In Amsterdam, the Mohawk River, cultural history and trails for different activities come together. The Erie Canal runs along the Mohawk River through the city; Riverlink Park is right on the river. There is also a bridge with historical stops, a museum and several loops whose lengths and features are easy to compare. This makes it easy to divide your time between the city, nature and the water.
History Along the River and on the Bridge
The Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook Bridge explores the history of the Mohawk Valley at twelve stops with explanatory texts. The bridge is also home to the “Wheel of Life” glass mosaic, which is twelve feet in diameter and inspired by a larger mosaic at the Waldorf Astoria on Park Avenue in Manhattan. The bridge is open from spring until the first snowfall in winter. Check the seasonal opening period before your visit.
The 9/11 Memorial is another stop for history enthusiasts: it contains one of the largest unaltered remnants of the World Trade Center in Upstate New York. Guy Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The Walter Elwood Museum complements these sites with educational programs, collections and creative activities. It is open Tuesday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; you can make an appointment for evening or weekend visits. Admission is free. Check opening hours, appointment options and current programs before planning your visit.
Choose Trails by Length and Theme
For a longer outing, the Chuctanunda Creek Trail offers an eight-mile loop from the Mohawk River through downtown. The trail is suitable for bicycles and pedestrians; features include waterfalls, bridges and dams. As a recreational and educational trail, it also includes points of interest related to history, geology and ecology. This lets you combine exercise with several themes rather than focusing on just one.
The shorter loops offer different features: the Chuctanunda Creek Greenway is a 1.5-mile, pedestrian-friendly loop in the heart of the city. The Dove Creek Trail is a pedestrian-friendly nature loop that runs 0.75 miles along Dove Creek. There is also the one-mile MVGO & Riverlink Trail for cyclists and pedestrians. The distances make it easy to compare the options based on how much time you have; they do not indicate walking times. In Amsterdam, the Erie Canalway Trail connects to MVGO and Riverlink Park.
Sports, Parks and Time by the Water
Amsterdam operates an Olympic-size swimming pool that is open to residents and visitors from late June through late August. The Amsterdam City Pool is 50 meters long and 25 meters wide. Since it operates seasonally, it is worth checking the current opening hours before you go.
Golfers will find a municipal golf course in Amsterdam that has been in operation since 1938 and was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. Green spaces are also part of the city: Amsterdam has well over 25 parks and green spaces open to residents and visitors. Swimming, golf, trails and parks offer different ways to spend your time; depending on your interests, you can focus on culture, exercise or a walk in a green setting.
Riverlink Park offers boaters traveling along the river a dock, fresh water and 120- to 240-volt electrical service. Boaters who dock there also have access to restrooms, a shower and laundry facilities. Since docking conditions and amenities may change, check these details before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Fultonville, Palatine Bridge.
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