easy
2 hours
Suitable for individuals in average physical condition comfortable walking a mile with occasional stairs.
Step into one of New York’s largest industrial complexes on a 2-hour walking tour with Turnstile Tours. Discover the Brooklyn Army Terminal’s wartime past and its vibrant present along the harbor’s edge.
Walking • Saturdays, 11am
Discover the rich history and vibrant present of the Brooklyn Army Terminal on a captivating 2-hour walking tour. Explore its stunning architecture, hear compelling stories of those who worked here, and enjoy breathtaking views of New York Harbor while learning about the thriving businesses that now call this historic site home.
Step inside an engineering marvel that is today a center of innovation and business development in New York City. Built to supply American forces on the Western Front in World War I, this enormous Cass Gilbert-designed complex served as a supply base for the American military until the Vietnam War. Today, this thriving industrial park is home to over 100 companies in a wide array of industries, from precision manufacturers to biotech researchers, online retailers to chocolatiers. On this 2-hour walking tour, we will explore how millions of tons of war supplies and personnel were shipped through this teeming transportation hub, hear the stories of soldiers, longshoremen, and merchant mariners who worked these piers, rail yards, and warehouses, and learn how these facilities are put to use today. Looking at the broader context, this tour will discuss what made the Port of New York the envy of the world in the mid-20th century, why it went into decline, and how Brooklyn’s working waterfront is being revitalized today. Along the way, we will enjoy sweeping views of the harbor, visit the 600,000-square-foot unrestored space of Building A, and step inside the Terminal’s architectural gem – the breathtaking atrium of Building B, where freight trains once rumbled through to be loaded from the innovative cantilevered balconies. Join us to explore the sights and stories of a century of work at the Brooklyn Army Terminal!
The tour covers about a mile on concrete and uneven surfaces inside large industrial spaces.
Tours start promptly; allow extra time to locate the entrance and complete registration.
Tours run rain or shine; dress in layers and bring rain gear appropriate to the season.
The Terminal’s massive architecture and sweeping harbor views make for striking photos.
Constructed during World War I, the Brooklyn Army Terminal was once the largest military supply base of its kind, pivotal through several major conflicts before its eventual transformation into a thriving business complex.
Current uses emphasize adaptive reuse of historic industrial structures, blending preservation with modern sustainability efforts to reduce environmental impact.
Provides support and traction on concrete floors and uneven industrial terrain.
Helps stay comfortable during cool or breezy waterfront conditions.
spring|fall|winter specific
Stay hydrated during warmer months while on the move.
summer specific
Capture dramatic architecture and sweeping harbor panoramas.