Brooklyn with Kids: a One-Day Plan from the Bridge to the Park

Brooklyn is the easiest day out of Manhattan with kids: you walk there across the most famous bridge in the city, and the best of it sits along one waterfront park with playgrounds, a carousel and the skyline across the water.

By Play Your Trip · Updated · 3 min read

A pixel-art adventure book page of a New York park

This plan is mostly free; the carousel and the Transit Museum are the only tickets.

One day · Bridge, carousel and skyline

Across the bridge in the morning, DUMBO and the park at midday, subway cars in the afternoon, the skyline at dusk.

  1. Morning

    Walk the Brooklyn Bridge (opens Google Maps)

    Start on the Manhattan side near City Hall, early, before the crowds. With kids it takes 40 minutes or more with photo stops; stay on the walkway side.

  2. Late morning

    DUMBO's Washington Street (opens Google Maps)

    The famous view of the Manhattan Bridge framed between warehouses. Quick photo, then down to the water.

  3. Late morning

    Jane's Carousel (opens Google Maps)

    A 1922 carousel restored and set in a glass box by the river. Tickets are cheap and parents can ride along.

    Official site

  4. Lunch

    Pizza under the bridge (opens Google Maps)

    Coal-oven pizza places line Old Fulton Street. Lines are shorter before noon.

  5. Afternoon

    New York Transit Museum (opens Google Maps)

    A real old subway station with vintage trains kids can climb into and sit in. About 15 minutes' walk from the waterfront.

    Official site

  6. Late afternoon

    Brooklyn Heights Promenade (opens Google Maps)

    A quiet walkway above the river with one of the best views of Lower Manhattan.

  7. Sunset

    Brooklyn Bridge Park playgrounds (opens Google Maps)

    Pier 6 has big playgrounds with slides and sand, and in summer the water lab. Stay until the skyline lights up.

Getting there and back

  • Walk there over the Brooklyn Bridge, and ride back: the subway from High Street or Borough Hall, or the NYC Ferry from DUMBO (a fun ride with skyline views).
  • Children under 44 inches tall ride free on subways and local buses with a paying adult.
  • Strollers are fine on the bridge walkway and in the park; the walkway can be crowded by mid-morning.

If you have longer

  • Prospect Park and its zoo: a big park with a small zoo and a carousel.
  • Brooklyn Botanic Garden: cherry blossoms in spring and a Japanese garden.
  • Coney Island in summer: the beach, the boardwalk, Luna Park and the New York Aquarium.

Questions

Which way should we walk the Brooklyn Bridge?

From Manhattan to Brooklyn: you face the Brooklyn towers on the way and end in DUMBO, right where this plan continues. Go early in the day to avoid the crowds.

Is Brooklyn Bridge Park good for small kids?

Very: Pier 6 has some of the city's best playgrounds, there's lots of space to run, and Jane's Carousel is nearby.