High line: Tours and Guided Visits

New York City inspired the term “concrete jungle,” but the High Line cuts through the gray to breathe new life into the city. It used to be a cargo rail, feeding goods from the shipping yard into the city but has now been repurposed as an expansive public park.

These layers of greenery span almost 2 kilometers and rise 90 meters above the hustle and bustle of the city, offering New Yorkers a place to escape.

The High Line is located close to some of the trendiest neighborhoods in the city, with Chelsea, Greenwich and the Meatpacking District at its feet.

Take a tour of the High Line to see the city from a whole new angle and appreciate the contrast delivered by this innovative transformation.

You will find below everything you need to know about the High Line, one of the best locations for sightseeing in New York City.

How do I get to the NYC High Line?

The New York City High Line stretches for 22 blocks parallel to the Hudson River, the west of Manhattan. It starts at 34th Street in the north and runs down to Gansevoort Street, and there are 13 access points over its 2.3-kilometer span.

The closest subway station to the northern point is 34th Penn Station, and the southern entrance is service by the 14th Street or 8th Avenue station. There are various other subway stops along the way, as well as bus routes that take you right to the High Line.

What will I see and do on a High Line tour?

23rd Street Lawn and Seating Steps

The High Line is an innovative public park and gives New Yorkers and visitors a new perspective of the city. The park is filled with spots to stop and smell the roses and enjoy a cup of New York coffee in peace.

The lush area of the 23rd Street Lawn and Seating Steps is a tranquil oasis right in the chaos of the city. Feel the grass beneath your feet and take a minute to unwind.

10th Avenue Square and Overlook

The 10th Avenue Square and Overlook is a fascinating take on an amphitheater. The wooden steps descend, facing a glass panel that overlooks 10th Avenue. The city becomes a stage, and all the New Yorkers are merely players.

Chelsea Market

The Chelsea Market is one of the most famous indoor markets in the world, attracting nearly 6 million visitors every year. Here you can shop for top-quality fresh produce and artisanal creations and indulge in delectable street food creations.

Take your time and peruse through hundreds of merchants keeping the market culture alive. The marketplace has fishmongers, butchers, cheese makers, and produce sellers bringing you the best and freshest ingredients.

There is cuisine from all over the world, taking you on a gastronomical journey like no other.

The Vessel

The Vessel is one of the newest landmarks in New York, and the High Line takes you right into the belly of the beast. It is a 6-story art installation made up of 154 interconnecting flights of stairs and 80 landings and serves as the focal point for Hudson Yards.

The surrounding area is loaded with art across various disciplines and The Shed, adjacent to the Vessel, is one of the premier art galleries in the city. Accessing the vessel gives visitors a unique view of the city and the river and allows them to be part of a living art piece that moves along to the beat of New York.

What are the best tours to visit the High Line?

High Line, Chelsea and Meatpacking District tour

Discover the chic neighborhoods in western Manhattan with a walking tour of the High Line and its surroundings. Walk on the very same High Line that was once occupied by locomotives and enjoy captivating city views and the Hudson River.

On the High Line, you are surrounded by art installations and greenery, breathing new life into a defunct piece of New York history.

The Meatpacking District is another New York borough that has gone from drab to fab, swapping rows of slaughterhouses for swanky boutiques and bars. Pay a visit to the Chelsea Market and learn about the early industrial history of the neighborhood.

High Line and Greenwich food tour

Start your day with a tour of the High Line, walking the full expanse of the repurposed railroad. This will help you to work up an appetite in preparation for the mounds of delicious samplings that are coming your way.

Enter Greenwich village to learn about the colonial history of the area and sample some treats, including pizza, chocolate and several Italian delicacies.

You will see why artists, writers and creators have favored this iconic neighborhood, and hear about it becoming a haven for Bohemian spirits and counterculture.

One of the notable places is Bleecker Street, home to tons of trendy bars, restaurants and cafés that give Greenwich its distinct atmosphere.

High Line and Hudson Yards tour

Take a hike through the urban jungle on a tour of the High Line and end it with an adventure in Hudson Yards — once an abandoned industrial relic but has been redeveloped into the most expensive private real estate development in the US.

This US$25-billion project is now home to industry giants like Amazon, HBO, CNN and J.P. Morgan.

Both the High Line and Hudson Yards are a labyrinth of art, with the Vessel as the pinnacle. Enter the 6-story installation and make your way through the maze of stairs and landings to marvel at the city from unexpected angles.

What are the prices of High Line tours?

A tour of the High Line, Chelsea and Meatpacking District starts around US$40 per person, while tours that include food tastings range around US$70 per person.

Food tours of the High Line and Greenwich Village start around US$120 per person that lasts for 3 hours, while longer food tours cost around US$160 per person. These prices include a guide and food tastings during the tour.

The walking tour of the High Line and Hudson Yards with the Vessel start at around US$40 per person, but tours that include entrance to the Edge Observation Deck are closer to US$70 per person.

Where do High Line tours start?

Tours of the High Line and Chelsea meet on the corner of 16th and 9th at Chelsea Market, while tours that include Greenwich Village start at the High Line entrance on 500 W 30th Street.

If you choose a tour of Hudson Yards, you will meet there or at the southern end of the High Line, depending on which direction your tour moves.

When is the best time to visit the High Line?

It is best to visit the High Line in the morning if you are going to do food tastings as this will happen over lunchtime.

Most tours of the High Line happen in the morning or early afternoon, as it also gets much busier in the late afternoon when New Yorkers enjoy the green space after work.

Travel tips

• Wear comfortable shoes, as you will be walking a great distance on a High Line tour.
• Most tours operate in rain or shine, so check the weather forecast to dress for the occasion.
• Make sure to save your appetite if you do a food tour because you will be savoring several delicious New York staples along the way.