The High Line: An extraordinary, elevated New York City park

I like parks as much as the next person, but when I travel they’re not high on my list. I might pass through a park on the way to something else I want to see, or I might do a bit of people-watching in a park long enough to eat a sandwich, but that’s about it. They don’t interest me much. The High Line, however, is a truly extraordinary park in New York City: definitely worth visiting.

[Last updated September 6, 2026]

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History of the High Line

The High Line was originally a railway line, opened in 1934: a cargo line that once served the Meatpacking District in lower Manhattan. For more than twenty years (1980 to 2006), its elevated length was simply abandoned, and gradually became overgrown with weeds.

In 1999, Friends of the High Line started a project to transform it into a park: up above street level, which is what makes it extraordinary.

The transformation of the High Line

The design, for one thing, is lovely. The original tracks are incorporated into it, dotted with plants and trees and the occasional public art. Park benches seem to rise organically from the walking paths. In one part of the route, the walking path is elevated above the track level, which allows for a mini-forest to grow undisturbed. The trees were still relatively young and small when I visited. They’ll be larger by now, with less open space between them.

In other places the “ground” is carefully manicured, with lines of small shrubs. The plantings were chosen for their hardiness, and in many cases are the same plants that self-seeded in the years that the railway was abandoned.

The High Line extends from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th and 12th Avenue in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood, about 1.45 miles (2.33 km) away. Stairways and elevators allow access at different points along its length.

What you’ll see along the High Line

It’s a fascinating walk. In some places the buildings extend over the park. In others, there are overlooks where you can stop and take in the views. These aren’t the epic views of further uptown, full of skyscrapers. These are more focused views: an ordinary intersection or a row of buildings or a glimpse of the Hudson River. That kind of view makes you notice details more, like the way the trees were flowering when I was there, or how the traffic moved – or didn’t move – through intersections, or the assortment of small businesses on a side road.

Don’t forget to book your accommodations in New York City. On one of my visits, I stayed at what is now called the West Village Eurohostel, an affordable option in an expensive city. It’s only a couple of blocks from the southern end of the High Line at Gansevoort and Washington Streets.

Gentrification

I walked in the Meatpacking District to get to the southern end of the park, and that area showed some fascinating contrasts even before I climbed the stairs to the park itself. The old meatpacking industries were still there: small, simple warehouses whose fronts are nothing but loading platforms, where men busily heaved boxes of, presumably, meat onto small trucks to supply the whole metropolitan area. But cheek by jowl with these old warehouses were new chic businesses in what used to be warehouses: designer shops, painfully stylish cafes and so on.

In late 2024, the last meatpacking businesses signed a deal to leave, making way for redevelopment. It’s still called the Meatpacking District, but it’s much more upscale today. Clearly, the arrival of the High Line contributed to this gentrification. I saw one newly-built condo apartment building overlooking the park with outrageous prices, for example.

Despite the extreme example of gentrification, I think other cities could learn from this park. Of course, unless they happen to have a derelict elevated railroad track available, it’s not practical in the same form. However, there are roads in many cities that are practically abandoned. They’re off the commonly driven routes, or include sections where the local shops are dying because the shoppers have moved elsewhere.

I can imagine that this kind of landscaping – making it into a real park, rather than just a pedestrian street with a few benches and potted plants – could revive many down-and-out areas. They would become places where people want to be. Why doesn’t this happen in more places?

Other things to do on the High Line

Besides enjoying a relaxing stroll along the High Line, you can take part in a range of activities as well. The High Line’s events calendar lists things like Tai Chi and other fitness classes, tours, stargazing, and lectures. They’re free, but some require you to sign up ahead of time. Check the calendar on their website.

The High Line: Access along its length from the corner of Gansevoort and Washington Streets all the way up to 31st St. and Dyer Ave. Elevators at 14th St.; 23rd St.; 30th St. SW; and 31st St. and Dyer Ave. Subways A, C, E, 1, 2, 3 and 7 will all get you near to it somewhere along its length. Open daily December-March 7:00-20:00 and April-November 7:00-22:00. Admission: free. Website.

Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller is a writer living in Groningen, the Netherlands. She is the owner and primary author of this website, Rachel’s Ruminations, a travel blog focused on independent travel with an emphasis on cultural and historical sites/sights. Read more here about her and about this website. All photos in her articles are her own, unless otherwise specified. Rachel also owns and operates a website about World Heritage travel.

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