Boroughs & Brood.

The short answer

The High Line is a free park on a former raised freight railway on Manhattan's West Side, open daily from 7am to 10pm between April 1 and November 30 and from 7am to 8pm between December 1 and March 31. It runs roughly a mile and a half, has stairs, ramps and four elevator locations, and lets you bail out whenever small legs declare the walk finished (which, in my experience of six and seven year olds in general, is earlier than you planned).

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What it is like

The rules are worth knowing before you arrive. No bicycles, skateboards, skates or recreational scooters, no dogs apart from service animals, and no walking in the planting beds or on the old rail tracks. That last one is a hard sell to a child who has just spotted a very interesting patch of dirt, so choose a bench with a view of the street below and let the traffic do the entertaining. The park also runs free docent-led tours on select days.

Finish at Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Avenue between 15th and 16th Streets, open 7am to 10pm every day. It is a food hall in a former Nabisco factory, loud and packed at weekend lunchtime, and its own visitor page lists nothing specifically for children, so treat it as a snack stop rather than a destination. Pushing a stroller through the lunch rush is a contact sport; go early or go late, and have a plan for where everyone is eating before you walk in.

Best time to go

Weekday mornings, before the sunny-afternoon crowds.

Tips before you go

  • Go on a weekday morning if you can; the park is much calmer and the market has seats.
  • Check the High Line's elevator status online before you set out with a stroller, because elevators do go out of service.
  • Scooters are banned on the park, so leave them at home or carry them.

Where it is

Gansevoort Street at Washington Street, New York, NY 10014 (south end); Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10011. OpenStreetMap ↗ · Directions ↗

What's on here

From The New York Almanac, the next 60 days.

  • Saturday, October 24, 2026, 11:00

    High Line Halloween: Gnome-topia

    The High Line, 14th Street Passage, Chelsea, Manhattan · Free

    Themed games and activities for families at the High Line's 14th Street Passage, with a garden gnome theme. Costumes welcome. Organizer ↗

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Questions people ask

Is the High Line free?

Yes. Admission to the High Line is free, and Chelsea Market is free to enter.

What are the High Line's hours?

The High Line is open 7am to 10pm from April 1 to November 30 and 7am to 8pm from December 1 to March 31.

Can I take a scooter or bike on the High Line?

No. Bicycles, skateboards, skates and recreational scooters are not allowed, and neither are dogs other than service animals.

Is Chelsea Market open every day?

Yes, its visit page lists 7am to 10pm every day, though individual shops and restaurants can keep different hours.

Which subway stop is nearest?

7 to 34 St-Hudson Yards (accessible station) for the north end; A/C/E to 14 St (accessible) or L to 8 Av (accessible) for the south end and Chelsea Market. Elevators go out of service, so check the MTA's elevator status.

Can you take a stroller?

Fine. The park has ramps and four elevator locations, and strollers are not on its list of banned items. Expect crowds on sunny weekends.

How long do you need?

1 to 2 hours, plus a snack stop.

Sources

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