The Hudson River Region
History & Heritage * Tourism & Business
Environment & Culture * Special Features
The Hudson River region is one of America's treasures. Long before English explorer Henry Hudson sailed up the river in 1609 for the Dutch East India Company, the waterway was a major travel route for Native Americans... the Hudson was America's most prominent, and profitable, waterway… some 315 miles, from the headwaters in the Adirondack Mountains at Lake Tear of the Clouds to its meeting with the Atlantic Ocean at New York City - The Hudson River: A Historical Overview, from the NY Public Library
Regional Links |
Walkway Over the Hudson |
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The Transformation of the landmark 1888 Poughkeepsie-Highland railroad bridge into a spectacular park and trailway 212 feet over the Hudson River was completed in the fall of 2009. |
Walkway Trail Loop |
Combining the historic Walkway Over the Hudson, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Mid-Hudson Bridge, several state and local parks, the agricultural traditions of the Town of Lloyd and the variety of the City of Poughkeepsie – the Walkway Trail Loop provides a compact 3.5 mile experience of the diverse wonders of the Hudson Valley. |
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| 8 Bridges |
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8 Bridges, presented by CIBBOWS, is created by a group of open water swimmers who strongly support the clean up and protection of the Hudson River by swimming in it. |
| Scenic Hudson |
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Scenic Hudson has a 50-year track record of protecting and restoring the Hudson River and its majestic landscape as an irreplaceable national treasure and a vital resource for residents and visitors. |
We combine land acquisition, support of agriculture, citizen-based advocacy and sophisticated planning tools to create environmentally and economically healthy communities, open up riverfronts to the public and preserve the valley’s inspiring beauty and natural resources. Come visit our system of parks along the Hudson. |
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Green Peas TV |
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The NYS Bridge Authority and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Mid-Hudson Bridge are proud to host several episodes of Green Peas TV. A cooking show on a bridge? Check out Green Peas TV and find out why! |
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Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area
The official website for approximately 90 Hudson River Valley Heritage Sites.
Hudson Valley Tourism
The official I Love New York site for the 10 counties
that make up the Historic Hudson River Valley.
Hudson River Valley Greenway
An innovative state agency created to facilitate the development of a voluntary regional strategy for preserving scenic, natural, historic, cultural and recreational resources.
Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries
Its mission is to create and maintain a global center for scientific and technological innovation that advances research, education and policy regarding rivers and estuaries.
Hudson River Lighthouses
“…sentinels of the Hudson River marking the way and warning shipping of the hazards and channels. The many lighthouses of the river have protected shipping insuring safe passage and delivery of both goods and people to their destinations.”
Lighthouses are an important part of the Hudson Valley Heritage. Click on the link above to explore their preservation.
The New York Public Library Hudson River Portfolio
An excellent compilation of History, Art, Rare Images and texts of the Hudson River. |
Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial |
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From the Canadian border to the New York harbor, 2009 hosted the grand celebration of the 400th anniversary of Hudson's and Champlain's voyages along the river and lake that bear their names. The NYSBA bridges played an important role and the legacies from these events will last another 400 years. |
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County Tourism Links |
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Columbia County Tourism
Dutchess County Tourism
Greene County Tourism
Orange County Tourism
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Putnam County Tourism
Rockland County Tourism
Ulster County Tourism
Westchester County Tourism
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Special Features
Bridge Lights
18,726 feet of cables, 27,000 red, green and blue LEDs and 16.7 million colors
all with a highly energy efficient system make the Mid-Hudson Bridge Lights
one of the unique features of the Hudson Valley.
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Bridge Music
Composer Joseph Bertolozzi's 10-piece original composition uses the Franklin D. Roosevelt Mid Hudson Bridge as it's only musical instrument. The public art intallation includes short-range radio broadcasts from riverfront parks on both sides of the bridge and play-on-demand listening stations at each tower on the north sidewalk of the bridge. Bridge music has received world-wide recognition and NYSBA is pleased to host this unique display of Hudson Valley culture. |
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Peregrine Falcons
The fastest bird on the planet makes its home on each Hudson River bridge.
In its hunting dive, soaring to a half mile or more, then diving at speeds in excess of 200mph the Peregrine has a recorded top speed of 242.3 mph.
The name Peregrine means “wanderer,” and northern-nesting Peregrines are among North America’s long-distance migratory species, traveling as much as 10,000 miles a year. Peregrines mate for life and usually return to the same nesting spot each year. A medium-sized falcon, the Peregrine will grow to about 15 to 21 inches long and have a wingspan of more than 3 feet.
In 1970, the Peregrine was federally protected in the United States. Peregrines have since made a recovery, aided by wildlife management such as providing habitats on structures like the bridges over the Hudson River.
The Bridge Authority has a webcam on the Peregrine Nest at the Mid-Hudson Bridge and works with the state department of Environmental Conservation to provide public access during the active spring months.
Click Here for the NYS DEC Peregrine Falcon webcam page. |
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Click image for full resolution
Our Bridges and Local Links
Use the Bridge link for more information on the surrounding area,
tourism, business and local attractions.
Bear Mountain Bridge
Bear Mountain State Park
Unites States Military Academy @ West Point
Boscobel - A neoclassical style mansion (built 1804-1808)
located on a bluff overlooking the Hudson River.
Newburgh-Beacon Bridge
The National Purple Heart Hall on Honor
Washington’s Headquarters, the nation's first publicly owned historic site
Stewart International Airport
Mid-Hudson Bridge
Culinary Institute of America
Franklin D. Roosevelt Home & Library
Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge
Catskill Mountains
Senate House - With “government on the run"
the state government moved to Kingston in February of 1777.
Firemen's Association of the State of New York Museum of Firefighting - The history of firefighting in a tribute to those brave men and women.
Rip Van Winkle Bridge
Olana - The Persian-style home and estate of famed
Hudson River School artist Frederic Edwin Church.
Catskill Mountains |
