The readers of Hudson Valley Magazine have declared Walkway Over the Hudson to be the region’s Best Landmark, according to the results of the annual “Best of the Hudson Valley” voting.

Originally a railroad bridge and the longest span in the world upon its opening in 1889, the Walkway earned the nickname “The Great Connector” for linking the raw materials of the midwest with the industrial northeast. It can be found on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Civil Engineering Landmark. Studies have shown residents of the Hudson Valley consider it a “marker of place” – an icon that identifies and designates the region – similar to the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Space Needle in Seattle.

Today a one-of-a-kind New York State Park and the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge at 1.28 miles across, the Walkway stands 212 feet above the Hudson River between Poughkeepsie and Highland, New York and is visited by more than 600,000 people per year. The Walkway provides unique access to the Hudson River’s breathtaking landscape for pedestrians, hikers, joggers, bicyclists, and people with disabilities. Supported by a diverse coalition of members, donors, and corporate sponsors, the bridge frequently hosts community events and fundraisers, and is open daily from 7 a.m. until sunset, weather permitting.

This is the first “Best Landmark” designation for Walkway Over the Hudson, which is a previous, multi-time winner of Best Park, Best Bike/Rail Trail, and Best Sunset Spot. To see all of the 2023 Best of the Hudson Valley, visit hvmag.com.