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D.U.M.B.O., or Down Under The Manhattan Bridge Overpass, is the first subway stop when you traveling from Manhattan to Brooklyn on the F-train. It’s a tranquil little area bursting at the seams with eye-popping street murals, old-style New York nostalgia, artists, assorted creative types, and a bevy of kitschy, drinking spots. The buildings here are mostly old warehouse monoliths housing modern photo /music/art studios, avant-garde galleries, underground ‘zines, indie film shops, fashion/furniture showrooms and band practice spaces.  Surprisingly, there are also a high number of pet and baby supply shops – apparently the art of domestication and home-building is also held in high regard around these parts.

The Dumbo work fleet is made up of unique creatures of habit. At lunch time, they creep out from behind their Apple laptop screens and air-conditioned offices to the big delis on Jay and Front Streets for their salads, wraps and soy shakes. Their dark wayfarer sunglasses come out; the Parliament cigarettes are unsheathed, lit and quickly extinguished. And just like that, Dumbo’s creative workforce disappears back indoors, leaving the cobblestone streets desolate and lonely again.

But ultimately, it’s the sweeping vistas of the Manhattan Bridge spanning the East River, the truly remarkable  and copious street-art (murals, Graffiti tags, sticker collages, portraiture, etc)  visible on every little side road, and the glimpses of Old New York that make Dumbo a must-see location for anyone visiting NYC.

Words and Photos by Geo Hagan

 

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