I recently travelled to New York with a friend and her family. Over the next few weeks, you can find out what my best bits were along with some tips and tricks if you’re planning a trip to NYC soon!
On our first proper (and rather jetlagged) day in New York we decided to see the Brooklyn Bridge and even on a rather dull day, it still looked every bit as iconic as the photos suggest. In fact, I thought the weather made the structure look fantastic, set on a backdrop of moody grey clouds the bridge looked enormous and very striking.
(Did you know, by the way, that according to Netflight’s ‘New York Minute’ article, there’s 544 bridge crossings in New York every single minute? Crazy!)
We made a start on the 1,825m walk from the Manhattan side of the bridge, dodging joggers and cyclists at regular intervals. You get incredible views of both Manhattan and Brooklyn and the soundtrack of cars and horns from the road below give the whole thing a distinctly New York feel.
New York City buildings fighting off the clouds.
The lines of the cables made for some great photos!
I love the lines that the suspension cables make (not just because they make wonderfully symmetrical Instagram photos!). When you’re on the bridge you feel encased by the cables, like you’re part of it for the brief time you’re walking the well-trodden boards.
The views from the Bridge were great, despite the moody weather!
Once on the other side we made our way down to DUMBO, a neighbourhood in Brooklyn that stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, and where you can get some amazing shots of the New York City skyline.
The view of New York City and Brooklyn Bridge from DUMBO.
We made our way through Brooklyn Bridge Park towards the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, a little slice of peace in the bustling city. At $15 (about £12) for one adult, which I thought was very reasonable, you get to meander through 52 acres of greenery.
This is a beautiful place to take a rest in the bustling city.
The Japanese Hill and Pond Garden.
There are several speciality gardens including the Japanese Hill and Pond Garden and Rose Garden, plant collections, including a herb and vegetable plot and the Steinhardt Conservatory; which houses a Bonsai museum, three climate-themed plant pavilions and an aquatic house and orchid collection.
Inside the Bonsai Museum at the Steinhardt Conservatory.
The biggest lily pads I’ve ever seen in the Tropical Pavilion.
A jungle in the middle of Brooklyn!
My particular favourite was the Shakespeare Garden because they had planted flora and fauna that have appeared in the writers’ plays and sonnets. Little boards are placed by each plant to tell you what it is with a quote of where it’s used in Shakespeare’s work.
The Shakespeare Garden.
The card next to a peony in the Sharespeare Garden.
Brooklyn Botanical Garden tips and tricks
- Make sure to check the opening hours as they change for summer and winter. It is also closed on Tuesdays all year round.
- If you visit during summer opening hours, make sure to check out the speciality gardens early on as they start to close at around 17:30.
- If you or someone in your party is a student, make sure you have ID! Student admission is only $8 (around £6).
- If you’re trip is during winter opening times (December-February), admission is free on weekdays.
- You can combine entry to the garden and Brooklyn Museum with an Art and Garden ticket which is $25 (around £19) for an adult and $16 (around £13) for students (note both must be visited on the same day).
- You can check out all opening times and admission prices on the Brooklyn Botanic Garden website.
Have you ever visited the Brooklyn Bridge or Botanical Garden? Let us know below!
This post is in partnership with Netflights but, as always, all thoughts are our own.
We’ve just come back from New York and took similar photos of the Brooklyn Bridge too! I wish we had gone to the Brooklyn Botanical garden now too, your photos look lovely and it seems so peaceful. #CityTripping
Ooh I like that there’s a part of town under the Brooklyn bridge! It sounds interesting to check out! I also like the lines the wires make on the bridge! #CityTripping
Love NYC. Such an amazing place. I had no idea about the Botanical Gardens there…. will remember this for next time we are there. Thanks for sharing. Lorelle 🙂 #WanderfulWednesday
This was my favourite part when I visited NYC. I simply loved the Brooklyn Bridge, it’s a beautiful structure! And the gardens are just lovely. I have a thing for botanical gardens 😉
#WanderfulWednesday
You must have been so happy that you gout out to the bridge on your first day. You’re so right, the weather totally gave the bridge a sense of mood. And I can’t believe that many vehicles cross it every minute… that’s insane!
#CityTripping
Aww the last time I was in NYC was five years ago – it’s such a great city, there’s nowhere like it. Love your photos, looks like you had a great time!
I’ve only been to NYC once, and posts like this make me desperate to go back! Thanks for sharing – Brooklyn Bridge on my NYC list! #citytripping
My sister and I walked the bridge last December. I was a bit cold but we felt great. The views were wonderful. My sister used to live in Brooklyn so, I have been to Botanical Garden. I wan tot visit other places in the area. #WanderfulWednesday
I loved walking over the bridge – such great views. I hadn’t realised about the gardens though, that would be a great combination. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
Two of my favorite spots. Wish I made it more to the gardens when I lived in Brooklyn. The bridge is amazing and not a day went by when I didn’t take it for granted. #farawayfiles
I’ve been to NYC too many times to count, but have never done this walk. What was I thinking? This is going to be first on my list the next time I’m in town! #farawayfiles
That sounds like such a great day. I have walked the Brooklyn Bridge countless times and would do it again in a heartbeat. I agree you do have to watch out for those cyclists. Last time I did it we went to Juliana’s for pizza and it was delicious! Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
Those gardens look lovely, a perfect oasis to escape to! #Theweeklypostcard
I’ve been to nyc several times and have yet to venture out to the Brooklyn Bridge?!?! I mean how is that even possible?? On the top of my list for our next visit. Those lily pads were ginormous too and I absolutely love the bonsai trees.
I’ve never walked across the Brooklyn Bridge though I’ve been to NYC 4 times! Haven’t been to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden either, though it looks simply gorgeous. I can’t remember why not now 🙁 Did you feel at all claustrophobic in the narrow walkway with all those cables though?
I think the view from Brooklyn Bridge looks even more spectacular in the rainy weather. So eerie and dramatic – love it!
Walking over the Brooklyn Bridge is top of my list for the next time I visit NYC. I’d love to visit the botanical gardens too. #farawayfiles
I didn’t know you could walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, definitely on my list for my next NYC visit #CityTripping
I was just in NYC at the end of October and I didn’t make it across the Brooklyn Bridge, but I did get lots of great shots from the water taxi underneath it! I loved Brooklyn and think the moody definitely played into your pics! Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles