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New York
United States
4
0
0
$$$
ITINERARY (Full Day)
Birch Coffee
Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Janes Carousel
Main Street Playground
Little Muenster
powerHouse Books
nugget’s Advice
Good to know
There’s a lot of bike traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge. Be careful with little kids wandering off.
Recommended day/time
Little Muenster is not open on weekends. If you want to enjoy the Cuban Grilled Cheese come on a weekday. Get to the Brooklyn Bridge as early in the morning as possible (ideally, before 9 am). It can get very crowded later in the day.
Recommended time of the year
This walk can be done year-round, but is most enjoyable when it’s not too cold out.
About This Day
Whether you live in New York City or are visiting on a family vacation, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge and spending a day in Dumbo, Brooklyn’s waterfront neighborhood is the ultimate Brooklyn experience. Enjoy stunning skyline views, New York's best playgrounds, cute shops, and a carousel ride your nugget will never forget. And did I mention one of the best grilled cheese sandwiches in the city? This is the perfect day out in Brooklyn with kids!
Birch Coffee
8 Spruce Street, New York
$$$
Start your day at Birch Coffee and pick up a cup of their New York roasted coffee for mom and some lemon poppy seed scones for nugget. They offer a variety of pastries, amazing doughnuts, and a few prepared breakfast items.
DIRECTIONS
Take the A, C train to Fulton St or the 2,3 train to Fulton Street Station.
TIP
Birch Coffee has plenty of space for a stroller.
Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge, New York
FREE
Enjoy the magnificent views of the Manhattan skyline as you cross the East River. You can even see the Statue of Liberty in the distance. My nugget loved watching the boats go by.
DIRECTIONS
It’s a 5-minute walk from Birch Coffee to the entrance of the Brooklyn Bridge.
TIP
There’s a lot of bike traffic on the bridge. Be careful with little kids wandering off.
Brooklyn Bridge Park
334 Furman Street,
FREE
Brooklyn Bridge Park offers the most beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline. There are tons of walk ways and a number of playgrounds. I suggest you walk down to the water take in the view and then head to Janes Carousel.
DIRECTIONS
Once you get to the Brooklyn side head towards Brooklyn Bridge Park, stay on the south side of the bridge (left side if you’re walking towards Manhattan).
TIP
There’s a cute little playground for toddlers right at the entrance of the park.
Janes Carousel
45 Old Dock Street,
$$$
Built in 1922 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, the beautifully restored carousel sits inside a giant glass cube right by the East River. They have straps on the horses to secure your little ones.
DIRECTIONS
Jane’s Carousel is in the Brooklyn Bridge Park between the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge.
TIP
The Carousel’s opening times vary based on day and season. Make sure you check the website and social media for opening times.
Main Street Playground
65 Plymouth Street,
FREE
This nautical themed playground is one of our favorites in the city. It’s also one of the few that has a ramp for wheelchairs to go up the climbing structure.
DIRECTIONS
Walk along the water towards Manhattan Bridge. The Main Street Playground is off Plymouth Street right before the bridge.
TIP
Older kids will love to try their climbing skills at DUMBO Boulders just behind the playground under the Manhattan Bridge.
Little Muenster
145 Front Street,
$$$
After all this walking and playing you will have worked up a decent appetite. Little Muenster is a tiny hole in the wall that sell’s creative cheese sandwiches, soups, and salads. The Cuban version includes pulled pork, ham, homemade pickles, and chipotle mayonnaise. Delicious. My nugget got a plain grilled cheese that he devoured.
TIP
Little Muenster is tiny. Strollers will barely fit, and there is no seating inside. Once you got your food walk around the corner to Manhattan Bridge Archway Plaza where there are picnic benches or head back to the Brooklyn Bridge Park for a picnic. There are also picnic benches right by the carousel.
powerHouse Books
32 Adams Street,
$$$
Before you head back to the subway or continue to explore the neighborhood, stop at powerHouse Books. This bookstore is an institution in Dumbo. After being severely damaged by Hurricane Sandy, powerHouse Books found a new, albeit smaller location just outside of Manhattan Bridge Archway Plaza. We always stop by and check out their children's book selection. The closest subway from here is the F train at York Street.
DIRECTIONS
If you ate your lunch at the Manhattan Bridge Archway Plaza the book store is just across the street from it.
Ranjana's itineraries
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