Plan for Day 3 in NYC:
Saturday, 9th August 2025
- Hotel to East 34th St. Ferry Terminal
- Take the East River route ferry to Wall St. → Drop off at DUMBO Fulton Ferry
- Visit the Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO, and Pebble Beach
- Flatiron District: Kailash Parbat, Harry Potter Store, Flatiron Building, Salswee
- 42nd Street: Summit One, Chrysler Building, Bryant Park, Grand Central Terminal, New York Public Library
- Night Bus Tour (Originally planned for day 3, but we managed to do it in the evening of day 2)
Morning Journey to Brooklyn
Our third day in New York was all about exploring Brooklyn and the Harry Potter Store. We set out around 9:30 a.m., but the day started with a little hiccup. The entrance to the 42nd St – Bryant Park subway station, right opposite our hotel, was closed for the weekend. So, we walked to another entrance of the same station to catch the subway toward Brooklyn.
Since there was no direct route to the ferry terminal from our hotel, we changed our plan and decided to stick with the subway. We first reached York Station, but it wasn’t stroller accessible. To avoid stairs, we continued to Jay St. Station, where we planned to catch a bus to the nearest stop to York Street.
Unfortunately, the bus we needed took 25 minutes to arrive — a reminder that relying on buses in NYC can sometimes waste precious time. We eventually got off at York Street, which saved us from walking in the heat but delayed our schedule. From there, we walked our way through DUMBO, Manhattan Bridge Lookout, Pebble Beach, Time Out Market, Janes’s Carousel, The Granite Prospect, and toward the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.
Exploring DUMBO
We began our exploration of DUMBO, Brooklyn, at the Manhattan Bridge View, where we captured the iconic sight of the Empire State Building perfectly framed between the bridge’s towering pillars — one of the most photographed spots in the neighborhood.
Our next stop was the Manhattan Bridge Lookout, a hidden gem away from the typical tourist flow. It’s an ideal place to pause for a moment of solitude or capture stunning photos without crowds disrupting your composition.
From the lookout, we walked toward Pebble Beach, taking several photo stops along the way.
Around lunchtime, we stopped at the buzzing Timeout Market. The rooftop views were stunning, but the market itself was overcrowded with no available seating.
Next, we visited Jane’s Carousel, perhaps the most scenic spot to admire the Brooklyn Bridge with the Manhattan skyline in the background.
The waterfront near Jane’s Carousel offers some of the most stunning views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline on one side and Manhattan Bridge on the other.
We then made our way to the famous pizzerias in DUMBO we had shortlisted, but with 30–45 minute wait times at both, we decided to skip the food and enjoy some refreshing Häagen-Dazs ice cream instead before continuing our walk.
Fact: Häagen-Dazs originated in New York City (Bronx) itself by a couple in 1960, and the name “Häagen-Dazs” doesn’t mean anything in Danish, Swedish, or any European language. It’s completely made up!
Our final stop was The Granite Prospect, offering unobstructed and breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, a perfect way to wrap up our self-planned DUMBO walking tour.
A Walk Across the Iconic Brooklyn Bridge
From The Granite Prospect, we began our return journey by heading to the pedestrian path of the Brooklyn Bridge. Initially, we hadn’t planned to walk the full length, but realizing that the time it would take to reach the subway was about the same, we decided to continue all the way across.
Halfway across the bridge, we stopped by a vendor for some raw mango and watermelon slices to beat the heat. Upon reaching the other side of the bridge, numerous food trucks were serving a diverse range of food. After a short walk, we boarded the subway back to our hotel, grabbed pizzas from Napoli Pizza, and rested for about an hour before heading out again.
🕓 Best time to walk Brooklyn Bridge: Early morning or sunset
🕓 Duration: Around 25–30 minutes one way, depending on crowd and photo stops.
🚇 Nearest subway to DUMBO: York Street (F line)
✅ We recommend reaching DUMBO via ferry.
✅ If you’re short on time, focus on the two best spots — the viewpoint at Jane’s Carousel and the Manhattan Bridge View.
Evening at the Flatiron District & Harry Potter Store
Our evening adventure took us to the Flatiron District, home to the magical Harry Potter Store. This two-story wonder is a must-visit for Potterheads!
Right at the entrance, there’s a small cafe selling butterbeer, ice cream, and themed snacks. Of course, we tried the butterbeer — it cost $13 and included a souvenir cup. The taste was unique, and the experience felt straight out of the wizarding world.
Inside, the store was packed with everything a fan could dream of: clothes, chocolates, mugs, caps, stationery, bags, soft toys, and of course, wands. Each Hogwarts house had its own section, making the shopping even more fun. You could even personalize merchandise for an extra cost.
We received a free collectible pin by completing a short online survey (instructions were displayed throughout the store). For fans looking for something extra, there was also a paid “Fly the Broomstick” experience. Yuven had a blast exploring every corner of this store, and it was definitely one of the highlights of the trip.
On our way back, we opted for a bus instead of the subway. The wait time was longer, but it helped us avoid too many stairs and walking.
✨ Stay tuned for Day 4 of our New York City adventure!
🗓️ Missed our earlier adventures? Read Day 1 in New York City and Day 2 in New York City.
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