Ball drop, steakhouses and the Brooklyn Bridge
This is leg 1 of 1, the opening leg.
Travel leg · New York New Year's Eve
Midtown Manhattan to DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights
Midtown Manhattan and DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights sit about 6.1 km (3.8 mi) apart in a straight line, with DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights to the south. It is leg 1 of 1 on our New York New Year's Eve itinerary, a 3-day trip. It is a short hop across town, easy by local transit, ride share or on foot.
- Straight-line distance
- 6.1 km · 3.8 mi
- Est. road distance
- 7.3–8.5 km
- Est. drive time
- 10–20 min
- Direction
- Heading south
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 25–45 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
Across town
This is a short in-city hop of about 6.1 km in a straight line. Our New York New Year's Eve guide suggests public transit, ride shares or taxis and walking for getting around. By car it takes an estimated 10–20 min without traffic.
The subway runs all night, so skip the car. Around Times Square, police close streets roughly from 39th to 58th Street and some subway exits may be closed or exit-only, so enter from Sixth or Eighth Avenue and walk. Rideshare prices surge sharply between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., and Midtown traffic stops near midnight. On Jan 1, take the A/C or F to the York Street or High Street stops for DUMBO, and the D, F, N or Q to Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue, about 45 minutes from Midtown.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends, plus 2 places near the straight-line path.
When you arrive in DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights
A slow Jan 1 on the Brooklyn waterfront, then the plunge at Coney Island.
Brooklyn Bridge
The 1883 bridge's raised wooden walkway is open to pedestrians around the clock; the walk takes about 30 minutes.
Brooklyn Heights Promenade
Third-of-a-mile esplanade above the East River with a straight-on view of Lower Manhattan and the harbor.
Nathan's Famous
The original hot dog stand at Surf and Stillwell Avenues, serving since 1916 and open year-round.
Jane's Carousel
Restored 1922 carousel in a glass pavilion by Jean Nouvel, on the water between the two bridges.
Juliana's
Coal-oven pizzeria run by Patsy Grimaldi in his original Old Fulton Street building, a block from the bridge.
The River Café
Barge restaurant under the Brooklyn Bridge, open since 1977, with a five-course New Year's Eve dinner and live band.
Near the way
These places from our other itineraries sit within about 0.9 km of the straight line between Midtown Manhattan and DUMBO. The road may not pass them directly, so check how far off your route they are.
Russ & Daughters
Fourth-generation appetizing shop for smoked fish, bagels and babka.
Katz's Delicatessen
Lower East Side deli serving hand-cut pastrami on rye since 1888.
Before you leave Midtown Manhattan
Two nights around Times Square for the ball drop, steakhouses and jazz.
Times Square Ball Drop
The ball atop One Times Square drops at 11:59 p.m., followed by confetti and fireworks over a crowd of about a million.
Keens Steakhouse
Steakhouse open since 1885, known for its mutton chop and ceilings lined with thousands of old clay pipes.
Bemelmans Bar
Piano bar in the Carlyle hotel, with murals by Madeline author Ludwig Bemelmans and live music every night.
On this curated route
Where Midtown Manhattan → DUMBO sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights to Midtown Manhattan is the same 6.1 km in a straight line, heading north. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Midtown Manhattan to DUMBO: questions travelers ask
How far is Midtown Manhattan from DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights?
Midtown Manhattan is about 6.1 km (3.8 mi) from DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights in a straight line, with DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights to the south. By road, we estimate 7.3–8.5 km (4.5–5.3 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Midtown Manhattan to DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights?
An estimated 10–20 min, assuming 7.3–8.5 km of road at average speeds of 25–45 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day.
What is there to see between Midtown Manhattan and DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights?
Near the straight-line path we have 2 places from our curated guides, including Russ & Daughters (Manhattan), Katz's Delicatessen (Manhattan). The road may not pass them directly, so check the detour.
Which itineraries include the trip from Midtown Manhattan to DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights?
Our New York New Year's Eve itinerary includes this leg. New York New Year's Eve runs about 3 days across 2 stops, best in Dec 30 – Jan 1.
Guides for both ends
- Midtown Manhattan travel guide
- New York City weather covers Midtown Manhattan and DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights
- DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights travel guide
New York City by month (covers DUMBO)
Plan Midtown Manhattan → DUMBO with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.