The Brooklyn Bridge is one of New York City’s most famous and enduring landmarks. The iconic bridge has been a backdrop in dozens of Hollywood movies, and artists including Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilow and Art Garfunkel have been inspired by it. The Brooklyn Bridge was built to connect the two large and growing cities of Manhattan and Brooklyn, and it was considered one of the engineering marvels of the world when it opened to the public in 1883.
Its Gothic towers and iconic crisscrossing steel cables have made the Brooklyn Bridge one of New York’s most visited tourist attractions, but it is still one of the city’s most important pieces of infrastructure. Its vehicle lanes were originally used by horses and carts, but now more than 107,000 cars and trucks use them to travel between Brooklyn and Manhattan each day. About 32,000 pedestrians and 4,000 cyclists also make the crossing each day.
This Brooklyn Bridge guide will explore the history of the Brooklyn Bridge and explore the engineering and logistical challenges that had to be overcome during its construction. It will provide tips to make the most out of a visit to the Brooklyn Bridge and reveal how taking a New York Harbor boat tour will allow you to see and experience the bridge from a completely different perspective.
The History of the Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn and Manhattan are two of New York City’s five boroughs today, but they were independent cities when construction of the Brooklyn Bridge got underway in 1870. City leaders had been discussing building a bridge to connect Brooklyn and Manhattan for decades, but spanning the 6000-foot-wide East River was a formidable task.
A solution was found in 1869 when the German civil engineer John Augustus Roebling submitted plans for a structure that combined the advantages of a suspension bridge and a cable-stayed bridge. City planners finally had a practical way to connect Brooklyn and Manhattan, but John Augustus Roebling died in a freak accident before work began.
Caisson Disease
Roebling’s son Washington assumed the duties of chief engineer when construction commenced, but he did not remain in direct control of the project for very long. A fire broke out in one of the caissons that had been built to provide support for the bridge’s towers, and Washington Roebling made the trip down to the base of the caisson to lead the firefighting efforts.
He suffered debilitating injuries when he returned to the surface because of the rapid decompression he experienced. Little was known about the dangers of decompression in the nineteenth century, but Roebling’s injuries led to strict protocols being implemented at the construction site. Robling’s condition was called caisson disease at the time, but we now call it the bends.
A Family Undertaking
Washington Roebling continued to guide the project from his hospital bed, and his wife Emily became his eyes and ears at the construction site. An accomplished engineer in her own right, Emily Roebling kept the project on track and became renowned for her expertise in matters including stress analysis and cable construction.
Over 13 grueling years, one of the world’s most famous bridges, and first steel-wire suspension bridge built, took shape. First two imposing gothic towers rose from the East River, and then a five-lane roadway supported by an elaborate crisscrossing cable structure finally connected Brooklyn and Manhattan.
An Engineering Marvel
The Brooklyn Bridge was opened to the public on May 24, 1883, and it was widely hailed as one of the world’s great engineering marvels. Emily Roebling was the first person to cross the bridge, and U.S. President Chester A. Arthur and New York governor and future president Grover Cleveland watched her make the trip. The Brooklyn Bridge was seen as a symbol of New York’s persistence and spirit of innovation, and it remained the world’s longest suspension bridge until the Williamsburg Bridge was opened in 1903.
An Enduring Icon
The Brooklyn Bridge is an enduring New York City icon because it combines beauty with functionality. The Brooklyn Bridge was named a National Historic Landmark in 1964, a New York City Landmark in 1967 and a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1972. During its long and storied history, the Brooklyn Bridge has been crossed by horses and carts, trams, elevated subway trains and every kind of motor vehicle. The bridge has been rebuilt and refurbished over the years, and it will remain a key piece of New York City infrastructure for centuries to come.
Fun Facts About the Brooklyn Bridge
Designing and building the Brooklyn Bridge was such a daunting task because the East River is very wide and was used by tall sailing ships carrying goods to and from the bustling metropolises of Brooklyn and Manhattan. To connect the two cities without interfering with maritime traffic, a very tall as well as a very long bridge had to be built. The Brooklyn Bridge’s dimensions are impressive today. In 1883, they were revolutionary.
A Soaring Accomplishment
The Brooklyn Bridge’s two gothic towers soar 276.5 feet above the East River, and its roadway provides 127 feet of navigational clearance above Mean High Water.
John Augustus Roebling’s innovative design provided a road connection between Brooklyn and Manhattan and over 100,000 vehicles and 4,000 pedestrians cross visit this architectural accomplishment every day. It has also allowed the thousands of tall ships that traveled the East River each year to complete their journeys unimpeded.
A bridge was considered long in the nineteenth century if its span measured half a mile. The Brooklyn Bridge shattered this notion with a roadway that was more than a mile long.
A Hybrid Design
Most people believe that the Brooklyn Bridge is a traditional suspension bridge, but it is actually a hybrid design. It was feared that a roadway longer than a mile would be too long for a suspension bridge to support, so John Augustus Roebling incorporated elements of a cable-stayed bridge to add strength to his design.
The bridge’s main suspension cables run from the top of the two gothic towers, and they support the deck. The bridge’s secondary or stay cables connect the deck to the towers’ pylons. It is this hybrid design that gives the Brooklyn Bridge’s cables their distinctive crisscross appearance.
Red to Gray
The Brooklyn Bridge did not always have the grayish hue we know today. The bridge's limestone, granite and cement towers were once painted a color called Brooklyn Bridge Tan according to official records, but this is disputed. Some claim that the bridge was originally painted Rawlins Red using paint from Wyoming that was rich in iron oxide, while others say the bridge was a deep brown color. The paint faded after a few years, and both city officials and members of the public decided that they preferred the natural color of the stone.
Walking the Brooklyn Bridge: What to Know
The Brooklyn Bridge spans the East River, connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn. About 32,000 people cross the Brooklyn Bridge on foot each day, and they all enjoy incredible 360-degree views of Manhattan, Brooklyn, the East River and New York Harbor. You won’t have to worry about dodging cars or trucks if you decide to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge because there is a wide pedestrian walkway far above the motor vehicle deck.
The walkway is about 1.1 miles long (5,989 feet), and walking it at a leisurely pace with plenty of stops to take photographs should take you between 30 and 45 minutes.
Also, there are no hot dogs or coffee carts on the walkway because city rules prohibit vending on the Brooklyn Bridge. But there are plenty of amazing restaurants where you can fill up before your walk on both the Manhattan and Brooklyn approaches.
Getting to the Brooklyn Bridge Walkway
Taking a subway train is the quickest and easiest way to reach the Brooklyn Bridge walkway. If you want to walk from Brooklyn to Manhattan, take an A or C train to the High Street-Brooklyn Bridge Station. If you want to walk from Manhattan to Brooklyn, take a 4,5,6, J or Z train to the Brooklyn Bridge City Hall Station.
Timing Your Visit
The Brooklyn Bridge walkway is an extremely popular tourist destination, and it’s free. That means you can expect crowds no matter what time you make your walk. Some visitors walk across the Brooklyn Bridge early in the day to avoid crowds, but the best time to make the walk is when the sun is going down and the city is bathed in light. There are great places to take photographs all along the walkway, but the most popular spots are close to the towers where the Brooklyn Bridge’s cables are particularly striking.
Staying Comfortable
Taking a leisurely stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge and then enjoying a slice of fabulous pizza is a great way to spend an hour in New York City, and all you will need to get the most out of the experience is a pair of comfortable shoes and a bottle of water, juice or soda. You will want to take a lot of photographs when you walk across the bridge, so make sure that your cell phone is charged and ready before you make the trip.
Experiencing the Brooklyn Bridge by Boat
Looking at the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan or Brooklyn or walking across its pedestrian walkway gives visitors a sense of the engineering feat that the Roebling family accomplished in the nineteenth century. Of course, this vantage point doesn’t tell the whole story about a Brooklyn Bridge walking tour vs. boat tour. To understand how impressive the Brooklyn Bridge really is, you will have to see the structure from the unique vantage point of a boat. Traveling over the Brooklyn Bridge is a memorable experience, but it cannot compare to traveling underneath it.
Take a Brooklyn Bridge Boat Tour
When you look at the Brooklyn Bridge from the deck of a comfortable boat or yacht, you will have a unique perspective and unobstructed views. You will be able to see how the Gothic towers were built to stand the test of time, and you will marvel at the vision and skills of the people who did things that many thought were impossible all those years ago. A Brooklyn Bridge cruise will also pass beneath the Manhattan, Williamsburg and Queensboro bridges, so you will see how methods for spanning the East River evolved over time.
New York City’s Most Iconic Landmarks
As you relax and enjoy a respite from the Big Apple’s hustle and bustle, you will be treated to incredible views of some of the city’s most historic sites and some of the best Brooklyn Bridge photo spots.
You will have much more than incredible bridges to look at if you take a boat tour around New York City, though. You will see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and you will be awed by some of the world’s most famous skyscrapers. Stretch out, relax and open an ice-cold beverage, and then enjoy a truly unique New York City experience.
New York Harbor Tours
If you are interested in taking a Brooklyn Bridge water tour, New York Harbor Tours has got you covered. We offer four New York Harbor and Manhattan tours that offer the best views of the Brooklyn Bridge and more.
Downtown Loop Tour (90 minutes) – A quick but scenic cruise showcasing lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge.
Manhattan Circumnavigation (3 hours) – A full tour around Manhattan, passing under all its major bridges, including the Brooklyn Bridge.
Sunset Cruise (2 hours) – Watch the sun set over the skyline as you glide beneath the Brooklyn Bridge.
New York City Lights Tour (2 hours) – Experience the city’s dazzling lights and see the Brooklyn Bridge at night.
Additionally, private charter tours like the Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty Tour start at prices of just $525 for up to three people. Enjoying New York from one of our luxurious boats will make you feel like a movie star, and our experienced captain will make sure that everything goes smoothly.
FAQs About the Brooklyn Bridge
Who built the Brooklyn Bridge?
The Brooklyn Bridge was designed by German civil engineer John Augustus Roebling, but after his death, his son Washington Roebling took over as chief engineer. Due to illness from caisson disease, Washington’s wife, Emily Roebling, played a crucial role in overseeing the project until its completion in 1883.
How long is the Brooklyn Bridge?
The Brooklyn Bridge spans 5,989 feet (about 1.1 miles) across the East River, making it one of the longest suspension bridges in the world when it was completed.
How long does it take to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge?
Walking the Brooklyn Bridge typically takes between 30 to 45 minutes at a leisurely pace, allowing time to enjoy the skyline views and take photos.
What type of bridge is the Brooklyn Bridge?
The Brooklyn Bridge is a hybrid suspension and cable-stayed bridge, a unique design choice by John Augustus Roebling to ensure its strength and stability over the East River.
What are some fun facts about the Brooklyn Bridge?
When it opened in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world.
A circus promoter once marched 21 elephants across the bridge in 1884 to prove its stability.
Over 100,000 vehicles and thousands of pedestrians cross the bridge daily.
The bridge was originally painted a color called "Brooklyn Bridge Tan," but some believe it was a deep red-brown before fading to its natural stone color.
It was the first bridge to use steel-wire cables, setting a new standard for bridge engineering.
A True New York City Landmark
New York City is filled with iconic structures, but few of them can match the Brooklyn bridge for cultural or historic significance. Building the Brooklyn Bridge was an incredible engineering feat, and the perils faced by the people who accomplished it gave medical science a better understanding of the dangers of decompression.
No trip to New York City is complete without a visit to the Brooklyn Bridge, and a walk across its pedestrian walkway is an experience that should not be missed. If you want to make your visit to New York City even more memorable, you could take a private charter cruise. New York Harbor Tours offers several unique experiences, and they will all give you unobstructed and incredible views of New York City landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty and Freedom Tower.
“Ready to see the Brooklyn Bridge like never before? Book your New York Harbor boat tour today and enjoy breathtaking views of this iconic landmark!”