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New York is more than just Manhattan. I know that sounds obvious once you have been there, but when you are planning your first trip, Manhattan tends to swallow the entire itinerary. Brooklyn deserves a full day of your time — it has sightseeing, great food, beautiful streets, and some of the most photogenic spots in the entire city. Here is exactly how I would plan that day, including how to get there and what it costs.
How to reach Brooklyn
If you are coming from outside New York, start by taking the PATH train. It will drop you at the WTC metro station, which is also known as the Oculus station. Once you are there, simply put Brooklyn Bridge into Google Maps, take any exit, and walk. It is about a ten-minute walk from the Oculus to the bridge — completely manageable on foot.
Stop 1 — Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
The first thing to do when you arrive is to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. The bridge is less than a kilometre long, so the full walk from one end to the other takes about half an hour to forty minutes at a relaxed pace. As you walk, you will see the Manhattan Bridge on one side and the famous skyline of New York's tall buildings and skyscrapers on the other. There are photo opportunities all along the way, so take your time and enjoy the views. This is one of those experiences where slowing down is the right call.
Stop 2 — Explore DUMBO
After the bridge, head down into DUMBO. The name stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, and it describes the neighbourhood sitting between the Manhattan Bridge on one side and the Brooklyn Bridge on the other. DUMBO is the area to slow down and enjoy — there are nice views of the river, good cafes, a little shopping, and a park nearby. This is a natural place to stop for lunch.
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If you are in the mood for pizza, go to Grimaldi's. It is one of the most popular pizza places in Brooklyn. I had the classic pizza there — tomato sauce, cheese, and toppings of your choice — and it was genuinely good. As a vegetarian, I appreciated being able to customise it however I wanted. If pizza is not your thing, there is also a Shake Shack nearby. The fries at Shake Shack are worth every bite.
While you are in the DUMBO area, keep an eye out for the art scene. There are art galleries, street art, and in the summer months, artists working right out on the streets — sketching, painting, and creating. Even in winter it is a visually interesting neighbourhood to wander through.
Stop 3 — Brooklyn Heights and the Promenade
The third area to visit is Brooklyn Heights, and it is one of the most beautiful parts of the entire borough. The streets here are upscale and beautifully kept — the kind of tree-lined, brownstone-lined streets that will remind you of every American television series you have ever watched. If you are a How I Met Your Mother fan, you will recognise this neighbourhood immediately. It genuinely looks like the sets from that show.
Walk along the Brooklyn Heights Promenade when the weather is good. It gives you stunning views — not just of Brooklyn, but of Manhattan across the water. And here is a detail that surprises a lot of people: you can see the Statue of Liberty directly from this promenade. If you are not planning to take the ferry out to Liberty Island, this is a perfectly good way to see it without the extra trip.
Planning your New York trip
If this is your first visit to New York, I completely understand how overwhelming the planning can feel. There is so much to do and so much to figure out before you even arrive. I spent weeks researching before my own first trip. If you want to make the process easier, I work with a team to create customised itineraries based on your specific time, budget, and family requirements — so that when you get there, you are not just ticking off tourist spots but actually experiencing the city. You can book a one-to-one consultation with me to get started.
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