DUMBO with its 12,000 residents is known for stunning views of the bridges and Manhattan as well as its proximity to Brooklyn Bridge Park and the city. It has become an exclusive haven for families with uncountable kid-friendly amenities in Brooklyn Bridge Park and DUMBO itself. Find out about kid-friendly activities, restaurants, things to look forward to and affording DUMBO.
Kid-friendly institutions
- Pirate ship playground in the Main Street section of Brooklyn Bridge Park
- Pier 1 playground for little ones 0 – 3 in Brooklyn Bridge Park
- Brooklyn Bridge Park Education Center
- Creatively Wild Arts Studio for the arts (after school programming, birthdays and camps)
- Two Kids and A Dog is a unique kids store at the Pearl Street Triangle featuring clothes for 0 to 8 years, toys, shoes and gifts
- Carnaby Club in Vinegar Hill: Carnaby is a play space for ages 0 – 6. Also offering kids classes
- Dr. Susan Park next to the F train with lawn (for soccer etc), playground and sprinklers
- Area 53 offering laser tag and mini-bowling, best for ages 8 and up
- Beat the Bomb escape room experience
- The Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD) is located on the 2nd floor of Empire Stores in DUMBO – best for ages 7 and up
- Tutu School DUMBO dance school offering after school programming and birthday parties
- Life Time DUMBO: Exclusive gym with pool, basketball court and kids academy
Best drop-in indoor fun in Brooklyn by neighborhood here.
Kid-friendly restaurants
- Pizza on Old Fulton Street: L&B Spumoni or Juliana’s Pizzeria
- Time Out Market with 30 food vendors in the Empire Stores
- Shake Shack on Old Fulton Street
- Westville on Washington Street
- Randolph Beer is a great place to bring the family on Sundays, when kids are welcome all day long. Families are also welcome weekdays until 6pm
- AlMar on Front Street welcoming local families to enjoy Italian fare in a cozy setting
Our overview of kid-friendly restaurants in Brooklyn by neighborhood here.
Restaurants for a date night out (kid-free)
- Kinjo | This 13-seat omakase bar steps from the waterfront is one of DUMBO’s newest restaurants. Led by a veteran chef of Masa, Kin Jo offers 11 courses of sushi and small plates for $95/person. They offer three seatings Tuesday through Thursday: 5:30pm, 7pm, and 8:30pm. On Friday and Saturday, seatings are at 5:30pm, 7pm, and 9pm. Reservations are required for omakase, but the bar and lounge is open daily at 5pm with cocktail service including flights of Japanese whiskeys, a Yuzu Negroni and Sour Plum Margarita.
- The River Café | Well-known for its romantic atmosphere, classic fine dining menu, and unique position beneath the Brooklyn Bridge, The River Café has become a destination for those celebrating a special occasion in Brooklyn. Expect fancy food and excellent service, at a steep price. They offer a 3-course prix fixe menu with wagyu steak tartare, duck, and black sea bass.
- Vinegar Hill House | Vinegar Hill House oozes romantic vibes. Tucked away on a peaceful cobblestone street in Vinegar, it’s cozy in the wintertime with a fireplace in the downstairs dining room, and the back yard can’t be beat during the summer months. The food, wine, and cocktails, are excellent, with standouts including the chicken liver mousse, seasonal pasta dishes, cast iron chicken, and pork chop. For dessert, don’t miss the famous Guinness chocolate cake!
- Celestine | Celestine has spectacular views of the Brooklyn waterfront. Perched beneath the Manhattan Bridge, they serve wood-fired Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. Try the homemade za’atar flatbread, mezze platter, and fish dishes including fourth and branzino. They also serve excellent wine and cocktails. The dining room is beautiful, with floor to ceiling windows, and if you dine outdoors in the summer, you’re basically eating your meal in Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Our overview of romantic restaurants in Brooklyn by neighborhood here.
What you should not miss in DUMBO
- Sunday brunch with live music at Superfine restaurant
- A pizza date at one of the delicious pizzerias on Old Fulton Street
- Ice cream at Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory or Van Leeuwen (they offer kids sizes!) both at Pier 1 with the best views of Manhattan
- Indian and Japanese treats at the two hidden gems Founthainas and Usagi at the corner of Jay and Plymouth
- Sweet treats at from Dawn’s til Dusk on Main Street
- 3$ rides on the beautiful horses at Jane’s Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park
- The Bklyn Public Library at 9 Adams Street
Schools in DUMBO
- Public elementary school: District 13 STEM school PS 307 in Vinegar Hill is DUMBO’s zoned elementary school
- Preschools and daycares: Petits Poussins, DUMBO Gan, NY Preschool (NY Kids Club), Imagine and Bright Horizons
- Public middle School: Dock Street School for STEAM studies
For more information about schools, download our school guides here.
Affording DUMBO
- The median rent was $5,750 in 2024
- The median condo sale was $1.67M in 2024
What to look forward to in DUMBO
- Less construction! The street reconstruction project of the neighborhood will be finished in 2025 and most condo buildings have risen
- A new community sports center will be built under the Manhattan Bridge in Brooklyn Bridge Park offering low cost and free swimming, basketball and other sports
- Outdoor Pickleball with 11 courts and kids programming coming to the neighborhood in 2025
Downsides of DUMBO
- The subway on the Manhattan Bridge and the BQE make it a loud place
- DUMBO gets overflowed by tourists from May to October
- The F train York Street Station with only one exit is packed and a safety issue
This guide has been contributed by Katharina Goetz, founder of Brooklyn Bridge Parents, DUMBO resident since 2012 and mom of two children.
Brooklyn Bridge Parents is a digital media platform and event management company serving families in Brooklyn and beyond. As the go-to resource for families, Brooklyn Bridge Parents provides local news including schools, activities for kids, real estate, family-friendly restaurants, camps and more. With a focus on education, activities, and lifestyle, Brooklyn Bridge Parents reaches tens of thousands of families in neighborhoods such as Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene, DUMBO, BoCoCa, Downtown Brooklyn, Bed Stuy, Williamsburg and Park Slope every month. Brooklyn Bridge Parents curates, promotes and executes large-scale events for families and parents in NYC including street fairs, cultural events, camp fairs, baby expos and dance parties.
Updated: March 13, 2025
