For anyone reading this, for going 1 stop on the water taxi you should be able to buy a ticket for $5-7/person for one stop. Agree that for a group of 4 though, the taxi is the better way to go. Many people are disappointed with the Grimaldi experience so don't feel alone.

Thanks for posting about your journey over the Brooklyn Bridge, sunshinegirl53. It made me realize that I should probably report back about my trip across the bridge.

We took the subway from the Upper West Side to the High Street station in Brooklyn, and using the walking directions from mclauries link above to tripadvisor.com, we walked down to Grimaldi's, by way of the lookout at the end of Middagh Street. It was about 1:30 in the afternoon, and the line of people waiting to get into Grimaldi's stretched 3/4 of the way down the block. There was no way that we were going to stand in the warm sun waiting for pizza. It can't be that good. So we took mclaurie's advice and went around the block to Ignazio's, got a table right away, and had a delicious pizza with fennel sausage, prosciutto di parma and mushroom toppings, baked for us by the owner and his assistant, who were clad in their kilts. We enjoyed a couple of Brooklyn Brewery beers, and then we were off to walk the Brooklyn Bridge.

Using the walking directions again, we easily found the access to the stairway which takes you up to the walking deck. It was a really neat experience, being elevated above the bridge deck, with the traffic below us on both sides. I was amazed at how many people were walking, in both directions. A word of caution... be sure to stay out of the bike lane, as the cyclists come whipping past you like they're being chased by the law.

It was a beautiful, sunny and warm day in May, and at first it felt good to be out there walking and taking in all the wonderful views. Unfortunately, it was now 4:00-5:00, and we were walking west, directly into the sun. By the time we hit the midway point, we were roasting, and our pace had picked up in anticipation of getting to the other side and maybe the shade of a tree. When we came to the end of the walkway, we found ourselves at City Hall Park, being entertained by a group of street dancers. We found an empty bench, under a tree, across from a statue of Horace Greeley and drank lots of water while we cooled down.

We had a great time walking the Brooklyn Bridge, but if I were to do it over again, I would walk from Brooklyn to Manhattan in the morning, with the sun at my back... or bring an umbrella to shade us from the sun.

Thanks, mclaurie, for all the advice you provided, which helped make our Brooklyn Experience an enjoyable one.

Robyn

Glad it worked so well and glad to hear you like Ignazio's. Now I have to try it.

Thanks so much for checking back. I too will head directly to Ignazio's thanks to your report. Grimaldi's is just too busy now!

mclaurie and Robyn: Thanks to both of you for this information. My mom, daughter, and I are planning to walk the Bridge this week. Thanks for the info about walking into the sun. I did not think about that. I think I will rearrange my schedule to do it in the morning, instead.

Just wanted to add my thanks for the suggestion to walk the BB (Brooklyn to Manhattan). We did it this past weekend and it was a 10! The perfect NYC experience. Huge numbers of people and whoever said to stay out of the bike lane couldn't be more correct. We tried to find the chocolate shop which had been mentioned here (but called Jose Torres and said to be located on "Main St.") We couldn't find it and the policeman and passersby we asked were unaware of it. It might have helped if I had the correct name. Maybe next time.
Anyway, it's a great tip and thanx.

how funny..Jacques Torres...IMHO you did not miss anything.

mclaurie & gyppielou - Yes, check out Ignazio's for the pizza.... and the guys in their kilts.

shelly_m - I hope you come back and tell us how your walk across the bridge went.

gailw - I'm so glad that you had a perfect "10" experience, and thank you for posting about your walk across the bridge.

PamSF - We forgot to look for the chocolate shop, so it's nice to hear we didn't really miss anything.

Robyn

ttt

NYer here,
I walk or bike over the bridge every weekend. Best time is before noon to beat the pedestrian and bike crowds.

This weekend is the last weekend for summer streets, where you can bike from the Bridge to Central Park car-free. You can rent bikes for FREE in Soho on Lafayette Street & Spring St, lots of entertainment along the way, lots of things to see. Definitely a good way to see the Bridge and the City. Lots of fun for the family. The event is from 7 am to 1-m.

Just wanted to add other options for food under the Brooklyn Bridge: Bubby's on Main street it is almost under the Manhattan Bridge, good for kids also, there is a playground by the water. The park nearby is great for pictures of the Manhattan side. The ice cream place is call the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. Along the way you will pass Jacques Torres chocolate store. Grimaldis is the only way to go for pizza in that area. Pete's is also good.
On the Manhattan side, you will exit across from City Hall, you will be near Tribeca to the west, Wall St to the South, walking north you will run into Chinatown, then Soho, etc.

Subways: A/C train to High Street (From the exit near the back of the train there will be an escalator to the street), 2 or 3 to Clark street-walk to Cadman Plaza West. The walkway to the bridge is near Cadman Plaza Park-there should be signs.

Enjoy, walking the bridge is a favorite for visitors and locals. But remember to stay in the pedestrian lane.

How much does that app cost?

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