Opened in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time. Today, it remains one of the most recognised structures in New York City — and one of the few things in this expensive city that you can enjoy for free.
Whether you’re crossing it for the first time or the tenth, this guide covers the facts, the best times to visit, and everything you need to make the most of the walk.
A Bridge 14 Years in the Making
Construction on the Brooklyn Bridge began in 1869 under the supervision of engineer John A. Roebling. Before a single cable was strung, Roebling suffered a foot injury at the project site and died from tetanus just weeks later. His son, Washington Roebling, took over as chief engineer.
Washington Roebling then became seriously ill — almost certainly from decompression sickness, known as “the bends”, contracted from working in the pressurised underwater caissons used to dig the bridge’s foundations. He never returned to the site. Instead, he supervised the work from his apartment window in Brooklyn Heights, passing instructions through his wife, Emily Warren Roebling.
Emily Warren Roebling became the primary liaison between the chief engineer and the construction crews. She studied engineering, attended site meetings, and oversaw the final stages of the build herself. When the bridge opened on 24th May 1883, Emily was the first person to cross it in a ceremonial carriage.
The bridge took 14 years to complete and cost approximately $15 million — the equivalent of over $400 million today. Around 27 workers died during construction, many of them from the bends.
The Engineering Facts
The Brooklyn Bridge stretches 1,595 feet (486 metres) across the East River, connecting Lower Manhattan to the Brooklyn Heights neighbourhood. At the time of its opening, its main span was the longest suspension bridge span in the world — nearly twice as long as any previously built.
The four main cables that support the bridge are 15.75 inches (40 cm) in diameter. Each cable is made up of 5,434 individual wires, and the total length of wire used exceeds 14,000 miles (22,500 km). The two Gothic-arched towers that anchor the bridge rise 276 feet (84 metres) above sea level.
The bridge was designed to carry six times the expected load — a significant safety margin that has helped it endure well beyond its originally intended lifespan. Today, the bridge carries over 100,000 vehicles and pedestrians every day.
When to Walk the Bridge
The pedestrian walkway runs along the centre of the bridge, elevated above the traffic lanes below. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and entry is free.
Sunrise is the most popular time for photographers and early risers. If you cross from Brooklyn towards Manhattan, you’ll walk with the sun rising behind you, the city skyline growing larger with every step. The light catches the cables and stone towers in a way that makes even a quick phone photo look good.
Midday is the busiest period, particularly on summer weekends. The walkway can feel crowded between 11am and 3pm. If you prefer space to move and stop without obstruction, avoid this window entirely.
Sunset works well if you’re crossing from Manhattan towards Brooklyn — the sun sets behind you, and the views back towards the Manhattan skyline improve as the light fades. The surrounding DUMBO neighbourhood on the Brooklyn side is worth exploring afterwards.
Winter is an underrated time to make the crossing. Crowds are smaller, and on a clear cold day the views extend far across New York Harbour. The wind on the bridge can be sharp, so wrap up well.
Getting There
From Manhattan: The closest subway stations are Chambers Street (4, 5, 6 trains) and City Hall (R, W trains). From either station, walk north-east for approximately five minutes to reach the Manhattan entrance on Centre Street near Park Row.
From Brooklyn: Take the A or C train to High Street/Brooklyn Bridge station, or the 2 or 3 train to Clark Street. The Brooklyn entrance is on Adams Street near Prospect Street.
The walk from one end to the other takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes at a comfortable pace, depending on how often you stop. Allow an extra half hour if you want to take photographs or read the information boards along the way.
What to Watch Out For
The pedestrian walkway is divided: one lane for cyclists, one for walkers. The division is clearly marked on the ground. Stay on the walking side. Cyclists move quickly, and collisions with tourists who drift into the bike lane are a regular occurrence.
There is no shade on the bridge. In summer, bring water and sunscreen. The walk takes place entirely in the open with no shelter from the sun or wind.
On the Brooklyn side, the DUMBO neighbourhood directly below the bridge has a high concentration of good coffee shops, bakeries, and restaurants. It’s a logical stop before or after the crossing.
Seeing It From the Water
The free Staten Island Ferry offers a different view of the bridge as it passes through New York Harbour. While the ferry runs to Staten Island rather than under the bridge directly, the deck views of lower Manhattan and the waterway between the boroughs give useful context for the bridge’s position in the wider harbour landscape.
For a closer look from below, the East River waterfront in both DUMBO and Manhattan’s Lower East Side provides ground-level views of the anchorage points and the underside of the structure. The Brooklyn Bridge Park on the Brooklyn waterfront has information boards and direct sightlines to the bridge from several angles.
Practical Details
- Cost: Free
- Open: 24 hours, 7 days a week
- Walking time: 30–45 minutes one way
- Best time: Sunrise on a weekday, or any weekday morning
- Manhattan entrance: Centre Street near Park Row (Chambers St subway)
- Brooklyn entrance: Adams Street near Prospect Street (High St subway)
- Nearest food and coffee: DUMBO, Brooklyn (east end); the Financial District, Manhattan (west end)
The Brooklyn Bridge isn’t just a crossing. It’s a place where the scale of the city becomes legible — the density of Manhattan on one side, the quieter streets of Brooklyn on the other, and 140-plus years of engineering ambition holding it all together. It costs nothing, it takes less than an hour, and it’s one of the best things you can do in New York.
Photo credit: Francesca Saraco via Unsplash