Brooklyn New York Walking Tour (Self Guided), New York

The Brooklyn Bridge is a suspension bridge crossing the East River from Brooklyn to Manhattan in New York City. Since its construction, the bridge has become an icon of New York City, an outstanding architectural effort that is still admired across the world. The Brooklyn Bridge was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1972.

There had been proposals for a bridge connecting Brooklyn to Manhattan as early as the beginning of the 19th century. The Brooklyn Bridge was designed by civil engineer John Augustus Roebling. His son, Washington Roebling, was the chief engineer of the project. Construction began in 1869 and was completed in 1883. The bridge’s opening day, May 24, 1883, was marked by much celebration and was attended by the President of the United States Chester Alan Arthur.

The bridge is an early steel-wire suspension bridge. It has a cable-stayed suspension design fitted with vertical and diagonal suspender cables. Its huge stone towers have Neo-Gothic pointed arches. Clearance for shipping on the river is provided by viaducts with long approaches that raise the bridge well above the surface.

The main span between towers is almost 2,000 feet long. The bridge stretches and contracts up to 16 inches with temperature changes. Navigation clearance is 127 feet above high water. The spans are held up by six trusses parallel to the roadway. The trusses are carried by suspender ropes hanging from the four main cables.

A distinctive feature of the Brooklyn Bridge is an elevated promenade 18 feet above the automobile lanes. The promenade has a white line down the middle to separate cyclists from walkers. A stroll across the elevated pedestrian walkway provides a true New York City experience.

Plymouth Church is an historic church is located in the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. The church was built in 1849–50 and was designed by Joseph C. Wells. Under the leadership of its first minister, Henry Ward Beecher, it became the foremost center of anti-slavery sentiment in the mid-19th century. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1961, and has been a National Historic Landmark since 1966. It is part of the Brooklyn Heights Historic District, created by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1965.

Plymouth Church was founded in 1847 by 21 transplanted New Englanders, who were part of a circle centered around the wealthy evangelical merchants Arthur and Lewis Tappan. The site where the church building would be located was purchased from the First Presbyterian Church, which had been worshipping there since 1822, but which needed more space. It moved to a new site on Henry Street, a few blocks away.

Plymouth Church's first pastor was Henry Ward Beecher, who became a leading figure in the abolitionist movement. His sister was Harriet Beecher Stowe, noted today as the author of the anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom's Cabin. The church itself became an important station on the Underground Railroad through which slaves from the South were secretly transported to Canada. Locally known as "the Grand Central Depot," slaves were hidden in the tunnel-like basement beneath the church sanctuary.

In October 1859, the church offered Abraham Lincoln $200 for coming to Brooklyn and giving a lecture to the congregation. Lincoln accepted the invitation, traveled to Brooklyn and participate in church service on Sunday, February 26. Today a plaque marks the pew where Lincoln attended the service. Lincoln gave his famous anti-slavery speech before a capacity crowd of 1,500 on February 27, 1860, more than eight months before he was elected President.

Built in 1849–50, Plymouth Church is an example of 19th century urban tabernacle architecture with Italianate and colonial motifs. Its layout, influenced by the Broadway Tabernacle in Manhattan, was designed by Joseph C. Wells – who was later one of the founders of the American Institute of Architects. The barn-like church building, with its pews arranged in an arc before the pulpit, resemble more an auditorium or theater than what had traditionally been considered a church. This open design was adopted by many evangelical Protestant churches throughout the United States in the second half of the 19th century.

If you’re looking for different and uncommon – but picture-perfect – views of the Manhattan skyline, the East River, and the Brooklyn Bridge, don’t hesitate to head off to this area. Easily the most scenic spot in Brooklyn, the Promenade also overlooks Brooklyn Bridge Park, which offers an additional destination to relax and appreciate the vantage points along the waterfront.

The pedestrian walkway stretches nearly two thousand feet, and while much of it is a flat, elevated platform, it actually consists of four stories. Despite the somewhat confusing topography, the Esplanade is certainly walkable.

There are several benches lining the path, and people make good use of them, whether they're reading, conversing over coffee with a friend, or just sitting and enjoying the view.

Oddly, although the Promenade is built over the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, the noise doesn't ruin the calm, reflective atmosphere. If anything, it's a reminder that these peaceful places exist amid the hustle and bustle of everyday life in New York City.

Brooklyn Borough Hall, originally serving as the City Hall, now serves as the office of the Brooklyn Borough President and stands as the oldest public building in Brooklyn. It housed various government functions, including the Mayor's office, City Council, courtroom, and even a jail—a common feature of early 19th-century city halls that consolidated all municipal operations under one roof.

Designed by the esteemed architect Gamaliel King, a prominent figure in Brooklyn's civic and ecclesiastical architectural landscape of the 19th century, the building holds significant historical and architectural value. King's illustrious career began in the 1820s, during which he crafted some of the borough's most splendid churches, such as the enduring 12th Street Reformed Church (1868) in Park Slope.

With its imposing Greek Revival style and exterior adorned in Tuckahoe marble, Brooklyn Borough Hall stands as a monumental government edifice and serves as the vibrant hub of Brooklyn's Civic Center. In the 1980s, an ambitious restoration project was undertaken to address the considerable decay that had affected the exterior over the years. This endeavor, which earned accolades, involved stone work restoration, the replacement of copper shingles on the cupola, the installation of stainless steel cladding on the main roof, and the meticulous repair of the clock and tower elements. The bronze statue of Virtue, originally intended as part of the building's design but not initially included, was crafted based on historical drawings and documents. Additionally, site improvements included raising the plaza by two feet, installing an ornamental iron fence around the building, and adding historic lighting fixtures along the street.

Brooklyn Borough Hall stands not only as a testament to the borough's rich history but also as a symbol of its civic identity. Its restoration efforts have ensured the preservation of this architectural gem for generations to come.

The New York (aka NYC) Transit Museum on – or rather under – Schermerhorn Street in Downtown Brooklyn is dedicated to the history of New York's transport system, and is located in an actual subway station – Court Street – currently decommissioned, in Brooklyn Heights on the Fulton Street Line. The museum displays historical artifacts of the New York City Subway, bus, and commuter rail systems in the greater New York City metropolitan region.

On July 4, 1976, the New York City Transit Exhibit was opened as part of the United States Bicentennial celebration, featuring old subway cars which had been preserved, as well as models and other exhibits. Originally planned to run until September 7 of that year, the venue proved so popular that it remained open and eventually became a permanent museum.

As you head down the stairs into the beautifully renovated 1936 underground station, you'll be met with an incredible array of vintage subway cars, exhibitions about the underground tunnel systems and the people who built them, plus antique street-level buses and trolleys. There are also fascinating displays of ticket machines, fire hydrants, and signage.

The museum's mezzanine (upper) level contains the majority of the exhibits, restrooms, water fountains, a gift shop, and a dining space for visitors who have brought their own food or drink (none is for sale onsite). Artifacts from historic subway and bus operations, as well as NYC transportation infrastructure, are on display. The exhibits on the upper level are changed from time to time. In addition, there is a small presentation screening room which usually displays posters and videos for public education about courtesy and safety, including examples from other transit systems around the world.

Tip:
If your visit to Downtown Brooklyn falls between Thanksgiving and New Year, don't miss the Nostalgia Train and taking a ride on one of the vintage, but fully operational, 1930 R1/9 cars through nine stops on the subway system.

Brooklyn's own version of the Chelsea market (albeit somewhat smaller), DeKalb Market Hall is a new major addition to the culinary map of the United States fit to beat all the other food markets out there hands down. Located in the City Point development in downtown Brooklyn, DeKalb houses an array of local and regional food outposts serving so many different cuisines that you'd be struggling to know where to begin.

Want a jerk chicken? – done; steam buns? – you're covered; pierogi and kielbasa? – just like they make it back in Poland; and that’s just to start. With more than 40 trendy and delicious places under one roof, you simply can’t go wrong at DeKalb! There are Asian vendors selling ramen, noodles and everything in between, a bakery, a great bar selling craft beer on a tap and in cans, many dessert places, a BBQ, Hawaiin comfort food, a cheesebar, a creamery, hamburgers, you name it. They even have a Katz's Delicatessen here saving you the trouble visiting their iconic, crazy-busy original Lower East Side location if you want.

As an extra bonus, there's even a Trader Joe's to go shopping at afterwards – very convenient! And what's more, DeKalb also hosts daily entertainment and programming, with a custom show kitchen and a stage for live concerts which only adds to the great vibe. The place isn't too brightly lit, has a perfect size (quite big actually!) and has other sit down restaurants (and even a Whole Foods Market!) at the edges, plus communal seating areas, chairs, tables and benches all around. The food and the atmosphere are great, and there literally is something for everyone – meat lovers, vegetarians, vegans alike. Visit here, you won't regret!