The New York High Line

The New York High Line is an elevated linear park, greenway, and public space built on a historic, abandoned freight rail line on Manhattan’s West Side.

Like Bangkok's Chaophraya Skypark, the High Line, which opened in 2009, is an excellent way to repurpose old infrastructure into something that is still beautiful and useful for the people of the city. 

The High Line runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street near Hudson Yards, spanning about 1.5 miles.

It was a cold, snowy day. The ground was icy, and the snow was falling in big, wet flakes through the mist. It wasn't a very pleasant sort of afternoon, but I was ok with that because it meant that I had the entire High Line more or less to myself.

Despite the weather, I enjoyed the peace and contemplation of a quiet walk above the sound and bustle of the city. I'm used to living in a big city, of course, and New York and Bangkok are really not all that different. Still, it's good to escape the traffic and noise whenever you can.

I've really been enjoying my time in New York City. Even though I've been more or less alone for these past two days, I've definitely found enough to do to entertain myself before the family flies in.

As I exited the High Line, I passed Vessel, one of the city's newer attractions, an elaborate 16-floor pinecone-like structure that rises above the city. It's been called "Manhattan's answer to the Eiffel Tower". I don't know if I'd go so far as to say that Vessel is that iconic yet, but it's certainly eye-catching and iconic. I wanted to buy a ticket to walk up, but it was closed because of the weather.

Cold, wet, and tired, I made my way to the magnificent Penn Station and took the subway back to my hotel. It had been a fun day of exploration, but my parents and sister would be flying in that evening, and I wanted to get some rest before meeting up with them for dinner.