- The High Line is a public park in New York City, created from a retired railroad track.
- I walk the path a few times a year; I think it’s a great way to beat Manhattan’s hustle and bustle.
- Going in the off-season helps with crowds. Here’s what it’s like to walk the whole trail.
Advertisement
Sometimes, when living in New York City, you need a break from the hustle and bustle, and leaving the city isn’t always possible.
For me, the solution is one of Manhattan’s public parks, like the High Line.
The High Line, a park that stretches between the Meatpacking District and Hudson Yards neighborhoods, was founded in 1999 but didn’t open to the public until 2009, according to its website. The 1.5-mile-long trail was built from a former elevated railroad track that operated between 1934 and 1980 and is now a well-maintained walking path for locals and tourists alike, the website states.
The park was built in two phases. The first section, between Gansevoort Street and 20th Street, opened in June 2009. In 2011, it was extended to 30th Street and then again to the Rail Yards in 2014. The final section, called the “Spur,” located in Hudson Yards, opened in 2019, the website states.
Advertisement
I tend to walk the trail a few times a year and stopped by again this month while staying at the nearby Equinox Hotel. As someone who visits semi-regularly, I recommend going in the off-season, when it’s less packed with tourists.
Here’s what it’s like to walk the whole path from start to finish.