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    Home » Travel » New York » Visiting The High Line: An Insider’s Guide

    Visiting The High Line: An Insider's Guide

    Published Aug 7, 2014 · Updated May 13, 2019 by Ginnie · 16 Comments

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    Planning on visiting the High Line? Take a walk through this beautiful urban park with a NYC resident!

    Visitors Guide to the High line in New York City! An insider's favorite tips for visiting the High Line in NYC. This urban park in Manhattan is a beautiful place to take a walk and get a bird's eye view of the city. | Hello Little Home

    New York is such an awesome city, and I feel super lucky to live here (childhood dream come true). I wish everyone could visit in person, but I understand that not always possible. So I've decided to start a new series, Explore NYC with Me.

    For my first Explore NYC with Me post, I'm taking you on a tour of the High Line.

    Visiting The High Line in NYC

    If you've never been to NYC, you may be wondering what's so special about this park! The High Line is a public park built on an elevated railroad track.

    It was originally a freight line that carried meat to the Meatpacking District, agricultural goods to the factories and warehouses of Manhattan's industrial West Side, and mail to the Post Office. Rail operation stopped in 1980, and the tracks sat unused until the first section of the park opened in 2009. Read more about the High Line's history.

    What I love most about the High Line is its unique setting. It's a beautiful park in an urban environment. There are plenty of spots to relax and take in the outdoors, but the city is ever present, and you're surrounded by art, too.

    Are you ready to take a tour? The High Line runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District up to West 34th Street.

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Construction Workers | Hello Little Home

    My favorite place to start when I'm visiting the High Line is at 34th Street and 12th Avenue. The entrance is located near the Javits Center.

    I took this first photo shortly after starting my walk near 30th street. As you can see, it was pretty overcast.

    There's a lot of construction surrounding the High Line, and I caught this group of workers on their lunch break. I thought I was being sneaky when I took their picture, but apparently not.

    Can you spot the guy waving at me? Ha!

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line | Hello Little Home

    The High Line is super busy, especially in summer, so be prepared for crowds.

    I made the walk around noon midweek and it was packed. As you can imagine, the weekends are even worse!

    My favorite time to visit is morning or evening, during the week, in fall or spring when it's a little quieter.

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Flowers | Hello Little Home

    Even though you're in Manhattan, you'll feel like you're surrounded by nature when visiting the High Line.

    I can never resist taking a million photos of the gorgeous flowers along the park's path.

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Art and Water Tower | Hello Little Home

    Watch a video of Jordan Betten creating Lady Luck (above).

    You'll see a lot of art, both on and off the High Line.

    Check out those water towers above, too. They're everywhere in New York, and I love spotting them.

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line | Hello Little Home

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line | Hello Little Home

    Even though you'll be surrounded by people, there are still plenty of spots to sit and relax when visiting the High Line.

    Make sure to pause for a few minutes and people watch or just quietly reflect.

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line | Hello Little Home

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Jessica Jackson Hutchins (Archeo: Him and Me) | Hello Little Home

    One of the many artworks along the path: Archeo: Him and Me by Jessica Jackson Hutchins.

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line | Hello Little Home

    I love finding a quiet spot to sit.

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Eduardo Kobra Mural | Hello Little Home

    Eduardo Kobra's mural of the Alfred Eisenstaedt's famous photo is located just off the High Line at 25th Street and 10th Avenue.

    It's impossible to miss.

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Young Veezy | Hello Little Home

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Marianne Vitale (Archeo: Creative Crossings) | Hello Little Home

    Archeo: Creative Crossings, a sculpture by Marianne Vitale ... I love how this piece complements the surrounding architecture.

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line | Hello Little Home

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line | Hello Little Home

    A little green space ...

    Of course, one of the best things about visiting the High line are the city views.

    You can even see across the Hudson. Those hills in the background above are in New Jersey.

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line | Hello Little Home

    This spot is one of the areas where you can see the original tracks.

    As you follow the tracks, you'll be surrounded by interesting architecture.

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Urban Rattle by Charlie Hewitt | Hello Little Home

    This piece is called Urban Rattle. It's by artist Charlie Hewitt

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Ed Ruscha (Honey I Twisted Through More Damn Traffic Today) | Hello Little Home

    Ed Ruscha's Honey I Twisted Through More Damn Traffic Today can be seen along your walk, too.

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Water Towers | Hello Little Home

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Buildings and Pink Flowers | Hello Little Home

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Tiny White Flowers | Hello Little Home

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - View of the Empire State Building | Hello Little Home

    Here's one of many views you might spy of the Empire State Building.

    Keep an eye peeled for it as you walk along!

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Flowers | Hello Little Home

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Bench | Hello Little Home

    A pretty place to relax for a moment.

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Sit and Watch the Traffic | Hello Little Home

    Or you can sit and watch traffic go by on 10th Avenue.

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Statue of Liberty View | Hello Little Home

    You'll find great views of the local neighborhood, New Jersey, and even the Statue of Liberty on the High Line.

    Trust me, the Statue is much easier to spot in person than it is in my photo!

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Me | Hello Little Home

    Hey, it's me!

    I was taking a photo of these hydrangeas when a woman asked me if I wanted her to take my photo ... ha! #AlwaysATourist

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Tracks | Hello Little Home

    Another spot where you can walk the tracks.

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Table + Spencer Finch Installation (The River That Flows Both Ways) | Hello Little Home

    Grab a seat and check out Spencer Finch's installation The River That Flows Both Ways.

    Each pane of glass represents a hue from photographs of water taken during a 700-minute journey on the Hudson River.

    This is also a great spot to enjoy a drink or snack from local vendors (everything from barbeque to popsicles to tacos). There's even an open-air cafe, Terroir at the Porch, where you can enjoy wine, beer, and small plates.

    If you see me here, I'll be holding a New Orleans Iced Coffee from Blue Bottle (the best iced coffee ever).

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line | Hello Little Home

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Water Feature | Hello Little Home

    Splash around in the water feature on a hot day!

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Lounge Chairs | Hello Little Home

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Pink Flowers | Hello Little Home

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line | Hello Little Home

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Saxophone Player | Hello Little Home

    You might even catch a musician along the way.

    This saxophone player obviously knew that I was photographing him and seemed to be posing for me.

    I need to work on my paparazzi skills!

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Standard High Line | Hello Little Home

    Here we're passing under the Standard High Line.

    Stop in for a fancy drink and amazing city views when you're done ... we're almost there!

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line | Hello Little Home

    Another water tower ...

    Told you they were everywhere!

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Isabelle Cornaro (Archeo: God Box) | Hello Little Home

    Isabelle Cornaro's Archeo: God Box ... the columns feel like a gate along the path.

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - Meatpacking District View | Hello Little Home

    We're almost done.

    When you're finished, do a little shopping and walking around in the Meatpacking District.

    Explore NYC with Me: The High Line - End (Meatpacking District) | Hello Little Home

    That's it! This last photo was taken in the Gansevoort Woodland, a (usually) quiet area that's a great place to end (or begin) your walk.

    If you made it through all these photos, then you seriously deserve a gold star.

    Tips for Visiting the High Line in NYC

    • Where to start: If you want to walk the entire length of the High Line, enter at either 34th Street and 12th Avenue (ramp access), which is my fave entry point, OR Gansevoort and Washington Street (elevator access). You'll also find access points along the length of the park, some with elevator access and some without. The park is very flat and wheelchair friendly.
    • Visit early in the day or late in the afternoon. The High Line is a popular tourist destination and can get super crowded. But that doesn't mean you should avoid it! If at all possible, visit earlier or later in the day during the week. As you'd expect, it's also much quieter during cooler times of year, like winter and late fall or early spring.
    • Dress appropriately. Your walk is going to be pretty flat, but you'll be in the sun for most of it. Wear a hat, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. Bundle up at colder times of year, because you'll be totally exposed to the weather.
    • Plan to take your time. The High Line is only 1.45 miles long, but there is so much to see along the way from art to city buildings to plants and flowers. Make sure to leave enough time to take it all in. One of my favorite things to do on the High Line is to grab one of the many seats located throughout the pack and people watch.
    • Grab a bite to eat along the way. You'll find vendors selling everything from Blue Bottle to paletas to grilled cheese on the High Line.
    • Don't forget to explore the surrounding neighborhood when you're done. There's a lot to see nearby in the Meatpacking District and Chelsea, from shopping to restaurants. Plan to step off the High Line and hit the streets when you're finished.
    • Want more information? Visit the High Line website.

    Visitors Guide to the High line in New York City! An insider's favorite tips for visiting the High Line in NYC. This urban park in Manhattan is a beautiful place to take a walk and get a bird's eye view of the city. | Hello Little Home

    Have you ever walked the High Line? What was your favorite part?

    More Things to Do in NYC

    Now that you know all about the High Line, check out my of my other favorite NYC activities:

    • Domino Park - While you're in Brooklyn, head over to Williamsburg and visit Domino Park. This unique park was built on the site of an old Domino Sugar factory and features lots of industrial remnants.
    • Central Park - No visit to NYC is complete with a stroll through this world-renowned park! My favorite time to visit is in fall, but it's stunning anytime of year.
    • Rockaway Beach - Escape the bustle of the city and go chill at Rockaway Beach ... truly my happy place! It's kind of a hike, but totally worth it on a beautiful summer day.
    • Heading to NYC during the holidays? It's magical ... before you go, make sure to check out my comprehensive guide to Christmas in New York. And you'll also want to take a tour NYC's best Christmas windows!
    • Visiting in spring? Here’s where to find the best Cherry Blossoms in NYC.
    • Governors Island - If you want to escape the city for a bit, head to Governors Island. This unique park / National Monument is only a 10 minute ferry ride from Manhattan and Brooklyn.
    • Brooklyn Bridge - Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is one of those activities on everyone's NYC bucket lists, and my guide has tons of tips to help you do it!
    • Want more ideas? Check out my A to Z guide to visiting (or living in) New York, as well as my list of NYC favorites after living there for my first eight months!

    P.S. If you enjoyed this post, make sure to check out my Explore NYC with Me series, as well as my other travel stories!

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    About Ginnie

    Ginnie is the writer, photographer, and chief content creator behind Hello Little Home. She loves trying new things (whether that’s creating delicious vegetarian recipes, exploring a new city, trying a fun DIY project, or sharing a pretty makeup look), and she hopes to inspire you to do the same! Read more about Ginnie here.

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    16 Comments
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    Kimberly
    6 years ago

    What a fun post! Pinned Lou Lou Girls

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    Reply
    Teri
    6 years ago

    Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing this post at Celebrate It blog party! I really enjoyed seeing a part of NYC that I have never seen on television. We are live for this week, and I would love if you would stop by and link up again! http://bit.ly/1AiFR9u

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    Reply
    Julie Corbisiero
    6 years ago

    Hi Ginnie, I love the High Line and we have been there numerous times and always have fun. You took great photos of your time there and love them! I am always in that area and me and my family love it in Chelsea with the great shopping and restaurants. Take care and have a great weekend neighbor.
    Julie
    Julie's Lifestyle

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    Reply
    Ceci Bean
    6 years ago

    I was just there for the first time a couple weeks ago and I really loved it. Your pictures are great (I was there when it was too crowded to get good shots, I think). It seems like such a fantastic reuse of space and from the looks of it, it has stimulated a lot of growth around it.

    I also loved that they served my hometown coffee, Blue Bottle!

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    Teri@The Freshman Cook
    6 years ago

    What a great walk around the city! I feel like I was right there with you, and it was such fun! So nice and really enjoyable! I would love if you would stop by and share this at my new link party, Celebrate It! It is all about celebrating what we do every day! http://bit.ly/1ucHUvh
    Hope to see you there!

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    Reply
    Author
    Ginnie
    6 years ago
    Reply to  Teri@The Freshman Cook

    Thanks for the invite, Teri! I'll stop by and check it out:)

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    Mia
    6 years ago

    You did a great job on this tour. I have heard of this new park, but could not have imagined how beautiful it is. Good selection of points of interest, not too wordy, and excellent photos. Putting this tour on my to-do list. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

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    Author
    Ginnie
    6 years ago
    Reply to  Mia

    I'm so glad you enjoyed the tour, Mia:) It really is one of the coolest spots in NYC, so I hope you get to visit it!

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    Shannah @ Just Us Four
    6 years ago

    Loving those bracelets!

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    Reply
    Author
    Ginnie
    6 years ago
    Reply to  Shannah @ Just Us Four

    Thanks, Shannah!

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    Reply
    anne @ wit wisdom and food
    6 years ago

    Years ago when I visited NYC they were just getting started on this project and had a huge display at Grand Central Station about it. I didn't make it on my last trip but am looking forward to nice walk when I come out again. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

    My favorite part about this series is more chances to see your beautiful photography!

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    Author
    Ginnie
    6 years ago
    Reply to  anne @ wit wisdom and food

    You are so sweet, Anne:) It wasn't open on my previous visits either, so I didn't see it until we moved here. They're extending the north end of it right now, so it will be exciting to check that out soon.

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    alisonlumbatis
    6 years ago

    What an awesome idea for a series! This is something I never would've seen as a tourist so I really appreciate it. I've only been to NYC once but can't wait to go back!

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    Reply
    Author
    Ginnie
    6 years ago
    Reply to  alisonlumbatis

    Thanks, Alison! You'd love it, plus it's in a good shopping neighborhood;)

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    Heather Smith {Woods of Bell Trees}
    6 years ago

    Oh I love this! The scenery is great! I was neither here nor there about wanting to visit NYC but now i want to! The pic of the guy playing the sax is AWESOME!

    0
    Reply
    Author
    Ginnie
    6 years ago
    Reply to  Heather Smith {Woods of Bell Trees}

    Thanks, Heather! You should definitely visit if you get the chance:)

    0
    Reply

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    Hi, I'm Ginnie! Welcome to Hello Little Home, which is all about inspiring everyday creativity! I'm excited to share my favorite things with you ... vegetarian recipes, travel inspiration, DIY projects, decor ideas, beauty and fashion tips, and more! Read more about me here!

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