If you had to name just one bridge connecting Manhattan with the surrounding area, it would be the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, which opened back in 1883.

The Brooklyn Bridge is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful bridges in the world and is historically the most significant in New York.

Top hotels with views of New York

The Brooklyn Bridge is also the world’s first suspension bridge to be supported by steel cables.

At the time of its completion, the Brooklyn Bridge was considered the eighth wonder of the world and is extremely popular with New Yorkers – it is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. It spans the East River.

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Construction and dimensions of the bridge

The decision to build the bridge was taken in 1869 following a harsh winter, when all the boats were frozen in for many days, leaving no way to get from Brooklyn and Queens to Manhattan. Engineer John Augustus Roebling was commissioned to build the bridge; following his tragic death, he was succeeded by his son, Washington Roebling.

Construction began in 1870, and from the outset the bridge was designed as a suspension bridge, suspended by cables running from two massive piers made of limestone, granite and concrete. The bridge was officially opened on 24 May 1883 and became the first permanent link between New York and Brooklyn, which was still a separate city at the time.

The bridge’s most striking features are its twoneo-Gothic granite piers, risingto a maximum height of84.3 metres.

The span between the piers is 486 metres, and the deck is over 25 metres wide, allowing for three lanes in one direction and a footbridge. In total, the Brooklyn Bridge is 1,825 metres long.

Views from the bridge and of the bridge

A combined footpath and cycle path runs the entire length of the bridge, completely separate from the traffic. It offers breathtaking and unusual views of the Manhattan skyline, which are best seen from the first pier looking away from Manhattan.

But the bridge itself also catches the eye both day and night, when its main suspension cables and piers are beautifully illuminated. The best views of the entire bridge, with Manhattan in the background, are undoubtedly from the lovely Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park on the Brooklyn side (see location on the map).

There are also interesting views from the bridge in Squibb Park.

Accommodation near the bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge connects parts of New York that are popular with tourists, making this area a good choice for accommodation. We would recommend the following hotels:

• Aloft Manhattan Downtown **** – excellent value for money, no river view, situated in Manhattan
• 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge ***** – a luxury eco-hotel with superb views of Manhattan, situated in Brooklyn
• 33 Hotel New York Seaport ***** – a stylish hotel with rooms offering direct views of the Brooklyn Bridge, situated in Manhattan

How do you get to the Brooklyn Bridge?

On both sides of the bridge, there are several underground stations, which are the quickest form of transport.

Stations on the Manhattan side:

• Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall – Green Line 4, 5, 6
• Chambers St – brown lines J, Z
• City Hall – yellow lines R, W

Stations on the Brooklyn side:

• High St – blue lines A, C
• Clark St – red lines 2, 3
• Borough Hall – red lines 2, 3 and green lines 4, 5

We recommend using High Street station, which is the nearest and from which there are clear signs leading directly to Brooklyn Bridge.

What to see around

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