Visit the High Line, the other green lung of New York

Would you like to explore New York from another angle? Discover our special High Line folder to visit the famous Big Apple Urban Park!

When we evoke New York, we inevitably think of its buildings, Fifth Avenue and the world-famous Central Park. These places are indeed forced passages during a stay in the “Big Apple”. But the city has many other hidden beauties, like the surprising High Line. This unusual place, which overlooks the city, will surprise you both by its structure and by the experience of nature, art and design it offers.

♪ trip to New York , visiting the High Line is the opportunity to take a little height and discover the city from a different angle so follow the guide !

The origins of the High Line

The origins of the High Line dates back to the middle of the 18th century, when the New York Central Railroad , built the first railway line to the south west of Manhattan. The latter raised serious challenges due to the danger it posed to pedestrians. In 1910, no less than 540 people were killed by trains.

In an objective of improvement, the city of New York decided to remove the railway line from the streets and to build a brand new elevated railway line. In 1933, the famous High Line appeared. This railroad was used to transport millions of food by creating easy access to factories in New York City. It was a success until the 1980s, where with the increase in road trade, the High Line was condemned to demolition.

The first conservation ideas of the structure began to germinate in the spirit of the residents of the South-West neighborhood of Manhattan, then known as “Friends of the High Line”. But it was only in the late 1990s that the beauty of the place was revealed and invited the inhabitants to mobilize to keep it. Supported by the City of New York, the High Line opened its doors in 2009 in the form of a public garden.

Who are the Friends of the High Line?

Joshua David and Robert Hammond, residents of the south-west neighborhood of Manhattan, founded in the 1990s the “ Friends of the High Line “. This non-profit association was created to protect the structure of the demolition. They saw in this place a hidden potential and revealed all its beauty by creating a public garden.

Thus, if the High Line is today the property of the city of New York, the park is however maintained and managed by the “Friends of the High Line”. All New Yorkers can become a member and participate in the site backup. Indeed, the association does not lack ideas to gather funds: donations, events organisations or the possibility of adopting a plant. The “Friends of the High Line” not only managed to maintain the structure, but also managed to make it a place of life.

Good to know. : To support the association and see the next events, visit the official calendar of the High Line .

What to do on the High Line?

Visiting the High Line is a full experience. In the heart of Manhattan, this suspended park is a real place of life where nature blends, artistic events and design.

The High Line offers, indeed, an immersion through the wild nature that has regained its rights in this urban environment. The gardens were designed to respect this and give a magical show over the seasons. The High Line is a second green lung for the city, where tourists and locals like to come and relax and admire the spectacular views of New York.

Exploring the High Line also allows you to jump over time. Indeed, by strolling along the railroad, you will be able to discover surprising places, such as the passage of Chelsea Market , old biscuits factory, where trains used to deliver flour directly into the building.

But the High Line has also been able to innovate, especially by its artistic approach. Indeed, it is the only park in New York that offers a contemporary art programme in free access. Between performances, street art and open-air exhibitions, the High Line offers a range of free artistic events.

Guided tours are also offered throughout the year. The opportunity to learn a little more about the various plants and the history of this unusual place. You can find all the programming on the official website of the High Line.

How to visit the High Line? Where to go?

Access to the High Line is free of charge and is done by various points of the city: Gansevoort Street, 14th Street, 16th Street, 17th Street, 20th Street, 23rd Street, 26th Street, 28th Street, 30th Street, 10th Avenue and 11th Avenue.

The park was designed to facilitate access to people with reduced mobility. You will find lifts and ramps on the entrances of Gansevoort Street, 14th Street, 16th Street and 30th Street.

The times of the High Line

You can visit the High Line every day from 7am . However, the park's closing times vary depending on the seasons: at 22h in spring and autumn, 23h in summer and 19h in winter .