Jaunted

Aside from the facts that the park—which stretches from 30th Street in the north to Washington and Little West 12th Street in the south—is lushly landscaped, bustling with activity (and organic popsicles), and littered with photo-worthy vistas at every angle...visiting the High Line is free. Completely and utterly free, unless you opt to purchase said popsicles (we recommend the cucumber and mint special).

Highlights of the new second half include: a massive lawn for laying out, a fly-over section that feels like a bridge through the city's traditional walk-ups, close brushes with some of NYC's most interesting new architecture, and flora that demands you stop and smell the roses. The watering fountains talk to you and there's smatterings of functional modern art. It's like an urban wonderland! Actually, that's what it totally is.

Passing the mid-way point into the older half is seamless, and there's even new additions to keep you walking south. For example, more seating, a water feature that trickles H2O down the sidewalk like the shallowest and cutest stream ever, and trees and flowers that have had time to grow and create intimate nooks.

The High Line is by far the most pleasant and safe way to walk from Midtown West down through Chelsea to the Meatpacking District and West Village. Go. Just go.

[Photos: Cynthia Drescher for Jaunted]