Visitors are heading high above the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie for this week’s Road Trip Close to Home.
The Walkway Over the Hudson is a former railroad bridge turned New York State Park, according to Executive Director Lori Robertson.
“We are an old railroad bridge that was originally built in 1889,” Robertson said.
The bridge was in use until 1974, when a fire destroyed it, and it remained unused for decades before reopening to the public in 2009.
The structure stretches 1.28 miles and stands 212 feet above the river, connecting Dutchess and Ulster counties.
“The views of the Hudson River are unmatched,” Robertson said. “You really just got this view that you won’t get anywhere else.”
The park is free and open 365 days a year.
An accessible 11-passenger tram allows more people to experience the walkway.
More than 150 ambassadors provide tours and share the site’s history with visitors.
A 21-story glass elevator connects the bridge to the waterfront below.
Robertson says more than 600,000 people visit the walkway each year.