The High Line
New York
The High Line is a 1.45-mile-long elevated linear park and greenway located on Manhattan's West Side in New York City. It was created by repurposing a former New York Central Railroad spur, transforming obsolete industrial infrastructure into a vibrant public space. The park features a collaboration of landscape architecture, urban design, and ecology, designed by James Corner Field Operations, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and Piet Oudolf. Stretching from Gansevoort Street through Chelsea to 34th Street near the Javits Center, it offers visitors a unique elevated walkway with gardens, art installations, and panoramic city views. The park includes accessible entrances with elevators at multiple points and integrates water features and wooded areas, such as the Gansevoort Woodland. Since opening in phases between 2009 and 2019, with a recent extension to Moynihan Train Hall in 2023, the High Line has become an iconic example of urban renewal and contemporary landscape architecture. It attracts millions of visitors annually and has spurred real estate development in adjacent neighborhoods, enhancing the cultural and social fabric of Manhattan's West Side.
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Tip: The High Line is best visited during spring through fall when the gardens are in full bloom and the park is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (shorter hours in winter). To avoid crowds, visit early in the morning or on weekdays. Several entrances offer wheelchair access, including those at Gansevoort, 14th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th Streets. Tickets are not required, but signing up for the High Line newsletter can provide useful updates on events and temporary closures. Planning your visit around special events or art installations can enrich your experience.
Interesting facts
- •The High Line was inspired by Paris's Coulée verte, an elevated park completed in 1993.
- •The park features a water feature designed by Diller-Von Furstenberg opened in 2010.
- •Since its opening, the High Line has attracted up to eight million visitors annually.
- •The southern end includes the Tiffany and Co. Foundation Overlook, named after a major supporter of the park.
- •The High Line runs adjacent to the Hudson Yards Redevelopment Project, integrating urban growth with green space.
History
The High Line was originally part of the New York Central Railroad's West Side Line, built to transport goods along Manhattan's west side.
Due to declining rail traffic, the viaduct was abandoned in 1980.
In 1999, Joshua David and Robert Hammond founded the nonprofit Friends of the High Line to advocate for its preservation and transformation into public space.
The city officially announced plans for the park in 2003, and redevelopment began in 2006.
The park opened in phases starting in 2009, with subsequent expansions including the Spur in 2019 and the Moynihan Connector in 2023, turning the former rail line into a celebrated urban park.
Place Guide
Gansevoort Woodland and Tiffany & Co. Foundation Overlook2012
Located at the southern terminus, this small wooded area and overlook provide a serene introduction to the park, honoring the Tiffany & Co. Foundation's support.
The Standard, High Line Hotel Passage
The park passes under this iconic hotel, creating a unique urban experience blending architecture and landscape.
14th Street Split and Diller-Von Furstenberg Water Feature2010
At 14th Street, the High Line splits into two levels featuring a sun deck on the upper side and a sculptural water feature on the lower side, enhancing visitor engagement.
The Spur and Moynihan Connector2019 (Spur), 2023 (Moynihan Connector)
Extensions to the High Line that connect to the Morgan General Mail Facility and Moynihan Train Hall, expanding the park's reach and integration with city infrastructure.
Contact
Phone: (212) 500-6035