Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO: Self-Guided Walking Tour

Explore the hippest neighborhoods in Brooklyn, New York City with this self-guided walking tour. Discover the artsiest areas, historic sites, and stunning waterfront views of Manhattan’s skyscrapers.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Brooklyn Bridge - Opened in 1883, this iconic bridge almost didn’t see the light of day. As you admire its impressive architecture, you’ll hear about the multitude of problems which beset the construction process, as well as how engineers finally overcame them.

NOTE: This 2-mile-long tour covers the essentials of Brooklyn in 1-2 hours.

  • Manhattan Bridge - As the less famous sibling of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge is sometimes unfairly overlooked by visitors. But it’s a majorly picturesque structure, and the DUMBO neighborhood actually gets its name from this bridge!
  • Jane’s Carousel - This classic wooden carousel was built in 1922 for an amusement park in Youngstown, Ohio. It has been restored to its original working condition and is a wonderful stop for any youngsters.
  • St. Ann’s Warehouse - These picture-perfect arches are Instagram-famous for a reason. If you’re looking for a great photo spot to commemorate your visit to Brooklyn, this is the stop for you. The red brick and lush greenery contrast to make for some truly memorable snapshots.
  • Truman Capote’s House - The basement of 70 Willow Street is where renowned author Truman Capote once lived. While living here, Capote wrote his most famous and influential works: In Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
  • Cadman Plaza Park - Cadman Plaza is a pleasant green space named for Reverend Samuel Parkes Cadman. As you stroll through this peaceful space, you’ll get to know Cadman and understand why he was important enough to name a park after.
  • Brooklyn War Memorial - The Brooklyn War Memorial features two 20-foot-tall statues, which were among the largest in the city when they were first sculpted. It honors those who fought and died during World War II. Your tour concludes here, just down the street from where it began.
What's Included
  • Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
  • Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
  • Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
  • Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
  • Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
  • Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
  • Learn more: dive deeper into any story you enjoyed with extra stories.
  • Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
What's Not Included
  • Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Additional Information

Welcome to Brooklyn, New York City’s hippest neighborhood! This historic and quaint destination has become a must-see spot. This self-guided tour explores Brooklyn’s top two neighborhoods: DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights. Check out Brooklyn’s artsiest areas and its most historic sites, like Brooklyn Bridge and Truman Capote’s house. Plus, enjoy the waterfront air as you admire Manhattan’s towering skyscrapers from afar.

After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.

New, extra validity — now yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!

This isn’t an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

  • How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
  • How to start the tour: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
  • Walking Tours: couples can share one using headphones.
  • Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It’s perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
  • Comprehensive Tour Experience: • The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
  • Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
  • Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
  • Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
  • Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
  • Minimum Mobile OS Requirement: iOS 14 or later / Android 9 (Pie) or later. It is compatible with iPad models that have a GPS chip.
Location
Prospect Street & Adams Street
After booking the tour, search your email for the phrase "Set up your self-guided tour now." Follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.1
(8 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Noel_r
Jul 25, 2024
5 star - Very easy use and informative. Was able to use offline without any issues. Was nice to be able to enjoy a tour at our own pace
Review provided by Viator
Natalie_g
Apr 29, 2024
Audio Dumbo Tour - A++Great audio, easy to follow and good value for money. Very informative and easy to follow once started the trip.
Review provided by Viator
Maryann_a
Oct 23, 2023
Great Informative Tour of DUMBO Area of Brooklyn - This self guided tour was excellent. It was easy to use and informative for our group of four. We would definitely try another tour (or more) in the future!
Review provided by Viator
Jo
May 24, 2023
Discovering a new area of New York - Really enjoyed the tour. Loved the face that I could listen to it in advance as well as while I was walking it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alychilover
May 22, 2023
An Enlightening New York Walking Tour! - I recently explored Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO in New York City on a self-guided walking tour, and it was an enlightening experience! I learned a lot about these vibrant neighborhoods and immersed myself in their rich history and culture. Highly recommended for anyone looking to discover the hidden gems of New York City!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anna1june
Aug 16, 2023
Fun DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights Self-Guided Tour - A great experience although my phone storage space kept running out and the app did keep crashing so I had to keep reopening it. It would be great if the app had a place where you could take pics/vids and then send them to yourself at the end so your storage doesn't fill up fast 😃
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Seanna_d
Nov 15, 2021
More history - The tour could use more history and less general information like “that’s the Statue of Liberty”. The dumbo portion is hard to do on a weekend because the area is swarming with tourists. There were strange facts choices, as we were walking by the place where Walt Whitman worked, The tour audio instead decided to highlight a shake shack?? Not even the first shake shack, just a random one. I also think it could include more of Brooklyn heights which has so much more history and many significant sites. The tour doesn’t even take you on the promenade or by Arthur Miller’s house. But it was nice to generally have a structured walk all a beautiful fall day.
Review provided by Viator
Robert_h
Apr 29, 2024
Poor product - Waiting for the app to start.would not locate the correct start point what more can I say The product is a waste of money.
Review provided by Viator
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