Manhattan’s West Side has been reinvented over two decades. The High Line (opened in stages from 2009) turned an elevated freight railway into a park; Hudson Yards (opened 2019) added towers, shopping, The Shed arts center, the Vessel and the Edge observation deck; and Little Island (opened 2021) created a whimsical park on tulip-shaped pilings in the Hudson. Together they make a spectacular walk from the Meatpacking District to 34th Street.

At a glance

Landmark Opened Highlights
High Line 2009 onward Elevated park with gardens and art
Hudson Yards 2019 Towers, shops, The Shed, public square
Vessel 2019 Honeycomb-like climbable structure
Edge 2020 Outdoor sky deck high above the city
Little Island 2021 Park on pilings at Pier 55

A suggested route

  1. Start at Little Island near West 13th Street.
  2. Walk to the Whitney Museum and the High Line’s southern entrance at Gansevoort Street.
  3. Stroll north along the High Line to Hudson Yards at 34th Street.
  4. Visit Edge for sunset views. Read NYC observation decks.

The whole walk is about 1.5 miles, with stairs and elevators at intervals.

Where to meet your car

Streets around Hudson Yards and the Meatpacking District are busy; agreed pickup points on Tenth or Eleventh Avenue, or at Hudson Yards’ drop-off areas, work well. See our Hudson Yards car service.

Tips

  • Weekday mornings are least crowded.
  • Book Edge and Vessel tickets in advance.
  • Wear comfortable shoes — it’s a long walk.

The High Line’s story

The High Line was built in the 1930s as an elevated freight railway to lift trains off dangerous street-level tracks on the West Side. After it closed, local residents fought to save it from demolition and turned it into a park, inspiring similar projects around the world.

Food and shopping

Chelsea Market, near the High Line’s southern section, offers food halls and shops, while Hudson Yards has a large shopping and dining center. Both are good places to pause mid-walk.