Brooklyn Bridge
 

I've heard the view of lower Manhattan from the Brooklyn Bridge is spectacular. How long does it take to walk across the bridge? Is it too cold to enjoy the walk in December? Also, anyone know of a good, inexpensive restaurant for Christmas Eve?

It will probably be cold, but the view is excellent. If you don't want to walk the entire span, you can begin at the Manhattan end and just go 1/2 way and then turn around. It was one of the highlights of our most recent NYC trip!

15-20 minutes one-way. Most visitors take a taxi or subway to the Brooklyn side and just walk back toward the city. Great views and, yes, it WILL be cold. There are tons of good, inexpensive restaurants all over the city. Exactly what is your budget? What neighborhood? Cuisine?

Take the New York Water Taxi from the South Street Seaport area of Manhattan to Brooklyn. Have lunch at Grimaldi's (a block up from the dock), the best pizza in NYC. Then walk back to Manhattan across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Perfect!

www.nywatertaxi.com

We are staying near 48th and Lexington but don't necessarily need to stay in the neighborhood for Christmas Eve dinner. Would love something in the $20 per person range. Would love a good soul food restaurant since we're from the south! thanks for the info.

We had already planned to eat pizza at Grimaldi's so glad to know it's good. Thanks for the water taxi tip -- sounds like more fun than the subway!

There's Jezebel - http://www.jezebelny.com/

Less expensive is the Pink Tea Cup -
http://www.thepinkteacup.com/

Gekko has it right. I recommend that system all the time, but he left out a stop for ice cream right where the ferry landing is. At least I guess they're open in winter?