For something a little less touristy in New York head to the west village area of Manhattan and explore a whole different side to the Big Apple. The High Line is an elevated disused freight train line meandering for 1.45 miles in between buildings, over roads and past quirky apartment blocks. Gorgeous views of the Hudson River, Empire State Building and the Statute of Liberty can all be seen from this cool part of town. From West 34th Street between 10th and 12th Avenues to Gansevoort in the Meatpacking District, this is a lovely little stroll and a fantastic way to see New York from another angle, it’s also free. 11 access points with lifts make the High Line wheelchair accessible and there are also toilets on the walk; something i’m always looking for when I’m in a city! Benches and seating areas along the route, plus a sundeck, loungers and water feature between West 14th and 15th Streets make for the perfect spots to relax. What’s more food vendors are dotted along the High Line along with water fountains so you can get some resfreshments, take in the surroundings and watch the world go by. There are some interesting sculptures and art installations along the way and some parts of the path feature the original railroad tracks. Various parts of the walkway are unique to one anther, one of my favourite areas is the section known as Chelsea Thicket, covered in a dense woodland, you almost forget you are in the middle of Manhattan. Pause to take photos at one of the many viewpoints of the bustling Manhattan streets below and capture the Empire State Building with wild flowers and butterflies in the foreground. While on the west side take a bit of time to clamber back down to street level, this is such a gorgeous area to stroll around. On 10th Avenue, Chelsea Market is a must, visit it from the High Line exit at either 14th or 16th Street. Full of quirky hipster shops and stalls, local art and plenty of cool places to grab a bite to eat or drink, I love it! If you fancy a naughty treat the milkshakes at Creamline are to die for! You can also make it boozy if you wish!
For more on what to do on the west side of Manhattan check out my blog: New York – Upper vs Lower Manhattan
