EvannakitaAug 17, 2023

As an American, I’m used to the towns surrounding major cities just blending into each other to become an endless suburban sprawl.

I hadn’t expected towns just fifteen miles from Manhattan to actually have distinct boundaries with wilderness in between.

Yet #today I’m here, looking up the Hudson to Tarrytown.

Show threadEvannakita

Seriously, though—for #NYC folks (and Long Islanders) who’ve never ridden #MetroNorth, do it. It’s all too easy to fall into the mental trap of “but I already have everything I want here in the city”. No, you don’t. This isn’t comparable to a walk in Central Park. Get out here and breathe.

The Hudson Line is definitely the best of the three (although the other two are still *excellent*), and I’d recommend #Ossining as a great destination for a first trip. (And the Haverstraw ferry if you can!)

Aug 17, 2023 at 2:40pmWeb
Show threadEvannakitaAug 17, 2023

There aren’t many US regional rail lines that actually pass significantly outside the boundaries of suburban sprawl. Boston has several, NJ Transit has a few, LIRR has a couple (Montauk and Greenport), Connecticut has the Shore Line East, Chicago has the South Shore Line, New Mexico has the ever-wonderful Rail Runner, Metrolink has the line to Oceanside, and the Bay Area has the ACE.

I haven’t ridden all of them yet. But so far, Metro-North is the clear winner. This railway is amazing.

Show threadSethAug 17, 2023
@evannakita I’ve been walking the Old Croton Aqueduct trail, from the Bronx to the Croton Reservoir. Started with the subway to Van Cortlandt Park, but the took Metro North to the other starting points. It’s 30 miles, and I’ve done 3 of my 4 sections, about 6 or 8 miles each, not counting an extra few miles to and from the train. It’s more a walk than a hike, made possible by the train. Final leg any weekend now: Scarborough Station to the reservoir and then to the Croton-Harmon station.
Show threadEvannakitaAug 17, 2023
@selgart Oh this is excellent. I’m lucky enough to live right near the High Bridge, so I know a little bit about the aqueduct’s history, but I’ve never checked out any other part of it before! I should change that.
Show threadJaycieAug 17, 2023
@evannakita And a coworking space opened in #Ossining this year! They have day passes and 3D printers, too! https://www.ossiningriverworks.com/
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Ossining Riverworks is redefining coworking in a stunning Hudson River view mansion, renovated for sustainability, community, and productivity

Ossining Riverworks
Show threadBethelCTPrideAug 18, 2023

@evannakita we're second to last stop on the Danbury spur of the New Haven line so a bit of a haul.

But we DO line the annual Pride parade up at the MetroNorth station itself to take it through downtown.

which is a nice walkable downtown with 3 independent bookstores, if that's your jam. There's also a brewery in the old station.

If you hop into Danbury itself, the line terminates at a train museum!

Show threadEvannakitaAug 18, 2023
@BethelCTPride oooo, I haven’t been out on the Danbury Branch yet! I’ve been meaning to change that, and you just gave me the perfect reason to :D