Why I Ditched The Crowds and Walked the Brooklyn Bridge at Sunrise (and you should too)

Right, I’m back. And I’m jet-lagged, slightly overwhelmed, and already desperately missing New York City. My friend Katie and I have just returned from the most brilliant girls’ trip, four days in NYC without a single person asking me where their PE kit is or what’s for dinner. Honestly, I could cry just thinking about it.

I’ve been to New York before, so this wasn’t my first time crossing the Brooklyn Bridge. Last time I did it, avec family, it was mid-afternoon on a Saturday and we spent most of the walk shuffling along in a human traffic jam, dodging selfie sticks and accidentally wandering into the bike lane (more on that later). It was still beautiful, obviously, because it’s the Brooklyn Bridge and New York is New York. But it wasn’t exactly the magical experience I’d had in my head.

This time, Katie and I were awake through jetlag at 3am, so after grabbing a coffee from a 24/7 deli, we pulled on our trainers, and headed out into the pre-dawn dark. And honestly? It might be one of the best things I’ve ever done on any trip, anywhere. Here’s everything you need to know if you want to do the same.

The jet lag thing is actually your secret weapon

I know, I know. You’ve read a thousand articles telling you to push through, stay up, force yourself onto local time. And there’s definitely something to that advice. But for the first morning or two? Lean into it. When your body thinks it’s 10am and the local time is 5am, getting out of bed is completely painless. You’ll be wide awake and raring to go while most of New York is still fast asleep, which is exactly where you want to be for this.

We didn’t need the alarm I’d set. I was awake before it went off, which is genuinely unheard of for me. If you’re visiting from the UK, that east-to-west time difference is your best friend for an early morning adventure.

When to actually get there

Here’s the thing about sunrise: you need to be on the bridge before it happens, not arriving as it starts. I’d recommend aiming to be at your starting point at least 30 minutes before official sunrise, and by “at your starting point” I mean already on the bridge itself, not just approaching it.

The walk up to the bridge takes longer than you’d think. From the Brooklyn side, the approach from the Tillary Street entrance is around 15 minutes on its own before you’re properly on the walkway. Factor that in when you’re setting your alarm. I’d rather be standing on that bridge watching the sky turn pink and feeling slightly over-prepared than jogging the last bit in a panic as the sun crests the horizon.

Check a sunrise calculator for your specific travel dates, as times vary massively depending on the time of year. In June it’ll be closer to 5.30am. In October or November, you’re looking at nearer 7am. Either way, there’s no sleeping in.

Start from the Brooklyn side

This is the tip I wish I’d had the first time I crossed. Start your walk from Brooklyn, not Manhattan, and walk towards the Manhattan skyline. As you come up onto the bridge and start heading west, that entire glittering skyline is right in front of you. One World Trade, the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, all of it unfolding in front of you as the sun comes up behind you, painting the sky in shades of amber and gold.

If you start from the Manhattan side and walk towards Brooklyn, you get the views behind you. You’ll be forever craning your neck or stopping to turn around. It’s fine, but it’s not the same. Trust me on this: Brooklyn to Manhattan is the move.

To get to the Brooklyn entrance, take the A, C, or F subway to High Street or York Street in DUMBO. The entrance to the pedestrian walkway is on Tillary Street near Brooklyn Bridge Boulevard. It’s well signposted once you’re in the right area.

Watch out for the bike lane (seriously)

The bridge walkway is divided into two lanes: pedestrians on the right, cyclists on the left. At first glance, it’s not immediately obvious which is which, especially in the half-dark of early morning, and I’ve seen people wander straight into the bike lane without realising. The cyclists use that lane at speed, at all hours, and they’re not shy about making their feelings known if you’re in their way.

Stick to the right-hand side. If you’re stopping for photos, make sure you’re properly on the pedestrian side before you set up your shot. This is especially important if you’re using a tripod, because they can stick out into the adjacent lane without you noticing.

What the light is actually like

This is what I wasn’t prepared for the first time, because I didn’t do it at sunrise. The light at this time of day is extraordinary in a way that’s genuinely hard to describe without sounding a bit over the top. It’s soft and golden and it makes everything look like a film still. The steel cables of the bridge catch the early light beautifully. The Manhattan skyline glows. The East River reflects it all back at you.

By mid-morning the light is already too harsh, especially in summer. By afternoon you’re either squinting into direct sun or the sky has gone flat. Sunrise is genuinely the best photographic window of the entire day at this location, and the fact that it’s also the quietest time is just an incredible bonus.

The sky before the sun actually appears can be stunning in its own right. We were treated to this gorgeous pale violet hue across the Manhattan side of the skyline in the 15 minutes before sunrise proper, which was completely unexpected and absolutely worth the early alarm.

What to wear (and pack)

It will be colder than you expect, especially if there’s any wind. The bridge is elevated and exposed, and even on a warm morning there can be a genuine chill once you’re up there. Bring a layer you can tie around your waist if you warm up on the walk. I wore trainers and was very glad of it. The walkway surface is wooden with metal grid sections and it’s slightly uneven in places, so anything with a heel is going to make for an uncomfortable 20-odd minutes.

Pack your phone fully charged. Bring a portable charger if you’re the sort of person who goes trigger-happy with the camera, which at sunrise you absolutely will be. And if you want to take proper photos rather than just phone snaps, check what the rules are about tripods before you go, as the bridge has had varying policies on these over the years.

What to do when you reach the other side

This is the lovely part that makes the whole morning feel complete rather than just a tick-box exercise. Once you’ve crossed into Manhattan, you’ve got the most peaceful version of New York City to yourself. The streets around City Hall and the Financial District are quiet in a way they simply never are once the working day begins.

Katie and I walked back across the bridge (because we couldn’t stop photographing it) and headed into DUMBO for breakfast. New Yorkers, as a general rule, are not early risers, so the coffee shops in DUMBO were blissfully calm. There are some gorgeous little spots in the neighbourhood and you’ve got the added bonus of Brooklyn Bridge Park right there, which has brilliant views back towards the Manhattan skyline. Jane’s Carousel is right there too, which is one of those slightly surreal, beautiful New York things that’s worth a look even if you don’t ride it.

If you’d rather head into Manhattan after crossing, the area around the World Trade Center memorial is genuinely moving at this time of day when there are very few other visitors around. Alternatively, grab a coffee and a bagel from a street cart and just sit and watch the city wake up. It’s one of those simple pleasures that ends up being one of the highlights of the whole trip.

The bit that made me properly emotional

I’m going to be honest with you. I’m a 40-something mum of three who was standing on a bridge at 5.45am having dragged herself out of bed in the dark, and I cried a little bit. Not in a tragic way. In a “this is breathtakingly beautiful and I’m really glad I’m alive and here” kind of way. The kind of moment that makes you feel briefly invincible and very, very lucky.

There were maybe 15 or 20 other people on the bridge with us at that point. A couple of joggers, a few other early-rising tourists, one very serious-looking photographer with a proper tripod set-up. It felt like a secret that somehow everyone knew but not enough people acted on. Compare that to the wall-to-wall crowds I encountered on my first visit and it’s a completely different experience of the same landmark.

If you’re planning a trip to New York, please do this. Set the alarm. Embrace the jet lag. Walk from Brooklyn. You’ll be back at your hotel by 8am with an extraordinary start to your day and the smug satisfaction of having seen one of the world’s most famous bridges at its absolute best.

And then you can have a nap before round two.

Quick reference: what you need to know

Getting there: A, C, or F subway to High Street or York Street (Brooklyn side). 4, 5, or 6 to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall (Manhattan side). Start from Brooklyn for the best skyline views on the walk.

When to arrive: At least 30 minutes before official sunrise, already on the bridge. Allow extra time for the walk up from the street.

How long does the walk take: Around 25 to 40 minutes depending on how often you stop. The bridge is 1.1 miles (just under 2km) end to end.

What it costs: Absolutely nothing. The bridge is free to walk across, 24 hours a day.

Crowds: Minimal before 8am. After that it gets busier quickly, especially in peak tourist season.

After: Head into DUMBO for breakfast and Brooklyn Bridge Park, or continue into Manhattan towards the Financial District and World Trade Center.

See more of my far-flung adventures here!

Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.