An urban stroll along New York's High Line

In the 19th century **, goods trains passed directly over the road** to deliver goods and food to lower Manhattan. But freight trains caused a huge number of traffic accidents, and 10th Avenue even earned the nicknameAvenue of Death after hundreds of people were killed by trains. To alleviate the problem, New York City decided to remove the rails from the road and create an elevated railway line, known as the West Side Elevated Line.

Trains have been running on this new line since 1933, carrying millions of tonnes of goods every year. Towards the end of the century, however, truck transport began to take over from freight trains, and traffic on the line came to a definitive halt in 1980.

Rumours of the demolition of the West Side Elevated Line began to spread, but the idea didn't go down too well with local residents. What followed was a major campaign over several decades to save the line and use the space for a community project. The High Line as we know it today was finally opened in 2009 and completed in 2019.

If Central Park is considered by many to be New York's green lung, the High Line is a good competitor. Stretching for just over two kilometres, the suspended park can be discovered during a country walk in the heart of the city. The untamed nature that is reclaiming its rights over this ancient human construction offers a surprising contrast with the modern urban environment that surrounds us.

Here and there you can discover interesting traces of the High Line's railway past, such as the Chelsea Market passage: this was once the site of a biscuit factory, and trains delivered flour directly to the building.

Along the way, you'll also come across many works of ** *street*** art, each more beautiful and colourful than the last. Please note that this is not vandalism; they are part of the park's programme of freely accessible contemporary art. This programme also includes outdoor performances and open-air exhibitions.

Between nature and art, the spectacle offered by the High Line is totally different every season, which is why locals love to come and stroll along it all year round. Tourists, meanwhile, appreciate the incredible views of New York from the suspended park.

The High Line offers a lovely, bucolic stroll through the heart of the city, and is not to be missed on your next trip to New York! Allow around an hour to walk it from end to end, a little longer if you want to enjoy the view from a bench or take photos along the way.

📍 Where is the High Line?

Stretching from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking district to 34th Street, the High Line has many entrances:

• Gansevoort Street (with lift and toilets)
• 14th Street (with lift)
• 16th Street (with toilets)
• 17th Street
• 20th Street
• 23rd Street (with lift)
• 26th Street
• 28th Street
• 30th Street Hudson Yards
• 30th Street Southwest (with lift)
• 30th Street Northwest
• 30th Street Southeast (with toilets)
• 30th Street at 10th Avenue
• at 30th Street and 12th Avenue

🚌 How do I get to the High Line?

Easily accessible by public transport, metro lines 1,2,3,7,A,C,E and L serve the High Line at several stops.

👛 High Line fares

Access to the High Line is completely free.

⏰ High Line opening times

The High Line is open every day of the year, but timetables vary according to the season:

• in autumn (from 1 October to 30 November), the High Line is open from 7am to 10pm
• in winter (1 December to 31 March), it is open from 7am to 7pm
• in spring (1 April to 31 May), it is open from 7am to 10pm
• in summer (from 1 June to 30 September), it is open from 7am to 11pm