The Brooklyn Bridge is best experienced on foot. Completed in 1883 and connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn, thousands of visitors walk, bike, and drive across it every day. The granite pillars that soar above the East River are as impressive as the magnificent views that the bridge offers. It's also easy to include an excursion across the bridge with other must-see sights in Lower Manhattan and historic Brooklyn.
How to get to the Brooklyn Bridge
For pedestrian access on the Manhattan side, take the 4, 5, 6, J, or Z train to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall, and cut through City Hall Park. To enter on the Brooklyn side, take the A or C to High Street-Brooklyn Bridge. Cross the street to walk through Cadman Plaza Park. Turn left and find the walkway entrance under the base of the bridge. For the best skyline views, walking toward Manhattan is a good choice.
Best and worst time to go to the Brooklyn Bridge
Clear, sunny days are the best for taking in the sweeping vistas. At sunset, Manhattan's skyscrapers fade into rosy silhouettes, making it perfect for photos. Weekday afternoons are less crowded than weekends. The wind tends to pick up around the middle of the bridge, so avoid visiting on days that are especially cold or windy.
Admission to the Brooklyn Bridge
Admission is free to walk, bike, and drive.
Must see/do on the Brooklyn Bridge
The 1.1 mile length of the bridge can be covered in less than 20 minutes, but leave plenty of time to linger. You'll want to stop and gaze at the view from a variety of vantage points; be sure not to miss the Statue of Liberty far out in New York Harbor. History buffs will enjoy the bronze plaques scattered along the pillars and rails, detailing the bridge's construction. There are Citi Bike stations located just outside the bridge entrances in both boroughs for those who want to rent bicycles.
Other places to visit near the Brooklyn Bridge
In Brooklyn, the pedestrian exit leads to Dumbo, a small, trendy neighborhood with boutique shopping, cobblestone-lined streets, and arguably the best pizza in New York at Grimaldi's Pizzeria. The colorful townhouses and tree-lined streets of Brooklyn Heights are also worth a visit. On the Manhattan side, it's an easy walk to the 9/11 Memorial and the restaurants and shopping at South Street Seaport.
Insider tip for visitors to the Brooklyn Bridge
Bicycle commuters and avid cyclists regularly zoom by at high rates of speed. There are designated lanes for pedestrians, which visitors should adhere to for their own safety.
Author's bio: Michele is a travel writer based in New York City. She loves, in equal parts, traveling around the world and finding unexpected adventures close to home.
In Manhattan's oldest standing residential house, the lives of wealthy residents unfolded during an era when peach orchards and grazing sheep dotted the fields of Upper Manhattan. The mansion was also briefly the Revolutionary War headquarters of George Washington until it was seized by British troops. Morris-Jumel Mansion will satisfy the interest of American history buffs, while the surrounding homes in this historical district will delight anyone interested in New York City's architecture.
Parking and public transportation at Morris-Jumel Mansion
The most convenient option is the C train to 163rd Street. Walk just past the C-Town Supermarket, up the stone steps to the left, and onto the cobblestoned Sylvan Terrace. The mansion will be directly in front of you. The 1 train to 157th Street is another option, but requires more walking. If driving, parking is available on the streets surrounding the mansion.
Best and worst time to go to Morris-Jumel Mansion
Docents lead mansion tours every Saturday at noon and neighborhood tours on the first Sunday of each month. Call ahead or reserve a spot online; walk-ins are accommodated based on space. The mansion hosts regular lectures and concerts, and portions of the house may be blocked off to accommodate the event, inhibiting your exploration. Check the frequently updated website.
Admission to Morris-Jumel Mansion
The mansion is open every day except Monday, and closed on major holidays. Regular adult admission starts at $10; tours start at $12. Discounts are given to children, students, and seniors.
Must see/do at Morris-Jumel Mansion
Each elaborately furnished room is meant to evoke the eras of the various residents. Don't miss the dining room where George Washington hosted a cabinet dinner, or Eliza Jumel's elegant, silk-draped bedroom, said to contain Napoleon's bed that she brought home from France. The kitchen displays cooking utensils and dishware used by the mansion's residents and guests.
Other places to visit near Morris-Jumel Mansion
The mansion is surrounded by lovely brownstones once occupied by jazz luminaries such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie. Eliza Jumel's final resting place is a short walk away at Trinity Church Cemetery and Mausoleum. The Hamilton Grange also makes for a fitting side trip considering Hamilton's killer, Aaron Burr, resided at Morris-Jumel Mansion during his brief marriage to Eliza.
Insider tips for visitors to Morris-Jumel Mansion
The mansion has a rich history of ghost sightings, particularly that of Madame Jumel. Some docents don't care to discuss this, as it takes away from the actual history. If you're interested in ghosts, approach the topic gently.
Author's bio: Michele DeBella is a freelance writer based in New York City. As an apartment dweller, she thinks a mansion on top of a hill in Manhattan is pretty awesome. Follow her on Twitter.
Famous for standing on the site where George Washington took his presidential oath, this building is now a museum and memorial devoted to the birth of the United States government. It is run by the National Park Service.
Best and worst times to go to the Federal Hall National Memorial
The area surrounding Federal Hall can be crowded and crazy when traders are entering or leaving the nearby Stock Exchange, so it's best to avoid entering or leaving the building at 9:30 a.m. or 4 p.m.
Must see/do at the Federal Hall National Memorial
Don't leave Federal Hall without a glimpse of the George Washington Inaugural Bible, which is on display in the Inaugural Gallery on the first floor. And note that although the tours provided by the National Park Rangers may take longer than the self-guided tour, they are well worth your time.
Admission to the Federal Hall National Memorial
Federal Hall is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; it is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday of November) and Christmas Day (December 25). Admission is free.
Parking and Public Transportation to the Federal Hall National Memorial
Note that because of security concerns, no cars are allowed on the section of Wall Street immediately outside of Federal Hall. In addition, street parking in lower Manhattan is extremely limited and parking garages in the area are expensive. Therefore, public transit is the best option when you are visiting Federal Hall. By subway, take the 2 or 3 to Wall & Williams Streets; the 4 or 5 to Wall Street & Broadway; the J or Z to Broad Street; the 1 to Rector Street; the R to Rector Street; or the A or C to Fulton Street. Or take the M5 bus.
Insider tip for visitors to the Federal Hall National Memorial
Federal Hall has long been a focal point for free speech and new ideas, and the National Park Service encourages citizens to exercise their First Amendment rights. As a result, you will often see protests and demonstrations on the front steps.
Other places to visit near the Federal Hall National Memorial
Federal Hall is located on Wall Street in New York City's financial district, just steps away from the Museum of American Finance and the New York Stock Exchange. A short walk will take you to the 9/11 Memorial and the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
Author's Bio: Victoria Franzese is a proud New Yorker who owned, operated, and wrote for a successful online travel guide for 15 years. Now, thankfully, all of her travel is purely for fun. See where she's going next at @VOFranzese.
Governors Island is a 172-acre island off the coast of Manhattan and Brooklyn that once served as a post for the US Army and US Coast Guard. Currently, Fort Jay and Castle Williams are restored as national monuments and are part of a 92-acre national historic district that is open to the public during summer and early fall every year. A variety of events are held during the summer like concerts, walking tours, bike riding, fairs and festivals -- all of which are perfect for travelers who enjoy off-the-beaten-path discoveries.
Parking and public transportation to Governors Island
There are no cars allowed on the island. Access is only allowed to the public by ferries that leave every half-hour. A direct ferry leaves from the Financial District in Manhattan. A direct ferry leaves Brooklyn from Pier 6, near Brooklyn Heights. The East River Ferry also circles between Governors Island and parts of Brooklyn (Dumbo, Williamsburg and Greenpoint).
Best and worst time to go to Governors Island
The best time to go is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Ferry schedules vary but expect them to run starting at 10 a.m. The last ferry usually leaves by 5:30 p.m. Avoid hopping on the ferry too close to the island's closing time.
Admission to Governors Island
Prices vary according to season. If using the East River Ferry, the cost to ride is approximately $4-5 plus $1 for bikes. The direct ferries from Manhattan and Brooklyn are usually free.
Must see/do at Governors Island
A schedule listing the various fairs and festivals is posted every year. Biking is a must and is the best way to see the whole island in less than a day. There is a bike path along the water that circles the entire island as well as paths that lead in and out of the fields and hills. Fort Jay is a fantastic ruin that is overgrown by healthy grass and vines -- perfect for the adventure traveler.
Insider tip for visitors to Governors Island
There is a small beach and a music venue called Governors Beach Club on the northern tip of the island. They host numerous concerts and events in the summer and there is also food and beer for sale for the casual visitor. The view of the lower Manhattan skyline is stunning.
Author's bio: Emilia Navarro is a freelance travel writer based in Brooklyn.