Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
3 Park It
One of the biggest changes to NYC's waterfront has occurred along the DUMBO shoreline. The former Em-
pire-Fulton Ferry State Park has been folded into the new Brooklyn Bridge Park
( www.brooklynbridgeparknyc.org ) , which now offers up 85 acres for the cooling of jets. In the heart of DUMBO,
at the end of Old Dock Street, you'll find a grassy swath on the site of the former landing of the Manhattan ferry.
Amazingly, the ferry ran until 1924, despite competition from the Brooklyn Bridge. The landscaped segment to
the north was a parking lot until it was decided that billion-dollar views of the city, the water, and the bridges
might be better appreciated by human beings than panel trucks. The boat traffic and skyline are both hypnotiz-
ing, and this is one of my favorite places to chill in the entire city. On the south side of the Brooklyn Bridge, six
industrial piers beneath the Brooklyn Promenade are being reborn as additional open space.
4 Go Around
The focal point between the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges is newly anchored by Jane's Carousel ( 718/
222-2502; www.janescarousel.com ). Built in 1922 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, the ride is fresh off a
25-year restoration, which has returned the luster to steeds, scenery panels, and dual chariots. A ride is $2, or you
can just enjoy the views for freeā€”the carousel is housed in a modernist glass box reminiscent of an Apple store.
It's especially striking at dusk.
Crossing Over (The Other Bridges)
New York's two other East Village crossings are more utilitarian approaches to Brooklyn, but they're excellent alternatives
if you've already done the Brooklyn Bridge to death. The Williamsburg Bridge is newly refurbished, with walk- and bike-
ways to connect Billyburg with the Lower East Side. The Manhattan Bridge's pathway is narrow and the subway can be
near deafening, but the views are unimpeachable. On the Manhattan end you get ancient tenements cutting razor-sharp
lines through Chinatown, at midpoint you overlook the stunning full span of the Brooklyn Bridge, and on the far side you
can spy on the parks of DUMBO.
5 Treat Yourself
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search