
“I remember perfectly my first trip to New York, when I was on the bridge between Brooklyn and Manhattan, when I saw the skyscrapers. It was like an incredible dream.” ~ Diego Della Valle
I am the epitome of a New Yorker. As an Upper East Sider, I am nestled cozily and comfortably in my ‘hood. Occasionally braving the Westside for Trader Joes or Midtown for work. As a Manhattanite? I shake my head at the idea of leaving the Borough. Everything I need is right here on this side of the river. No higher then 115 street (to be generous) and stopping at Fini. There is always a train line working, and I never have to worry about being stuck.
Yup this New Yorker is set in her ways. I have all the comforts with in my grasp. Why rock the boat?
Yet, sometimes YOU have to leave the borough and that is what I decided to do. I have walked across the Brooklyn Bridge countless times, always turning back never venturing into Brooklyn. This time, shocker of shockers, I hopped a train with a friend to explore Brooklyn Bridge Park on a Wintery Saturday afternoon.
One of the misnomers is that Brooklyn Bridge Park is DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). It isn’t. While DUMBO overlaps into Brooklyn Bridge Park. The park is divided into eleven sections and pans multiple neighborhoods including Brooklyn Heights creating a mile and a half of leafy waterside scenery, as well as an incredibly diverse culture, from the financiers looking to escape the manhattan life, to the artists living in reconstructed warehouses, to old and new architecture alike which includes civil war era buildings. Every section is different channeling its’ own vibrancy and that of Brooklyn and over all, New York.
Because of the Second Avenue Subway, getting there was relatively easy. (delays aside…Oh MTA) I hoped onto the Q to 63 and Lex and then hoped on the F where I could sit my derriere in a seat and read until we arrived which really did take an hour…Now you know why I never venture to Brooklyn!
It was a cold blustery day and even my knock-off that isn’t a knock off winter jacket was working in over drive to keep me toasty. My friend and I stopped at DUMBO Kitchen for food and coffee, before traipsing over to the park blocks away.
The sun was beginning to set creating what photographers call the golden hour, and casting its rays across both the Bridges. The wind was gusting giving me Beyoncé hair. And the East River was gently lapping along the shores of the beach enticingly.
Despite the blustering temps, it was crowded with tourists as well as New Yorkers taking in what was a gorgeous sunny day despite the winds. People walking and biking along the pathways, shrugging off Mother nature’s temperament. Kids screaming with joy as the rode the carousel.
As I stood on one of the countless piers scattered along the East River, with the bridges in the foreground gazing across at Fini (Financial District A.K.A Lower Manhattan A.K.A Wall Street) once again I was struck at how beautiful my beloved Concrete Jungle is.
Jungles in their own right are gorgeous for their unruliness. The melting pot that composes them of all different landscapes and habitats. It might seem like it wouldn’t be cohesive, and yet it all comes together to create one big home of wonderment.
New York really is a jungle. A beautiful concrete melting pot, comprised of boroughs and neighborhoods all eclectic and strong in their own right, but when you look at it as a whole it is what New York is really about.
Have you been to Brooklyn Bridge park? What is your favorite part?
One of my favorite things about NYC aside from the food is that wherever you turn you’re sure to capture a steller view! I swear everything is so picture-esq especially at an aerial view- God its gorgeous!!! Ps- that sunset picture, absolutely stunning…..now how many sunsets have you seen there? More than you can count I’m sure!
xo, JJ
Yes! I agree one hundred and ten percent 😊 Even my runs along the east river are gorgeous! (Which makes it all worth it…or at least I tell myself that when I am about ready to die🤣😝) Thank you! Oh lord. A lot! Lol. I love sunrises and sunsets and you can’t beat them living on an island 😊💗
Lovely pictures! 😉
Awe thank you so much! I had so much fun taking them! <3
I learn SO much about NY through your posts. I love it. Also these pictures are SUPERB. The only experience I have with the Brooklyn Bridge is losing my passport. LOL. I think you read that post. I can’t WAIT to go back and have a more “normal” experience of the beautiful bridge and surrounding area <3
Yay! I am glad! And awe thank you! I had so much fun taking them (wait until you see Brooklyn Part Deux! ) You definitely need a Brooklyn Bridge redo! it really does get better and better! <3