The New York High Line

On my last trip to New York City I was 18 and had just finished school. My friend Lena and I spent the week shopping at Century 21 and looking at all the touristy things there are to see in Manhattan.

 

So this time I decided to take it all a bit slower and to look at the New York High Line, which had been built in the meantime.

View from the Ney York City High Line

The High Line is a former rail tray, which was transformed into an elevated park on the west side of Manhattan. Led by landscape architecture firm James Corner Field operations, it was opened in 2009 and since then has become an icon in contemporary landscape architecture.

The park runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking district through Chelsea up to 34th street near the Javits Center.

 

Do you remember how I dragged my friend Lydi through all the railway parks in Paris? Actually, these were the inspiration for the High Line.

View on the street from the High Line
Plants on the High Line

The design includes over a dozen access points into the elevated park, each section having its own key features like sundecks, a water installation or a viewing area.

 

I entered at 23rd street and then walked south towards Chelsea, a section where I saw some confusing art and several viewing areas. This would have been the perfect spot to sit down and read, but since I was freezing and had considered buying a hat or a scarf just before entering the rail way, I decided to keep walking.

Art on the High Line
Entrance 23rd Street
Ambulance car under the bridge

Viewing point

Inspired by the wild-seeded plants left at the abandoned rail tracks, the team created a paving system that encourages natural growth and creates a seamless landscape they called “agri-tecture”: part agriculture, part architecture, where both parts mix, from just architecture to just agriculture with all gradients in between.

 

I loved the striped pavement they used, which allowed them to create these gradients and which also reminded me of the rail tracks, that were even visibly included in some parts. Most furniture was also shaped out of the pavement.

Pavement and plants
People sitting on benches
high line tracks

From the rail way you'll also get a new view on the city, being elevated over the traffic you'll be able to see the river and tons of buildings. The project has spurred real estate development in the neighbourhoods along the line, therefore you'll see modern architecture mixed in between old apartment buildings.

As I was still freezing, I got off in Chelsea to buy myself an expensive hot chocolate, but I'll definitely have to come back on a warmer day!

view from the High Line onto some houses
view on street art

Bridge on the high line
silver painting next to see high Line

So what's your favourite spot to relax in New York City?

Vintage signage next to the High Line

Where to stay close to the high line

Riff Hotel Chelsea

This rock music-themed hotel is located in walking distance to the High Line and actually has it's own outdoor area, right in the middle of Chelsea.

Click here for current rates

Carlton Arms Hotel

Literally covered in art and shared with two cats, visiting Carlton arms is a high light by itself.
Click here for current rates


How to Visit

Where:

between Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District and 34th Street, between 10th and 12th Avenues.

 

How to get there:

see all the entrances here

 

How much:

free

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