Dumbo
DUMBO (short for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is a relatively small but unique Brooklyn neighborhood that lacks the famous brownstone look of areas nearby, but offers a beauty found in few other parts of New York. With its incredible Manhattan skyline views, cobblestoned streets, and looming overhead of the Manhattan Bridge, DUMBO imparts a distinctive feel that is easy to love. Plus, with a host of big new luxury buildings along the river and a huge investment made by the city into the renovation of the waterfront, DUMBO now features two of the most visited parks in NYC with recreational areas, public basketball and volleyball courts with the view of Manhattan. After peaking in the 90s with a first new wave of interest, DUMBO’s revitalization has turned it into one of the most desirable parts of New York.
Where Is
The Locals
What's to Love
What's Not to Expect
DUMBO is small and busy, and the streets are crowded all day long with tourists coming for the incredible views. It also lacks a lot of basic amenities, such as schools and grocery stores, and for that reason is more easily suited to couples and singles than growing families.
Dumbo Look & Feel
Great Eats Cool Drinks & Nights Out & Entertainment
Slow and understated, the best restaurants on the perimeter of in the neighborhood. The central area and the waterfront caters more to tourists.
Top picks:
- Grimaldi’s Pizza: the most famous restaurant in the area and one most famous in New York
- Juliana’s Pizza: nextdoor to Grimaldi’s, less famous but just as good
- The River Cafe: top notch American bistro
- Shake Shack: completely unpretentious, this simple and famous burger joint’s 2nd best NY location is found here.
Parks & Rec
The Brooklyn Bridge Park and Pier 2 complexes offer a variety of services and green spaces to serve couples or families of any sizes, featuring basketball and beachvolley courts, grassy areas and picturesque views of Manhattan.
Guest Lodging
Like in much of Brooklyn, there are no true hotels in DUMBO, so one must travel to nearby downtown Brooklyn over the bridge to downtown Manhattan to find lodging.
Public Transportation
DUMBO’s public transportation options are more limited, with train stops found only on the neighborhood’s southern borders.
Transportation options: A C F Bus Service
Car Travel
Due to the high density population and the narrow streets, parking can be difficult on the weekends and challenging even for residents during the week and garages will likely be necessary.
LaGuardia: 20 minutes
JFK: 35-50 minutes
Newark: 60-75 minutes
Green cabs and Ubers are also readily available just about anywhere. Distance from main airports by car:
LaGuardia: 20 minutes
JFK: 35-50 minutes
Newark: 60-75 minutes