Park Above The Rest: The High Line (New York City)

The High Line is an extraordinary, linear New York City park elevated 30 feet above the streets of Manhattan! It’s the must-see NYC attraction that offers a unique nature getaway.

The High Line is a New York City public park built on an elevated freight rail line on Manhattan’s West Side. The linear park is 1.45 miles (2.33 km) long and runs from Gansevoort Street (just below 12th Street) in the Meatpacking District through Chelsea up to 30th Street – with an extension winding around Hudson Yards to 34th Street.

Neighborhood residents got organized back in 1999 to save the tracks from demolition. In 2009, the High Line opened as a hybrid public space with an emphasis on nature, art, and design. While it’s owned by the city, the nonprofit organization Friends of The High Line is responsible for the maintenance of the sustainable park and the programming of art and events.

The High Line is a perfect reminder that a Happier Place doesn't have to be in 'the great outdoors' but that a nature getaway can be found right in the center of a metropolis. Click To Tweet

The High Line features a harmonious mix of overgrown tracks, flowers, grasses, small trees and well-designed manmade paths, seating areas and changing public art pieces. It’s a lovely place for watching butterflies and bees as well as people and art. Of course there are also the vistas of the Manhattan streets below, the high rises above, the Hudson River to the west and all the fire escapes and home and office windows that can trigger your imagination.

The High Line has 10 entrances, 3 of them with elevators (14th, 16th and 23rd). It’s fully wheelchair accessible – but you’re not allowed to ride a bikes or skateboards up there. From spring to fall you can purchase food and beverages from cafés and kiosks along the rail trail. Unfortunately, you can’t bring your dog. The free park opens every day at 7am, year-round. Closing times vary by season.

If you want to see how much the plants and city have grown over time, you can check out two Moving Postcard videos Luci made about the High Line in 2012: High Line Park – In A Brooklyn Minute (Week 112) + High Line Park, New York City (extended version).

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Save one of these images to Pinterest as a reminder to visit The High Line and recommend it to others.

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All photos in this post were taken by Luci Westphal in 2018. By clicking on an individual image you can see a larger version – and even purchase a print if you’re so inclined. More High Line photos.