The best things to do near the High Line in NYC

Manhattan’s Meatpacking District has long been a refuge for creatives and artists, even if it’s gotten pretty bougie over the past two decades. Still, dozens of nearby galleries offer a walkable tour of modern and contemporary art, most of which is for sale at steep prices, but totally free to see.

Go on a self-guided Chelsea gallery hop from 29th Street to 18th Street between 11th and 9th Avenues, and you’ll see plenty of treasures. 

Time Out Tip: Many galleries are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and some go on a brief seasonal hiatus to swap exhibits, so check the hours before you plan your route. 

Known as Manhattan’s “newest” neighborhood, this development below Hudson Yards is a more serene getaway from Midtown’s craziness, but still within walking distance of Penn Station. Think: Plenty of green space, outdoor art installations, outdoor seating at local spots like Daily Provisions and Zou Zou’s, plus the rooftop at Ci Siamo, and a small skating rink in the winter. Manhattan West Food Hall is a nice spot to grab a picnic to eat in the plaza here or bring back up to the High Line.

Time Out Tip: Manhattan West can be a great place to work remotely. I like taking advantage of the treats, Wi-Fi and bathrooms at Daily Provisions, Bluestone Lane, Blackfox Coffee and Cafe Grumpy to make the rounds with my laptop and for convenient meetings.

One of New York City’s newest waterfront parks, Little Island extends between 13th Street and 14th Street, adding 2.4 acres of public outdoor space. Suspended above the Hudson River by stunning tulip-shaped structures, Little Island is enjoyable to admire from afar and venture onto for nature walks, kids play areas and, perhaps most importantly, contemporary public bathrooms. Visit during sunset for exquisite riverfront views.

Time Out Tip: Over 100 performances take place in the outdoor amphitheater every summer, so check the calendar for listings. If you can’t get tickets, you can typically hear the music from a plot of grass or a bench on the peninsula.

The neighborhoods bordering the High Line are known for being stylish, and if you’re so inspired to be at the height of fashion, you too can easily become a model—a hair model, that is.

New York hair salon Bumble and Bumble’s long-running Model Project takes everyday people and lets them model haircuts—for free! Plus, you get product credits. Just apply, submit photos and pick which style you want their trainees (many are pro stylists just learning B&B’s signature techniques) you want to practice on you. Styles range from long haircuts to blowouts to cropped cuts, and you get to add modeling to your resume. 

Time Out Tip: You’ll need to preregister and book in advance for specific lengths and styles. Overgrown hair or those looking to make a big change in style may be the easiest to accommodate. 

Summers bring free workouts right off the High Line, with complimentary Sweat Sessions. And with the cost of workout classes, these group workouts are certainly worthwhile. Bring your own mat and athletic attire for yoga, bootcamp, dance cardio, boxing, pilates and more at 14th Street Park on 10th Avenue between 14th and 15th Streets.

Time Out Tip: Those who want to freshen up after class can head to the nearby Sephora on Ninth Avenue for a quick spritz of product samples and reapplication of makeup.

Make like Carrie Bradshaw on assignment and enroll in a class at Circus Academy New York (formerly known as Trapeze School New York). No experience is necessary to start out with a small group class where you’ll learn to fly like a circus performer with the background of Manhattan’s skyline inspiring you. Classes move up in levels, so if you’re committed, you can learn tricks and more or even enroll in a semester-long educational endeavor.

Time Out Tip: Classes are $100 and run for 120 minutes with a max of 10 people, or 90 minutes with a max of seven people. Aerial classes and acrobatics are also offered if you really want to test your circus skills. 

It’s pretty impossible to get bored at this recreational complex, which has served the needs of sporty New Yorkers since 1995 (two years before the New York Liberty were even a team!).

Warm weather brings out the golf fanatics, who can thwack balls until midnight every day. But if that’s not your thing, there are plenty of other athletic options—including batting cages, rock-climbing walls, an indoor ice rink, racket sports and bowling—to keep you entertained.

Time Out Tip: If you’re looking for a new hobby, enroll in a basic skills class to get some exercise and make friends on the skating rink with adult figure skating or hockey classes, which are a perfect cooldown in summer. Adult sports leagues are also offered here if you just want to unwind and play sports.

The former home of the National Biscuit Company is a hot spot for foodies-in-training. Some favorite vendors include Mokbar, Los Tacos No. 1, Ayada and the epic pasta tasting at La Devozione. It’s also home to Artists & Fleas, and just like the original location in Williamsburg, this version features goods that run the gamut from art and design to fashion and vintage.

Time Out Tip: Alcohol purchased within the market can be toted around to different stalls, so you can barhop, shop and taste your way through the market with a craft beer or cocktail in hand. 

This strip of waterfront park stretches from Battery Park to 59th Street, allowing you to walk, bike or skate while looking at the Hudson River and New Jersey. There are flowers, benches, piers and lots of programs—including youth sports, beach volleyball, live music and kayak trips in the river.

Time Out Tip: Off the High Line at Pier 66a in Chelsea you’ll find one of New York’s most unique restaurants: Frying Pan. This floating railroad barge (now anchored in place) serves bar snacks, burgers, and salads, plus plenty of booze with waterfront views.

New York’s shiny (and continuously controversial) neighborhood (real estate development), Hudson Yards has a handful of attractions like a one-million-square-foot retail center with dozens of stores to shop in, a wide range of restaurants, a five-acre smart park and the famous Thomas Heatherwick sculpture, Vessel. You can also see the High Line from a totally new perspective, 1200 feet in the air, from the Edge.

Time Out Tip: Check out Hudson Yards’ event calendar for free events held throughout the year or snag tickets to a show at the Shed, a multidisciplinary arts venue with a nice cafe and bar in the lobby.