Secrets of the Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO
- 2 hours
- $31 to $41, all fees included
- Up to 12 guests
- Free Cancellations
Tour Highlights
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge with a local guide who reveals the hidden side of this landmark, from abandoned Cold War bomb shelters to forgotten engineering features
Hear gripping stories of the Roebling family, fatal construction accidents, and the surprising innovations that changed New York forever
See the bridge in a whole new way, from love-lock covered beams to mysterious markings, tucked-away sculptures, and details most New Yorkers never notice
Enjoy skyline-perfect photo spots and a relaxed small-group setting, so you can ask questions, explore, and take your time without the crowds
Explore DUMBO, where cobblestones, converted warehouses, and art-filled streets meet waterfront views — plus insider tips on coffee spots, galleries, and what most miss



























Guests Love This Tour!
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A mythical bridge Brooklyn Bridge to do on footAnd if we have an eye we can see the statue of liberty in the distance. Also to do at night
Véronique L10/10/2025I took their Brooklyn bridge and dumbo tour (on a 90* day no less) and had a great time! My guide, Louis, was super knowledgeable and also made sure to keep us out of the sun whenever possible. Untapped tours are some of my faves in the city and this one lived up to expectations for sure!Eden Seiferheld8/18/2025 -
Great Brooklyn bridge and dumbo tour I took their Brooklyn bridge and dumbo tour (on a 90* day no less) and had a great time! My guide, Louis, was super knowledgeable and also made sure to keep us out of the sun whenever possible. Untapped tours are some of my faves in the city and this one lived up to expectations for sure!
Eden8/18/2025 -
Brooklyn Bridge Tour We had Louis as a tour leader had he was a wealth of information. He had some very interesting insights. Very willing to answer any questions we had. The tour was great and would highly recommend this. Be sure to walk back over the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan as you get the best view that way.
GrandTour6306825/20/2024This tour was super fun and awesomely informative! Our guide was Mandy, who was incredibly interesting and highly educated on the history she was presenting. If anything, I wish it would’ve been a little longer than two hours so we had more time to stop and putter and chat.
I also loved that this was a slightly smaller tour —it made it much more low-key and intimate. (We first thought we were with a group of 20+ and I was dreading it, but we linked with the wrong group at first. Mandy was quick to fix the problem!) I would highly recommend doing this if you’re visiting NYC and interested in some historical highlights! Very fun!Stephanie3/20/2022 - Justin contacted us the day before the tour to let us know that Mandy would be our guide. Mandy has degrees in geology and archeology and worked as a Park Ranger in NYC-area sites. Her passion for and deep knowledge about the Brooklyn Bridge was evident. At the beginning of the tour she shared a book published in 1893-ish that collected all of the speeches given by dignitaries at the Bridge's opening ceremony. She also brought a large collection of photos and documents related to the bridge's planning and construction. She told us about the history, engineering, and societal importance of the bridge. I'm sure that Justin is wonderful but we felt very lucky to be touring with Mandy. Highly recommend.Laura9/14/2019This tour was worth every penny. Take your camera because you’ll get an unbelievable view and notice more than you possibly could just walking Brooklyn Bridge on your own. Justin, the guide, is a total pro, he’s probably given this tour gazillions of times, but still has plenty of patience to answer simple questions and let us enjoy discovering what is new to us.Dorothy8/20/2019
- Justin is the bomb! Who knew there were champagne vaults in the Brooklyn Bridge! You need an expert to weave you through the Brooklyn Bridge, where everyone wants to go but don’t know the tips. Justin took us down little known staircases, told the incredible story of the bridge, and showed us a great afternoon walking from Manhattan to Brooklyn Heights/Dumbo.Michelle8/20/2019
- This tour was AWESOME. In addition to sharing the history of the bridge in compelling short stories, Justin shared cool one-off facts about the bridge (no spoiler alerts here!). He also did a good job with the logistics of getting the group on and off the bridge, no small feat given how crowded the bridge is with pedestrians and bikers. This is not the first tour I’ve taken with Justin or Untapped Cities. Consistent with other tours, this was well-designed and it included information that is little known even to New Yorkers. This tour is absolutely worth your time.Jennifer8/20/2019
- This tour revealed the fascinating history of the Brooklyn Bridge! It's such an iconic landmark that anyone would recognize but it was so interesting to learn the little-known stories you wouldn't know about unless you took this tour, like the champagne vaults hidden inside!Christina8/20/2019The mere fact that this tour takes place on the Brooklyn Bridge means off the bat it's going to be amazing because of the views, but the commentary and secret places we learned about made it even better. Everyone can recognize the Brooklyn Bridge, but who knew there was Cold War fallout shelter inside of it?!Mike8/20/2019
- I always wanted to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and I'm so glad I did it with this tour! I learned so much about the bridge's history and all the hidden things that are INSIDE of it. I would have never known about any of that cool stuff if I just walked it myself.Nicole8/20/2019Wow! Cold War era shelters in the Brooklyn Bridge? That's cool... and I had no idea it was there although I walked or biked the bridge many times. Also really liked the story of Emily Roebling and how she basically was in charge of the bridge's construction once her husband got sick.Augustin8/20/2019
- Justin did an amazing job with this experience (this is my 3rd experience with Justin -- he is awesome!!). I've crossed the bridges going to/from Manhattan many times, but never knew how fascinating their stories can be! This tour was filled with lots of interesting/secret tidbits about the Brooklyn Bridge -- who knew there was a nuclear shelter in the bridge, for example?? Highly recommend this to anyone interested in getting a deeper understanding of NYC. Also, the views from the bridge are great!Marc8/20/2019
The NY landmark Mandy, our guide, was informative and enthusiastic as she described to us the vast undertaking of building the bridge. The bridge was packed with pedestrians and some bikers which sort of gave us the feel of old New York, a walking city. Our group was all female, We were delighted with the recognition of the pivot role of Emily Roebling in leading the bridge project.I would recommend this tour as a veteran tour guide. If I ever do the BB tour myself, I hope I can convey the facts and wacky details in such an entertaining way.
Jo-Ann D5/21/2018
About This Tour:
Beyond the Brooklyn Bridge’s stately exterior lies a story of danger, ingenuity, secret vaults, and a city determined to defy gravity. This isn’t just a bridge, it’s a 14-year saga of risk, revolutionary engineering, and resilience that forever changed New York!
As we cross, you’ll start to notice what everyone else misses: hidden foundation vaults, strange symbols carved into stone, anchor points no longer in use, remnants of a Cold War shelter tucked deep inside the bridge, and the dramatic real-life stories of workers, immigrants, and engineers who made the impossible happen.
Then comes DUMBO! Once full of rumbling factories and warehouses, it’s now one of NYC’s most creative neighborhoods. Think cobblestone streets, art-filled industrial buildings, rooftop parks, a tucked-away riverside beach, sweeping views under the Manhattan Bridge, and some of the best coffee and pizza in the city.
You’re not just crossing a bridge, you’re stepping into the untold stories of a landmark and the Brooklyn waterfront it helped transform.
Earpieces are provided so you never miss a secret — even if you step aside to get that perfect skyline shot.
100% refund up to 24 hours prior to the start of your tour.
When canceled less than 24 hours before the start of your tour, we will do our best to reschedule you or issue you a credit to use on any of our upcoming tours. This credit won’t expire until you use it!
The tour meets on the north side of the Jacob Mould Fountain, facing City Hall. The fountain is inside City Hall Park, located at 43 Park Row, New York, NY 10038.
By subway: 4, 5 or 6 to Brooklyn Bridge City Hall; J, Z to Chambers St; N, R or W to City Hall
How long is the tour?
This tour is 2 hours long
Where does the tour end?
This tour ends in DUMBO, on the Empire Stores rooftop, at 55 Water St
How strenuous is this tour?
This tour is easy and most people can participate.
Is this tour ADA accessible?
Unfortunately this tour is not ADA accessible.
Is this tour mostly indoors or outdoors?
This tour is mostly outdoors.
Who will be our guide?
One of our licensed New York tour guides. Always a local New Yorker!
Any Questions? We're here to help!
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