The High Line is a worthwhile free walk for first-time visitors, architecture fans, and garden-minded travelers—best when walked south to north on a weekday morning. It works poorly if you want solitude at peak times, a large park, or a place to cycle.
Enter free; do not buy tickets
Park entry has no reservation, timed slot, or admission fee; use the official Visit page only to confirm same-day access conditions and do not buy third-party “High Line tickets.”
MoreStart at Gansevoort Street
For the classic 1.45-mile south-to-north route, enter at Gansevoort and Washington Streets, then finish around West 30th Street or the Moynihan Connector after checking the current map.
MoreGo weekday mornings
Arrive between 7:00 and 10:00 a.m. on a weekday for the least-congested walk; sunset and warm-weather weekends are much busier on the narrow path.
MoreCheck elevators before relying on them
The route is generally wheelchair accessible, but elevator and entrance closures change; verify the official map on the day, especially as the West 16th Street elevator has been under repair.
More| Monday | 7 AM – 10 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 7 AM – 10 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM – 10 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM – 10 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM – 10 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM – 10 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM – 10 PM |
Hours from Google; check before you go.
The High Line is a free, elevated public park and 1.45-mile (2.33-km) walking greenway on a former New York Central freight railway on Manhattan’s West Side. Built to remove dangerous street-level freight traffic, the rail line opened in 1934, stopped operating in 1980, and was saved from demolition after local residents founded Friends of the High Line in 1999. Opened as a park in stages from 2009, it combines preserved rails, naturalistic planting, contemporary art, Chelsea and Hudson Yards architecture, and Hudson River views; New York City owns it and Friends of the High Line maintains and programs it.
It is one of New York’s best urban walks, making the city’s industrial history, architecture, gardens, public art, and changing West Side skyline visible in one compact route. It is particularly worthwhile for first-time visitors, photographers, design and garden enthusiasts, and anyone linking the Meatpacking District, Chelsea Market, Little Island, or Hudson Yards. Skip it if you dislike slow-moving crowds, need a quiet or weather-protected park experience, or expect lawns, cycling, playgrounds, or a major food destination.
Before you go
No. The High Line is free to enter, with no ticket, timed reservation, membership, ID check, or paid skip-the-line option for normal park access. Do not buy a third-party “High Line ticket”; paid listings are guided tours or bundled activities, not admission.
Daily 7:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. from April 1 through November 30, and daily 7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. from December 1 through March 31. Severe weather, maintenance, and special conditions can alter access, so confirm the official Visit page before a late visit.
Go on a weekday between 7:00 and 10:00 a.m. for the calmest walk, cooler conditions, and clearer views of the gardens and architecture. Late afternoon through sunset has attractive light but is substantially busier, especially spring through fall. Avoid peak weekend afternoons if slow-moving crowds would spoil the experience.
Allow 60–90 minutes for a first visit with time for gardens, art, views, and pauses. A brisk end-to-end-style walk takes about 30–40 minutes. Budget 2–3 hours if using the free audio guide, taking many photographs, or combining it with Chelsea Market, Little Island, the Whitney, or Hudson Yards.
Walk south to north: start at Gansevoort Street and Washington Street, pause at the Tenth Avenue Square overlook near West 17th Street, continue through Chelsea around West 20th–23rd Streets, and finish near West 30th Street or the Moynihan Connector if open. Check the official map on the day because northern sections and access points can change during reconstruction.
For the classic south-to-north route, use A, C, E, or L service to 14 St–Eighth Avenue, then walk about 10 minutes west to Gansevoort Street. For a central entry, use C or E service to 23 St–Eighth Avenue, then walk about 10 minutes west to Tenth Avenue and West 23rd Street. For the north end, take the 7 to 34 St–Hudson Yards, but verify current northern access before relying on it.