Brooklyn Bridge

Walk along New York's iconic bridge.

The Brooklyn Bridge is a hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge in New York City which crosses the East River from Manhattan to Brooklyn. The main span of the bridge is 1,595.5 feet and 127 feet above the river. Proposals for the bridge were first made in the early 19th century and it was designed by John A. Roebling and his son, Washington, was the chief engineer. Construction began in 1870 by the Tammany Hall New York Bridge Company. There were numerous controversies about the construction due to the novelty of the design, which prolonged the building of the bridge for 13 years. It was a project of firsts, as it was the first bridge to use steel for cable wire and the first to use explosives inside a pneumatic caisson during construction. At the time of its completion in 1883, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Originally called the New York and Brooklyn Bridge, it was officially renamed the Brooklyn Bridge in 1915.

Today, the bridge is crossed daily by more than 100,000 cars, 4,000 cyclists, and 10,000 pedestrians. It is a fantastic place to get a good overview of New York City and beautiful photographs. Crossing the bridge on foot offers a good opportunity for exercise along with the fantastic view. The bridge is beautifully lit at night, making an amazing spectacle. Nearby the bridge, there is a plaza with restrooms, food, and a carousel. Don't miss the chance to visit the Brooklyn Bridge.