Filed under: Chelsea, market, park, Shopping, top-feature
Neighborhood Spotlight: Chelsea and the High Line Park in NYC
High Line Park, view towards Empire State Building
In June 2009, New York City welcomed the arrival of a brand-spanking-new park. With the opening of the High Line Park, locals and visitors alike could stroll along what was once an abandoned elevated train track, but has now been reclaimed and transformed. That first summer, the thoughtful design of the park came to life as people enjoyed picnics, afternoons of sunbathing, and a new place to go for a jog without the interruption of cars and traffic lights. Beyond great views of the Hudson River and the Empire State Building, this park can also serve as a first stop on an itinerary exploring two neighborhoods: Chelsea and the Meatpacking District.
Before taking a stroll on the High Line, the first stop of the day should be Chelsea Market. This indoor market, stretching the distance between 9th and 10th Avenue (between 15th and 16th Streets), must have originated in the imagination of a devoted foodie. Bring your appetite with you to Chelsea Market as you browse; countless temptations await on your first visit. Some of the shops are better known than others, and if you’re looking for gifts to bring loved ones back home, there are many opportunities for that too.
Entering through the 9th Avenue doors, you will pass the popular clothing store Anthropologie. While their beautiful window displays might lure you inside, don’t waste your browsing energy here. A beautiful wine shop, the Chelsea Wine Vault, is also located here near the front; be sure to glance at the blackboard outside on your way in as they might be offering free tastings later on in the day. The first order of business will be breakfast, but deciding where and what will be a challenge. An ideal morning might be a pastry from Amy’s Bread and coffee from Ninth Street Espresso. If you’re seeking lunch instead, a crepe at Bar Suzette followed by glass of wine at The Green Table might be in order.
Festive Decorations at Chelsea Market
Between all of the nibbling, there are plenty of stores that will grab your attention. Posman Books is filled with gorgeous cookbooks, perhaps tailoring their selection to the clientele that passes by. This is also a great spot to find unique books and postcards about New York. Beyond the bookstore, there are more options for stocking your kitchen, including Chelsea Thai and Imports From Marrakesh. Spices, hard to come by ingredients, and even decor fill the shelves at these two stores, and might inspire you to try and prepare new types of cuisine at home.
If you have a sweet tooth, you might not be able to walk past Fat Witch Bakery without making a small purchase. If gelato is your weakness, L’Arte del Gelato will tempt you into a few scoops. Even with cold temperatures outdoors, the market is always cozy and warm, so gelato is enjoyable even in the winter. With so many stores and restaurants, first time visitors might want to take the full walk from the 9th Avenue entrance all the way through to the 10th Avenue entrance. Once you have scoped out the offerings, you can then double back to make your purchases.
Whenever I visit Chelsea Market, I’m always in the mood for an invigorating walk afterwards. The options here always seduce me into overindulgence and walking off the nibbles afterwards becomes a necessity. Exiting at the 10th Avenue side, the High Line Park is only a few blocks away. Eventually the park will run all the way up to 34th Street, but currently only stage one is complete, stretching from Gansevoort Street to 20th Street. Walk uptown a few blocks to the entrance at 20th Street to start your stroll from the beginning of the park.
After glancing north to see where the park will eventually continue, begin heading south. The design of the High Line allows you to see some of the original features of the 1930′s freight train tracks, but also integrates beautiful wildflowers and foliage that almost seems natural to the environment. There are benches and lounge chairs along the High Line, so if you bought a pastry and a coffee in Chelsea Market, this is a great spot to stop for a bite and to soak up the views.
Everyone has their own favorite time to walk the High Line. I personally like the mornings, although I know that the sunset offers even better views, but it tends to be more crowded during this time. Even throughout the winter season, this park stays open from 7:00 am – 8:00 pm daily. While alcohol is not permitted in the park, I’ve seen people enjoying a glass of wine without hassle. The former train line curves down through Chelsea continuing to another West Side neighborhood, the Meatpacking District. Passing underneath the Standard Hotel, the park comes to end at Gansevoort Street.
One more stop will give yet another perspective on these neighborhoods. After descending the stairs, walk a couple blocks north (following the High Line uptown) to the Standard Hotel. While the Standard Grill does great brunches and also has a fun beer garden for warm days, the views from the top of the hotel are the real star. Enter through the lobby, take the elevator to the top floor, and try and get a table right next to the floor to ceiling windows in the Boom Boom Room. Reservations in advance might be a good idea, but aren’t usually essential for the afternoons.
Standard Hotel
For a splurge, order one of the expensive cocktails. If you’re traveling on a budget, skipping cocktails in favor of afternoon tea will help keep the cost reasonable ($7 per pot of tea). A wide range of teas are served in beautiful, intricate teapots. All of the banquettes are facing the skyline, with the best tables pointed downtown. On a clear day, this top-floor bar with whimsical birds in stationary flight hanging from the ceiling, offers one of the best views in town.
The Details:
- Chelsea Market. 75 9th Avenue between 15th and 16th Streets. (map)
- High Line Park. Stretching from Gansevoort Street (map) to 20th Street (map)
- The Standard Hotel. 848 Washington Street. (map)
Photo Credit: High Line 1 from the personal collection of Jessica Colley, festive Chelsea Market from aturkus on Flickr, High Line 2 from David Berkowitz on Flickr, Standard Hotel from mightohm on Flickr.
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