Whether you’re exploring the Brooklyn neighborhood of Dumbo, as we did here in my last post, or walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, you should include a visit to the Brooklyn Bridge Park as part of your adventure. Stretching along the Brooklyn waterfront along the East River, the park offers amazing views of Manhattan, the Manhattan Bridge, and the Brooklyn Bridge. If you look further north, you may even catch a glimpse of the Williamsburg Bridge. (Trying to remember what the various New York City bridges look like? There are photos of the major ones here.)
One of the features of Brooklyn Bridge Park is Jane’s Carousel, built in 1922. The carousel once resided in Youngstown, Ohio, but after restoration came to rest here in Brooklyn, in a beautiful glass box. The carousel has 48 hand-carved wooden horses in all.
There’s a walkway stretching along the waterfront that provides great views of the bridges and Manhattan skyline.
You’ll find areas to sit and take a break for a while.
There’s even a small beach area called Pebble Beach.
You can also find temporary art installations, such as Brooklyn artist Deborah Kass’s sculpture, OY/YO. If you look at the sculture from the Brooklyn side, it reads “Oy.” From the Manhattan side, it reads “Yo.” This sculpture will be on exhibit in the park through August 2016.
How can you get to Brooklyn Bridge Park? If you walk across the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn, the path across the bridge basically ends in Dumbo. Once you leave the bridge, walk back towards the riverfront and you will see the park. If traveling by subway, take the A or C trains to High Street or the F train to York Street, and then walk back towards the bridges to the park.
This post is also part of Jo’s Monday Walks. If you haven’t had the chance to explore Jo’s blog, I recommend it! In addition to writing about her own walks and other adventures, Jo also links to other bloggers’ walks – I’ve found many other great bloggers by reading her Monday Walks posts each week. Jo’s blog is found here, and her explanation of the Monday Walks is found here.
You are right the views from Brooklyn Bridge Park are amazing. I want to go this summer for the outdoor movies!
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I’m really enjoying your consistent tone as informal guide to NYC, and the places you find as you poke around your hood. You showcase them beautifully with your photos and words. Your blog is yet another gift of my day with Jo.
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Thank you, Meg. I started the blog because I felt like I was getting into a rut, going to the same places all the time, and there is just so much to do in New York City. I thought if I blogged about my explorations, it would keep me accountable so that I would keep trying new things. Very quickly I had friends who started using it as a bit of a travel guide as well, and now I’m making friends from around the world who also blog. It’s turned into such a gift to me, and I’m so glad that you are enjoying it too. Best, Susan
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Said Jo thinks this would make a good Monday walk š š May I?
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Thanks, Jo – I was actually just looking at this one earlier and wishing I’d linked it to your Monday Walk. Feel free to add it on your end, and I’ll amend it on mine as well.
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Great! Thanks a lot š
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The carousel looks lovely, and some splendid views in the spring sunshine!
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Thanks, Marion! It is definitely much nicer in the spring than it was when you are here in January. You will have to make a return trip at some point during better weather!
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We definitely will!!
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I really will have to get round to Brooklyn next time I’m in NYC. Love the OY / YO installation!
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I always recommend that visitors try to explore the outer boroughs as well and not just stay in Manhattan – I think you will enjoy Brooklyn. I love the OY/YO installation as well. It has become quite the photo op!
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It was frigid when we were there in December a few years ago. I think I mentioned we only made it halfway across the bridge. I’m looking forward to visiting again in warmer weather and seeing the other side!
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The bridge can definitely be miserable in the middle of the winter! I personally find it a little too crowded regardless, but I really like Dumbo. Hopefully you have the chance to visit again in warmer weather and can adventure further afield again.
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New York really likes its carousels. I have only ever seen about two carousels in my life time. Did the carousel come with the glass box (from Ohio) or was it constructed especially for the location?
Yo/Oy. one is American and one is Australian.
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My understanding is that the carousel came from Ohio, but the glass box was constructed for it specially to sit in Brooklyn Bridge Park. I think the architecture of the sculpture works very well in the space – I haven’t seen it at night, but I have a feeling it looks really nice lit up in the dark.
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And, I forgot. It is a “hip” American thing to say “Yo,” as a form of hello or to get someone’s attention. In New York City, you will sometimes hear people say “Oy” as a short form of “Oy vey,” basically something one might say if exasperated. “Oh Vey” is a Yiddish phrase, and so the phrase is more commonly used by the city’s Jewish population, but it has been adopted by many of the city’s other residents as well.
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This looks like it would be a great park to spend an afternoon relaxing and enjoying the sites.
Your comment about why you started your blog hit home for me. Wanting to explore more of my own area was part of my motivation for starting my blog too.
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Love dumbo smorgusbourg as a s well!! This is one of my favorite NYC parks!!
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I love Brooklyn Bridge Park, especially Pebble Beach! And I saw the Yo/Oy sculpture last week -it’s so good.
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I don’t think I’ve ever been taken to this park. I’d love to walk here. š
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It really is a wonderful park. It actually stretches a lot further along the Brooklyn waterfront, but parts of it are still being repaired after Superstorm Sandy caused major damage in 2012. If you come to visit NYC, I’d be happy to take you there! š
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Now that’s a wonderful offer! š It’s not likely to happen but I will surely let you know if it does. Thank you!
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How brilliant to put the carousel in a glass box. Love it . . . did you ride?!!
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I loved it too! I didn’t ride it this time,
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(Oops) I didn’t ride it this time, but definitely will on a later walk in the park – I always love carousels!
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