“Are we in Brooklyn or are we in Manhattan?”
We were walking across the Brooklyn Bridge from a requisite tourist stop at the always crowded, but always delicious, Grimaldi’s Pizza – home of some damn tasty coal brick-oven pizza.
I love transportation and bridges in general, but the iconic Brooklyn Bridge just knocks it out of the park. It is a classic; a beautiful sight and an architectural marvel at that. One of the oldest suspension bridges in the world, the neo-Gothic limestone and granite bridge was completed in 1883 and spans New York’s aptly named East River. It cost $15.5 million to build and approximately 27 people died during its construction.
A little odd trivia for you: One week after the opening, a rumor that the Bridge was going to collapse caused a stampede, which crushed and killed at least twelve people. One year later, P. T. Barnum helped to squelch doubts about the bridge’s stability—while publicizing his famous circus—when one of his most famous attractions, Jumbo, led a parade of 21 elephants over the bridge.
One of the best (and FREE) things to do in New York City – take a lovely stroll across the bridge on its pedestrian walkway one level above the traffic. In just two years, the Brooklyn Bridge will celebrate its 130th anniversary.
The pizza was definitely the right fuel before my first bridge stroll. Yum! Even better was the company. Apparently, we were also fortunate that there were only cyclists to dodge instead of elephant droppings.
Great day. Happy to be your escort! 🙂
Hey Lisa,
Isn't this the bridge you sold me for the price of an espresso and lunch in Istanbul a year or so ago? If in fact I now own it, please acknowledge so to your legions of fans and readers.