One-Day Dumbo Itinerary
Published 03/29/2022
Dumbo, a neighborhood whose name is an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass (no matter what Jerry Seinfeld tells you), is one of the most-visited spots in Brooklyn. It’s easy to see why. Just a couple of decades removed from an industrial past in which few people lived there and there was little reason to visit, it’s now a hotbed of dining, recreation and shopping with great views of the Lower Manhattan skyline. Read on for 12 places to visit during a day in the area.
1
Brooklyn Bridge Park
1
334 Furman St.
This 85-acre waterfront area had largely fallen into disuse for years after industry left, but it’s now been transformed into a park where residents and visitors get fresh air, play sports, enjoy skyline views, eat ice cream, admire flora and fauna and enter a converted 19th-century mercantile hub to shop for designer goods or eat at Time Out Market.
2
Jane’s Carousel
2
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Within the park, Jane’s Carousel is a nearly century-old ride that came to Dumbo in 2011. It’s been refurbished and encased in a large glass cube, making for a unique photo op. Rides only cost $2.
3
Brooklyn Flea
3
On Saturdays and Sundays from April through December, Brooklyn Flea sets up by the Manhattan Bridge Archway and offers a selection of flea-market goodies like indie clothing, vintage records and old baseball cards along with tasty offerings from food vendors. You’re in Brooklyn. You know you want to buy some vintage stuff.
4
Vinegar Hill House
4
72 Hudson Ave.
This restaurant, on a cobblestone street close to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, is a good choice for a sit-down dinner (or a break-up-the-day brunch). The space is charming and weathered, with cozy dining spaces in its wood-filled interior. If the weather is nice, take a seat in the garden. Popular entrees include cast-iron chicken and reginetti with mushrooms, stracciatella and hazelnut gremolata; pancakes are the way to go earlier in the day. For dessert, try the rich Guinness chocolate cake.
5
Bluestone Lane
5
55 Prospect St.
This Dumbo outpost of this Australian-style café features ample space to sit, talk and relax; a menu with sandwiches, salads, pastries and, naturally, the millennial and Brooklyn favorite avocado toast—plus, of course, all manner of coffee drinks.
6
Jacques Torres Chocolate
6
66 Water St.
Chocolatier Jacques Torres was one of the first businesspeople to come out to Dumbo as it transitioned from its industrial past to its visitor-friendly present. His chocolate shop, which opened in 2000, quickly became a major draw. While it no longer includes a factory (that’s moved to Sunset Park’s Brooklyn Army Terminal), it’s still a place to find all manner of chocolate confections. We recommend the rich hot chocolate.
7
Juliana’s Pizza
7
19 Old Fulton St.
Pizza travelers know to check out Grimaldi’s under the Brooklyn Bridge. But, with no disrespect to the original, the newer Juliana’s—started by Patsy Grimaldi himself and named after his mother—is our personal pick for neighborhood pizza. Come hungry and bring a friend: the coal-oven joint serves pies only (including personal-size ones).
8
Klompching Gallery
8
89 Water St.
Artists were critical as Dumbo transformed into a residential neighborhood and then a tourist attraction, but they remain a part of the neighborhood’s fabric. The focus at this gallery, one of dozen or so exhibition spaces in the area, is on contemporary photography.
9
PowerHouse Arena
9
28 Adams St.
You’ll want to kick your Kindle into the East River (please don’t) after experiencing all the glories of physical books in this shop, which is run by art-book publishing company PowerHouse. But what really makes the store, which has offshoots in Park Slope and Industry City, stand out is its steady stream of signings and events.
10
The Most Popular Instagram Spot in Brooklyn
10
Brooklyn
People flock to Washington Street between Front and Water Streets to capture a shot that features Dumbo’s cobblestone streets, the Manhattan Bridge, and the Empire State Building. You’re almost certain to see other visitors taking the same photograph—making it sort of a meta-attraction.
11
St. Ann’s Warehouse
11
45 Water St.
This decades-old Brooklyn arts organization moved into its current digs—the Tobacco Warehouse—in 2015. Past performances have included concerts by Laurie Anderson and an in-the-round production of A Streetcar Named Desire that starred Gillian Anderson. The 19th-century space is an attraction in itself; feel free to sit in the public garden, whether or not you’re there for a show.
12
Gran Electrica
12
5 Front St.
Finish off your day at this bar-restaurant with a Mexican food and some drinks. Our Mexican-food-and-nightlife consultant has kind words for the tacos, and the tequila- and mezcal-based cocktails are also popular (and potent). If it’s a nice night, take advantage of the outdoor patio seating beneath the Brooklyn Bridge.