The title may sound weird to you and you’re wondering – what is DUMBO? Well, it stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, and it’s an area in Brooklyn where I used to live for half a year. I’d just like to give you an idea what it’s like to live in that area and would recommend checking it out if you ever go to New York, as most tourists never get to experience it, missing out on something really great.
The best way to get there is to just cross the Brooklyn Bridge from the Manhattan side and there you are.
Strolling around is this neighborhood is especially nice during the weekend since the locals are also out in the streets, which makes it lively but not as crowded as Manhattan.
And the flea markets, which are of the extraordinary kind with quite interesting stuff to find, take place on Saturdays and Sundays. To describe what it looks like there – I’d say it’s kind of trashy, but stylish at the same time, it's just got character...
If you’re looking for something to eat, go to Bubby’s, they offer some great brunch – huge portions btw – and the view of the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges is spectacular. Afterwards, you can take a walk in the Empire Fulton Ferry State Park, so enjoy!
DUMBO is absolutely wonderful. The Brooklyn Bridge Park at night, has to be one of the most beautiful places in NY. And you are right that a lot of people often miss out on it. It also has a wonderful burgeoning art scene, so check it OUT!!!!
ReplyDeleteIf you're just passing through, I suppose Dumbo could be a nice surprise. But for people living there, it's become hellish for myriad reasons. It's loud, noisy, dirty, and filled with bus loads of tourists on the weekends clogging up the park and filling the streets with traffic. The "burgeoning art scene" alluded to above is long over. The studios they once inhabited are now either condos or offices for branding companies. The few things still worth visiting are Grimaldi's Pizza on Old Fulton Street, Jacques Torres Chocolate on Water Street, and Almondine for French pastry, soup and sandwiches. Of course, there's also the turn-of-the-century architecture, but that can also be seen in Brooklyn Heights and many parts of Manhattan. Other than that, I don't see what the draw is.
ReplyDeleteConcerning the food, yeah Grimaldi is a great place - supposedly they have the best pizza in NYC - and it's really, really tasty, although the line-up kind of sucks, during peak times you have to wait for an hour to get a table...
ReplyDeleteJacques Torres offers delicious hot chocolate and Almondine has some of the best croissants you can get outside of France!
So even though it's only because of the food - it still presents a nice contrast to Manhattan!
unfortuneatley i wasn´t there yet, but it is on my todo list before I die =)
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