Being a recent transplant to NYC, I have the advantage of being able to view the city and surrounding areas with the fresh eyes of someone still in "tourist-mode." And having recently moved into the charming neighborhood of Brooklyn Heights, I am still pinching myself for having the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and Brooklyn Bridge Park within 5 minutes of where I live. If you haven't yet had the chance to venture out to these local (and free!) treasures then you don't know what you're missing!

The Brooklyn Bridge Park is still a work in progress, but the areas that are open so far are certainly enough to suffice until the park is complete. Lush patches of green lawn welcome picnicking families or lounging groups of friends...mini-playgrounds give plenty of diversion for the kids...and breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn & Manhattan Bridges remind us how lucky we are to live in this great metropolis.The ultimate plan is to have the park stretch from Pier 6 (near Columbia Street and Atlantic) all the way down to Pier 1 (near DUMBO, and also where you can find the most completed areas to-date.)

After exploring the park, venture on up to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade for a panoramic view of Manhattan and surrounding areas. In the words of New York Magazine, it "draw photographers, couples on romantic walks, and New Yorkers who want an inspiring place to sit and think." In my words, it's simply amazing and must be experienced first-hand.

Enjoy the views, and if you're like me, you'll be pinching yourself that all of this beauty is just a short trip away...

For directions to the park click here.
For directions to the promenade click here.
For a list of events taking place at the park click here.

A view down the promenade towards the Brooklyn Bridge/DUMBO. The promenade starts near Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights.

No trip to the Brooklyn Bridge Park is complete without a stop at the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory (located near Pier 1).

Off Pier 1, an amazing view of the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.

One of several play areas for the kiddos.

A massive flight of granite stairs — Brooklyn’s front stoop, if you will — bisects the park. Called the “Granite Prospect,” this stairway was made from steps salvaged from the Roosevelt Island Bridge reconstruction.

One of several lush expanses of green lawn that are "doggie-free" and safe for lounging without worry of stepping into something unpleasant...

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