Williamsburg Bridge in New York

The Williamsburg Bridge in New York connects the Lower East Side in Manhattan with Williamsburg in Brooklyn. It is one of three bridges spanning the East River, and you can cross it on foot, by bike, by car or by subway. Along the way, you’ll enjoy a lovely view of the Manhattan skyline. A walk across the bridge is ideal for combining with a visit to Williamsburg or the Lower East Side.

Walking over the Williamsburg Bridge

The Williamsburg Bridge has its own footpath and a separate bicycle path, separated from motor traffic and the subway, allowing you to cross the bridge in various ways. The bridge is 2,227 m long, making it slightly longer than the Manhattan Bridge. Allow 30 to 45 minutes for the crossing at a leisurely pace, with a little extra time for photos along the way. The toned red colour of the steel makes the bridge very photogenic!

Just as on the Manhattan Bridge, a subway runs across the Williamsburg Bridge: the JZM lines cross the East River here. You’ll feel a vibration when a subway train passes, but you’ll soon get used to it. The walkway is higher than the subway tracks, giving you an unobstructed view.

From Brooklyn to Manhattan, or vice versa

For the best views, I recommend walking from Brooklyn to Manhattan, as this gives you a view of the skyline. But the Williamsburg Bridge is also lovely to walk across in the other direction. That way, you’ll walk into the Williamsburg neighbourhood and enjoy stunning views of Domino Park with its light blue cranes. It’s a lovely place to spend the day.

How to get to the Williamsburg Bridge?

To reach the Williamsburg Bridge, take either of the subway lines JM to the Marcy Avenue station in Williamsburg using your OMNY card. From here, it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the pedestrian walkway on the bridge.

You can also take line L to Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg. This subway station is right in the heart of this lively neighbourhood, so you can explore it properly before crossing the bridge. Or walk my Williamsburg–Greenpoint walking route in reverse!

On the Manhattan side, you’ll come out onto Delancey Street in the Lower East Side. Nearby are the Essex Street subway station for lines JZM and Delancey Street station for the F.

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Eric’s Tip: “I prefer to walk from Manhattan to Brooklyn so that I can head straight into Williamsburg after crossing the bridge. To round off the day perfectly, I often take the NYC Ferry back to Manhattan.”

What to do near Williamsburg Bridge?

On the Brooklyn side lies Williamsburg, one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in New York. Around Bedford Avenue, you’ll find plenty of coffee shops, vintage shops, bookshops and restaurants. Domino Park on the East River is the perfect spot for a break, with views of the skyline and the bridge itself.

On the Manhattan side, you’ll find yourself in the Lower East Side, a lively neighbourhood steeped in history. Here you’ll find, amongst other things, Katz’s Delicatessen, famous for its pastrami sandwiches. The bridge is therefore not just a tourist attraction, but also a link between two neighbourhoods that are both well worth a visit.

The three most important bridges in New York

Do you find it difficult to tell the three East River bridges apart? If so, think of the car brand BMW. The order from south to north is Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge and Williamsburg Bridge. All three bridges connect Manhattan with Brooklyn, and you can cross all three on foot for free.

Williamsburg Bridge vs. Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge is the best known of the three and, as a result, also the busiest. The Manhattan Bridge is already a fair bit quieter. The Williamsburg Bridge is the least touristy of the three bridges. Here, you’ll mainly be walking amongst New Yorkers: commuters, runners and cyclists who travel between Williamsburg and Manhattan every day.

The view of the Williamsburg Bridge is different from that of the other two bridges. You mainly look out over Midtown Manhattan, whereas from the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge, you can see the Financial District. The Brooklyn Bridge itself isn’t clearly visible from the Williamsburg Bridge; for that, you’re better off choosing the Manhattan Bridge.

History of the Williamsburg Bridge

The Williamsburg Bridge is the second of the three major East River bridges:

• Construction of the Williamsburg Bridge began in 1896 and the bridge opened on 19 December 1903.
• When it opened, the Williamsburg Bridge took the title of the world’s longest suspension bridge from the Brooklyn Bridge. The main span is 488 m long. The bridge held this title for over 20 years.
• The opening of the bridge changed Williamsburg forever. Many residents of the densely populated Lower East Side moved to Brooklyn via the new bridge, causing Williamsburg to grow rapidly.
• In the 1980s, the bridge was so poorly maintained that there were even plans to demolish and replace it. In the end, it was decided to carry out a major renovation, which lasted until the beginning of this century.
• Nowadays, the Williamsburg Bridge is one of New York’s busiest cycle routes, and the subway lines JZM carry many thousands of passengers across the bridge every day.