Taken with strolling the Williamsburg Bridge?
Then you definitely’re in the correct place!
One query many individuals have is: Are you able to stroll the Williamsburg Bridge?
The reply is sure—and you need to! It’s really probably the greatest NYC walks, taking you from Manhattan to Brooklyn in file time.
In comparison with the Brooklyn Bridge, the Williamsburg Bridge Stroll is way edgier and fewer crowded whereas providing lovely views. Plus, there’s a lot to do alongside the best way—which you’ll see in my included itinerary under!
A fast overview:
This NYC stroll goes from the Decrease East Facet (Manhattan) to Williamsburg (Brooklyn) through the Williamsburg Bridge Pedestrian Path.
No subway or automobile is required, permitting you to essentially really feel the beat of New York Metropolis.
Wish to do that scenic stroll and get pictures to maintain? I provide personal NYC picture excursions and customized photoshoots via my firm, NYC Picture Journeys. Each experiences additionally embody excessive decision pictures to maintain!
Strolling The Williamsburg Bridge [Video]
Earlier than you learn any additional…
Try my stroll over the Williamsburg Bridge within the video above!
You’ll learn to do that scenic stroll over the East River, and also will snag extra options past this weblog put up to your Brooklyn itinerary, as nicely.
Bonus: The video ends with a have a look at my favourite NYC rooftop bar. You’ll instantly see why I like it a lot.
How Lengthy Is The Williamsburg Bridge?
The Williamsburg Bridge Pedestrian Path is 1.38 miles, a lot of which provides scenic views over the East River and out towards the Brooklyn and Manhattan skylines.
Ensure that to put on comfy footwear, as this doesn’t embody the wandering you’ll do exploring the Decrease East Facet and Williamsburg neighborhoods earlier than and after your Williamsburg Bridge stroll!
Begin Your Williamsburg Bridge Stroll On The Decrease East Facet
The Decrease East Facet — the place the Williamsburg Bridge stroll begins — is thought for a lot of issues, significantly its wealthy immigrant historical past.
Throughout the nineteenth century and into the twentieth, the neighborhood was stuffed with tenement buildings full of immigrant households in poor situations.
The Tenement Museum, a dwelling museum with costumed interpreters, means that you can discover this. Visiting is actually a uniquely New York expertise, because it tells the true story of town.
Picture through the Tenement Museum
One inhabitants that was outstanding within the neighborhood throughout this time was Jewish immigrants, lots of whom got here to America to expertise the American dream of freedom and gold to flee persecution and anti-semitism in locations like Russia and Germany.
For that reason, I extremely suggest taking in some Jewish tradition at locations like;
Katz’s Delicatessen: Open since 1888, this place is NOT overrated. It has an old-school cafeteria really feel and also you’ll be given samples as you wait to your large pastrami sandwich, palms down one of the best within the metropolis. That’s not an opinion; that’s a reality.
Picture through Katz’s Delicatessen
Yonah Schimmel’s Knish Bakery: Not removed from Katz’s is that this historic 1910 knish spot, a small and easy venue providing scrumptious knishes constructed from scratch (not the frozen selection!). Together with the standard potato stuffed dough, they showcase different varieties like spinach and cherry. Yum!
Kossar’s Bialys: Searching for one thing slightly totally different to do in NYC? Go to Kossar’s, the USA’s oldest bialy manufacturing unit, open since 1936. A bialy is sort of a bagel with no gap—as an alternative, it has a depressed heart sometimes with onions and/or poppy seeds—and it’s baked as an alternative of boiled and baked.
Picture through Kossar’s Bialys
The Pickle Guys: Within the early 1900’s Essex Road was crammed to the brim with pickle locations. In the present day, The Pickle Guys boast being the one one. They showcase big barrels stuffed with pickled pineapple, mango, candy peppers, cherry peppers, mangoes, horseradish, capers, watermelon, celery, child carrots and extra!
Historical past Of The Williamsburg Bridge
The Williamsburg Bridge opened in 1903, fully altering the demographics of its namesake Brooklyn neighborhood.
Many referred to as it the “Jews Bridge” as a result of all of the Jewish immigrants who walked over the bridge from their tenements within the Decrease East Facet to settle in Williamsburg. In truth, after this bridge opened, Williamsburg grew to become essentially the most densely populated place within the USA.
By 1917, the block between South 2nd and South third had over 5,000 individuals!
It’s not shocking that air-con was invented within the neighborhood round this time!
NYC Picture Journeys tour visitor on the Williamsburg Bridge
Issues To Do In Williamsburg, Brooklyn
The opening of the bridge really influenced the make-up of Williamsburg.
What was as soon as a rich space the place “robber barons” like Cornelius Vanderbilt, Charles Pratt, and Charles Pfizer had waterfront mansions and factories, began turning into blue-collar.
In the present day, strolling round Williamsburg, it’s arduous to think about a time of battle, because it’s very a lot gentrified. The as soon as factory-lined waterfront now showcases luxurious excessive rises and fantastically manicured parks.
Skyline view from the Williamsburg waterfront. Picture through Jessie Festa.
Whereas I do really feel Williamsburg has gone too far with how a lot it’s progressed, I’ll admit I do benefit from the eating places, bars, boutiques, and thrift retailers. Plus, you may completely benefit from the native choices on a price range.
And in case you’re seeking to spend a day wandering, it’s probably the greatest locations to stroll in Brooklyn, particularly because it’s simple to make enjoyable discoveries with out a plan.
Now, whereas many shops on this neighborhood are dear, one gem for many who don’t have $100+ to blow on a shirt:
Classic Monk Thrift Store. I recurrently purchase denims and hats from there for $5 every! There are additionally different close by classic and thrift shops like Beacon’s Closet, Brooklyn Woke Classic, and Crossroads Buying and selling.
Classic Monk is one among my favourite retailers in NYC for price range finds! Picture through Jessie Festa.
Past procuring, a few of my favourite Williamsburg experiences embody:
Bedford Cheese Store: Right here you’ll discover a pungent heaven of farmstead cheese and native artisanal merchandise. This and Dépanneur are my favourite locations for exploring Brooklyn culinary creativity.
Martha’s Nation Bakery: Serving NYC since 1972, cease in right here for selfmade desserts and scrumptious espresso drinks. I’m obsessive about their carrot cake!
Bar Blondeau on the Wythe Lodge: This rooftop has nice views and a really chill vibe.
Westlight on the William Vale Lodge: No Brooklyn journey information can be full with out mentioning this rooftop, which pairs craft cocktails with a real 360-degree view of NYC. That is one among my favourite rooftop bars in New York. For those who’re strolling the Williamsburg Bridge into Brooklyn, finish the day with a spicy mezcal cocktail paired with a stunning vista right here. That is positively probably the greatest NYC Instagram spots!
Having fun with the view at Westlight. Picture through Jessie Festa.
Brooklyn Barge: Technically in Greenpoint, this waterfront park, boat bar, and hangout is huge and provides very good views of Manhattan. Probably the greatest “boat experiences” in NYC, and it’s sufficiently big that you just’ll by no means have a difficulty getting in.
Lodge Delmano: The very best cocktail bar in Brooklyn and probably the most lovely eating places in NYC. Well worth the price ticket and skipping dinner for (although you’ll need one thing in your abdomen as they’re boozy). This spot can also be open late in case you’re searching for issues to do after midnight.
Flavors of Williamsburg Meals Tour: As a result of Williamsburg is such a foodie neighborhood, it’s the right place for a meals tour. You’ll stand up to 6 tastings of native bites like dumplings and bagels, to not point out pizza from my favourite native spot!
Smorgasburg: Throughout the hotter months, you may go to this waterfront meals honest, which has a great deal of distributors serving meals from world wide in addition to inventive eats like rainbow grilled cheese and Indian-fusion donuts.
Having fun with some empanadas at Smorgasburg. Picture through Jessie Festa.
Finest Time To Stroll The Brooklyn Bridge
This Manhattan to Brooklyn Stroll is unimaginable in any season, although choosing spring or fall would be the most comfy temperature-wise.
Summer time may also be good, however carry a small handheld fan or spray bottle to maintain cool.
If visiting in chillier months, ensure you know what to put on to remain heat whereas crossing the bridge over the water.
Take into accout, this isn’t the one NYC bridge stroll. One other enjoyable choice is strolling throughout the Manhattan Bridge, which connects Chinatown in Manhattan to DUMBO in Downtown Brooklyn!
DUMBO is house to a few of NYC’s greatest views. Picture through Jessie Festa.
The place To Keep In NYC
There are such a lot of lovely lodges with nice foods and drinks programming, like NoMo SoHo, the Williamsburg Vale, and The Crosby Road Lodge.
Click on right here for a full listing of New York Metropolis lodges!
You may also use this map to seek for native stays. It’s presently set to Occasions Sq., however you may simply change it to your most popular New York neighborhood:
NYC Journey Insurance coverage
When visiting NYC, it’s smart to get journey insurance coverage to guard your journey and your self.
For those who’re searching for one thing simple, complete, and budget-friendly, SafetyWing is a wonderful alternative. They provide two plan choices:
Important, for mid-to-short-term vacationers
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Versatile 28-day subscription or fixed-date protection for particular journeys
Add-ons obtainable for journey sports activities, electronics theft, and U.S. protection
Full, for long-term vacationers and digital nomads
Consists of all Important advantages, plus routine care, psychological well being help, and maternity protection
Covers you each overseas and in your house nation
Comes with journey sports activities protection, most cancers screenings, outpatient providers, and therapies like chiropractic care
Click on right here to check plans and defend your journey.
Relating to strolling the Williamsburg Bridge, what are your favourite stops?
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