Kids climbing the walls? Listen up! There’s a new spot in town to scale surfaces just for the heck of it, and it comes with complimentary views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the downtown Manhattan skyline. It’s DUMBO Boulders Powered by The Cliffs (NYC’s largest indoor climbing facility), located in waterside Brooklyn Bridge Park.
photo: DUMBO Boulders/Boone + Bailey Speed
A Different Kind of Climb
Located at the very north edge of Brooklyn Bridge Park in the shadow if the Manhattan Bridge, DUMBO Boulders offers the opportunity to “boulder” (hence the name), which is a style of climbing done on shorter walls without ropes. So, you just reach up and grab a hold. The site, designed by climbing wall specialists Walltopia, features several large blue structures decorated with dozens of plastic holds in a rainbow of colors, and its the largest outdoor bouldering gym in North America!
The Cost to Climb
Kids as young as six years old can give the sport a try, and it’s just $9 for a day pass, which includes climbing gear. (If your child gets addicted, you can purchase a membership, which also covers The Cliff’s sites in Long Island City and upstate Valhalla.) All climbers under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a waiver before scaling.
photo: DUMBO Boulders/Boone + Bailey Speed
Learning the Ropes
For a first-time visit, climbers can take a 1 and 1/2 hour lesson to learn the basics, but staff members will also provide a quick orientation as well.
What does one need to boulder? Nothing, really. Kids can scale the walls in their sneakers, but climbing shoes (which come with the day pass) can help get a better foothold, and chalk, for a better grip with hands, is available for rental. Long pants can help prevent scrapes on legs.
photo: Minnow Park
Summer Scaling
Still needs ways to tire out the kid over the summer? How does a week of climbing sound? DUMBO Boulders will host week-long camps in July and August that will include games, problem-solving and more. Watch this page for more info on registering and pricing.
DUMBO Boulders is open now (official first day was April 16). A grand opening celebration will take place on May 7, with free instructional clinics, programming for kids, and a friendly bouldering challenge to cap off the day. Whenever you go, check the site for weather-related updates before heading over.
DUMBO Boulders
Brooklyn Bridge Park (at Plymouth St. and the Manhattan Bridge)
DUMBO
718-489-8363
Online: dumbo.thecliffsclimbing.com
Do your kids love to climb? Let us know in the comments!
—Mimi O’Connor
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