wedding parties and models taking photographs in front of this picturesque, panoramic view of the Manhattan skyline.
Something Sweet
For dessert, walk over to Jacques Torres Chocolate for his famous Frozen Hot Chocolate or to One Girls Cookies for a delightful assortment of tea cookies. On your way to either of these delightful confections, you’ll pass Jane’s Carousel(opens in a new tab), a vintage 1922 carousel from Youngstown, Ohio, which is fun for kids of all ages. From here, it is easy to hop on the subway back to midtown, rest your weary feet, and revel in how much fun you had in NYC!
If organizing this itinerary by yourself seems too much and you would prefer a guide to show you around, check out our Brooklyn Bridge & City Hall Tour(opens in a new tab).