The High Line.

I know the High Line gets a lot of tourist traffic and I know that some New Yorkers roll their eyes about it. But I still love it. The concept alone is wild. They took an abandoned elevated freight rail line on the west side of Manhattan and turned it into a park in the sky with native plants, art installations, and views of the Hudson River. Every time I walk it I notice something I didn’t see before.

The trick with the High Line is timing. On a Saturday afternoon in June it can feel like Times Square with better plants. But on a Tuesday morning in April or a Wednesday evening in September, it is genuinely peaceful. You can hear the plants rustling and smell the lavender and watch the city go by below you like you’re floating above it.

My favorite sections are the wildflower meadow near 26th Street and the viewing platform at 17th Street where you can sit on the bleacher-style steps and watch traffic on 10th Avenue like it’s a movie. The northern section near Hudson Yards is newer and less crowded. Start from there and walk south for the best experience.

In spring the High Line is at its absolute best. The plants are blooming, the art installations are new for the season, and the whole thing feels alive in a way that’s hard to describe. It’s free, it’s accessible (there are elevators), and it connects you to Chelsea, the Meatpacking District, and Hudson Yards all in one walk.

The High Line is one of the most unique parks in New York City. This history of this popular NYC park is actually quite interesting. The distinctive track on which the park is built was once the exclusive domain of freight trains delivering cargo via the “West Side Distinctive Line” to the city. Eventually trucking became more economical than trains and by the early 80s the track was no longer used.

For decades, the line went abandoned becoming a blight on the neighborhood until Mayor Bloomberg approved a plan to transform the derelict train tracks into a public park. The High Line opened in 2009 and became an instant success.

The distinctive promenade stretches 1.5 miles and receives an average of 8 million visitors annually. It’s always on my list of the best parks in New York City to take out of town guests because it never fails to be a highlight for them. Anyone who appreciates urban design can’t help but appreciate the way the park weaves through the skyline adding a refreshing dash of green to the palette.

The High Line is a great park in New York City for kids, too! During the warm summer months there’s a handful of vendors selling balloon animals and ice cream.

Date. All month

The High Line, a unique park in NYC born from abandoned railroad tracks, opened in 2009 and spans 1.5 miles. If you’re wondering what makes visiting the High Line one of the few can’t miss things to do in New York City in May I’m going to give you more than 150,000 reasons, plants.

Indeed, more than 150,000 plants adorn the park and in the spring they’re a sight for sore eyes. Just take a gander at the High Line’s website and you’ll learn all about the picked “garden zones” meant to inspire. They didn’t just throw seeds and hoped they’d stick, the park truly made an oasis in the city.

My favorite of which are the magnolia trees, which bloom in May. You’ll find them in the “Flyover” garden zone, between 25th and 27th Streets (around the middle of the High Line) and the blooms can grow up to 12 inches. They single-handedly draw me to the High Line every New York City spring.

The High Line is beautiful year-round but it is at its absolute peak in spring. The native plants and wildflowers along the elevated walkway start blooming in April and by May the whole thing is a riot of color. The landscape designers planned it so that something is always blooming from spring through fall, and the spring display is the most dramatic.

I walk the High Line at least twice every spring. Once in early April when things are just starting to green up and once in late May when everything is in full bloom. The energy changes completely. In April it feels hopeful and fresh. In May it feels abundant and lush.

Start from the north end (Hudson Yards) and walk south. It’s less crowded in that direction and you get to end in the Meatpacking District where you can grab dinner or drinks. The sundeck area with the water feature is the perfect resting spot halfway through.

Would you believe me if I told you that New York City offers free stargazing opportunities? That’s all thanks to the helpful members of the Amateur Astronomers Association. As one of the best free things to do in NYC in October, trust me when I tell you, you don’t want to miss out on this.

Telescopes are provided and spaced throughout the High Line, a former distinctive cargo line turned beloved New York City park. You don’t have to be Neil deGrasse Tyson to enjoy the beauty of our universe, thanks to this incredible New York City fall activity.

Bonus. If you need another reason as to why visiting the High Line is one of the best things to do in New York City in October let me help you. The fall foliage is second to none at this unique park, the paths will lead you through breathtaking autumnal colors you won’t soon forget.

The High Line is one of the most unique parks in New York City. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the distinctive tracks this park was built on were originally used by freight trains delivering cargo to the city. The rise in trucking made freight trains obsolete, and for ages, the railroad track was abandoned until Mayor Bloomberg approved a plan to transform the derelict train tracks into a public park.

The High Line opened in 2009 and became an instant success. The distinctive promenade stretches 1.5 miles and receives an average of 8 million visitors annually. It didn’t take long for folks to realize this as one of the best things to do in New York City. The High Line is a great park in New York City for kids, too! During the warm summer months there’s a handful of vendors selling balloon animals and ice cream.

The High Line is one of my favorite ways to see the city from a different perspective. This distinctive park was built on a former train track, and now it winds through the west side of Manhattan with flowers, art, and skyline views the whole way. It’s become one of the top free attractions in NYC and a must-see for anyone visiting the city for the first time.

I usually enter near Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District and walk north toward Hudson Yards. It’s a great way to stretch your legs and take in the architecture, river views, and people-watching along the path. There are spots to sit, snack, or just slow down. Teens, kids, and adults all seem to love it. You can do the full route or just part of it, depending on your schedule.

The High Line is the elevated park built on a former freight rail line on the west side of Manhattan, running from the Meatpacking District at Gansevoort Street up to 34th Street. In summer the plantings are at their best and the views of the Hudson and the city from the elevated path are genuinely excellent.

Go early, before 9am on a summer weekend, if you want to experience it without the midday crowds, which can be substantial in July and August. The section between 14th and 16th Streets is my favorite part, where the park passes through the former rail yard and the industrial bones of the original structure are most visible. Admission is free. Enter at Gansevoort St or any staircase between there and 34th St

The High Line opened in 2009 and became an instant success. The distinctive promenade stretches 1.5 miles and gets 8 million visitors a year. The distinctive tracks this park was built on were originally used by freight trains delivering cargo to the city (a practice that became moot with the rise in trucking). For ages, the railroad was abandoned and neglected, until Mayor Bloomberg approved a plan to transform the derelict train tracks into a public park.

If you’re into stargazing, partake in the stargazing events hosted every Tuesday at sunset from April through October at the High Line. Read more here. I mean, can you think of a more romantic date night activity than stargazing?

What used to be an elevated freight train line is now a lush, art-filled park stretching from Hudson Yards to the Meatpacking District. The High Line is a great place to let kids wander a bit (with you nearby, of course), while spotting murals, sculptures, and city views around every corner.

In warmer months, street performers and food vendors pop up along the path. You might even catch a balloon artist or impromptu jazz band.

During fall, the High Line showcases a stunning array of fall foliage along its distinctive urban oasis. The park’s carefully picked plantings, including native grasses, perennials, and trees, burst into vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow. Visitors can take in a unique view of the city skyline while strolling along the distinctive pathway amid the stunning fall foliage.

I never get tired of this view.

The High Line is a free, captivating park built over a former elevated railway track that stretches through the Chelsea. Lined with lush greenery, public art installations, and scenic views of the cityscape it welcomes more than 8 million visitors annually! Although it’s a mile and a half long, the best stretch is from the Chelsea Market to Hudson Yards, which is only about a mile.

If you only do one thing on this list, make it this one.

The High Line, one of NYC’s most captivating parks, is a top attraction in Chelsea. Originally an abandoned train track, the area was transformed into a park in 2009 under Mayor Bloomberg’s initiative. Stretching 1.5 miles, it draws 8 million visitors yearly, quickly earning its place as a must-do in Chelsea.

The High Line opened in 2009 and became an instant success. The elevated promenade stretches 1.5 miles and receives an average of 8 million visitors annually. If you’re visiting the city during spring or fall you’re in luck! The High Line is one of the most Instagrammable places in NYC thanks to the abundance of blooms that hug the railway.

The High Line is one of the more unique parks in New York City. Before the High Line was even conceived, this area was used as an distinctive rail-line for freight trains delivering cargo into the city. The demand for this service became moot with the rise of trucking and the railroad track was abandoned for ages, until Mayor Bloomberg approved a plan to transform it into a city park.

The High Line was opened in 2009 and became an instant success.The distinctive promenade stretches for 1.5 miles and receives an average 8 million visitors annually. The best time to visit the High Line is either spring or summer when the plants are in bloom. Regardless of when you visit, you’ll see beautiful murals, unique art and rotating sculptures.

The people-watching opportunities are endless! Plus, the views of NYC from this vantage point are some of the most interesting in the city. You’ll see the Empire State Building and get great views of the Hudson River.

Further Reading.10 Enchanting NYC Parks Locals Love as Much as Visitors

Before the High Line was even conceived, this area was used as an distinctive rail-line for freight trains delivering cargo. The demand for this service became moot with the rise of trucking so the railroad was abandoned and neglected until Mayor Bloomberg approved a plan to transform it into a city park.

The High Line was opened in 2009 and became an instant success. The distinctive promenade stretches for 1.5 miles and receives an average 8 million visitors annually. It’s a great park for kids too! During the summer months there’s a handful of vendors selling balloon animals and ice cream.