A PERFECT ONE DAY IN DUMBO BROOKLYN WITH KIDS ITINERARY

THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN DUMBO BROOKLYN AS A FAMILY

One of the most iconic things to do when you visit New York City is to walk over the Brooklyn Bridge. If you walk from the Manhattan side towards Brooklyn you’ll come to DUMBO. But is DUMBO Brooklyn worth visiting? It’s a lovely place to spend a day and very family-friendly. If you have time, I would highly recommend it. So in this post, I will be sharing a perfect one day in DUMBO Brooklyn with kids itinerary.

There is a lot to do and see in this little area of Brooklyn. One day is the perfect amount of time to spend here, or even half a day if you’re short on time. In this post, I’ll be covering the best places to eat and the best things to do in DUMBO Brooklyn with kids.

WHAT IS DUMBO?

DUMBO stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. It’s a small area of Brooklyn located but the East River and under the Manhattan Bridge, stretching across to the Brooklyn Bridge.

STARTING YOUR DAY IN DUMBO BROOKLYN WITH KIDS

As I mentioned, walking the Brooklyn Bridge is a must-do when you’re in New York. Start your day early as it gets crowded. It’s more relaxed for families when it’s not quite so busy!

It also can be quite windy out on the Bridge so, depending on the time of year, make sure to take an extra layer, especially for kids!

VIEW OF THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE FROM DUMBO | WALKING THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE

OTHER WAYS TO GET TO DUMBO

If you don’t fancy walking over the Brooklyn Bridge, there are some other ways you can get to DUMBO.

The NYC Ferry takes you from Wall Street to DUMBO in less than 5 minutes! You could also get on at the East 34th Street Pier, taking longer but it is a nice ride and it’s really great for kids! See their schedule here.

Or the Subway runs from Manhattan to DUMBO. An A, C or F train will stop in or close to DUMBO.

DON’T MISS THE MANHATTAN BRIDGE PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

You may have seen photos of the Empire State Building framed by a bridge. This is actually the Manhattan Bridge, not the Brooklyn Bridge. So where is the famous street in DUMBO? As you come into DUMBO head toward the point where Water Street and Washington Street cross. This is also on Google Maps as “Dumbo – Manhattan Bridge View”.

This is a popular spot and gets quite crowded but it is en-route and one of the best photo spots in DUMBO.

If you happen to be a Gossip Girl fan, the apartment block to the right as you face the Empire State Building was used as the exterior for the Humphrey Loft.

The Empire State Building through the Manhattan Bridge

STOP FOR A COFFEE OR BRUNCH IN DUMBO

After an early start and the walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, you’ll most likely be ready for a coffee and possibly a sweet treat! I’d recommend Dawn’s Til Dusk Coffee Shop. Located at 33 Main St, Brooklyn, NY 11201.

They have great drinks and a wide range of breakfasts, pastries and cakes so there’s something that will suit everyone. It’s also a beautiful little cafe and spacious enough for a pushchair (stroller) if you have one.

The only thing this cafe is lacking is a baby changing table. If you need one, they have them in the Time Out market, which I will talk about more later.

DAWN’S TILL DUSK COFFEE SHOP

THE BEST PLAYGROUND IN DUMBO FOR KIDS

A family-friendly Brooklyn itinerary wouldn’t be complete without a playground stop. I love finding a good playground, it’s a great way for kids to burn off some energy. In DUMBO, I’d recommend Main St. Playground, it has a fun pirate ship theme that kids will love and it is less than a 5-minute walk from Dawn’s Til Dusk!

There is another playground in DUMBO called Pier 1 Playground, this is smaller so perfect if you’re visiting with toddlers but it is a bit further out of the way of this route.

SEE AMAZING VIEWS OF THE MANHATTAN SKYLINE

Next up on our DUMBO Brooklyn itinerary with kids, is a stroll through Main Street Park by the East River. As you walk along the water, head away from the Manhattan Bridge, towards the Brooklyn Bridge. Here you’ll see some of the best views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Skyline!

Kids will love the pebble beach when the tide is out and adults will love the scenic views.

VIEWS FROM DUMBO | MAIN STREET PLAYGROUND | PEBBLE BEACH DUMBO

BEST PLACES FOR LUNCH IN DUMBO BROOKLYN WITH KIDS

There are plenty of places to eat in DUMBO, here are some family-friendly restaurants in Brooklyn we would recommend, there should be something for everyone.

BEST PIZZA IN DUMBO

Pizza was always our go-to as it’s great for all the family. Grimaldi’s Pizzeria is often recommended as the best pizza in Brooklyn, however, we preferred Ignazio’s. It opens at 12 and people start queuing slightly before that. Be one of the first in line and you should get a table with amazing views of the Brooklyn Bridge.

IGNAZIO’S PIZZA | THE VIEW FROM IGNAZIO’S

TIME OUT MARKET

Time Out Market in Dumbo is full of delicious places to eat. You can order from one of the many vendors and find a vacant spot in the centre. I would recommend FELICE for pasta and Jacob’s Pickles for American Food. Although they also have BBQ and Mexican options.

The Market can get quite crowded. We sometimes found it quite challenging to get through with a toddler and a pushchair so keep that in mind if you’re visiting at peak times.

LUKE’S LOBSTER

We are not lobster fans, but if you are, Luke’s Lobster is always highly recommended!

RIDE JANE’S CAROUSEL

One of the best things to do in Brooklyn with kids is to ride on Jane’s Carousel. Tickets cost just $3 and if you have a child under 42 inches tall, you can accompany them on the ride for free.

This was my kid’s favourite activity when we visited DUMBO and it’s so affordable! The views from here are also amazing, this is something you must do when visiting DUMBO!

RIDING JANE’S CAROUSEL

RELAX IN DUMBOS’ BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK

While you’re in Brooklyn sightseeing with kids, you may want to sit and relax for a while or let kids run about and burn some energy. Brooklyn Bridge Park is the perfect place for this.

RETURNING TO MANHATTAN FROM DUMBO

Of course, you can return to Manhattan in any of the ways I mentioned you could arrive. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge, take the NYC Ferry or ride the Subway.

One final option is to walk back across the Manhattan Bridge. If you’re not too tired I would recommend it. The bridge itself isn’t as iconic as the Brooklyn Bridge is but the views from it over DUMBO and Downtown Manhattan are incredible!

You can also see the subway cars drive by up close. There is a fence so it’s very safe, just a little noisy! We played a game of who can guess how many trains would go past while we were walking. My toddler absolutely loved it and probably preferred it to the Brooklyn Bridge.

That concludes our perfect dau in DUMBO Brooklyn with kids itinerary, we hope we’ve inspired you on where to go in Brooklyn with kids and that you have an amazing time there!