I love walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. I’ve lived here for six years and I just love it. It’s one of those “only in New York” experiences that really makes you appreciate the beauty of the city.

Tourists and locals alike love walking the Brooklyn Bridge. Thinking about going for a walk? Need an excuse? Here are nine:

1. IT’S FREE! Absolutely free! You heard nothing was free in NYC? Well, you heard wrong. I would wear on Chanel, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge costs nothing!

1. People Watching It will likely be crowded, so embrace it (or go early in the morning or late at night). Being surrounded by thousands of people from all around the world, speaking different languages, in such close proximity is rare. Offer to take someone’s picture and watch their faces light up. 

2. Photo-ops Hundreds of them. Hello, new Facebook profile pic!

1. Great Views Amazing views of Manhattan and Brooklyn: the Freedom Tower, midtown with the Empire State and Chrysler Building, the Hudson, the Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges, the ships at South Street Seaport. If you look for it, you can even see the Statue of Liberty.

5.  Alleviates the Guilt of Not Going to the Gym How long is the Brooklyn Bridge? It is just over one mile long, just long enough for the walk to count as exercise! Especially if you walk it both ways.

1. History Completed in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the USA. I can’t even imagine what it was like building this huge structure in 1880! 12 people died! It’s pretty cool to stand on a bridge over 125 years old that hasn’t changed all that much and functions perfectly today.

1. An Excuse to Go to Brooklyn If you’re visiting the city you often don’t make it to the outer boroughs. If you live in Manhattan…this can often be true as well. Dumbo is a great neighborhood accessible from Brooklyn Bridge. It is the epitome of Brooklyn, full of art galleries, boutiques, organic restaurants and craft beer bars. The Brooklyn Bridge Park is pretty great too, complete with awesome merry-go-round.

1. Food Rewards For Walking All that walking leave you hungry? Grimaldi’s is waiting to give you classic, incredible New York pizza. The place is super Italian and super popular. There is always a line to get in, so I’d recommend planning to get there at an awkward eating time, like 11AM or 4PM. It’s worth it! The Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory is the perfect place to get a dessert before the return walk.

1. Locks A trend that started in Europe is now all over the Brooklyn Bridge. Couples bring a lock, lock it to the bridge and then throw the key into the river. A symbol of locking their hearts or something, a symbol of love. It’s pretty cool to see all the locks all over the bridge.

If that hasn’t convinced you, well, nothing will. But if you’re about to lace up your tennis shoes, here’s a Brooklyn Bridge BONUS! 

New York Sunset Time it right, and you will get a completely different experience walking back. Twinkling city lights, a pink and orange sky, even the cars below look pretty.

It’s this kind of excursion that makes me love NYC so. I even felt tempted to buy one of the I ♥ NY shirts vendors were hawking when you get off the bridge by City Hall. That’s how deep my love goes.

Have you ever walked across the Brooklyn Bridge? How was your experience? Did you love it? Get too tired? Felt overwhelmed by too many people? Tell me if I missed anything on my list!