The NYC Traveler in NYC: The Dumbo Area of Brooklyn
- Oct 1
- 8 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Not so DUMB-O, Brooklyn
Dumbo: what a funny name, even for an elephant. And it's even more interesting when you apply it to an area of a city. But that's just the case with one of the hidden gems (or maybe not so much any more) of Brooklyn, New York. It's a great way to spend
a weekend afternoon. But what the heck is Dumbo, where is it exactly, how do you get there and what do you do once you get there besides post a photo of yourself with the hash tag "DumboBrooklyn" or maybe "DumboBK?" We're glad you asked. Read on. And stay tuned so that you can get that famous bridge photo.
Welcome to the Dumbo area of Brooklyn. The name stands for Down Under the Manhattan/Brooklyn Overpass. The name refers to the area between the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges, both of which span across the East River which separates Brooklyn from Manhattan (the river separates Queens from Manhattan, also). The Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge and the Williamsburg Bridge from the BMW trio of bridges that take you from Brooklyn to Manhattan (yes, another interesting acronym).
Let's talk about how to get there. I'm glad you asked, even if you really didn't. It's accessible via land (feet and wheels), train or bus (public transportation) and sea. Sea? Keep reading.
Many visitors to New York (and locals on the weekends) usually cross the Brooklyn Bridge, most likely starting in Manhattan, probably because they've been exploring the City Hall area.
Whether you're walking or riding, you'll be on the Brooklyn Bridge Promenade, safe from the traffic, because, yes, the bridge is actually a working bridge, linking drivers from Lower Manhattan on Park Row to Brooklyn's I-278, either towards Staten Island or towards Queens (a nice little artery through Brooklyn that drivers hate to be on at almost any time of the day).
Pedestrians and cyclists enter right across the street from City Hall, at Centre Street. If you're not in the area, the 4, 5, 6, J and Z trains will get you over there, take one of those to the Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall or Chambers Street Stop. Come out at the staircase that may say City Hall or Brooklyn Bridge and you literally can't miss it. The bridge and the road to it will be staring you right in the face, not to mention the hub of activity in the area: cars and buses passing you on Park Row, cyclists and scooters whizzing by and locals who have seen the view so many times that they're not impressed anymore or students from nearby schools including Pace University or Borough of Manhattan Community College.
Before you start across the bridge, on foot or wheels, figure out how you're going to get back. The bridge is about 1 mile long but what with foot traffic, enjoying the views and probably taking selfies, it could take about 20 minutes to almost an hour, if you decide to walk all the way across. Some people walk midway and then turn around.
But since this NYC Traveler blog article is about Dumbo, Brooklyn, we're going to go all the way across. What if you're already in Brooklyn or you're coming from somewhere else? The F train to York Street will get you right to Dumbo. The A or C trains to High Street will put you at Cadman Plaza, which is a park with a couple of nice memorials and statues. Make your way to Cadman Plaza East, which becomes Washington Street, and keep walking toward the river.
There's one more way to get to the area, but first a little story:
The name of the area went through many forms, but I thought the name Olympia was one of the most interesting. The Sands brothers bought the land in 1787 and thought about developing it as a summer place (maybe even a resort area). It's not far fetched. The riverfront probably formed a beach area and with no bridges or buildings built yet, you can imagine it a a beachfront area. However,
Although people were getting to Brooklyn by boat since 1642, via what became the Fulton Ferry in 1814 and the area was called Fulton Landing, after a stop on the ferry. The two Fulton Streets in Brooklyn and Manhattan made kind of a link with the river as a viaduct. But the Brooklyn Bridge opening in 1883 and the Manhattan Bridge opening in 1909, during the Gilded Age and the Second Industrial Revolution, starting making the ferry obsolete and it stopped in 1924. But good news, you have another route to Dumbo. Thanks to the New York Water taxi service, the New York Waterway and other private routes, you can get to Dumbo by water on a ferry. The stop is called Dumbo.
The Fulton Landing area is now known as Fulton Ferry, part of that area still exists, it's actually a historical district adjacent to and partly within the Dumbo area.
The Dumbo area is roughly within Bridge, York and Dock Streets and the East River. Bridge and Dock Streets lead to the river. Like many older areas of New York, cobblestone streets are still here, so walk carefully. The area leads you to great views under the bridges: the Brooklyn Bridge borders the neighborhood, the Manhattan Bridge goes right through it.
Those cobblestones are actually called Belgian block, or setts. They're so sturdy that rather than digging them up when asphalt and cement came along, the city, in some instances, just laid those materials right over them. Some streets retain them fully while you can see them peeking under the asphalt when the streets need repair. The blocks were used back in the days of horses so that the horses could grip the streets better.
In between the cobble-stoned streets and alleys are boutiques, famed pizzerias, ice cream shops, rock climbing and even a "beach." So, yep, this is the Dumbo Area of Brooklyn.
Facing the water, the Brooklyn Bridge will be to the left and the Manhattan Bridge will be to the right But after admiring Manhattan across the river, keep exploring the Dumbo Area of Brooklyn.
Brooklyn Bridge Park: Part of the park is in the Dumbo area. The whole park stretches along the waterfront from Pier 6 to John Street (Atlantic Avenue to Manhattan Bridge). Stroll along the waterfront and take in the green spaces, playgrounds, the rocks along the shore and Pebble Beach. It's not a sandy beach, and although swimming might not be encouraged, you might be able to wade in. Just wear water shoes, they don't call it Pebble Beach for nothing. You can also picnic and grill in the park, first come, first served.
The Dumbo area has its own website because there is so much to do. Most of these events are in the summertime, when the area is very popular. But if you want to visit during nice weather, spring and autumn will have something for you to do also.
Under the Manhattan bridge you'll find Live at the Archway, a mostly summer event with music and art coming together for a unique experience. Performing artists use the archway (and its unusual acoustics are their summer stage while you sit and enjoy or browse the art from the fine artists that is displayed on the walls. The music is as varied as New York: Caribbean, Brazilians, soul, even psychedelic.
If you miss the art displayed at the Archway, which is under the bridge, it just might be projected on the side of bridge. The Dumbo Projection Project, during the spring, features fine art, including photography, seen literally in a new light, which opens up the potential audience and gives new meaning to a free exhibit.
Want more art during the spring? Open Studios will give you a peek during one weekend in April into practically 100 art workspaces and galleries. It's a great way for up and coming artists to network and to explore all types of categories of fine art.
If that isn't enough, you can enjoy art all year long, there is a Gallery Walk every first Thursday of the month, in the evenings. The galleries will stay open late so that you can explore the area walking from art space to art space, taking in the views, mingling with local artists and even enjoying local beverages.
Take in live theater at St. Ann's Warehouse, featuring international and avant-garde presentations and performances with a space that they will adapt. It's not just local artists, the website lists well known celebrities for some of its events.
Like other parks throughout the city, you can catch movies under the stars and in this case, with a fabulous view of Manhattan.
The enticing sounding Dumbo Drink and Draw is just what is sounds like: in the arch, when there isn't live music happening, adults can have a guided drawing class, featuring a general theme for the season presented by local artists.
Everything is not for the summer: more art is presented at the Six Foot Platform in autumn on Washington Street on selected Saturdays, with the street car-free for the event. Enjoy the freedom of no traffic as you experience art, some alternative, all provocative.
That Archway is a busy location: when its not hosting performances and art, it's the site of the Brooklyn Flea Market, all year long, on Saturdays and Sundays; check the website in case the weather doesn't feel up to it.
There's so much to do, it's difficult to list it all. But before we end this article, the most unique event held at Dumbo has to be the Dumbo Drop. Remember how we said that Dumbo is a funny name for an elephant? Well, apparently the name of the famous pachyderm was not lost on Brooklyn Dumbo, either and every spring, there is a drop of toy elephant parachutes, falling down for kids to catch. The event is so popular that you have to enter a sweepstakes to get to one of the two drops on that evening. Until the drop, it's a party, no really. Have loads of family fun at the block party.
Finally, don't forget your social media moment: that famous photo from Washington Street of you and the Manhattan Bridge:
You can plan your whole year or know what will be happening when you are in New York and in Brooklyn, in particular. Be prepared in case you need tickets to some events. Or, just wander the streets shopping, gallery hopping or dining at one of the dozens of eateries in the neighborhood. If you take the ferry, make sure you know what time the last ferry ends or catch one of the subway lines back.
Articles:
The NYC Traveler Presents Tips for Your Trips
Subscribe to our blog!
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
All photos and videos created and copyrighted by Marcia Crayton, unless otherwise noted.
Comments