I Walk Everywhere in New York. Here’s Why the High Line Never Gets Old.
A local’s review of the High Line.
Overview:
Length: 1.6 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Bathroom on Trail
Elevator Access
General Location: Begins in Chelsea and ends in Hudson Yards
I’ve always said that New York City is a walker’s paradise. You may come for the pizza, bagels, and Broadway, but you’ll stay for the strolls. If you’re searching for a top-notch walking experience outside the plethora of parks, riverwalks, and bustling streets, the High Line in New York City should be at the top of your list. I come here every time I want to look ‘behind-the-scenes’ of Manhattan.
This 1.6-mile elevated trail is easy to manage for those who love to walk and those who don’t. It offers breathtaking views of the city, surrounded by vibrant foliage, gardens, and unique glimpses into New York’s architecture and culture. At times, you’ll feel like you’re walking through the backyards of wealthy residents…because you are!
Where is the High Line in New York City and how do you get there?
Starting at the corner of Gansevoort and Washington Streets in Chelsea, which is a neighborhood in mid to lower Manhattan, the High Line runs 1.6 miles north to Hudson Yards at 34th Street.
So how do you get there? If you’re starting at Penn Station, which is where trains from Newark Airport and JFK often lead to (roughly located on the corner of 34th Street and 8th Ave), you have a couple of different options on how to get to the High Line. Your first option is to take the 1 Train, which you’ll see signs for in Penn Station, so you don’t even have to step outside. Hop on the 1 Train downtown to 14th Street and walk southwest to the beginning of the High Line. It’s a short subway ride, maybe 7 minutes, depending on what day of the week it is (train times are more spread out on Sundays).
You’re other option is to leave Penn Station and walk west from 8th to 9th Ave and so on until you reach 11th Ave. You’ll also notice a bunch of modern buildings and the Vessel, also known as the “Bee Hive,” which indicates you’ve made it to Hudson Yards. You’ll find the north entrance to the High Line between 11th and 12th Aves on 34th Street, and you can walk southbound along the High Line from there.
What’s on the High Line?
The High Line is a walking trail built on the remnants of the old New York City Trainline. You’ll climb a set of stairs (or take the elevator up) and find yourself strolling overtop of the city. You’ll wander through the backyards of apartment buildings, amongst gorgeous vegetation and gardens, and with great views of the Hudson River.
For those looking to get their steps in, you’ll be pleased to know that three walks up and down the High Line will get you precisely 10,000 steps. You’ll hit your step count without interruptions from cars, traffic lights, or pesky bicyclists.
There’s a lot to uncover on your High Line adventure, and some of the attractions, like the sculptures and artwork on display, will change throughout the year, making it that much more exciting to return. My personal favorite sculpture that I’ve seen on the High Line is Foot Fountain, a foot-shaped sculpture and sprinkler with tongues sticking out of it.
What never shifts are the amazing views you’ll get of the river and the bustling streets below you. You’ll also see the Hudson Trainyard, and the iconic Vessel, a beehive-shaped structure that if nothing else, makes you go “Oh? That’s cool.”
As urban as the walk feels, you’ll also be immersed in beautifully curated floral displays that blend nature and city life into one incredible path.
The Vessel
Foot Fountain
The High Line participates in the city’s mission to provide sustainable green life for all who wander through. The gardens on the High Line were designed to reflect the cycle of life and death. This setup was meant to allow walkers to experience something wild and natural to complement the urban life surrounding the trail.
The lookout on the High Line
Each Garden has a name and a theme. My favorite section is the Flyover garden area between 25th and 27th Streets. Flyover feels like the closest thing to a rainforest you’ll find on the streets of New York.
The Flyover Garden
Where can you eat near the High Line?
There are often food vendors like Shake Shack on the High Line, but their availability depends on the time and day you visit. If you’re looking for places to eat nearby, here are my recommendations.
Little Spain in Hudson Yards: The 34th Street entrance/exit is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the Hudson Yards food courts where you’ll find mini food havens such as Little Spain. It’s pretty lively, so I wouldn’t come here if you’re in the mood for peace and quiet, but the food is authentic and delicious. There are many different options to choose from, and amazing vibes throughout.
Street Meat Carts: When you exit at 34th Street, you’ll stumble onto a strip lined with hot dog carts ready to provide on-the-go meals and refreshing beverages. People are often skeptical of hot dog carts and other ‘street meats’, but I hit them up often and have never run into an issue. Most of them accept cards and Apple Pay nowadays, but I’d have cash ready just in case.
Friedmans in Chelsea: If you want to eat by the Chelsea entrance, I always find a reliable meal at Friedmans, located at 75 9th Ave. Here you can get your hands on delicious diner food like egg platters, salads, hot chocolates, sandwiches, and more. They’re very allergy-friendly, and most of their options are already gluten-free. I’m not gluten free, and I would typically never choose a gluten-free place, but I’ve found that the food at Friedmans holds up.
What’s the history behind the High Line?
Similar to digging in an old burial ground, each step on The High Line will reveal hidden historical secrets of the city you can’t find anywhere else. The pathway sits where the old New York freight line once operated, leaving behind remnants of the railroad and its complex legacy. The park opened in 2009 after residents advocated for the landmark to remain intact and avoid demolition.
However, the functions of this trail can date back to the 1800s when the New York Central Railroad used the rail line to deliver food to lower Manhattan. This area of the city was labeled “Death Avenue” due to the dangers imposed by the railroad and the 540 people who were killed on the tracks. In other words, before there were electric scooters to knock pedestrians off their feet, there was a rail line.
The treacherous nature of the railroad prompted the “West Side Cowboys” to patrol the area and warn pedestrians of ongoing traffic. It wasn’t until the 1930s that the first elevated train ran on the High Line and saved the city from more devastation. This line was known as the West Side Elevated Line and ran alongside the buildings to deliver produce, meat, and dairy products throughout western Manhattan.
This system worked efficiently until, sadly, trucking killed the railroad star. In the 1960s-80s, the influx of trucks rendered the rail line unessential and the bottom part of the line was demolished. And in the 80s, the whole operation shut down. In later years, Peter Obletz formed The West Side Rail Line Development Foundation and began to preserve the High Line. Over the years, the landmark was developed more and more due to demand by residents who found it to be the ugly duckling in an otherwise lovely area.
The Hudson Train Yard
In 1999, Joshua David and Robert Hammond founded Friends of the High Line which helped flourish the aesthetic of the High Line with wildlife and greenery galore. In 2009, after Mayor Bloomberg approved and CSX Transportation granted ownership of the structure to the City of New York, the park opened and became the High Line as we know it today.
