Walking the High Line in New York City

Opened June 8, 2009, the High Line is New York City's newest public park. Unlike other city parks, this one rises 30 feet above the streets to provide visitors with a view of the city that was previously inaccessible to the public. The High Line follows the elevated railroad tracks from Gansevoort and Washington Street to 30th and 10th Avenue, with five entrances along the route and two more planned. Though it is a narrow park, it encompasses 4.78 acres without taking up any space at street level.

The High Line was threatened with demolition as it was overgrown with weeds since the trains stopped running along it in 1980. Rather the tear it down, New York City invested more than $150 million ($20.3 million of which came from the federal government) to construct a walking path between the rails while leaving the wild plant growth untouched.

The path runs a short way from the Hudson River, allowing views of the Chelsea piers and Hoboken across the river. There are many great places to stop for photos of the New York skyline-and some great views of the Empire State Building. Near the southern entrance to the park, visitors have a chance to see the changes in architecture of New York City-the modern structures constructed around and emerging from the older buildings of the city.

It's great to walk to the path any time of year, but winter can make it difficult with no shelter from the cold wind off the Hudson River. However, the crowds are thinner when the weather is colder, and the patches of snow around the tracks and plants make for beautiful pictures. There are some lounge chairs just above Chelsea Market for visitors that want to relax in the sun-and they're even out there on the warmer winter days.

There are plenty of benches and water fountains for visitors who are unprepared for the long walk. And there are even viewing decks for photos, so visitors don't have to clog up the busy path during the warmer months.

The northern entrance to the High Line is just a few blocks west of Penn Station, and the southern entrance is closest to the 8^th Avenue - 14^th Street subway station. Just two blocks further from the southern entrance is the 14^th Street PATH station.

It's easy to combine a journey on the High Line with a trip through the Chelsea Market to sample some food and artistic baked goods. It's also not far from the fashionable shops of Bleeker Street.