DUMBO is just across the bridge from Lower Manhattan and offers plenty to do and see for the whole family. In case you are unfamiliar, DUMBO (short for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass”) is a neighborhood in the NYC borough of Brooklyn. Keep reading to discover more about this neighborhood and see how the locals live!
Before you start wandering around Brooklyn, get familiar with the area with our video tours of DUMBO. Watch part 1 and part 2 now!
Things to do
Brooklyn Bridge Park is fun for the whole family! The world-class 1.3-mile (2.1 km) waterfront park features hills, promenades, gardens, and amazing views of the city! Recreational facilities include playing fields, courts, running paths, bicycle paths, a pool, picnic areas, a few playgrounds, and more, making this park the perfect place to take advantage of a sunny New York day.
Take the kids for a spin on Jane’s Carousel! The antique carousel was built in 1922 and is located in the Empire Fulton Ferry section of Brooklyn Bridge Park! The carousel is housed in a beautiful glass pavilion and is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during winter and 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. during the summer (closed on Tuesdays). Tickets are $2 (as of March 2019), but children 3 and under ride free if they’re accompanied by a paying adult.
Catch a performance at St. Ann’s Warehouse, a performing arts institution in Brooklyn! St. Ann’s Warehouse has been putting on unique and innovative theater and concert performances for 34 years. In 2015, St. Ann’s Warehouse moved to an extensive new location, the Tobacco Warehouse in Brooklyn Bridge Park. See what’s playing and buy tickets on St. Ann’s Warehouse’s website!
If you’re visiting during the summer, be sure to ride a ferry over to Governor’s Island! The island is located in New York Harbor, just ½ mile from the southern tip of Manhattan. Ferry service is provided for $2 (free for those under 12 years old) from Brooklyn Bridge Park’s East River Pier 6, but the service only runs on the weekends, so plan accordingly. The 2016 season opens May 28th and runs until the end of September. During the summer season, you’ll see food trucks galore, so grab a bite to eat and make your way to the Hammock Grove or the Play Lawn, which offers hills, ball fields, and more. Don’t feel like walking around the island? Rent a bike near the ferry and be on your way!
Brooklyn Bridge Park will soon be home to the largest outdoor climbing gym in North America! The 7,800 square foot facility (opening in spring 2016) can fit up to 250 climbers at once, and a day pass will cost you only $9. Stop by from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays or 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekends and get climbing!
Take a break from all the excitement and grab a cup of coffee from the Brooklyn Roasting Company (25 Jay Street, open Monday thru Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.). They offer a variety of hot and iced coffees and teas, as well as a fresh selection of pastries to eat. Their high-quality coffees are certified Fair Trade, Rainforest Allegiant, organic, and sustainable. Coffee lovers may want to take a peek at our top 10 coffee shops in New York City!
For a unique musical experience, visit Bargemusic, a classical music venue and a Brooklyn cultural icon. It’s housed on a converted coffee barge docked at Fulton Ferry Landing on the East River. Bargemusic offers over 200 chamber music concerts annually and a free neighborhood family concert on Saturday afternoons. Tickets for all other performances can be purchased through their website and range from $15-$40.
In November 2014, DUMBO hosted the New York Festival of Light, where world-renowned artists create illuminated sculptures and wearable light technologies for all to see. Keep an eye out for other art installations around this neighborhood year-round!
Interested in other events in New York City? Check out our top yearly events!
Food & nightlife
Experience fresh Maine lobster without ever having to leave NYC! Luke’s Lobster serves up some of the best seafood around, like their fresh New England-style lobster roll (Maine lobster tossed with mayo, salt, oregano and thyme, served on a bun). Enjoy your roll in their outdoor seating area or sit in the park, but note that there are no indoor seats at the Brooklyn Bridge Park location.
After you finish your seafood sandwich, make your way to Almondine Bakery for some of the best croissants and pains au chocolat around. If you’re still a bit hungry, try one of their quiches with a coffee. Seating is limited indoors, but you can always sit by the water!
If you’re still feeling hungry, make the journey to Grimaldi’s Pizzeria on 1 Front Street. You’ll need to bring an appetite because they don’t sell slices, only whole pies! Their famous pizzas are baked in a coal-fired brick oven. Along with a delicious meal, you’ll get unbeatable views of Manhattan from one of the oldest parts of Brooklyn. Craving more famous New York pizza? Grab a slice or two at one of our top pizza spots in the city!
Be sure to try Atrium Dumbo for dinner! The two-tier dining room is sure to please, in addition to the food. The chefs put a spin on classic dishes such as NY strip steak, rigatoni, and pork chops, which is sure to pique your interest. Atrium Dumbo is open on weekdays for dinner, and weekends for brunch and dinner.
Save room for ice cream from the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory! The ice cream and hot fudge are all freshly made at this converted 1922 fireboat house on the Fulton Ferry Landing Pier.
Shopping
No trip to New York is complete without some shopping, so don’t miss Fulton Street Mall. Spread over multiple blocks, the outdoor complex houses over 150 retailers ranging from chain stores to small independent shops. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll be sure to find it at Fulton Street Mall.
Jacques Torres, a real life Willy Wonka, bakes his own croissants and packages his own chocolate. Sample his heavenly creations such as passion fruit hearts, chocolate-covered ginger, and more, and you’re guaranteed to feel like a kid in a candy store.
You can find plenty of farmer’s markets in DUMBO, but The Fulton Stall Market on Front Street is an indoor, year-round space. Fulton Stall Market features a variety of vendors selling gourmet food, fresh produce, and homemade crafts. The space is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Berl’s Brooklyn Poetry Shop, New York’s only all-poetry bookstore, is a must for poets! Come in and relax or purchase one of the carefully curated poetry books at this haven for art and poetry lovers.
To do some more shopping, visit one of our top 5 shopping spots!
Experience DUMBO through a New York Habitat vacation rental apartment
Live in close proximity to DUMBO’s best shopping, food, nightlife, and more by staying in a furnished rental. This one-bedroom loft in DUMBO is perfectly situated for exploring all the Brooklyn destinations mentioned above.
Make the most of your time in New York by living like a local in DUMBO! You’ll have space to yourself, some amazing views, and you’ll be able to tailor the entire stay to your needs. Additionally, furnished rentals come with fully-equipped kitchens and often offer laundry facilities in the unit or in the building. By staying in a vacation rental, bed and breakfast, apartment share, or sublet, you’ll be around locals who live and breathe Brooklyn. Stay in a furnished rental and experience life like a New Yorker!
Want to explore more of Brooklyn? See what the locals do in Park Slope.
Regardless of how long you’ll be in DUMBO, there’s plenty to do and see! See what it’s like to live like a local in DUMBO, Brooklyn, and be sure to let us know about your experience.
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