Dumbo: An Insider’s Guide

Dumbo: Yes, It’s Brooklyn — And Yes, You Should Still Go

Let’s get the obvious out of the way first: Dumbo is not in Manhattan. It’s Brooklyn, plain and simple, tucked right under the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges (that’s literally what the name means,  Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). But so many of you ask about it, so many of you go, and so many of you end up loving it that it felt wrong not to give it real estate on our neighborhood pages. Consider this our love letter to a neighborhood that isn’t technically ours, but that every Manhattan-based visitor to New York inevitably ends up wandering through anyway.

And here’s the thing — most people who go to Dumbo see exactly three things: the cobblestone Washington Street shot with the Manhattan Bridge perfectly framed behind it, Jane’s Carousel, and Pebble Beach. Maybe they grab a bite at Time Out Market if they’re smart. Then they leave. That’s it. That’s the whole visit.

I’m not here to take that photo away from you. Get it. Everyone should get it at least once. But Dumbo is so much deeper than a five-minute photo op, and if you actually plan your day here, you’ll walk away with a completely different (and much better) impression of the neighborhood.

How Much Time Do You Need in Dumbo?

You can easily spend 5 hours in Dumbo, depending on what you’re into. If you’re an art person, budget more — between the murals, the galleries, and the open studios, you could lose an entire afternoon. If you’re mostly there for food, shopping, and the waterfront, 4 to 5 hours is a comfortable, unrushed pace that lets you actually enjoy it instead of speed-walking from landmark to landmark.

But hey, look — I was awed by the amount of food places in Time Out Market. I didn’t say don’t go there, but I did say check other places out too. I went on a Sunday, and it was PACKED. Even though I live in Manhattan, did I say that I don’t love crowds? Because I don’t, really. But the rooftop view WAS TO DIE FOR, even though it was night, and perhaps made even better by the night and… a slight drizzle. There’s something about the skyline through a little bit of mist that no sunny afternoon photo can compete with.If you can swing a weekday visit, especially a weekday morning, do it. You’ll get a much more authentic feel for what DUMBO is actually like day-to-day, without fighting the whole internet for the same Instagram spot.

Where to eat?

Empire Stores: Housed in a massive converted 19th-century warehouse right on the waterfront, this is basically a one-stop destination for eating, shopping, and taking in the view. Here’s an example of who’s here, including the famous Time Out Market:

• ABC Kitchens** — Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s first-ever Brooklyn restaurant, combining ABC Kitchen’s Greenmarket approach, ABCV’s plant-based dishes, and ABC Cocina’s global flavors under one roof. This was, hands down, the highlight of my night. (Read my full review here.)  Loved this place!
• Cecconi’s — Classic Northern Italian food with waterfront views of the Manhattan skyline, open for lunch, cicchetti, dinner, and weekend brunch.
• Cha Cha Matcha — Your go-to for matcha, coffee, smoothies, and pastries in a bright, lively space.
• Time Out Market — Home to a rotating lineup that’s included names like Mori Mori, The Local Corner, Smashed NYC Burger, Okiboru, Pastrami Factory, and Settepani Bakery. I was genuinely awed by the sheer amount of options crammed under one roof here — I didn’t say don’t go, I’m just saying don’t let it be the only place you consider.

And if you want to treat yourself while you’re here — really treat yourself — go to The River Café (1 Water Street), right on a former coffee barge in the East River, tucked directly beneath the Brooklyn Bridge. The views are, without exaggeration, to die for. I’ll be honest, I can’t personally vouch for the food being worth the price tag, but you’re on vacation. You are special. Sometimes you go for the view and the moment, not the entrée.

Happy Hour, Dumbo-Style

If you’re looking to grab a drink without breaking the bank, our neighborhood is absolutely teeming with great spots to unwind. You really can’t go wrong starting at Evil Twin Brewing, which is a must-visit if you’re into unique sours and hazy IPAs, or popping into Nobody Told Me for some truly inventive cocktails and late-night bites. For a bit of atmosphere, Gair offers a gorgeous view along with their small plates, while Olympia Wine Bar is perfect for a cozy vibe with fantastic weekday specials until 7pm. If you want a bit of entertainment with your pour, The Rat NYC hosts a wonderful happy hour Monday through Friday, or you can keep it classic at 68 Jay Street Bar, a local staple that’s perfect for conversation. For those who enjoy an al fresco experience, Dumbo Archway Bar is the go-to spot right in the plaza, and Fontainhas rounds out the list with a lovely happy hour menu that pairs perfectly with their Indian-inspired cafe vibe.

The Waterfront: My Favorite Part of Dumbo

Brooklyn Bridge Park is built right on top of the old piers along the East River, and it genuinely is an oasis. Beyond Pebble Beach and Jane’s Carousel (yes, those two — I’m not taking them away from you), the park also has Emily Roebling Plaza, soccer fields, roller skating, a fitness center, and sweeping green lawns where you can just sit and stare at the Manhattan skyline for as long as you want. You could spend your entire visit right here and not feel like you missed anything.

A few other public spaces worth knowing about:

• Car-Free Washington Street — Yes, this is where that iconic photo happens. But it’s more than a photo backdrop now: since 2020, this stretch between Front and Water Streets has been a full-time NYC DOT Open Street (11am–9pm daily), with restaurants, seating, family activities, and rotating art installations.
• New street furnishings designed by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) — who are literally headquartered right on this block — were unveiled in 2023.
• The Dumbo Archway + Pearl Plaza — Dumbo’s “living room,” under the Manhattan Bridge overpass. This is where you’ll find art classes, live music, the famous Brooklyn Flea, beer and wine vendors, and games. It was reimagined in 2024 with sculptural seating and custom umbrellas by local textile artist Liz Collins.
• Old Fulton Plaza — Basically restaurant row on the waterfront. Great for grabbing a slice, a milkshake, and a Citi Bike before continuing your walk.
• Susan Smith McKinney Steward Park — Dumbo’s newest park, right behind the York Street subway station. More of a locals’ spot for pickup soccer and hanging out than a tourist stop, but worth knowing about.
  Where to Eat: There Are Hundreds of Options

Beyond the Postcard Shot: What Makes Dumbo, Dumbo

Dumbo has long been known as an indie art hub, and that reputation is well earned — there are more than 170 artist studios in the neighborhood, along with dozens of independent galleries and public art seemingly on every corner. This isn’t a manufactured “arts district” built for tourists; it grew organically out of artists who moved into the neighborhood’s old warehouses decades ago, and that creative DNA is still very visible if you slow down and look.

Public Art Worth Seeking Out

The murals and installations scattered throughout Dumbo rotate and evolve, and part of the fun is stumbling on them as you walk. Here’s what’s currently on view:

• The Dumbo Projection Project — A rotating, neighborhood-wide video art series projected onto the BQE and Dumbo’s bridges, with new works featured seasonally and holiday-inspired animations in December.
• The Dumbo Reflector (by David Crumley, Dumbo Archway) — Installed in 2016, this quirky welcome sign originally doubled as a binary clock and traffic-condition indicator. Today it anchors the Archway as the neighborhood’s unofficial greeter.
• Fat Boy (by Leonard Ursachi, York Street at Adams Street) — A striking “bunker” sculpture referencing the WWII atomic bombs, blending classical cherub imagery with mirrored, embrasure-like windows.
• Dumbo Walls: Love Mural (by Cey Adams, Prospect Street at Adams Street) — Part of the “Murals for the Movement” trio, painted in 2021 by legendary artist Cey Adams, who keeps a studio in the neighborhood.
• Dumbo Walls: Water Game (designed by Masaki Hanahara, hand-painted by Colossal, 108 Adams Street) — A colorful, movement-filled mural inspired by a 1970s Japanese toy, blending Japanese aesthetics with Brooklyn energy.
• Dumbo Walls: Stefan Sagmeister + Yuko Shimizu (Jay Street underpass, between York and Prospect) — The original “YES” murals from 2012, part of the neighborhood’s founding Dumbo Walls series.
• Dumbo Walls: Massive Stampede (by Craig Anthony Miller, Adams Street between York and Prospect) — Featuring the artist’s signature elephant and bird motifs, painted in 2018.
• Dumbo Walls: Always Be Mindful of Your Ability to Fly (by Craig Anthony Miller, Bar and Grill Park, York at Pearl) — Another CAM piece from the original 2012 Dumbo Walls series.
• Dumbo Walls: Back to the Essence (by Victor “Marka27” Quinonez, 195 Gold Street) — Anchoring the east side of the neighborhood, part of the same “Murals for the Movement” project.
• Dumbo Walls: MOMO (York Street at Washington Street) — An epic rainbow wall from the original 2012 series.
• Dumbo Walls: Standing in the Gap (by Sophia Dawson, Front Street between Pearl and Adams) — The fifth mural to occupy this particular fence space, part of the “Murals for the Movement” trio.
• Dumbo Walls: Heritage I & II (by Apolo Torres, Pearl Street Underpass between York and Prospect) — Created by a Brazilian muralist who came to Dumbo in 2019, blending his hometown inspiration with his Brooklyn experience.
• Custom Shade Umbrellas (by Liz Collins, Dumbo Archway Plaza) — Textile artist Liz Collins partnered with Sunbrella on these functional art pieces, installed in 2022.
  chitects, corner of Jay and Front Streets) — A large sculptural ampersand anchoring the corner.

Twice a year, the neighborhood also opens its studio doors to the public: Dumbo Open Studios in April, and Shop the Studios in December for holiday gifting straight from the artists themselves.

Galleries To Actually Walk Into

There are more than a dozen independently owned galleries in Dumbo, ranging from fine art photography to internationally recognized non-profit spaces. Here’s the full rundown, with addresses so you can actually map out a route:

• A.I.R. Gallery — 155 Plymouth Street. Supporting women artists and open exchange of ideas since 1972.
• AMR Art Dumbo — 53 Bridge Street, #706. An art advisory with a dedicated exhibition space for women, men, non-binary, and queer artists.
• Billie Elise — 145 Front Street. Studio space where artists, designers, and makers showcase and sell their work.
• Brackett Creek Exhibitions — 25 Jay Street, Suite A. Originally from Montana, now with a full-time NYC exhibition space.
• CSB Fine Arts — 81 Prospect Street, Room 104. Showcasing Latin American and Puerto Rican contemporary artists.
• Cuban Art Space — 20 Jay Street, #301. Promoting Cuban artists, especially those still living and working in Cuba, since 1972.
• Gallery Elma — 216 Plymouth Street. A non-profit, artist-run space with a global-local artistic lens.
• Gallery Gaia — 79 Hudson Ave. An intimate space with monthly contemporary exhibitions.
• Main Window Dumbo — One Main Street. A public art installation space highlighting Brooklyn-based artists since 1980.
• New York Studio School Projects — 20 Jay Street, #307. Focused on serious, lifelong art education.
• Platform Project Space — 20 Jay Street, #319. Founded by Elizabeth Hazan to showcase and support fellow artists.
• Smack Mellon — 92 Plymouth Street. Founded in Dumbo in 1995 to support emerging, under-recognized, mid-career, and women artists.
• Springs Projects — 20 Jay Street, #311B. Founded by lifelong friends to expand alternative, intergenerational art spaces.
• Superfine — 126 Front Street. One of Dumbo’s oldest and most beloved spots — art, live music, pool, and a farm-to-table menu, all in one.
• Triangle Arts Association — 20 Jay Street. Providing studio-based opportunities for artists to create new work.
• Usagi — 163 Plymouth Street. A Japanese design shop, matcha bar, bookstore, and art gallery rolled into one — genuinely one of the more unique finds in the neighborhood.
• Zarolat — 140 Plymouth Street. A hybrid architecture studio and design collective.
• Stump Gallery — 70 John Street. A hidden gem with rotating fine art exhibitions.

Pro tip: First Thursdays mean the galleries stay open late with new shows and walking tours — a genuinely great, low-key way to experience Dumbo’s art scene without the weekend crowds.

The Waterfront: My Favorite Part of Dumbo

Brooklyn Bridge Park is built right on top of the old piers along the East River, and it genuinely is an oasis. Beyond Pebble Beach and Jane’s Carousel (yes, those two — I’m not taking them away from you), the park also has Emily Roebling Plaza, soccer fields, roller skating, a fitness center, and sweeping green lawns where you can just sit and stare at the Manhattan skyline for as long as you want. You could spend your entire visit right here and not feel like you missed anything.

A few other public spaces worth knowing about:

• Car-Free Washington Street — Yes, this is where that iconic photo happens. But it’s more than a photo backdrop now: since 2020, this stretch between Front and Water Streets has been a full-time NYC DOT Open Street (11am–9pm daily), with restaurants, seating, family activities, and rotating art installations.
• New street furnishings designed by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) — who are literally headquartered right on this block — were unveiled in 2023.
• The Dumbo Archway + Pearl Plaza — Dumbo’s “living room,” under the Manhattan Bridge overpass. This is where you’ll find art classes, live music, the famous Brooklyn Flea, beer and wine vendors, and games. It was reimagined in 2024 with sculptural seating and custom umbrellas by local textile artist Liz Collins.
• Old Fulton Plaza — Basically restaurant row on the waterfront. Great for grabbing a slice, a milkshake, and a Citi Bike before continuing your walk.
• Susan Smith McKinney Steward Park — Dumbo’s newest park, right behind the York Street subway station. More of a locals’ spot for pickup soccer and hanging out than a tourist stop, but worth knowing about.
  Where to Eat: There Are Hundreds of Options

Where to Shop and What Else Is Inside Empire Stores

Beyond the restaurants, Empire Stores has turned into a genuinely fun mixed-use destination:

• Kith Kids — The brand’s second-ever Kith Kids flagship, located in the neighborhood where Kith’s roots began.
• West Elm — The global home design brand’s flagship-style presence on the waterfront.
• Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD) — A hands-on, multisensory museum currently featuring “Flavor: The World to Your Brain,” open to curious eaters of all ages.
• Dumbo House — Soho House’s third NYC club, a private members’ space with a garden terrace and rooftop pool overlooking Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. (Members only, but worth knowing it’s there.)

Outside of Empire Stores, don’t miss Usagi (mentioned above in the galleries section) for Japanese design goods and matcha, and take time to just wander the small business corridors along Front, Water, and Plymouth Streets. Also worth a look: this local shop — this is where you’ll find the quainter, independently owned spots that don’t show up on anyone’s “Top 10” list but end up being the most memorable part of your visit.

Rooftops and Views

If there’s one thing I’ll push you toward, it’s a rooftop at night. I went up on a night with a slight drizzle, and somehow that made it better — the wet streets reflecting the bridge lights, the quieter crowd, the whole skyline glowing across the river. It was, genuinely, to die for. Dumbo’s rooftops (several tied to the hotel and private clubs mentioned throughout this piece) are some of the only places in New York where you get the Manhattan skyline as the main event rather than a backdrop.

Where to Stay

Here’s something most guides won’t tell you straight: Dumbo, the actual neighborhood, has basically one hotel that sits inside it.1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge (60 Furman Street) is the real deal — it’s genuinely located in Dumbo, right on Brooklyn Bridge Park, with East River and Manhattan skyline views that are hard to beat anywhere in the city. It’s eco-forward, design-driven, and has a rooftop bar and pool that are destinations in their own right, even if you’re not staying there.

Almost every other “hotel near Dumbo” you’ll find while searching is actually located in Downtown Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights, or even Williamsburg — technically nearby, and often just a 10-to-20-minute walk, subway, or ferry ride away, but not Dumbo itself. If your heart is set on staying inside the neighborhood, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is really your option. If you’re flexible, Downtown Brooklyn and Brooklyn Heights hotels put you within easy walking distance, often at a lower nightly rate.

I Don’t Know Everything About Dumbo

I’m not going to pretend I’ve covered every inch of this neighborhood. Dumbo is deep, and it’s always evolving — new murals go up, galleries rotate their shows, restaurants open and close. If you want the most current, hyper-local information straight from the people who actually run the neighborhood, check out dumbo.nyc, the official site for the Dumbo Business Improvement District. It’s a great supplement to everything I’ve shared here — a list of the places that I personally enjoy, based on my own visits.