High Line Tour

$382

Private

N/A

Small group

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Tour Details

About the Tour

Private Tour: $ 382
Category: Architecture
Duration: 3 hours
Location: New York

Photos & Highlights

Get an insider's guide to New York's High Line
Led by an historian or archaeologist
High Line Park, Meatpacking District, Chelsea, and Whitney Museum of American Art

Tour Description

The meandering, block-paved streets of Manhattan's meatpacking district and the old, steel rail tracks of the elevated train that runs overhead provide a glimpse back through time to an era when New York lay at the crossroads of American commerce. Today, with its upscale restaurants and boutiques, the area has reinvented itself as one of the most exciting destinations in the city. How? By the development of that old elevated railway—the High Line—into one of the coolest, most vibrant places in New York. During this 3 hour High Line tour we'll join an architect or historian for an in-depth look at how the High Line was rescued from the dustbin of history and, by extension, trace the history of New York's industrial age from the 1840s to the 1940s to today.

Meatpacking District - Some Context

We'll begin our walk by looking at the rise of the meatpacking industry, industrial innovation, and urban planning in this part of Manhattan. Architectural remnants of commerce and the stunning architectural details are still evident in this neighborhood, including the predominance of brick facades, the aesthetic reign of certain architects, the use of metal canopies, and, of course, the wonderful Belgian block paving visible on most streets. Along the way we'll learn how the meatpacking industry declined (along with the Hudson waterfront) with the rise of containerized shipping, and some of the innovative preservation work that's going on here that, in turn, has made the area one of the hottest locales on the island.

High Line Tour

With the basic history under our belt, we'll turn our attention to the High Line, a former elevated freight railroad built in 1933 by the New York Central Railroad. At the time of its construction, the High Line was an innovative and efficient way to move freight from warehouse to trains, and avoid the recurring theft that plagued streetcar services. Such businesses as Bell Laboratories and Nabisco, which ran plants and warehouses in the meatpacking district, benefited from this greatly.

Icon of Urban Renewal

After sitting abandoned and broken for several decades, the High Line was rescued by a robust nonprofit and converted into a stunning elevated park, or greenway, similar to the Promenade Plantée in Paris. Designed by architects Diller Scofidio Renfro along with the acclaimed landscape firm Field Operations, the High Line has rapidly become one of the most beloved open spaces in the city. We will also focus heavily on the conservation of the High Line, its redevelopment, and the thorny political and design issues that lined its path to redemption. We'll emerge with a strong appreciation for American industrial heritage and how old, rusty places like the High Line and Meatpacking District can find new life in the contemporary city.

(For those interested in urban planning in New York, consider our NYC architecture tour, SoHo tour, or Greenwich Village tour.)

FAQ

Where do we meet? Where does it end?

Generally speaking, the walk begins in the heart of the Meatpacking District at 14th Street and 9th Avenue. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map, and 24/7 phone number. The walk typically ends near the 30th Street exit of the High Line park.

What if it’s raining?

Tours operate rain or shine, but in the case of inclement weather, your guide will modify the tour so more time is spent indoors. It never hurts to have an umbrella on hand.

Is this tour good for kids?

Yes! We have some excellent family friendly guides who can appeal to the learning styles of children. Please book privately if you have children under 13. Feel free to provide us with information about your children such as favorite school subjects, and hobbies. This way we can match you with the best possible guide.

Is this a walking intensive tour? Is the tour mobility-friendly?

This walk covers about 1.5 miles overall. There are occasional opportunities to sit, use the bathroom, and get something to drink if needed. The High Line is wheelchair-accessible by elevator at various points; please contact us with any questions.

Where You'll Start

Tour Experts

Matico

Matico Josephson has been a student of New York's built environment for as long as he can remember, and an explorer of the city's nooks and crannies for even longer. His curiosity has found an outlet in the History of Architecture, in which he has recently been pursuing a Ph.D. at NYU's Institute of Fine Arts. He will prepare a dissertation on modern architecture in Spain.

Daniel

Having earned his Master’s degree in History and Philosophy at the CUNY Graduate Center, Daniel London continues his pursuit of the urban past through intensive research into the following questions: How have cities been built, experienced and imagined by different social groups across time? How have these understandings conflicted or converged with each other? And finally, how have these discussions and debates impacted the city we see today? He is currently teaching a course on American Urban History, working at the Museum of the City of New York, and is planning his dissertation on public space in early-twentieth century New York.

Mitch

Mitch holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in History and Philosophy from the University of Paris, Sorbonne. His passion for urban history began during his 7 years in Paris, where he worked in his spare time as a city guide and teacher of history and philosophy. His scholarly work has focused on theories of truth as they express themselves in art, literature and theology. Since moving to New York City 12 years ago, he has authored four books on east coast cities, and actively pursues his side-passions for composing classical music (he recently premiered his second opera), and photography (his work has appeared in the New York Times, The New Yorker and Time, amongst other

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31 Reviews – (4.95)

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

I first Contacted your office about a tour guide for Hudson Yard and was told that was part of the High Line tour and would include Hudson Yard. Ivy was not informed of our tour to include a history and information on Hudson Yard. Ivy said if she knew she would have done some research on the Hudson Yard to add to our High Line tour. we were disappointed that our first point of interest was not addressed. That said, Ivy was a great guide and provided us with great historic and current information. Ivy and her great skills and personality saved the day. I wish that our primary reason for a guide to see Hudson Yard was not communicated.

Patricia

Aug. 11, 2019

Ivy was excellent! We loved her passion for NYC and the High Line particularly. She had a surprise for us at the old Nabisco building...

Jun. 23, 2019

If only you could improve the weather! All went well except for the rain.

Jay

May. 20, 2019

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Tour Experts

All Context Experts are scholars or specialists in their field.

Matico

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