By Lakshmi:

Who?  Anyone interested in walking around New York City, experiencing a part of Brooklyn, eating some good food, walking into boutique shops and art galleries and relaxing by the waterfront.

What? Walking around DUMBO also known as “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass”, the 90th historic district of New York City.

How? 

– Pick a lovely day

– Don a good pair of walking shoes

– Add in some friends for company

– Bring a good appetite

– Plan to dedicate 3-4 hours for a total experience

Why? I will admit that till a colleague told me about DUMBO, I knew nothing about this lovely, waterfront Brooklyn suburb.  So, one beautiful spring day, a group of us decided to start our walking tour at City Hall on the Manhattan side of East River.  (FYI….Tell any Manhattan cab driver that you want to walk the Brooklyn Bridge and he will drop you off at the right spot.)  Take the pedestrian walkway on the bridge and walk across, pausing to take lots of pictures and soak in the sights.  As you come towards the end of the bridge, follow the sign downwards to DUMBO, and walk towards the water and you will be there.  If you are hungry, stop by Ignazio’s for some good pizza followed by dessert at either Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory or at my favorite, Jacques Torres’s shop which includes amazing desserts and ice cream by one of my favorite pastry chefs.  A meal like that and I am ready for a nap.  So, what better way to relax than head to Brooklyn Bridge Park and watch the boats, people and take a nap.  If you are short on time, you can take a ferry from here to Manhattan.  If not, head to one or more of the many boutiques and art galleries located here. You can return back to Manhattan via a ferry, taxi or of course walk back on the Brooklyn Bridge in time to catch the sunset.