5 Cool Spots on the Empire State Trail
Our Empire State Trail bike tour features a myriad of complementary experiences wrapped up into a perfect package. Starting in the heart of New York City, we experience the bustling urban center of America’s largest city. Quickly, the Empire State Trail carries cyclists out of the hustle and bustle to quaint towns full of history and personality. Each day offers a unique opportunity to experience something new. Here are some highlights and coolest spots you’ll see on the Empire State Trail.
1- Staten Island Ferry
For millions of people, the Staten Island Ferry is part of their daily commute to and from the city. The Ferry runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and carries over 12 million passengers annually. For someone visiting the city, the Ferry gives unrivaled views of the skylines of Jersey City, Manhattan and Brooklyn. It also passes right by the Statue of Liberty.
A ride across the New York Bay kicks off our Empire State Trail bike tour. Guests have time to explore the different vantage points from the Ferry as it draws closer to Lower Manhattan. It’s a great time to get to know fellow cyclists and guides. Make sure to snap some photos of the skyline and Statue of Liberty!
2- Manhattan
We would be remiss to not consider the city itself as one of the coolest spots on the trail. Manhattan has a bunch of cool spots in and of itself. On top of that, the bike infrastructure makes New York City a cyclist’s paradise. 
Our ride starts in Battery Park, just outside the Staten Island Ferry terminal. A bike-friendly trail weaves through the park, revealing contrasting tall buildings between lush green trees. We’ll ride on car-free bike routes, protected bike lanes, and small streets with almost no traffic. New York City even has dedicated traffic lights for cyclists.
We use this great infrastructure to visit many landmarks throughout the city. We ride down Wall Street, stop at the 9/11 Memorial reflecting pools, grab lunch at the Chelsea Market, cruise around Central Park and stop at Pier 17 to marvel at the Brooklyn Bridge. Even if you’ve been to the Big Apple before, experiencing it in the saddle gives a whole new perspective.
3- Walkway Over the Hudson
As the trail leaves the city and travels north through the Hudson River Valley, throughout the ride you’ll see glimpses of the river itself. It isn’t until the Walkway Over the Hudson that you’ll see this important waterway in all its glory.
The walkway is a steel cantilever bridge spanning the Hudson River between Poughkeepsie, New York, on the east bank and Highland, New York, on the west bank. The bridge was originally built as a double track railroad bridge in 1889 that formed part of the Maybrook Railroad Line of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. After it was damaged by fire, the bridge was taken out of service in 1974.
The former rail bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, and designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 2009. It also opened as a pedestrian walkway in 2009.
You’ll ride over the bridge, suspended 212 feet above the Hudson River. We recommend stopping and taking in the 360 degree views of the sweeping valley.
4- The Town of Hudson
The small towns along the Empire State Trail each have their own unique personalities with many quirks to explore. One of our personal favorites is Hudson, that’s why we decided to build in a full layover day in town.
Hudson has many nicknames: the Un-Hamptons, New York’s Upstate Downtown, and Brooklyn North. Galleries, coffeehouses, and open-kitchen restaurants litter the town with personalities that add to the artsy charm. Guests have plenty of time to explore on their own. It’s hard to believe this cute little inland town began as a whaling port.
5- Albany Hudson Electric Trail
After our full day spent in Hudson, we continue the journey north and hop on the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail. Originally built in 1900, the Albany-Hudson Electric Rail Line was the first US interurban line to power cars with an electrified third rail. The line connected its namesake cities and the communities between them. The electricity was generated by a hydroelectric plant at Stuyvesant Falls. We stop for a support stop at the falls to see the few remains of the plant. 
The last trolley car ran in 1929, and the line stood abandoned for years. That is until very recent years, when a recreational trail was completed in 2020. Now, this trail is one small section of the Empire State Trail.
Honorable Mention – Skyway Park
There are just too many cool spots along the trail, so we had to throw in an honorable mention. Just opened last year, Skyway Park in Albany repurposes an old interstate exit ramp. The half-mile linear park is elevated above Interstate 787 and connects neighborhoods for pedestrians and cyclists.
It also links downtown to the Mohawk Hudson Hike Bike Trail, another section of the Empire State Trail. The elevated park is on the final mile stretch of our Empire State Trail bike tour.
Spanning from Manhattan to Albany, our Empire State Trail bike tour has lots to explore. Join us on a trip to experience first-hand these cool spots and more.
Wilderness Voyageurs operates fully supported, inn-to-inn bicycle tours across the United States. We offer more rail-trail tours and biking destinations than any other U.S. based bike tour company.