The walkway
Above the river.
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A suspension bridge across the East River between Manhattan and Brooklyn, opened on 24 May 1883. It was the first fixed crossing of the river and the longest suspension bridge in the world when it opened, with a main span of 486.3 metres. It was designed by the engineer John A. Roebling, and its construction was led by his son Washington Roebling with the help of his wife, the engineer Emily Warren Roebling. Building took thirteen years from 1870, through engineering challenges and fierce controversy. The best of it is the raised wooden walkway above the traffic, between the bridge's stone towers with their Gothic arches and web of cables, with an open view of the Lower Manhattan skyline, the Manhattan Bridge and the Statue of Liberty in the distance. Walking across is free at any hour and takes about half an hour at a relaxed pace, per visitor guides. The walkway is packed at midday, so go early in the morning or at sunset, keep to the pedestrian side away from bikes, then head down into Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Above the river.
Gothic arches.
From the bridge.
Between Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, over the East River
Brooklyn Bridge ParkA 34-hectare park on the Brooklyn side of the East River, stretching about 2.1 k5 minutes walk4.7
Staten Island FerryA free passenger ferry run by New York City's transport department, crossing 8.419 minutes walk4.6
National September 11 Memorial & MuseumA memorial and museum at the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan, created19 minutes walk4.9
One World ObservatoryAn observation deck at the top of One World Trade Center, the tallest building i20 minutes walk4.7About half an hour at a relaxed pace, per visitor guides, and it is free.