DUMBO is Brooklyn’s oldest neighborhood, but with the prominent DUMBO Arts Festival, ever-expanding waterfront park, growing number of businesses and rise of luxury condos, it is also New York City’s development project of the decade.
Walking along Front Street, the neighborhood appears to be thriving, but Water Street and Plymouth Street still display the raw tenor of vacant warehouses. The strips of abandoned trolley tracks, the monochrome faces printed on white posters adorning the exterior of the Waring Envelopes warehouse (the Inside Out Project), and the rumbling trains that pass over the Manhattan Bridge every few minutes are all integral parts of DUMBO. As are the quirky book shops, the friendly residents, and the numerous art galleries. In many ways it is like SoHo in its younger days; absent are the luxurious boutiques and crowded sidewalks with throngs of tourists; a strong, unique art scene and eclectic architectural styles are present.
DUMBO is an exciting place to be in. Development projects are constantly underway, making the neighborhood a great mix of industrial design, hip art and small businesses, among other things. If you find yourself with some free time on your hands, be it for a few hours or a whole day, take a trip to DUMBO. You will not be disappointed.
Entertainment-wise, a ride on Jane’s Carousel is a quick trip to the 1920s.
The Philadelphia Toboggan Company constructed the carousel in 1922. It was originally installed in Idora Park in Youngstown, Ohio. Then in 1984 Jane Walentas, an artist living in DUMBO, purchased it at an auction for $385,000. She diligently worked on restoring the carousel for twenty seven years, scraping away layers of paint to reveal the true form of the elaborately designed horses. The entire carousel was repainted, re-leafed, and restored to its previous glory. It now boasts 1,200 dazzling lights, 48 finely designed horses, and 2 chariots. Architect Jean Nouvel designed the acrylic pavilion that encases the structure.
Jane’s Carousel opened to the public at its new home in the Brooklyn Bridge Park on September 16, 2011. It boasts spectacular views of both the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge, as well as the Manhattan skyline. The cost of a 3 minute ride is $2.00 for those above the age of 3 and the height of 42 inches. It is open between the hours of 11 AM and 6 PM, Thursday through Sunday.
Food-wise, Bubby’s (1 Main Street) has excellent pie and an amazing view of the Manhattan Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge.
