The High Line is one of the world’s most unique public parks. The park in New York City is made from reclaimed elevated rail running above Manhattan’s West Side. It was originally slated for destruction after remaining unused for decades. But locals and the city decided to repurpose the stretch of rail for public benefit. They opened the High Line in 2009. Today, it’s one of the more unusual tourist attractions in NYC, but it’s also becoming increasingly popular with visitors. If you’re looking for a quick guide to the High Line NYC, we’ve got you covered.
Where is the High Line?
The New York High Line runs for 1.45 miles above the west side of Manhattan, from Gansevoort Street & Washington Street, north up to 34th Street & 12th Avenue. It roughly runs from the Meatpacking District, through Chelsea, up to just south of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. There are multiple access points at various intersections. Plus, there are elevator access and ramp access at a few points for those with mobility concerns. There are also restrooms at the following access points: Gansevoort & Washington and 16th Street.
When is the High Line Open?
As a public park, the High Line does have regular operating hours. These vary seasonally, with the longest hours in the summer months. Regardless of the time of year, the park is open at 7 am every day, including weekends.
What to See on the New York High Line?
There are many points of interest along the High Line, many of which are unique to the park. Others are found below the High Line. These make for an easy attraction to add on to an afternoon spent exploring the park. Here’s a complete guide to the attractions below, in geographical order from southernmost to northernmost.
Gansevoort Street – 17th Street
- Tiffany & Co. Foundation Overlook (at Gansevoort St.). This dramatic overlook marks where the original rail line was taken apart in the 1980s to make way for construction.
- Whitney Museum of American Art: Located just east of the overlook, this popular museum features over 21,000 modern works of art.
- Donald Pels & Wendy Keys Gansevoort Woodland (between Gansevoort & 13th St.): A lush garden space filled with striking flora, this is a great spot for photos.
- 14th Street Passage (between 14th St. & 15th St.): A quasi-enclosed passageway, here you can find an original video series on display at dusk each evening.
- Diller-Von Furstenberg Sundeck & Water Feature (between 14th St. & 15th St.): This water feature marks the spot where water tended to gather during the days when the High Line was still a railroad track, drawing inspiration from life.
- Chelsea Market Passage (between 15th St. & 16th St.): Running right along the iconic Chelsea Market, this section of the park is the perfect place to descend if you’re looking for a snack or souvenir.
- Chelsea Market: This expansive complex is beloved for its food hall. It is brimming with vendors selling everything from cheese and wine to coffee and bread. There’s also a retail component with many popular and hyper-local options.
- Northern Spur Preserve (at 16th St.): This section of the park honors the indigenous plants that grew on and around the High Line before it was converted into cultivated parkland.
- 10th Avenue Square & Overlook (at 17th St.): Featuring a giant “window” down onto 10th Ave., this area also encompasses an amphitheater with public performances.
21st Street to 34th street
- Chelsea Thicket (between 21st St. & 22nd St.): Another piece of wilderness brought to downtown Manhattan, this section of the New York High Line boasts a variety of dense trees and shrubs indigenous to the region.
- 23rd Street Lawn & Seating Steps (at 23rd St.): A great spot for picnics, this elevated lawn area is also home to many local art installations like a massive mural that changes each year.
- Philip A. and Lisa Maria Falcone Flyover (between 25th St. & 27th St.): Designed specifically to allow visitors to encounter larger trees like magnolias and sassafras, the path elevates several feet above the rail line.
- 26th Street Viewing Spur (at 26th St.): A great place to get views of the city below, and gain perspective on your position relative to the bustle.
- Crossroads (at 30th St.): This is the widest section of the High Line Greenwich and therefore often the most accessible to those wanting to sit for a bit. It’s also where the High Line switches from a North-South orientation to an East-West one.
- Spur (at 30th St. & 10th Ave.): The final section of the original trail to be converted to park space, the public art here is spectacular—keep an eye out for the High Line Plinth!
- Pershing Square Beams (at 30th St.): A delightful place for the little ones to play, the exposed steel beams have been coated in a safe silicone surface, turning them into a playground.
- Interim Walkway (between 30th St. & 34th St.): Stop here for panoramic views of the Hudson River. Stay for the wildflowers and uncultivated plants.
- CSX Transportation Gate (at 34th St.): The only point at which the High Line New York hits street level. This is where you can most easily access it from downtown Manhattan.
Things to Know About the High Line NYC
- To protect the parklands, no dogs are allowed on the High Line except service animals.
- There are plenty of places to eat on the High Line! The Italian-inspired Santina is open year-round, while the 15th St. area boasts several diverse temporary vendors, serving up everything from German street food to gelato to empanadas.
- You can’t walk on the grass. Except for the High Line lawn at 23rd St., all other lawn beds are off-limits.
- The High Line is a “green” structure. It contributes to city sustainability efforts by functioning like a green roof would, reducing rainwater runoff into the sewers.
- You don’t need to go it alone. There are several themed tours of the High Line NYC, with tickets available on the first-come, first-served basis. You can also make reservations for large groups.
- Feel free to ride a bike to the High Line! There are bike racks at most access points. Just remember that no bikes are permitted on the High Line itself.
- Please remember not to pick any flowers. The preservation of local vegetation is an important part of the park’s mission. You can, however, get as many photos as you’d like!
- Love art? Then you’ll want to come back to the New York High Line again and again. They both commission and produce unique contemporary art every year.
- There are also frequent public performances, from music to theatre.
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