The Freedom Tunnel Expedition: Inside & Out/Above (+ Yonkers Walk)

This hike is all about completing the story of NYC’s most legendary tunnel. Since we can’t walk inside, We’ll head in via Amtrak, passing through the hidden tunnel beneath Manhattan’s parks where famous murals are located. After a 2-3 mile loop in Yonkers, we’ll head back to Manhattan to hike 7~ miles directly above the tunnel. From 125th to 72nd Street, we’ll trace the vents, portals, and hidden "windows" of the rails we just rode.

1. The Interior (Moynihan to Yonkers) We’ll meet at Moynihan Train Hall to catch the 11:20 AM Amtrak. Since we can’t walk into the active tunnels, We’ll be riding Amtrak through a lesser-known tunnel beneath Manhattan’s parks, where famous murals are hidden—keep a quick eye out as we pass through!
2. The Yonkers Detour (Approx. 2-3 Miles) Arriving at 11:44 AM, We’ll check out the waterfront, the "daylighted" Saw Mill River, and the historic civic center before catching the 1:26 PM or 1:55 PM Metro-North back to Manhattan (Harlem-125th Station).
3. The Exterior (125th St to 72nd St) (Approx. 7 miles, with optional exit points at nearby subway stations -116th, 110th, 103rd, 96th, … and 72nd.)
This is the core of our trek. From 125th Street, we’ll head to the river to find the Freedom Tunnel's northern portal. We’ll walk the length of Riverside Park, staying directly above the tracks, scouting for old railway structures, ventilation shafts, and the "windows" into the tunnel from the park.

Meeting point: Moynihan Train Hall
Ending point: The corner of 72nd Street and Riverside Drive

### Meeting Instructions

Meeting Point: Moynihan Train Hall. Please purchase your tickets in advance and wait for the platform announcement. We will meet at the boarding gate/stairs once the platform number is officially posted on the monitors.
Important Notes:

• Self-ticketing: Participants are responsible for buying their own tickets (Amtrak Empire Service).
• Early Arrival: Since the train departs at 11:20 AM, I strongly recommend arriving at least 40 minutes early to secure your ticket and line up with the group.
• Flexibility is Key: I cannot specify a meeting spot inside the hall beforehand, as platform assignments are only announced shortly before departure. Once the platform is announced, look for us at the head of the queue for that specific gate.

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This is the full-experience version of our November 19th hike, "Tracing the Freedom Tunnel: Riverside Park History & Hidden Rails." For a recap of our previous exploration, including photos and route details, you can refer to:
https://www.meetup.com/shorewalkers-members-only/events/311866547/.

**This walk starts in Penn Station, Moynihan Train Hall and will be confirmed 3–4 days in advance due to weather and transportation uncertainty for me traveling in from New Jersey. All attendees will remain on the waiting list for now.