On Wednesday I visited Brooklyn. I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, along the Brooklyn shoreline, and through Brooklyn Heights before getting the 3 Train back into Manhattan.
The pedestrian footway over Brooklyn Bridge begins on the Manhattan side near the Municipal building. From there it’s easy to get onto it – just follow the crowds (or battle your way against them). I started the walk in mid-morning and, although fairly busy, the bridge wasn’t crowded with work-time walkers. Most of the people walking the bridge were tourists (like me) and were continually stopping to take selfies (not like me) and other pictures (yes, OK, that might be me), so progress was very stop start – I couldn’t get a decent walking rhythm going. I suppose it took 40 minutes or a bit more to cross the bridge – given a clear walk it could be done quicker. near the Brooklyn side I came across a group of young women taking fashion-style pictures of another young woman – I couldn’t work out of they were students or not. (Images below.)
On the far side I was immediately lost – the Brooklyn-side signposting from the pedestrian exit point to the East River was pretty much non-existent, so it took me some time to find my way back to the river front. After taking a few pictures I walked SW-wards around the shoreline through various bits of Brooklyn Bridge park until I reached Joralemon Street. I walked up here towards Brooklyn municipal building (where the subway stations were), through a part of the Brooklyn Heights district, where I again took some pictures. Then it was back on the subway).
It was good but not great. The bridge especially is too crowded to be anything other than a basic walkway. It’s also between the two vehicle carriageways so your view of the surroundings is blocked. And if you stop to take pictures then you’re causing an obstruction. The walk along the sea front was delightful, however, as was the all up though Washington Heights.
Then it was on to Central Park…
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