Poughkeepsie, New York: Walkway Over the Hudson

Very few have been able to walk on water over the years, but it's possible to walk over it in Poughkeepsie, New York. That sounds like the makings of a tourist attraction, and it is.

The story starts in 1889, and you might have guessed that it involves the railroad. A bridge was constructed at Poughkeepsie to allow the trains to cross over the mighty Hudson River. It served that purpose nicely into the 1970s, when a fire in 1974 left it damaged. The bridge eventually was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

But what to do next with it? Someone smart came of the idea of turning the bridge into a pedestrian walkway. That worked for most, and it was named the Walkway over the Hudson State Historic Park in 2009. The walkway attracted more than 400,000 users in the first three months alone. The span checked in at 6,768 feet - more than a mile - and was the longest pedestrian bridge in the world until a longer span in Colorado topped it in 2018.   

The bridge is 21 stories above the water, and it extends quite a distance on both sides of the Hudson's shore. However, the fun part arrives when the walkway actually gets over the Hudson River itself. It's a great view, which is why there are walkers, runners, bicyclists, etc. taking advantage of it. (Note: Keep an eye out for dog stuff and fast cyclists.) Just to the south is the Mid-Hudson Bridge, which is beautiful in its own right. I was in the right place when a big ship cruised north under our location, making for a nice photo of the area.

On the Poughkeepsie side, there's an elevator down to the shore that connects with a small park area. The ride up and down is a great way to see the underside of the bridge, and the park is quite charming.

We were really glad we stopped to see this, and might do it again if we are in the area in the future. Maybe a video will show you why we were enthusiastic - even if it is silent.