1. Manhattan: Brooklyn Bridge & Dumbo 2.5-Hour Walking Tour
Meet outside the Tweed Court House to begin this informative 2-hour to 2.5 hour walking tour. Beginning with the establishment of Brooklyn, once an independent city, then moving on to discuss the borough's diversity and its position as the most populous section of New York City today. Here you'll also have a view of some of the most prominent landmarks of Lower Manhattan. Approaching the Brooklyn Bridge you'll learn about the roots of ferry travel across the East River, the politics behind the building of the bridge, and the trials and tribulations of the Roebling family – the designers of the famed bridge – and their contributions. Listen to riveting facts about the construction of the bridge, its immigrant builders, and how it encouraged commerce between Brooklyn and Manhattan. Along with getting background on other bridges, buildings, and monuments, while crossing the East River you'll have several photo opportunities as you traverse the Brooklyn Bridge and descend into the trendy Dumbo (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) neighborhood. While in Dumbo, stroll the cobblestone streets still crisscrossed with old Brooklyn trolley-tracks and lined with historical architecture. Once crumbling warehouses now contain condominiums, restaurants, shops, boutiques, and galleries. As the tour comes to a close in Brooklyn Bridge Park, you can take in scenic waterfront views of the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge.