Beautiful day at Walkway Over the Hudson. Sunny day, not too warm with a beautiful breeze when you got closer to the water. People were walking, sightseeing, walking their dogs and babies, running and biking. So easy to get to from where we stayed in Poughkeepsie. Free street parking and we were able to park real close to the entrance. They also have an elevator. This pedestrian bridge has beautiful and amazing views of the Hudson River and the mountains in the background. We saw tugs pushing barges and sailboats too. read more

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I've had this on my bucket list for this year, and was thrilled I got to fulfill that wish thanks to a close friend this past Thursday. We had spectacular weather with clear skies and the weather warmed up as our morning progressed. We found free public parking close to the entrance, and I was happy that there were bathrooms on both ends of the bridge since establishments around the area with public bathrooms seems scarce. The facilities were very clean and well maintained, and offered picnic tables and benches to sit down. The welcome centers didn't open until the later part of the morning, so keep that in mind if you are looking to take advantage of that. The bridge itself is spacious, allowing bikes, dog walkers, joggers, and runners to do their thing. We stopped to read the history panels along the way and of course take pictures of the view. Garbage and recycling bins are available to keep the bridge clean and safe for everyone. On the other side of the bridge, we tried out a food truck with hot apple cider and mini donuts that we mixed with two flavors - salted carmel and apple cider for only $8! The picnic tables had umbrellas and had a vending machine if you wanted something cold to drink if you forgot. There's alot of development happening on the waterfront, so I am sure in the not so distance future, this will become more of a tourist spot or even vacation getaway, even if for a long weekend. I would love to come back in the peak of fall foliage! read more

This is a fantastic activity to do in the Hudson Valley, with gorgeous sweeping views of the river and the valley below. The walkway is the world's longest elevated pedestrian bridge, spanning 1.28 miles connecting Highland NY on the west side of the Hudson River to Poughkeepsie on the east side. At an average walking pace, it takes about 30-40 minutes to cross the entire bridge, but don't forget to account for the same distance walking back. If you get tired midway or don't want to walk the WHOLE bridge, you can take a shortcut "cheat" by taking a glass elevator down/up by the Poughkeepsie waterfront, which by my estimation saves you 0.6 miles (if walking from Highland to Poughkeepsie), which is almost half the distance! You could also do a longer 4.6-mile loop crossing back on the Mid-Hudson Bridge (Walkway Loop Trail). In any event, I definitely recommend a stopover along the promenade of the Poughkeepsie waterfront and Upper Landing Park, where you can get a magnificent shot of the bridge and have a rest & snack. Parent hack: If you have kids, there is a wonderful children's museum, the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum (see my separate review for this), right on the waterfront. It's a great place to take a break and cool off while the kids have fun. This is where the elevator is so you can turn back at this point or continue along the bridge. Bicycles are allowed but as the walkway is crowded with pedestrians, cyclists have to ride slowly. We debated whether to bring our bikes but in the end are glad we did the experience by foot. There are volunteers along the length of the bridge to answer questions and tell you its history. The walkway used to be a rail bridge built in the 1880s and was converted to a pedestrian walkway that opened to the public in 2009. The pavement gets HOT! and even in mid-80s degree weather the pavement can get up to 100 degrees and burn your pet's paws. We were there on the sizzling Memorial Day weekend and saw many people carrying their pets. Obviously there is no shade/covering on the bridge so plan accordingly and bring sunscreen, water, hat/cap, and maybe a parasol if needed. read more

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Cute park--we did the Walkway over the Hudson 5K and then hung out at the park afterwards, climbing around the embankments and such. Fun place and very clean. read more

All went well from my finding the parking area until the time of my departure. The walkway has fantastic views from both sides. It is an easy casual walk, and there is so much to see. The people on the walkway are courteous and friendly. Even before you arrive on the walkway there is a vendor of apple products on the way who very friendly and will give her advice about the walkway. It is very helpful info. Take the trip enjoy the walkway and I am sure that you will return. In the town below the walkway there are many restaurants and things of interest. The food is good and it is a good thing to have a bite to eat, and end your day. read more

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I actually didn't know about the Walkway Over the Hudson until my friend told me about it. He used to live in Hudson Valley and he said it was great to check out if I had extra time. I will say, GPS was a little weird taking us to a neighborhood street but it was near one of the entrances. It was a great view. It was pretty hot so we didn't get to walk more than 20 minutes. It would be great in the fall or spring. Overall, I would definitely walk this a lot if I were local. read more

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My husband and I have observed a tradition of New Year's Day hike for over a decade now. We used to choose a different trail every year, but in recent years, we've been coming to this walkway on the 1st day of the year. The idea is to climb to a high place, get close to the sky (celestial height), have a panorama view (literally and symbolically), clear away negativities, receive inspirations, and kick start the new year with a broad perspective and a sense of "I am on top of things" :-). We live next to the Hudson River. We simply love this "mother river" of New York, can never get enough of its views from any angle, and the walkway offers quite stunning sceneries. There is an abundance of photos and captions along the railing to educate the visitors of the history, flora & fauna, and aquatic life of the walkway and its ecological environment. One can also sponsor a light or fund a memorial plaque on the railing. The walkway has definitely become more popular over the last couple years, as we find ourselves parking further and further afield. This year, we walked a total of 3.2 miles to and fro the parking spot, quite a nice and easy workout to help digest the holiday season feasts :-). We've been to the walkway on days other than January 1st, but I am only posting photos from New Year's Days. read more

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Wow, has this place changed over the past 10 years. It was fun before to walk through the woods (we parked on the East side) and walk through the woods to the middle of the bridge. It felt like we were in the middle of nowhere and then suddenly the ground gave way and we were on top of a residential neighborhood, and finally the bridge itself. A lone railroad signal used to stand sentinel along the way, but now with all the development it is barely seen amongst the trees and other stuff. Upon our recent visit they have made it much more friendly (and perhaps commercial). The path now has rest stops, bathrooms, a gift shop (for a bridge!), seating areas, and several new side-paths connecting it with the neighborhood below. Parking was plentiful though using a GPS led us astray and told us to park behind a tire store. There is now a trolley/tram that hourly goes across the bridge to pick up stray or tired walkers. There is a public elevator on the side of the bridge to take you down to street level or bring you up. Apparently there are other things nearby and this connects you with them. There are benches to sit on in along the bridge. Great views abound of the river (though sadly, very few boats on any of our visits), dual sets of train tracks on either side of the river, residential neighborhoods including new upscale housing that didn't exist the last time we were here, and plenty of fresh air. It is a lot of fun to come here, and everyone on the bridge seemed friendly. Just be warned... it still gets hot on the bridge. Especially in the summer. read more

Walkway Over The Hudson is a historic park and multi-use rail trail located over the Hudson River in New York. It was built as a steel cantilever double track railroad bridge in 1889. The bridge originally formed part of the Maybrook Railroad Line of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. After a bad fire in 1974, the bridge was taken out of service. The bridge was later placed on the National Register of Historic Places and plans were put in place to turn it into a pedestrian walkway. It officially opened to the public in October 2009 and is currently maintained by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The bridge helps to seamlessly connect the Dutchess Rail Trail on the Poughkeepsie side of the river to the Hudson Valley Rail Trail on the Highland side of the river. All three trails collectively form part of the greater Empire State Trail. At a length of 6,768 feet, the walkway is the 2nd longest pedestrian footbridge in the world. My family and I have visited the Walkway Over The Hudson several times over the years. I first visited the bridge in 2021 when I was cycling in the area and I needed to cross it to get from the Dutchess Rail Trail to the Hudson Valley Rail Trail. The views over the bridge are absolutely breathtaking; it's one of my favorite places to go cycling. I enjoyed my first visit so much that I have subsequently returned with my family a number of times. It's such a fun place to visit whether you're cycling, roller blading, jogging, or just walking. Parking lots are conveniently located at either end of the bridge and entry is FREE. Welcome Centers are also situated on either side of the walkway and each one is complete with bathrooms, outdoor patios, bike racks and dog-friendly water fountains. The center on the Highland side often hosts food vendors in the warmer months. We usually like to visit the Ma & Pa Kettle Corn food trailer for ice cream, root beer floats, and classic New York egg creams. Although the walkway is usually only open during the day, it is occasionally open at night for special events such as 4th of July fireworks. My family and I love visiting the walkway and we will continue to do so for years to come! read more

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Standing 212 feet above the Hudson River's surface and is 6,768 feet (1.28 miles) long, this is the longest, elevated pedestrian bridge in the world with the views from the Hudson Highlands to the Catskills. The Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, whose one of the entrances is located off of Parker Avenue in Poughkeepsie, where my partner, his family and I came today after 2 years. This former railroad bridge built in 1888 is ideal for walkers, joggers, cyclists, and rollerbladers. We walked the entire bridge and back, with a few photo stops in between. From a height of 21 stories, we managed to catch the activities from jet skiers to boaters on the river and the long freight trains hauling their cargo to their next destination. There were benches in a couple of spots along the bridge as a place to rest tired feet for a few minutes. What an absolutely fabulous way to spend a few hours. read more

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Beautiful. Walk. Bike. On the west side of the bridge there is parking and a few food trucks and a restroom. The gate is closed and locked at sunset. Plan accordingly. read more

Beautiful little spot in the middle of an unexpected town! There's a large parking lot that is easy to access. I was meeting up with friends in NY and this was on the agenda for the day. It was a great activity to do after lunch, a gorgeous walk on the long bridge with stunning views. We didn't walk all the way to the end because it was a super windy day, but I'd like to come back and visit during a summer day. Bathrooms are very accessible and clean. I'm told there's even a gift shop at the end. There's some artwork in the front too, sends a great message about our environment and keeping things clean. If you're in the area, it's a great spot to check out! read more

Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Poughkeepsie, New York

Beautiful view of the Hudson River! Great first stop after we landed. Weather is overcast but the views were great!

Visited today to do the walk over the Hudson. It's about a mile long coming and going. What am experience. The views are phenomenal, breathtaking and definitely a visit for the books. There was a BEAUTIFUL statue of Sojourner Truth, in which I got to capture some of her history with tears in my eyes, what a pioneer she was it truly was an honor. The people are so friendly and everyone was a joy to chit chat with just for a few minutes. You can walk , jog and bike over the bridge. There are also lots of educational plaques on the bride as well, to keep you informed on the history of the bride and state park . I even spotted a deer, that proceeded to follow me a bit (I love them). It's also a great workout lol my legs were tight after the brisk walk . Im a regular nowwww. read more

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If you want to see history, commitment, and achievement through hardwork then visit this bridge. It beautiful place with, a nice overview and the Hudson River is at its best. 30-50 mins walk. Multiple free and paid parking nearby. Look for signs. read more

Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Poughkeepsie, New York

Fantastic views over the Hudson! If you're in the area, I would definitely recommend. You can take an elevator to the top if you'd like to save some time and walking. They have walking and bike lanes. read more

Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Poughkeepsie, New York

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Oh yes, this is the place to come if nearby or even a couple or several miles away. Very simply, the bridge connects from Poughkeepsie to the Highland side, making it 1.5 miles each way (The American Flag seen is the halfway point). The view is quite spectacular both ways, seeing the Hudson River. There's plenty of space on the bridge to fit a large crowd, but beware of bikers. You're better off being on the side near the railing. For those who are afraid of heights, I strongly recommend looking straight ahead including if you're looking at the river. Once on the other side, turn around enjoy the view even more. Be careful of the wind as well. On the Poughkeepsie side, there is a pay station in the parking lot at each end. Have your cameras with you on this trip! read more

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I was in the area with my family and dog so we went for a nice walk on the bridge. It was very quiet and view of the water and sky is beautiful especially when the sun starts to set. The bridge is a far to complete. I didn't track how many miles long, but my dog was also enjoying his walk and wagging his tail at any friendly dog he sees. There are multiple benches and binocular stops for visitors. I would recommend coming here especially if you ever want to go for a jog. read more

This walkway is beautiful. I came at the perfect time of the year. We can see the changing colors of the trees and it made the landscape look incredible. Do bring a sweater as it does get very windy up here. The people are all so nice and friendly, all saying hello or good morning. It was a nice quick walk. You can let your mind wander freely. They also have a little trollie that goes back and forth all day if you get tired and need a quick ride. If you ever get the opportunity to go here do go! And ride the trolly as the drivers were so nice and very knowledgeable able the history of the bridge. read more

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I saw this bridge/state park from the train and decided to check it out. It's an old railway bridge that was restored and converted to a pedestrian bridge. The views of Poughkeepsie and the Hudson are worth the walk. You also get a good view of the FDR bridge. There are signs along the pathways to the bridge on both sides of the river explaining the view and historical facts about the bridge and the areas around it. There are bathrooms and visitor centers on both sides of the bridge also. Note on the Poughkeepsie side, the entrance is not directly on the river although there is an elevator that does go down to the waterfront. The main parking area and bathrooms are a few hundred feet back from the waterfront. It's a good stop for about 1/2 to 1 hour depending on how fast you walk and how many signs you wish to read. read more

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Time to de-stress, un-depress (if that's a word) in this unprecedented time. Last summer, our friends from further north of the county invited us to have a walk with them on this bridge. It's a mile+ long bridge and was built over 100 years ago and it used to have a railway for freight and passenger trains. It was transformed into a beautiful walkway and its my first time to be on such kind of a bridge. The mid-section is pretty high (212 feet) spanning across the mighty Hudson River and the sight is beautiful. I did'nt know or should I say I didn't research beforehand that kick scooters and bikes are allowed to be ridden across the bridge. Mentioning this, be careful and watch out for riders for some do ride their bikes a bit fast. There are ample parking spaces (gravel) and restaurants in the area. This walkway is a small section of the Hudson Valley Rail Trail of the 750-mile Empire State Trail. read more

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Parked and entered at 61 Parker Ave. (no stairs, good for bike/strollers). I like that the trek can be as long or as short as you want it to be (3.6 mile loop in total). The pay station in the parking lot was out of order and thus parking was free! Everybody on the walkway wore a mask which is mandated. A few runners did not have masks on (do with that what you want). Good: -picturesque views and fresh air -very spacious walkway Bad: -if you have fear of heights, beware read more

Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park - Pay station in parking lot - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Poughkeepsie, New York

I would like to call it the High Line of the Mid Hudson. Very strong steel structure, you will feel safe so high up above the river. Approximately 1.5 mile each way, 3 miles turn around. Newly designed walkway with wide expansion allowing only pedestrians and cyclists. Quiet from the traffic noise. Large, clean restrooms on both sides of the Hudson. Outdoor picnic tables spread throughout entrances Posters of the history of the bridge originally built in 1889 for railroad trains crossing. Imagine! Today 21st September was a perfect clear blue sunny warm day to stroll and take in the scenery. The splendor of colors in the autumn of October must be a truly beautiful sight. Worth a visit if you are up in the Mid Hudson area bordering Poughkeepsie on the east, and New Paltz on the west. *Masks and Physical distancing are enforced * read more

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The Walkway Over the Hudson is a beautiful walk.. approximately 2.5 miles over and back. Great views of the Hudson River and nearby bridges. It's a flat walk and an easy walk with bathrooms on each end. I recommend a nice walk and then find a local restaurant for lunch or dinner. read more

Always good when the elevator is available esp in n the weekend pretty ridiculous when not...

A pleasant surprise for anybody that is stopping by. It is a short pedestrian bridge next to a state park. Perfect spot for walking , biking and running visit. I heard that it recently extended its trail to the other bridge to compliment longer trek. A reason to come back. With the great view of The Hudson and the mountain , I could see how crowded it gets during fall. Visitor friendly. Free parking during our visit. My son would love the place especially there is a car charging station. read more

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A clean, scenic pedestrian bridge over the Hudson River? Yes please. The former Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge is now the "world's longest elevated pedestrian bridge", a comfortable and scenic .5 mile (one way) walk to/from Poughkeepsie to Highland. Locals walk, bike, run, and unicycle (we saw two unicyclers during our walk) across. At certain times on weekends there is a free electric tram operated by kind and knowledgable volunteers. On the Highland side is a visitor center, gift shop, Restrooms, a great statue of Sojourner Truth, coffee and popcorn carts. No other food. The Walkway connects to a longer trail across the Hudson, so you can easily hike/bike/walk/run longer if so inclined. There are historical facts dotted along the solar powered walkway and an audio tour in four languages you can listen to via website or app. One of my favorite features is the glass elevator. On the Poughkeepsie side you can take the stairs up to the head of the Walkway from Parker Ave or take a glass elevator from the riverfront up to the walkway. The elevator is operated by an attendant; it is larger than the Ascent glass elevator at One Vanderbilt (and free). This is accessible via MetroNorth and a fun day trip. Cute pubs and shops await on the Poughkeepsie side. There are numerous events throughout the year which you can find on walkway.org. read more

Prepare to walk your behind off. Or bring your bike. It's an amazing view!! Bring a sweater too, can get chilly from the high altitude winds. Can't wait to go again read more

Just a very peaceful experience-great way to catch some fall color. Parking is easy. Nice public restroom. Just go-you'll be glad.

I've been really into exploring the Hudson area lately - it's a nice/accessible car trip out of the city and I love basic fall stuff (foliage, pumpkins, apple pie, flannel). The Walkway popped up as a recommended spot on some blog so off we went. You can get on either the Poughkeepsie or the Highland side; we opted for the Highland, since I had heard the area in Poughkeepsie was a bit sketch later in the day. Views are really beautiful especially as the leaves are starting to turn - you see so much of the Hudson River as the seasons start changing. Really windy so keep a hand on your hat. Unlike the Tappan Zee/Cuomo bridge, you only have other pedestrians and cyclists to share this bridge with and it's nice from a purely acoustics standpoint. It's a little more than a mile each way, doable for most people, and there were even some joggers. My one nit is that there could be maybe a few more benches for those who want to enjoy the views a little bit longer. Lots of amenities: bathrooms (that are not Porta Potties, yay), a coffee and hot dog truck, and a small picnic area. There's a parking lot (though get here earlier, it fills up early) and street parking. Bottom line: worth a pit stop particularly in the fall. Might be blistering/freezing during the summer and winter months. read more

Such a cool place to be outside and over the water. I love going on my runs there and attending the fun events they have

Pack a sandwich and hot cocoa, dress warm and brings camera ( or charge your phone). Leashed DOGS welcome. Walkway is one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the USA. TIP ONE: The surface gets very hot in summer-not good for paws. TIP TWO: RENT a BIKE on Titusville road, then bike to the walkway or just bring your own. FREE and TIP THREE: Even if you don't have time to walk across the entire span, at least go halfway so you can see the full vista of some of the most beautiful parts of the Hudson river. FABULOUS 200 degree views on one of the most magnificent rivers in the USA! read more

This is such a great park! This was our 3rd or fourth time here and every time we are blown away. Took the kids here a few weeks ago and this time rode our bikes across. We went early in the morning to avoid the crowds and the possibility of my kid mowing anyone down on accident. The place is super clean, well maintained and BEAUTIFUL!!! I highly recommend to anyone. This is a very accessible walking path and if you ride a bike it's even better because you can ride along the Hudson valley rail trail as well. The photos don't do it justice, you need to experience it yourself. read more

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