As we’ve already discussed, bridges are essential to the efficiency and aesthetic of the city of New York more than any other man-made structure. Uptown Manhattan has its share of river crossings, hulking structures meant for the traffic of commuting cars and trucks rather than pedestrians and camera-wielding tourists. Downtown’s East River crossings though, exemplify what modern spans should be–easily manageable for vehicles and pedestrians, architecturally sound, beautiful. New York Habitat has dozens of flats steps from the structures that link Manhattan to the rest of the world.
Brooklyn Bridge with views of downtown Manhattan
The king of all New York bridges is the Brooklyn Bridge. For most New Yorkers the bridge is the undisputed symbol of New York, the work of architecture of which they are most proud. In the absence of the World Trade Center, the Brooklyn Bridge is probably the most recognizable symbol of New York around the world (or at least a close second behind the Statue of Liberty). New Yorkers that cross the bridge every day are still struck by its singular beauty. A walk across the famed span is essential to any visit to New York. The wide pedestrian walkway is less noisy than most and provides some of the best southern-Manhattan views. The Brooklyn Bridge represents a gateway from the 19th to 20th centuries, from the low rises in Brooklyn to the skyscrapers of Manhattan, and the blue collars of Flatbush to the bleached-white collars on Wall Street.
While no New York bridge matches the aesthetic of the Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Bridge’s two neighbors to the north–the Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges–are also worth a visit. Both spans feature pedestrian walkways with a small fraction of the tourists packed on the Brooklyn Bridge. Best of all, these two bridges offer arguably better views of the Manhattan skyline–views that include the facade of America’s most famous river crossing.
New York Accommodation 2-bedroom loft in Noho (NY-12499)
New York Habitat has accommodations on the Brooklyn and Manhattan side of the East River, all within a walk of the pedestrian crossings. This 2-bedroom apartment rental in Brooklyn Heights (NY-12661) is available all summer and has panoramic rooftop views. This loft-style 2-bedroom vacation rental in Noho, East Village - Lower East Side (NY-12499) is on the Manhattan side of the East River as is this 1-bedroom apartment rental in Bowery, East Village - Lower East Side (NY-12317), another one of New York Habitat’s favorite New York accommodations.
Did we leave out your favorite New York bridge? Let us know why we should have included it below.
Related apartment rental posts from New York Habitat:
- New York Bridges Part 1: Uptown views of the Hudson River
- Crossing the River Seine with New York Habitat
- Top 5 Manhattan Views: #1 The Roosevelt Island Tram
- The neighborhood of Astoria
- Top 5 Manhattan, New York Views: #4 Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park
May 29th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Walking along the Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridge is a amaizing expirience. The view from the perdestrian Path is breath taking especially during this beautiful whether.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
The Queensboro bridge, or 59th Street bridge, is worthwhile mentioning also. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel “The Great Gatsby”, Jay Gatsby and Nick Carraway traverse it on their way from Long Island to Manhattan. “The city seen from the Queensboro Bridge,” Nick says, “is always the city seen for the first time, in its first wild promise of all the mystery and the beauty in the world”.
June 13th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
I love the Brooklyn Bridge, and enjoyed taking a walk there with my wife last weekend. Since we moved into Flatbush Gardens in Brooklyn, we have been very active and are enjoying the start of summer! Although we are very busy with our new 2 bedroom apartment, I’m already looking forward to taking walks along the bridge and through Prospect Park with my wife this summer.