An Afternoon in DUMBO
What this foodstroll is
Our favorite things to do, see, and eat in DUMBO, Brooklyn.
Why this foodstroll works
The Brooklyn Bridge is one of NYC’s most iconic attractions, and while it’s typically overrun with people likely to purchase caricature art and trinkets, crossing it on foot is still one of our favorite family activities. Walking it takes just 25-35 mins depending on how many selfies you take, and DUMBO awaits on the Brooklyn side. Brooklyn Bridge Park is the main event in DUMBO, with its stunning views of Manhattan, but there’s also a carousel, playgrounds, and plenty of green spaces to explore. For great food, the excellent Time Out Market is right in the center of it all and hosts many of our favorite eateries in NYC.
Strolling
You could walk in either direction. Just decide which meal you’d like to obviate and plan accordingly.
The Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges form a natural loop and you can make it an all day Foodstroll by including both. Check out our Dim Sum and the Manhattan Bridge for more ideas.
City Hall is across the street from the Manhattan entrance to the bridge, and you should either start or end your stroll here. It is the oldest continuously used City Hall in the United States, and has housed the Mayor's Office since its construction in 1812.
The Brooklyn Bridge was the first bridge to connect Manhattan to Brooklyn and Long Island, and was the longest suspension bridge in the world when it opened in 1883. It goes without saying that it’s a New York City and National Historic Landmark, in addition to a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
You can walk, scoot, or bike across, although if you want to bike we recommend the far less touristy Manhattan Bridge. There’s no shortage of photo ops on the bridge, and it’s commonplace to ask strangers to help you take pictures. Downtown Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, Governor’s Island, and the Midtown skyline are all visible.
DUMBO, which stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, is a small neighborhood packed with art galleries, restaurants, and more recently, tech start-ups.
Brooklyn Bridge Park spans the waterfront area beneath both bridges. It has a nice long footpath for strolling, along with playgrounds and mini beaches like the one pictured.
Jane’s Carousel, formerly Idora Park Merry-Go-Round, was built in 1922 for an amusement park in Youngstown, Ohio. When that park closed in 1984, the carousel was sold to real estate developer David Walentas, whose wife Jane we presume to be the carousel’s namesake.
In 1975 it became the first carousel to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was since delisted in 1985, but our kids don't care. Rides are $2 a pop, and don’t expect to be let off the hook after just one.
DUMBO generally is great for picture taking. There are several scenic points throughout the neighborhood, and the roof of Time Out Market is one of our favorites.
If you’re not already beat, both the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges begin and end in approximately the same area, and the pro move is to make the Foodstroll one full loop. For more details on crossing the Manhattan Bridge, check out our Dim Sum and the Manhattan Bridge.
Aside from crossing bridges, by far our favorite way to get to DUMBO is the NYC Ferry, which uses the Fulton Ferry Landing inside Brooklyn Bridge Park as its terminal. The Ferry Landing dates back to 1814, and is the site of NYC’s first steam ship service to Manhattan. These days, upon leaving you can watch both bridges recede into the distance.
Food Spots
Time Out Market
Time Out Market has changed the game in DUMBO. It hosts the likes of Jacob’s Pickles, Ivy Stark Mexology, Chote Miya, Wayla, and Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors just to name a few. It comes complete with a decked out Rooftop, but you can dine anywhere in the food court.
Two of our favorite things are the Street-Style Chicken Wings and Sen Chan Pad Crab Noodles from Wayla. Their Sen Chan Pad, which is basically Pad Thai with of crab meat, is prepared using a Lobster broth.
The Sliders from Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors are great when you have more than one kid, or when your kid eats more than one slider. As you’d expect from anything LaFrieda, the slider patties can’t be beat.
These Chicken Khurchan Frankies from Chote Miya might look like tacos, but look a little closer. They’re actually a popular Indian street food where roti is stuffed with various ingredients, in this case curried chicken. Khurchan means “to scrape”, a reference to the constant movement in the pan required to cook the chicken.
The Honey Chicken and Pickles from Jacob’s Pickles might be our favorite fried chicken at TimeOut Market. The other contestant being the Nashville Hot Chicken, also from Jacob’s Pickles.
If you want to experience their hot chicken without offending a child, order it in a diluted form, like their Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese covered in blue cheese. It is mildly spicy, but our kids devour it anyway.
There is no shortage of family friendly foods, and you’ll find something for everyone, like these Sweet Potato Tots.
The Churros from Ivy Stark Mexology are a favorite among our kids. We’re never allowed to visit DUMBO without ordering some.
Transportation
The Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge has its own namesake subway station with 4, 5, and 6 service, and the 2, 3, R, W, J, and Z trains all stop less than 3 blocks away. The Brooklyn side is serviced by 2, 3, A, C, and F trains.
There is a NYC Ferry terminal at the southern end of Brooklyn Bridge Park and it’s a fun way to get to DUMBO. Both the South Brooklyn and East River routes stop there.
Street side parking is possible in DUMBO, especially the further you go from Brooklyn Bridge Park.