Urban Walks: NYC’s High Line to Chelsea Market

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A few months ago, my husband and I spent a wonderful weekend without the kids in New York City. Although it had just snowed there and the weather was colder than at home in Minneapolis, we had a fantastic time exploring the amazing different neighborhoods, restaurants and culture of the Big Apple.

One place I’d heard about that I desperately wanted to see was the High Line. I’d read about it in a travel magazine on an airplane months ago and thought it sounded like a really interesting concept. The High Line is a 1.45 mile-long elevated park built on an old railroad line called the West Side Line. Jetting high above the city, beginning in Hell’s Kitchen and traversing through Chelsea Market and other neighborhoods, this tree-lined urban walkway is rather amazing.

Despite the rainy cool weather, my husband and I grabbed our umbrella and our hats and began walking from our hotel in Central Park towards Hell’s Kitchen. There were plenty of unique shops, restaurants and cafes along the way (yet I was stunned to notice that there was a Starbucks on almost every block!) and we took our time wandering.

I love New York City as I’m constantly seeing something new, interesting or different. People watching is one of my favorite pastimes and there is no better place to people watch than in a huge, urban jungle like New York. Despite the terrible weather, everyone was outside enjoying the day and even the High Line trail was busy.

It was late March and there was really no sign of spring at all. Not even a single bud. Yet the photos of the High Line came out rather cool despite the lack of greenery that I can imagine explodes in the summer.

With map in hand, we found the High Line and climbed up the steps to get a bird’s eye view of the city. I had never seen anything like it before. It is pretty cool.

There are still some reminders of the trail line that used to pass through here. For some reason, I liked how they left the tracks there beneath the shrubs.

It is also not cheap to live next to the High Line. I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw the cost of a new condo unit going up along the trail!

Finally we reached Chelsea Market and it was good timing because it started to pour rain. It was time to head inside to one of New York City’s finest indoor markets and see what other goodies they had in store for us.

It was pretty cool! If only we had more time and didn’t already have dinner plans.

Perhaps I got a little carried away with taking photos but in my opinion New York City is a photographer’s dream. It is also a wonderful place for foodies. Every meal we had was heaven.

Getting there:

The High Line is a public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. It runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 34th Street, between 10th and 12th Avenues.

For more information as well as a map, click here. 

33 thoughts on “Urban Walks: NYC’s High Line to Chelsea Market”

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      I love New York!

      Reply ↓

  4. I love the High Line and the Chelsea market. I was there last year about the same time as you and my photos look much the same. I absolutely love New York…can’t wait to go back.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      I love NYC. There is always so much to explore, it is endless. I can’t wait to go back too! This fall I will be there a few times.

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! Yes it is super cool. I am going to check it out when I go back in the fall as I bet it will look quite different with leaves!

      Reply ↓
  7. gypsyinabottle – Philippines – I want to see the whole world unravel in front of my very own eyes, step foot on every soil, explore the unexplored, experience different cultures, live life to the full. Currently working in the aviation industry, planning someday, i'll grab my backpack and GO :)
    Nikki on said:

    WOW. Hell’s kitchen 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yep! And it is quite a cool part of town. 🙂

      Reply ↓
      • gypsyinabottle – Philippines – I want to see the whole world unravel in front of my very own eyes, step foot on every soil, explore the unexplored, experience different cultures, live life to the full. Currently working in the aviation industry, planning someday, i'll grab my backpack and GO :)
        gypsyinabottle on said:

        Definitely putiing this in my bucket list..NY 🙂

      • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
        thirdeyemom on said:

        Sounds like a great addition! 🙂

  8. Angeline Suze – Love travel and photography. Living in Northern California. Photos of locations visited are personal file photos. I’m on Instagram: suze.munoz
    Angeline M on said:

    These are fabulous photos and street photography! They really make me want to go to NYC. Sounds like a great weekend.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      I just love NYC and can never get enough of it. Such a fabulous place with so much energy and electricity.

      Reply ↓

  9. Ohh you got such great photos!! I did the same thing (High Line + Chelsea Market) when I was there in January, and it was such a fun day! beautifully captured 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! Despite the rain and lack of foliage I kind of like how these pictures turned out. 🙂

      Reply ↓
  10. Sue Slaght – Calgary, Alberta Canada – www.traveltalesoflife.com Many years from now, when I am an old lady sitting in the nursing home, I hope to be the twinkly eyed resident still entertaining anyone who I can corner to listen, about all of the wild adventures attempted in a lifetime. Well into the second half of the game of life there is no time like the present to get out there, live big and laugh a lot. Living in Calgary, Alberta, married to my best friend Dave for over thirty years and Mom to adult children; my decades as a nurse have shown that in a moment life can change completely. Passionate about social justice, volunteerism and not letting the phrase “What would people think?” or my own fear get in the way of trying something new; the possibilities are endless. Enjoy the tales and I hope you will be inspired to try something you have been thinking about doing.
    Sue Slaght on said:

    We were just there last week! So were 10,000 other people. My photos look very different than yours. 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes I saw that Sue! I bet you had a fabulous time! Did you see the High Line trail at all?

      Reply ↓
      • Sue Slaght – Calgary, Alberta Canada – www.traveltalesoflife.com Many years from now, when I am an old lady sitting in the nursing home, I hope to be the twinkly eyed resident still entertaining anyone who I can corner to listen, about all of the wild adventures attempted in a lifetime. Well into the second half of the game of life there is no time like the present to get out there, live big and laugh a lot. Living in Calgary, Alberta, married to my best friend Dave for over thirty years and Mom to adult children; my decades as a nurse have shown that in a moment life can change completely. Passionate about social justice, volunteerism and not letting the phrase “What would people think?” or my own fear get in the way of trying something new; the possibilities are endless. Enjoy the tales and I hope you will be inspired to try something you have been thinking about doing.
        Sue Slaght on said:

        Yes we were on it and it was jammed with people. 🙂

      • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
        thirdeyemom on said:

        Hope to see some of your NYC posts!

  11. Marilyn Albright – Home Based in Sterling, Alaska – Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula has been home for more than 40 years. My husband, David, and I live on 10 acres of forest near the town of Soldotna. We are more or less retired, meaning we are retired from gainful employment but not from life! Our son lives in Australia and our daughter in Colorado. Photography, fiber arts, reading, and hiking/walking are some of my interests, and David shares my love of gardening, camping, cooking, and traveling, plus he is our tech expert.
    Marilyn Albright on said:

    The High Line is a wonderful concept, and I agree about the rails under the shrubs. I don’t know anything about the neighborhoods of New York, but it would be nice if rich people didn’t have to make everything nice theirs. I’ll bet there are many parts of the city that would love to have something beautiful in their area.
    Very interesting post! Thanks.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks for the comment Marilyn! The High Line actually is not necessarily a rich neighborhood. It is near the Meatpacking district and runs through Hells Kitchen, Chelsea and other diverse parts of the city. I have found a lot of diversity in people and economics in the city. There can be multimillion dollars condos next to rent controlled places or run down warehouses. That is the beauty of it! 😊

      Reply ↓
      • Marilyn Albright – Home Based in Sterling, Alaska – Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula has been home for more than 40 years. My husband, David, and I live on 10 acres of forest near the town of Soldotna. We are more or less retired, meaning we are retired from gainful employment but not from life! Our son lives in Australia and our daughter in Colorado. Photography, fiber arts, reading, and hiking/walking are some of my interests, and David shares my love of gardening, camping, cooking, and traveling, plus he is our tech expert.
        Marilyn Albright on said:

        I’m glad to hear that!

      • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
        thirdeyemom on said:

        Yes, me too! 🙂

  12. Nilzeitung – West Europas – Danke für ihren Besuch.!!"dieser Seite im Aufbau". Es stimmt, dass es keine Freiheit ohne Pressefreiheit gibt. Wahrer Frieden des Journalismus ist eine der Säulen der Demokratie (Salah El-Nemr) se/nz.
    nilzeitung on said:

    Reblogged this on Nilzeitung.

    Reply ↓

  13. Hi! I’m from Minnesota as well and I am thinking about doing Linguistics and International Relations major! Is that how you get to travel so much? For your job? I’ve been traveling for the past year (mostly Asia) But I definitely want to continue, just not in the way I have been (modeling). I really enjoy learning about cultures and new languages and I’m really interested in all of that stuff. Just a little worried to settle down a few years and end up not traveling after I graduate. Any advice?

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Hmm great questions! I guess if you love to travel and find a partner in life who either loves to travel or supports you with your desires to travel, then you never really will stop. That is how I have been. The world is really becoming a global place and the opportunities for young people today are amazing. I’m sure you will discover the right path. Follow your dreams and never stop! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  14. Travtrails – Hong Kong, Canada, India – My believe "I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination".
    travtrails on said:

    An interesting concept and a must-walk every time I visit NYC

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! 🙂

      Reply ↓

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