The best things to do near the High Line in NYC
After catching some rays on the elevated park, check out nearby attractions and more things to do near the High Line
Searching for great things to do near the High Line? The beautiful, one-of-a-kind park attracts locals and tourists with its scenic views and greenery. Running a span of more than 15 blocks, the High Line allows for tons of opportunities to stop by an adjacent fun-having spot. Grab lunch at Chelsea Market or one of many other restaurants near the High Line. You can peruse some of the best Chelsea art galleries and museums, or stroll over to one of the other best NYC Parks—Hudson River Park. There are plenty of options, but here are our top seven suggestions.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the High Line in NYC
Best things to do near the High Line in NYC
Play some games at Chelsea Piers
It's pretty impossible to get bored at this recreational complex, which has served the needs of sporty New Yorkers for more than 15 years. Warm weather brings out the golf fanatics, who can thwack balls until midnight every day ($25 for 90 balls; off peak $25 for 147 balls). But if that's not your thing, there are plenty of other athletic options—including batting cages, rock-climbing walls and bowling—to keep you entertained.
Eat and shop at Chelsea Market
The former home of the National Biscuit Company is a hot spot for foodies-in-training; favorite vendors include Jacques Torres, People's Pops and Ronnybrook Dairy. It’s also home to another Artists & Fleas. Just like the original location in Williamsburg, this version of Artists & Fleas features goods that run the gamut from art and design to fashion and vintage.
Go to a show at Highline Ballroom
The shows at this club—located right underneath the High Line (hence the name) span burlesque performers, lit readings and musical acts. (Steve Martin recently brought his ukulele stylings to the club.) The venue also offers a full menu (and some shows do require a $10 food or drink purchase if you want to snag a table).
Enjoy the views at Hudson River Park
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 and kayak rides in the river.
LOL at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
Improv shows at the UCB are a rite of passage for many NYC comedians; funny folks who've performed on its tiny stage include Aziz Ansari, Horatio Sanz, Amy Poehler (one of the theater's cofounders) and 30 Rock's Jack McBrayer. You really can't go wrong with any of the offerings.
Lounge on the roof at the Whitney Museum of Art
After nearly 50 years in its Marcel-Breur-designed building on Madison Avenue at 75th Street, the Whitney Museum decamped in 2015 to a brand new home in Lower Manhattan's Meatpacking District, conceived by international architect Renzo Piano. Planted at the foot of the Highline along Gansevoort Street, the new Whitney building boasts some 63, 000 square feet of both indoor and outdoor exhibition space.
Go on a food tour
The High Line is many things: The 1.45-mile-long freight rail–turned–urban park is a multi-purpose hub of stargazing sessions, opera performances, wildlife tours, Latin dance parties and, yes, plenty of food options. Whether you want something to nosh on while you hang or a restaurant nearby to drop by after your west-side stroll, here's a handy eating tour of the High Line, from start to finish.
Looking for more fun in the area?
Chelsea, NYC, neighborhood guide
Find the best restaurants, bars, shops, attractions and things to do in Chelsea, NYC, with our guide