A Trip Down Under (the Manhattan Bridge Overpass)

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Alana Beyer

The Manhattan Bridge archway is among the many things one should see when visiting the Dumbo neighborhood in Brooklyn.

Liv Chai, Staff Writer

Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, that’s right, it’s DUMBO. The name grew out of the residents’ hopes of putting off pesky developers from their turf in the 1970s. The acronym worked. According to Brooklyn Ink, developers didn’t touch the area, and rent could be as cheap as $6 per square foot. Today the rent would be closer to $1,000 per square foot. Other than a grand view of the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River, DUMBO has quite an extensive list of places to explore.

The A.I.R. Gallery is just one of the must-see galleries in the neighborhood. Not only is it the first all-female cooperative gallery, today it is a non-profit arts organization run by artists to support risk-taking by women artists and the open exchange of ideas. The stunning pieces, events and lectures that are held make it a space for inspiration, and a unique immersive interaction with artists.

The POWERHOUSE Arena should be a go-to if you’re running low on time and want to make the most of your visit. Their website describes the space as a laboratory for creative thought, as the POWERHOUSE Arena frequently hosts exhibitions, performances and a boutique bookstore. Go for an event and stay for the carefully curated selection of literature.

Front Street has a wide array of interesting places to stop by. The most notable is the Front General Store — a popular vintage shop with a wide array of vintage clothing and miscellaneous goods sure to capture your eye. The Brooklyn Flea takes place every Sunday starting in April until October, so visit while you can. Aside from the unique vintage pieces, food vendors will satisfy your hunger as well.

For a more chill day, check out a show at St. Ann’s Warehouse. St. Ann’s Warehouse is a creative space famously known for producing critically-acclaimed pieces from Lou Reed, the Coen Brothers and Carter Burwell, to name a few artists.

After a long day of galleries and sight-seeing, check out Superfine for sustenance and a funky, cool atmosphere. The restaurant focuses on sustainable agriculture and changes its menu according to the freshest seasonal vegetables. The organic produce comes from local farmers, making it true farm-to-table dining.

Jacques Torres Chocolate Shop will definitely be the sweetest end to your day trip. Whether or not you or your friends are chocoholics, the shop offers a wide array of desserts from cookies, ice cream and, of course, chocolate. If interested in a more interactive experience, customers are offered a chocolate making class. The class is held by a professional chocolatier and covers the basics of chocolate making, allowing customers to make their very own chocolate. A perfect activity to do with friends, each class is $40 per person and 40 minutes long.

For a notable Instagram post, the Manhattan Bridge archway is the perfect spot. Other than the archway becoming a popular movie shoot location, it has also become a venue for different events and many cute stores.

A version of this article appeared in the Monday, Oct. 23 print edition. Email Liv Chai at [email protected].