Brooklyn Bridge Park was built on former industrial piers that once served as one of the busiest cargo ports in the world. The construction project — completed in phases from 2010 onward — converted those piers into one of the most well-designed urban parks built in the United States in the past two decades. What made the project notable was the decision to build programmatic infrastructure (sports courts, a beach, playgrounds, a carousel) rather than just lawns and paths, creating a park that generates activity rather than just providing space for it.
Pier by Pier
Pier 1 at the park’s northern end in DUMBO has the park’s most iconic views — the promenade along the water with the Brooklyn Bridge overhead and the Manhattan skyline across the river. The lawn areas on Pier 1 are the most popular picnic spots. The access point at Main Street in DUMBO puts you directly here from the DUMBO neighborhood.
Pier 2 has the park’s sports infrastructure — roller skating rink (seasonal, small fee), handball courts, bocce courts, and fitness equipment. The most programmatically active pier in the park during warm weather.
Pier 3 is primarily lawn and events space — the park hosts outdoor film screenings, concerts, and events on this pier during the summer.
Pier 4 has the park’s beach — a small sandy area with direct water access that operates as a swimming beach in summer. The only beach directly on the East River in Brooklyn.
Pier 5 has the park’s most extensive sports facilities — multiple soccer and softball fields, picnic areas, and the largest continuous lawn in the park.
Pier 6 at the park’s southern end near Atlantic Avenue has the best playground complex in the park — multiple interconnected play structures designed with genuine thoughtfulness — and the park’s kayak launch. The view from Pier 6 looking north across the harbor captures both the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges simultaneously.
Jane’s Carousel
Jane’s Carousel is a 1922 carousel that was rescued, restored, and placed in a glass pavilion designed by architect Jean Nouvel at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge. The restoration took 27 years and produced a museum-quality restoration of the original horses and mechanism. Rides are $2. The location — inside a glass box with the East River, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Manhattan skyline as the backdrop — makes it one of the more memorable experiences in Brooklyn for children and adults.
Best Times to Visit
Weekday mornings are the least crowded times in the park. Weekend afternoons in summer are the most crowded — Pier 1 in particular becomes very busy on warm Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Sunset on any evening from Pier 1 or the Pier 6 area is exceptional — the light hits the Manhattan skyline from the west and the harbor fills with golden water. Early fall (September and October) is the best season — the crowds are thinner than summer but the weather is ideal for outdoor activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brooklyn Bridge Park free?
Yes, completely free to enter and access. The park is open from 6am to 1am. Jane’s Carousel inside the park is $2 per ride. All other areas — lawns, sports courts, beach, playgrounds, esplanade — are free.
What is there to do in Brooklyn Bridge Park?
The park has 85 acres of waterfront with sports courts (tennis, handball, volleyball, bocce), a beach at Pier 4, playgrounds at multiple piers, Jane’s Carousel, lawn areas for picnicking, and the most complete views of the lower Manhattan skyline available from Brooklyn. The DUMBO neighborhood is directly adjacent.
How do I get to Brooklyn Bridge Park?
Multiple access points: walk across the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan and descend at the Brooklyn end (deposits you at the park’s northern end in DUMBO). Take the F/G train to York Street in DUMBO. Take the A/C/2/3 to High Street/Brooklyn Bridge. The NYC Ferry stops at the park seasonally.
Can you see the Statue of Liberty from Brooklyn Bridge Park?
You can see the harbor mouth and New Jersey from the park’s southern sections. The Statue of Liberty is more visible from the Red Hook waterfront further south. The best views from Brooklyn Bridge Park are of lower Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Manhattan Bridge.
Also see: our free Brooklyn things to do guide
