Williamsburg Bridge

The Basics

The Williamsburg Bridge, which opened in 1903, is an essential thoroughfare connecting Manhattan’s Lower East Side to Brooklyn’s trendy Williamsburg neighborhood. It carries pedestrians, motorists, and subway trains on separate levels. If you walk across the bridge at night, you’ll enjoy the extra treat of Manhattan’s glittering skyline.

Many city tours cross the bridge, and river cruises often coast beneath the imposing steel structure. Beyond group tours, you can always book a private tour by car or motorcycle, which is an exciting way to quickly cross the bridge while enjoying the sights of your choosing.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Walkers and cyclists are separated by a thin, painted line, so stay in your lane, and be aware of fast-moving bikes as you cross.

• The 1.4-mile (2.25-kilometer) bridge stands 135 feet (41 meters) above the river and is often windy, so pack an outer layer and prepare for a good walk.

• Adrenaline fiends can opt for a helicopter tour; these tours typically pass over New York City’s bridges, the Statue of Liberty, and other iconic sights.

• The bridge is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.

How to Get There

You can access the Williamsburg Bridge from the Manhattan side at Delancey and Clinton streets, and the Brooklyn side at Bedford Avenue between South 5th and 6th streets. To get to the bridge, you take the subway: in Manhattan, take the B or D train to Grand Street, or the F to Delancey; in Brooklyn, take the J or M to Marcy Avenue, or the G to Metropolitan Avenue.

When to Get There

The Williamsburg Bridge is best explored in pleasant weather. On sunny, summer weekends, the bridge is crowded with tourists and locals walking and cruising on bikes. To avoid the crowds, consider arriving mid-week, during the day, or taking an after-dinner stroll.

How to See the Lower East Side

To enjoy views of the Williamsburg Bridge without walking across, consider booking a Lower East Side walking tour. In addition to great bridge views from Manhattan, walking tours tend to explore the LES’s rich immigrant history, identify locations featured in movies, and recommend the best places to eat around the neighborhood. Both private and group tours are usually available year-round.

Ways to explore

If you’re heading to Brooklyn from Manhattan, the Williamsburg Bridge is a good choice. For the best views, cross the bridge on foot or by bike, so you can stop to admire the Manhattan skyline and watch the subway trains below.

Williamsburg Bridge is often included on sightseeing tours of Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, and NYC’s neighborhoods, as well as walking and cycling tours of Williamsburg, known for its hipster cafés, street art, and rich cultural scene. For a different perspective, pass beneath the bridge on a New York Harbor cruise or enjoy an aerial view on a helicopter tour.

Accessibility

The bridge has ramp access for wheelchairs and is accessible for strollers.

Age limits

None.

What to pack

Camera, binoculars, sunscreen, wide-brimmed hat, umbrella

What to wear

Flat, comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing, as it can get windy on the bridge.

Not allowed

If you’re walking, stay out of the bike lane so as not to disrupt or slow down passing cyclists.

Amenities

The closest public restrooms are at Continental Army Plaza, close to the Brooklyn side of the bridge.

Address

You can access the Williamsburg Bridge from the Manhattan side at Delancey and Clinton Streets, and the Brooklyn side at Bedford Avenue between South 5th and 6th Streets. It’s accessible by car, subway, bike, or on foot.

Driving

Driving in New York City isn’t for the uninitiated, but the Williamsburg Bridge generally has less traffic than the Brooklyn Bridge. From Upper Manhattan, take the FDR Drive southbound to exit 4 (Grand Street), then turn left from Grand Street onto Delancey Street to access the bridge.

Public transportation

In Manhattan, take subway lines F, J, M, or Z to Delancey Street–Essex Street, from where you can walk or cycle across the bridge. In Brooklyn, take the J or M to Marcy Avenue or the G to Metropolitan Avenue. If you don’t want to walk, the J, M, and Z subway lines run across the bridge with great views.

Best times to visit

For the most dazzling views, stop on the bridge during the golden hour before sunset. To avoid the crowds, go for an early morning walk or jog across the bridge. If driving, avoid the weekday rush hours between 6am and 10am, and 4pm to 8pm.

Best days to visit

Weekdays typically draw fewer crowds than the weekends. Car and bike traffic tends to be concentrated around rush hours in the week, and it’s often much quieter on the bridge during the rest of the day.

Best months to visit

Late spring and early fall tend to offer the best weather for walking and biking, but it’s worth visiting through the seasons to admire the changing views of the Manhattan skyline.

Special events

While there aren’t any festivals held on the bridge, it is a popular spot from which to watch the city’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.