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Walk over the Brooklyn Bridge – Manhattan is an island, connected by bridges, but the Brooklyn Bridge is in a category by itself. When the bridge opened in 1883, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. It was an heroic engineering effort, and more than any other landmark in New York, the Brooklyn Bridge exudes “all things are possible.” |
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Today there’s a nice wide pedestrian walkway down the center, easy for strollers, and fenced on either side (no problems for parents with vertigo). To get onto the bridge from Manhattan, get off at the City Hall subway stop, and you’ll see the entrance onto the bridge.
Once you get to the Brooklyn side, one way to return to Manhattan is the water taxi from Fulton Landing to Pier 16 at South Street Seaport (great views of the bridge looking up from the water.) |
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South Street Seaport – In the 19th century, this historical district was the Port of New York, ships coming and going from all over the world, loading and unloading cargoes in warehouses along the wharf. Today it’s much quieter, but kids can run around creaky old ships and imagine New York in a different time. |
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 South Street Seaport Museum – |
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Tallship Peking – Check out this historic fully-rigged four-masted sailing ship, the living accommodations, and pretend your sailing around Cape Horn. |
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Lightship Ambrose – This compact little ship might not look important, but in the early 20th century, this lightship was a moving lighthouse, guiding ships into New York. |
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Bowne & Co. Stationers – Stop into this re-creation of a 19th century print shop and store. Inside are printing presses, and buy note cards printed on the presses. |
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Family programs – In summer, there are family programs such as going out on a sailing ship, listen to 19th century stories and sea chantys, lean about signal flags, a ship and model boat festival. Ask at the information booth where you purchase tickets. |
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Pier 17 – Large enclosed mall with shops and restaurants, and on the upper level is a food court with casual eating with an outside deck. From the deck, in nice weather, sit out on the deck chairs, watch the boats go by, and admire a really great view of the Brooklyn Bridge. |
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Harbor cruises – Take a boat cruise around New York Harbor. In the hour-long cruise, you’ll see the sights – Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, and all the boat traffic on the East and Hudson Rivers. Check out the NY Water Taxi or Circle Line cruise schedules. Pick up the boats at Pier 16.
Tip: Circle Cruises, use your New York CityPass. |
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Playground – At Fulton and Pearl St., little ones can play on a nice little playground with climbing structures. |
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New York City Police Museum – This is a great little museum to nip into when the weather isn’t cooperating. Kids can check out cool vehicles driven by the police (Indian and Harley Davidson motorcycles), badges and stars (the first badge in the mid 19th century was a copper star, … “copper,” … “cop”), a real jail cell. There’s also a yearly vintage car show with police cars from all over U.S. |
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In 1883, when the Brooklyn Bridge was completed, it was called the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Read about how it was designed and constructed (two gigantic stone towers with steel suspension cables), the Chief Engineer, Washington Roebling, and his wife Emily who directed the project to completion. (Picture book)
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The newly opened Brooklyn Bridge was a wonder, but people wondered whether it was safe. In 1884, when the great showman P. T. Barnum marched twenty one circus elephants over the bridge, it was a spectacle to behold. And the bridge still stands today. (Picture book)
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Story of the Lightship Ambrose, the sturdy ship that holds her place, and her captain and crew. The lightship marks the way for other ships to sail safely through the fog and night, past rocks and reefs, to safety in the harbor. (Picture book)
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(More children's books on other New York City pages) |
