Brooklyn Bridge Park and Carousel

The vistas from the Brooklyn Bridge Park, especially the Empire-Fulton Ferry Park section on the east side of the bridge, are almost surreal. Here you can stand with the Brooklyn Bridge to your left and the Manhattan Bridge to your right, and see the Manhattan skyline across the river. A 1920s carousel sits right in between these bridges, with glass all around for maximum views. What a place! 

Stroll along the boardwalk beside the river and on the greenway at the adjacent park on the west side of the Brooklyn Bridge. The Brooklyn Bridge, a gigantic suspension bridge, was completed in 1883 after fourteen years of construction. You can walk or bike ride the entire bridge on an upper level (a 30 min, 1.5 mile walk), and end up at City Hall in Manhattan, just a few blocks from the National September 11 Memorial. From the bridge you'll have amazing views of the web of cables, huge stone pylons, and behind them, the Manhattan skyline. 
While in Brooklyn, if you're hungry, try the tasty brick-oven pizzas at famous Grimaldi's- come early because there's a long line. For a treat, grab a chocolate shake with malt at Shake Shack, which is in a restored fireboat house with great views (you can see the fireboat house from the bridge as you walk along). Ignazio's Pizza has an excellent view from directly under the bridge- the pizza is good, but not really for the price (cash only).
It must really be incredible in this area at night, with the bridges lit up. I would like to come back again! This is quite an industrial area, but nonetheless, it is beautiful.

Directions

It is easy to catch the subway to Brooklyn. You can take the A or C line to High Street, then walk towards the water on Middagh Street to Squibb Park, and then take the long pedestrain walkway down to the park. Here are some other subway line options and walking directions. 
Jane's Carousel in Empire-Fulton Ferry Park is open Thurs-Sun 11-6 (mid-Sept to mid-May) and Wed-Mon 11-7 closed Tues (mid-May to mid-Sept).
Tickets are $2 and you only buy one for adult with child under 42" tall.
The carousel is accessed via Dock St, Brooklyn NY 11201 (follow Dock St to the water). 
Grimaldi's Pizza, 19 Old Fulton Street, call (718) 858-4300.
Shake Shack, 1 Old Fulton Street.
Ignazio's Pizza, 4 Water St, Brooklyn NY 11201, call (718) 522-2100.

Click on map for interactive view