Would you like to know the best way to walk the Highline park NYC? This post will provide all the information you need to walk the Highline park NYC from Chelsea to Hudson Yards, including a map and food recommendations too. I have also included information on things to do in Chelsea and Hudson Yards too.

New York City is my favourite city outside of London, and I last visited in summer 2022.

tourist attraction featuring a park as well as a small group of people
Spring at the High Line in New York City

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In a hurry? Here are some quick Highline links:

What is the Highline Park NYC?

The Highline park NYC is a beautiful and peaceful strip of public park in Manhattan. It is situated along an old elevated railway line in Manhattan, and has wonderful views of the streets below. I last visited the Highline in summer 2022.

Note: I will use the terms ‘Highline Park’, ‘Highline Park NYC’ and ‘the High Line’ interchangeably in this article. They are all correct!

The Highline park stretches for 1.45 miles (2.33 km) and includes many trails to stroll on, artistic displays, venues for performances, food vendors and more.

You can complete the walk in either direction, but I recommend starting off in Chelsea Market for an excellent lunch, then walk it off along the High Line afterwards. You also have an option to visit The Edge Observation Deck when you get to Hudson Yards.

How to get to Chelsea Market & the High Line

Firstly you’ll need to head to Chelsea and the Meatpacking district. This area is home to some of the city’s best restaurants, bars and shops, and is a great place to explore and eat your way through Manhattan.

How to get to Chelsea Market:

  • By Subway – A, C, E, or L train to the 14th Street (8th Avenue) station. Walk West to 9th Avenue and 15th Street.
  • By Bus – Take the M11 bus down Ninth Avenue and alight between 15th and 16th Streets.
  • Driving – There are 2 parking lots adjacent to the market, both with entrances on West 15th Street.
  • Walking – Most places in Manhattan are relatively walkable – within about an hour or so. I recommend following Google Maps as you walk (but pay attention to the roads!)

Want to skip Chelsea?

If you want to skip Chelsea and start at the very beginning of the Highline park, head to Gansevoort Street. You can take the subway from any point in Manhattan and get off at 14th Street Station (A/C/E or L trains). From there it’s just a short walk north along Gansevoort Street until you reach the entrance to the park.

If you don’t want to walk, there are plenty of cabs available near 14th Street Station as well as bus routes that go directly up Gansevoort Street towards the Standard Hotel which marks the beginning of your journey along the High Line.

What is Chelsea Market?

Chelsea Market is a huge covered food market, with over 35 vendors offering everything from fresh produce to gourmet cheeses to delicious baked goods. There’s also a wide variety of restaurants, ranging from casual cafes to upscale dining. And if you’re looking for a unique souvenir or gift, you’ll find plenty of options at the market’s many shops.

Chelsea Market resides within an old factory and warehouse (the old Nabisco cookie factory) with exposed brickwork, high ceilings and a distinctly industrial feel. This also happens to be the place where the Oreo cookie was invented!

What time does Chelsea Market open?

Chelsea Market is open from 08:00 to 21:00 daily, and you can check out its website here.

What is there to eat in Chelsea Market?

Chelsea Market occupies an entire city block, and the ground floor contains food outlets serving every type of cuisine imaginable. There are food trucks, larger outlets with some seating and full sit-down restaurants. There is good signage too.

The atmosphere is lively and exciting, with everyone inside bearing the smug knowledge they are about to eat excellent food. The smells are wonderful and the only difficulty you will have is deciding what to eat.

Local favourites include Los Tacos No 1, the Doughnuttery, Amy’s bread, Filaga Pizzeria, Lobster Place and L’Arte del Gelato.

What else is there to do in Chelsea Market?

Chelsea Market is also home to countless book stores, souvenir shops, home interiors, art and even a small flea market. Don’t forget to take a reusable shopping bag.

There is also the Artechouse NYC in the basement underneath the market. This is an immersive art and technology space which has some cool and interactive exhibits. It’s great for adults and kids alike and is a fun way to spend an afternoon.

Stroll through the renowned institutions of Chelsea, such as The Whitney Museum of Art and MoMA PS1, for an immersive cultural experience. If you’re looking to take part in something more interactive, you could attend one of their lectures or workshops hosted by local artists.

Chelsea is also known for its bars and restaurants – local favourites include The Standard Grill, Pastis and The Spotted Pig.

How to get onto the Highline Park NYC

When you have finished eating and shopping in Chelsea, you can get onto the High Line by exiting Chelsea Market and taking the stairs across the road at the back of the building. There is also the Chelsea Market passage (with stairs and an elevator) between 15th and 16th Streets.

For those looking for alternative access points onto the High Line, elevators can be found at both 23rd Street and 30th Street, while ramps offer wheelchair access at 34th Street and 15th Street respectively.

Where is the start of the Highline park?

If you wanted to start at the very beginning of the Highline park, head to Gansevoort Street. You can take the subway from any point in Manhattan and get off at 14th Street Station (A/C/E or L trains). From there it’s just a short walk north along Gansevoort Street until you reach the entrance to the park.

If you don’t want to walk, there are plenty of cabs available near 14th Street Station as well as bus routes that go directly up Gansevoort Street towards the Standard Hotel which marks the beginning of your journey along the High Line.

Walking the High Line

Once on the High Line, you will find yourself surrounded by wild landscapes and lush grasslands – all with stunning views over West Manhattan to Hudson Yards and beyond.

The Highline park NYC is composed of three sections, ranging from Gansevoort Street to 34th Streets/Hudson Yards area. Each section offers its own distinct attractions – I will describe these below.

The High Line has been carefully planted out with hundreds of different species of plants, and provides a real oasis of calm above the city.

It will take 30 – 40 minutes to walk the High Line and reach Hudson Yards, depending on how many stops you make.

The High Line is about 1.45 miles long from its southernmost entrance (14th street) to its finish point (33rd Street) but we are starting a little way down at Chelsea Market.

What is there to see on the High Line?

The Highline park NYC is a breath of fresh air amidst the hustle and bustle of New York City.

There are sculptures and art installations throughout the park, including large-scale pieces by renowned artists such as Jeff Koons or Urs Fischer. There are also smaller works by local creatives, displayed alongside permanent exhibitions curated by the Friends Of The High Line organisation.

brightly coloured mural of mother teresa and mahatma gandhi
Mother Theresa and Mahatma Gandhi, by street artist Kobra.

If you’re looking for a place to relax, there are plenty of benches and lawns to lounge on. And of course, the views from the high line are magnificent – you can see all of Manhattan stretched out before you.

Further reading: The 10 Most Famous Bridges in New York City.

How to walk the High Line: Chelsea to Hudson Yards

And now we get onto the actual walk. Before I start, firstly let me recommend you view the official updated list of all of the features of the High Line. There is also a High Line app you can download too.

Once you have joined the High Line at Chelsea Market (15th Street) you will need to head towards your right, which will take you in the direction of Hudson Yards.

At Chelsea Grasslands (between 18th and 19th street) you can see a variety of different grasses and wildflowers. This section of the High Line is also home to several beehives, so keep an eye out for bees!

Continue walking along the High Line, and you’ll reach the Gansevoort Woodland where you can see trees, shrubs and vines that provide shade and shelter for birds. This section of the High Line walk also has a playground and water feature, making it a great place to take a break.

As you walk the High Line in the direction of Hudson Yards you will see many places to stop and relax, with bench seating, wooden stairs and decking. You will go past Chelsea Thicket (between 21st and 22nd Streets) where the steel train lines are visible in between the trees and shrubs. Here you will also see an ‘annual mural’ on a building to the right. There is a wooden stair installation for viewers to sit and admire the art.

Approaching Hudson Yards

On your way to Hudson Yards you will pass by various viewing spurs, flyovers and a crossroads junction. All are worthy of a stop. You can see an updated list of all of the features of the High Line here, and don’t forget the High Line app too.

As you get closer to Hudson Yards, the buildings will get taller and you will walk past super-expensive apartments and real estate. This part of the High Line walk is more upscale, and you can get a feel for the size of the buildings in Hudson Yards.

As you walk on the High Line, you can see the Edge NYC, with its suspended viewing platform towering over the other skyscrapers directly in front of you. If you want to visit this observation deck, you may like to read my post Guide to Visiting Edge NYC.

Finally you’ll reach Hudson Yards. Here you’ll find yourself standing at the beginning of what was once known as ‘Death Avenue’. Back in the 1800s there was a freight train running through West Manhattan (you are standing on the original tracks after they were elevated) and it was extremely dangerous to the citizens of NYC hence the name Death Avenue.

Check out this cool YouTube video to learn more about the history of the High Line and Death Avenue.

When you reach Hudson Yards, you can choose to descend the stairs into the main complex where there are bars, restaurants and shops. Alternatively you can continue walking the High Line where you can see all of the trains in the storage depot.

he trains at Hudson Yards with the Hudson River in the background
The trains at Hudson Yards with the Hudson River in the background

Beyond Hudson Yards

Further along, the High Line snakes around towards the waterfront. This part of the High Line walk is called the Interim Walk (between 30th and 34th streets) and the gardeners have mostly left the plants to seed naturally, in honour of the landscape here when the trains officially stopped running.

There are 360 degree views of the Hudson River, train tracks and skyscrapers here.

There is a stunning view of the buildings towering over the train tracks, and you can also see the Vessel here too. This part is quite exposed with no shelter. You may like to take a compact travel umbrella in your bag, in case of unpredictable weather.

You can also see the aircraft carrier of the Intrepid Museum of Air, Space and Sea (which, as a side note, is quite possibly the best museum I have ever been to).

Down on the waterfront (seen from the High Line), there often seem to be helicopters taking off and landing, which is fun to watch.

Helicopter over the Hudson River at the High Line, NYC
Helicopter over the Hudson River at the High Line, NYC

You may like to end your High Line walk now, by turning back and entering Hudson Yards (down the stairs) for some refreshment. You may like to take a tour in Hudson Yards, or just stroll around and soak up the atmosphere.

What is there to do in Hudson Yards?

Hudson Yards is an exclusive area in New York City that has been rapidly developed over the past few years. Hudson Yards boasts a variety of thrilling experiences, such as The Edge and The Vessel.

Check out my post 12 Exciting Things to do in Hudson Yards for further reading.

In the main plaza of Hudson Yards is a nautical-themed bar called Jibs, and a lot of outdoor seating. It’s a nice place to sit and watch the world go by. There’s also a playground and a water fountain. The area around Hudson Yards is very safe, and there are plenty of things to do nearby.

You are right next to The Vessel here, which sadly is now closed. You can still go inside and photograph it, but you cannot climb the stairs any longer.

You can enter the high-end Hudson Yards shopping centre and marvel at all the designer shops, or take the lift to the 4th floor to visit the observation deck Edge NYC with its suspended viewing platform and glass floor.

For food options, there are lots of top class restaurants, mostly upscale fine-dining establishments so be prepared to splash the cash if you want to eat here. Peak restaurant, at the top of Edge NYC, takes the prize for stunning floor-to-ceiling views of the City and the Hudson River.

Your High Line walk ends here – you can either get the subway or Uber/Taxi/Lyft to your next stop. Alternatively you could walk back along the High Line towards Chelsea. The scenery will look different if the sun is beginning to set, and you may see things you might have missed before.

Further Reading: 12 Exciting Things to do in Hudson Yards, NYC.

Is walking the High Line worth it?

In my opinion the High Line walk is a beautiful walk, and Chelsea Market has endless food options, so this walk will never lose its appeal. Hudson Yards is a really interesting place and there are lots of lovely sights to see on the way.

railroad tracks with trees and foliage.
The Highline Park NYC

The Highline Park NYC is one of the most unique public spaces in New York City. This incredible space was created after a successful community effort to transform abandoned freight trains into an urban oasis with lush greenery and wild landscapes.

Plus, there are plenty of activities available here like yoga classes held outdoors during summer months as well as live music performances which make it perfect for both solo travellers looking for some alone time or groups who want to explore together.

Art murals seen on the Highline Park NYC
Mother Theresa and Mahatma Gandhi as seen from the High Line, by street artist Kobra.

Map showing the Highline park NYC

Below is a Google map showing the Highline park NYC. To use the map, click the blue icons to see more information about each place. Click the star to add to your own Google Maps

Organised tours of the Highline park

It’s a good idea to take an organised tour of the Highline park, to avoid missing anything. Here are my curated picks:

FAQs about the Highline Park NYC

Below are some frequently asked question about the Highline Park NYC.

Q. What is the Highline Park NYC?

A: The Highline Park NYC is a unique elevated park built on a historic freight rail line on Manhattan’s West Side. It stretches 1.45 miles from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street near Hudson Yards.

The park features lush gardens, art installations, seating areas, and stunning views of the city and the Hudson River. The Highline also features many interactive activities such as guided tours, educational programs and special events throughout the year.

Q: When is the High Line open?

A: The High Line is open year-round, with seasonal hours that typically range from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Hours may vary depending on the time of year, so it’s best to check the official website before your visit.

Q. How do I access the Highline Park NYC?

A: There are multiple entrances to the High Line, with access points at various streets along its length, including Gansevoort Street, 14th Street, 23rd Street, 30th Street, and 34th Street. Some entrances have elevators and are wheelchair accessible.

Q. Is there an entrance fee to the Highline Park NYC?

No, the Highline Park NYC is free to visit. However, donations are encouraged to help maintain the park and support its programs.

Q. What can I see and do at the High Line?

A: The Highline Park NYC offers a variety of experiences, including:

  • Gardens: Beautifully landscaped gardens featuring a wide array of plants, flowers, and trees.
  • Art: Rotating art installations, sculptures, and murals by local and international artists.
  • Views: Panoramic views of the city, the Hudson River, and nearby landmarks.
  • Seating Areas: Benches, lounge chairs, or amphitheatre-style seating.
  • Food: During warmer months, you’ll find vendors offering snacks, drinks, and light meals along the park.

Q. Are there guided tours of the High Line?

A: Yes, free guided tours are available and are led by knowledgeable volunteers. These tours provide insights into the history, design, and horticulture of the park. Check the High Line’s website for the current tour schedule.

Q. Can I bring my dog to the High Line?

A: No, pets are not allowed on the High Line, with the exception of service animals.

Q. Is the High Line wheelchair accessible?

A: Yes, the High Line is wheelchair accessible. There are elevators at Gansevoort Street, 14th Street, 23rd Street, 30th Street, and 34th Street entrances, making the park accessible to visitors with mobility challenges.

Q. Are there restrooms on the High Line?

A: Yes, restrooms are available at the 16th Street entrance, where you can also find an elevator and water fountains.

Q. What is the best time to visit the High Line?

A: The High Line is beautiful year-round, but the best times to visit are in the spring and fall when the gardens are in full bloom and the weather is mild. Early mornings or weekdays are ideal if you prefer a quieter experience.

Q. Are there food and drink options on the High Line?

A: Yes, there are food vendors on the High Line during the warmer months, offering a range of snacks, beverages, and light meals. The Chelsea Market, located just below the High Line at 16th Street, is another great option for dining.

Q. Can I host an event or a photo shoot on the High Line?

A: Yes, but you must obtain a permit for events, weddings, or commercial photo shoots. Permits can be arranged through the Friends of the High Line organisation, which manages the park.

Q. How can I support the High Line NYC?

A: The High Line is maintained by Friends of the High Line, a non-profit organisation. You can support the park by making a donation, becoming a member, volunteering, or purchasing items from the High Line shop.

a city street filled with lots of tall buildings.

Where to Stay in Manhattan

If it’s your first visit to New York City, you’ll probably want to to stay quite central, rather than up on the West side near Chelsea.

Here are my top picks for Manhattan hotels on Booking.com:

  • Best luxury hotel: 33 Seaport Hotel is a 5 star hotel right next to Wall Street and the Financial district. 10 minute walk from Brooklyn Bridge subway station.
  • Best budget hotel: Hotel St. James is a 2 star hotel in the theatre district with a guest library, business centre and free wifi.

You can see the current hotel deals in Manhattan here.

I recommend reserving your room immediately to get the best price. It’s usually free to reserve on Booking.com, and you can always cancel later on.

Below are some further posts relating to the Highline NYC.

Highline Park NYC – Pin it for later

Thank you for reading my post on the High Line Park NYC, Chelsea and Hudson Yards. I hope it has helped you to plan your trip.

 

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