If you’re planning a visit to NYC you may have already seen a photo of the famous Dumbo Manhattan Bridge view. While many of the best shots in New York City are from above, this one is actually taken from the streets of this popular Brooklyn neighborhood! So are you ready to get your own amazing photograph? Here’s everything you need to know about the Dumbo Manhattan Bridge viewpoint!
Why is the Dumbo Manhattan Bridge View So Popular?
This view of the Manhattan Bridge from Dumbo provides a unique angle of some of New York’s finest. The beautiful stone streets are surrounded by red brick buildings, creating the ultimate backdrop for the massive bridge in front of you.
The Manhattan skyline is stunning enough, but getting this iconic photo from the Dumbo Manhattan Bridge view is a must! If you didn’t know, DUMBO stands for “Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass.” So this photograph perfectly encapsulates the neighborhood!
We can’t sugarcoat it… Great photo spots like this have gained notoriety from social media apps. However, once you take a stroll through this part of Brooklyn you’ll see why it’s more than just a Dumbo Instagram spot!
Getting to the Dumbo Manhattan Bridge Viewpoint
The Dumbo Manhattan Bridge View is located on Washington Street in Brooklyn. We were lucky on our first visit as Jake’s sister lived not too far from here. This allowed us to have a lovely stroll along the Brooklyn Waterfront and East River before heading to Washington St. for our photo.
One day we even took an incredible walk on the Brooklyn Bridge from lower Manhattan and then made our way through the picturesque Brooklyn Bridge Park to the viewpoint afterward.
If you’re not staying near Dumbo, don’t worry! There are plenty of easy ways to get to the Dumbo Manhattan Bridge view. On public transportation, you can take the F subway line to York Street. The other closest stop would be on the A or C Train to High Street.
The most fun way to get to the Manhattan Bridge viewpoint is by using the NYC ferry. The 2 ferry stops which go to the nearby Brooklyn Bridge Park are Fulton Ferry Landing and Pier 6.
Apps like Uber and Lift can bring you right to the intersection of Washington Street and Front Street. However, taking any form of taxi can be really expensive in NYC.
5 Tips for Getting the Best Dumbo Manhattan Bridge View
Now that you know how to get to Dumbo Manhattan Bridge viewpoint, there are a few things to know when you arrive. Here are our 5 best tips for seeing the Manhattan Bridge from Dumbo!
Go Early: The earlier the better here folks! By getting to Dumbo right after sunrise you will avoid both other tourists and traffic.
Different Angles: When walking up Washington Street from the water you’ll see it intersects with Plymouth St., Water St., Front Street, and York Street in that order. You can use these as markers to get the perfect spot or vantage point for your photo. It’s nice to get close to the legs of the bridge. Yet, we also got several awesome shots back toward the intersection of Water Street.
Don’t Rush: Take your time walking around the beautiful residential buildings and narrow alley ways of Washington Street. Of course, getting a picture from the Dumbo Manhattan Bridge view is awesome… But take a moment to enjoy the moment as well.
Watch for Cars: Depending on what time you get to the Dumbo Manhattan Bridge view, you may encounter some traffic. This is New York City after all! Hopefully, you have a partner to help with your photo and can spot any traffic coming your way. This is a busy street so watch for traffic and don’t stand in the middle of the road with cars coming.
Come Back for Sunset: While the best time to go to this hot spot is early in the morning, definitely come back later in the day if you can! The colors reflecting off the Manhattan Bridge will be amazing as the sun sets over New York City.
→ Exact Dumbo Manhattan Bridge View Location
More Things to do in Dumbo Brooklyn
After you’ve gotten the perfect photograph from the Dumbo Manhattan Bridge viewpoint you should stay in the area! If you took our advice and got here early, you’ll have the rest of the day to hang out in Dumbo.
Also, know that the New York City borough of Brooklyn is massive and there is so much to explore. This is just one fun neighborhood in a gigantic part of the metropolis.
We’ve listed a few of our favorite things to do in Dumbo below. This is a particularly fun place to visit in the warmer months of summer in the United States. Be sure to check out our full article on the best things to do in Dumbo Brooklyn before your trip as well!
- Walk across the Brooklyn or Manhattan Bridge
- Bicycle along the Waterfront
- Grab a Pizza at Grimaldi’s
- See Jane’s Carousel
- Explore the Time Out Market
- Take an official walking tour of the Dumbo neighborhood
Have any questions about this article or want to share your own tips for the Dumbo Manhattan Bridge view? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
Where to Stay in New York City
NoMad – Hotel Giraffe by Library Hotel Collection – Boutique hotel with a rooftop garden and quick walk to Union Square Park and Chelsea. The hotel is decorated with classic photos from the 1920’s and 1930’s.
Tribeca – Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown – Historic high-end hotel in the heart of New York. Close to the Brooklyn Bridge and Seaport District.
Little Italy – NobleDEN Hotel – Great location in the Italian district and steps from Ferrara Bakery and Chinatown. Some of the rooms have a terrace or balcony which is not common in the city!
Times Square – LUMA Hotel – Modern design with bright bold patterns which reflect the energy of the area. Great place to stay near all the action of Times Square.
Chelsea – The Hotel Chelsea – Built in in the 1800’s with history reflected in its unique style. Known as one of the best historic hotels in the city.
East Village – The Bowery Hotel – Beautiful boutique hotel with floor to ceiling windows and an industrial loft design. Ideal location in one of the most popular neighborhoods in NYC.
Hudson Yards – Equinox Hotel Hudson Yards New York City – Plush accommodation with a sleek design. Rooms range from deluxe to scenic skyline suites.
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New York City Travel Planning
Rental Car: We use Discover Cars whenever traveling in New York. Consider renting a car in one city and dropping it off in another for an epic road trip!
Flights: We always find great flights using Skyscanner and Kayak. This way you can plan your trip around the cheapest and most direct routes.
Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get to the best deal such as Booking.com and Agoda! Also, Hostelworld can be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide for hundreds of activities around New York. Book a luxury brunch harbor cruise, skip the line at the Empire State Building, or go on a Manhattan helicopter tour!
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without being covered. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
I have visited NYC many times and never heard of this spot to view the Manhattan Bridge! We are planning another trip for later this year and I’ve added this stop to our itinerary. What a great view of the bridge and all your information has made it so easy for us! Thank you!
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You’re very welcome! So glad it was helpful.