Brooklyn Bridge and Dumbo: A Self-Guided Walking Tour

We'll stroll across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, and hear the dramatic story of its construction. You’ll learn how the bridge claimed the life of its mastermind, John Roebling; how its chief engineer, Washington Roebling, was severely crippled deep in its pressurized underwater caissons; and how it was finally completed by Washington’s wife, Emily Roebling.

We'll walk the streets of historic DUMBO and learn its fascinating story of boom, bust and rebirth -- from industrial powerhouse to abandoned decay to arts haven and tech powerhouse.

We'll visit Jane's Carousel and learn its touching story of how Jane Walentas spend 27 years restoring this historic merry-go-round by hand, commissioned a prize-winning building to house it, and offered it free to the city, only to have it rejected by petty politics.

We'll visit the birthplace of famous Grimaldi's Pizzeria, and learn its fascinating origin story, including the feud with it's founder, who came out of retirement to open a competing pizzeria right next door.

We'll visit the historic Empire Stores, once a coffee warehouse, now the home of the hip Time Out market featuring Brooklyn eateries and a fabulous rooftop view of Manhattan.

We'll visit Fulton's Landing, historic home of the Fulton Ferry, where George Washington's men escaped into the fog after losing the first battle of the Revolutionary War. Today it's the jumping off point for the NYC Ferry. It's also home to The River Cafe, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream and the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory.

We'll take you to the corner of Washington and Water Streets, today one of NYC's most iconic photo opportunities. But while others merely snap and post, we'll set the stage by telling you the stories of the surrounding buildings and the neighborhood's rebirth.