Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO walk: over the river and through the ‘hood

Thousands stroll across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge each day, yet few know its dramatic backstory.

On this walking tour, you’ll find out how the bridge claimed the life of its mastermind, John Roebling, before construction even began. You’ll discover how its chief engineer, Washington Roebling, was severely crippled deep in its pressurized underwater caissons. And you’ll hear how the bridge was quietly brought to completion by Washington’s wife, the talented Emily Roebling.

The tour starts across from New York City Hall. As you walk, you’ll hear how the bridge’s stories of determination, tragedy, and triumph hold up a mirror to 19th-century American ambition and immigrant ingenuity.

The tour ends in DUMBO, where you’ll hear about the visionary couple who bought the area’s abandoned factories and warehouses for pennies, and then fought for decades to develop the art-rich neighborhood that now draws tourists from around the globe.

Along the way, you’ll meet other heroes and scallywags, including:

• Henry Cruze Murphy, the “handsomest man in town,” who came within one vote of becoming President of the US
• J. Lloyd Haigh, the scoundrel who endangered the lives of millions by sending “good wire" to the bridge then secretly swapping it out for “bad wire” en route
• Robert Gair, the man who not only invented the modern cardboard box, but also pioneered the first commercial buildings made of concrete – and gave DUMBO its original name, Gairville
• Patsy Grimaldi, who created three of NYC’s most legendary pizzerias, two of which are now next-door neighbors and bitter enemies

Before ending the tour at the Brooklyn Bridge Lookout, you’ll visit:

• The DUMBO Manhattan Bridge view, perhaps NYC’s most iconic photo opp
• Jane’s Carousel, the iconic merry-go-round in a spectacular glass box
• Gleason’s Gym, which has trained an astounding 136 world champion boxers, and the Hollywood stars who play them in movies
• Empire Stores, the historic fireproof warehouse that now houses the popular TimeOut DUMBO food court
• Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory and Leeuwens, two Brooklyn-born artisanal ice cream stores that face off across the street

By the end of this 90-minute walk, you’ll have a greater appreciation for the people behind the bridge and this iconic NY neighborhood. Their stories are brought to life with the dramatic storytelling that makes TellBetter tours unique – with actors, sound effects, and music.

It’s not just a walking tour, it’s a stroll through time.

CREDITS - Many of the stories and quotes come from: ”The Great Bridge, The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge”, by David McCullough; ”DUMBO, The Making of a New York Neighborhood”, by Paul Goldberger; “David and Jane Wallentas, Oral history interview” by Julie Golia, Center for Brooklyn History. Quotes are typically voiced by actors; often edited for brevity and processed with AI.