6 Things to Do at Hudson Yards in NYC

Hudson Yards is the newest neighborhood in Manhattan and houses, among others, one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the city, The Edge and The Vessel structure, the new MUST of the Big Apple.
6 Things to Do at Hudson Yards in NYC

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There are always a thousand new things to see and do in New York: it's a lively place that's constantly changing. It's hard to imagine that on an island as congested as Manhattan there could still be space to build, but then the miracle of Hudson Yards happened.

1. Start by walking along the High Line

Street art seen from the High Line| ©Hellotickets
Street art seen from the High Line| ©Hellotickets

Hudson Yards is the start (or end) of one of Manhattan's greenest walks, the High Line. The High Line is basically a 2.5-kilometer-long linear park built on an old railway line that runs along the Hudson River on the edge of Manhattan. My advice is to start at Chelsea Market (Gansevoort St. subway: 14th St – 8th Ave) and gradually make your way towards Hudson Yards, immersing yourself in its skyscrapers.

Start walking after lunch: it takes about an hour to complete the High Line route, although it will take a little longer if you stop to enjoy the views, take photos or rest on one of the benches or sun loungers. The High Line also hosts free astronomy events, Pilates classes, and guided tours (check the calendar on the official website).

Don't let the cold deter you if you go in winter; the High Line is worth a visit at any time of year (although it is most lush in spring and summer).

Useful information

  • Start: Gansevoort St (subway: 14th St – 8th Ave)
  • End: 34th St (subway: 34th St – Hudson Yards)
  • Where to access the stairs: Gansevoort St, 14th St, 16th St, 18th St, 20th St, 23rd St, 26th St, 28th St, 30th St, and 34th St.
  • Where to access by elevator: Gansevoort St, 14th St, 16th St, 23rd St, and 30th St.
  • Price: Free
  • More information: Guide to the High Line in New York City

Book a tour of Hudson Yards and the High Line

2. Have fun at The Vessel

Posing in front of The Vessel| ©Hellotickets
Posing in front of The Vessel| ©Hellotickets

Surrounded by skyscrapers and luxury apartments, you'll find that the environment is completely different: welcome to the future! The end of the High Line will take you straight to The Vessel, a kind of giant beehive that has become the symbol of the Hudson Yards neighborhood.

The Vessel is a futuristic 45-meter structure that will give you great views of the city from different heights, perspectives, and angles (don't forget to bring your cell phone or camera with enough battery). You can climb this labyrinth from four different staircases that will take you to the top: my advice is to spend some time there enjoying the views of the city and the structure itself and playing with your camera.

Buy your tickets for The Vessel well in advance and contemplate the Hudson River, The Shed cultural center, the High Line park, and the surrounding skyscrapers from its summit. If you look closely, you'll even see One World Trade Center and the Empire State Building on the horizon.

Useful information

Book a tour of Hudson Yards and the High Line

3. Climb up and be amazed by The Edge

Views from The Edge| ©Hellotickets
Views from The Edge| ©Hellotickets

And now, as the sun begins to set, it's time to test your head for heights. The Edge is one of New York's most spectacular viewpoints, especially thanks to its impressive glass floor. The skyscraper it hangs from is called 30 Hudson Yards, and its silhouette has changed the Manhattan skyline.

This futuristic arrow-shaped outdoor observatory located on the 100th floor is 345 meters high, making it the highest open observatory in the Western Hemisphere. Climbing The Edge is a truly thrilling experience. From its 700-square-meter glass terrace, you'll feel the wind and enjoy unprecedented 360-degree panoramic views of New York.

As with The Vessel, I recommend buying your tickets for The Edge in advance to ensure you can get in at the time you want on the day you plan to visit.

Useful information

  • Address: 30 Hudson Yards (North Tower), New York City, NY
  • How to get there: 34th Street-Hudson Yards Station (line 7)
  • Opening hours: every day, from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  • For more information: How to get to The Edge and how much it costs

Book a tour of Hudson Yards with tickets to The Edge

4. Go shopping at The Shops at Hudson Yards

Inside the shopping center| ©Hellotickets
Inside the shopping center| ©Hellotickets

To get to The Edge, you'll need to enter the luxurious shopping mall The Shops at Hudson Yards and go to the fourth floor. Shopping lovers will go crazy in this modern seven-story shopping center in the 20 Hudson Yards building, where the best of the fashion world comes together.

It has more than 100 stores and high-end boutiques such as Dior, Fendi, and Kenzo, along with brands such as Zara, H&M, and Uniqlo, suitable for all budgets.

Useful information

  • Address: 20 Hudson Yards, New York City, NY
  • How to get there: 34th Street-Hudson Yards Station (line 7)
  • Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Book a tour of Hudson Yards and the High Line

5. Dinner at Hudson Yards

Little Spain Market by New York Eater
Little Spain Market by New York Eater

After shopping and getting your adrenaline rush at The Edge, you'll be ready for dinner. Hudson Yards also offers some great dining options in New York City.

A tapas dinner in Little Spain

What will catch your eye is Little Spain, a food hall located in the 10 Hudson Yards building, dedicated to the flavors of traditional Spanish cuisine by renowned chef José Andrés in collaboration with brothers Ferrán and Albert Adriá.

Bravas, tortilla de patata, pintxos, and churros have come to New York to stay and conquer the United States. Little Spain has a dozen stalls where you can savor great classics of Spanish cuisine such as tapas, bocadillos, cocas, all kinds of fried foods, and, of course, Spanish cheeses, cured meats, and wines.

Shake Shack

Located in The Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards, Shake Shack started out as a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park that was a huge success. In 2004, it opened its first restaurant and has been making thousands of people happy ever since with its burgers, hot dogs, milkshakes, and wavy fries.

Kawi

This restaurant specializes in Korean food and is located on the fifth floor of The Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards at 20 Hudson Yards. It's the perfect place to eat if you're looking for a more upscale experience. Don't miss their spicy clam dish and wagyu rice cakes. If you want, you can reserve a table on their website.

Peach Mart

This Japanese-style takeaway stall on the fifth floor of The Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards at 20 Hudson Yards sells delicious spicy chicken kimbap and breaded pork katsu sandwiches with a samurai-style sauce that will transport you to the Far East without leaving Manhattan. You can see their menu here: Peach Mart.

Other restaurants

In addition to these places to grab a bite, the Mar, Leña, and Spanish Diner restaurants complete the offering with outdoor seating and a grocery store where you can buy all kinds of typical Spanish products such as olive oil, preserves, and bomba rice, among many others. Without a doubt, eating at the Little Spain market is one of the best things to do in Hudson Yards.

Book a tour of Hudson Yards and the High Line

6. Check out The Shed's program

The Shed at dusk
The Shed at dusk

The Shed is another ultra-modern building that will catch your eye as soon as you see it. Designed as a cultural center, it offers all kinds of artistic experiences (theater, dance, music, technology...) and brings together the brightest national and international talents of the moment. To this end, they have designed a daring, interesting, and original program. You can check it out on their official website.

As a fun fact, the roof is retractable and can be moved to different positions depending on the needs of the program, revealing a second building. I told you that a visit to Hudson Yards would be a trip to the future, didn't I?

Book a tour of Hudson Yards with tickets to the Edge


What's the best way to discover Hudson Yards?

Hudson Yards skyline| ©Hellotickets
Hudson Yards skyline| ©Hellotickets

Whether you're visiting New York for the first time or you're a regular visitor to the Big Apple, you have to take advantage of one of the tours to discover Hudson Yards, the new trendy neighborhood in Midtown, built on what was once a dreary train yard next to the Hudson River.

This area, accessible on foot from Times Square, combines super-innovative skyscrapers, the city's highest observatory, luxury shopping centers, and of course, The Vessel, Manhattan's new tourist attraction. As if that weren't enough, this is where the High Line, the elevated park built on a former train track, ends. In short, it's one of the best parks in New York. A must-see!

Hudson Yards is considered the largest private real estate project in the history of the United States. This new neighborhood, built on an industrial area, was too centrally located to be left unused. In a city like New York, where square footage is highly valued, many set their sights on this area to revitalize it.

Book a private tour of Hudson Yards with tickets to the Edge

Where exactly is Hudson Yards?

Map of Hudson Yards within Manhattan
Map of Hudson Yards within Manhattan

Hudson Yards is the area between 10th and 11th Avenues and 30th and 34th Streets along the Hudson River. (I can't resist telling you that the development of this entire area has cost a whopping $25 billion!).

Book a tour of Hudson Yards with tickets to the Edge

How to get to Hudson Yards?

View of Hudson Yards from The Edge| ©Hellotickets
View of Hudson Yards from The Edge| ©Hellotickets

To get to the Hudson Yards neighborhood, I highly recommend public transportation. As always in New York, the fastest way to get around is usually the subway The closest station is 34th Street – Hudson Yards Station (line 7, purple). You can also walk to Hudson Yards if you are in Midtown.

Another option for getting to Hudson Yards is by taxi or Uber, which is very convenient but may not be as fast during rush hour. If you're just wandering around Midtown, you can probably get there on foot.

Book a tour of the High Line and Hudson Yards

Is Hudson Yards worth visiting with children?

Strolling along the High Line| ©Hellotickets
Strolling along the High Line| ©Hellotickets

The answer is yes. Any place surrounded by green spaces and spectacular buildings will allow them to play for a while but also to be distracted by the shapes of the skyscrapers. In addition, The Vessel, for example, has elevators if you have a stroller, and The High Line also has ramp access and elevators.

What's more, you'll see lots of New York families strolling through High Line Park on weekends. If you've come to New York with your children, be sure to take them to enjoy the modernist Hudson Yards.

Book a tour of Hudson Yards with tickets to the Edge

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is Hudson Yards worth a visit?

    Yes, it's a completely renovated area of Manhattan, full of cutting-edge skyscrapers, new restaurants, and luxury shops. Definitely worth seeing!

  • What will I see at Hudson Yards?

    The must-see attractions in Hudson Yards are: The Vessel, The Edge Observatory, The Shops luxury shopping center, and the High Line.

  • How to get to Hudson Yards?

    Getting to Hudson Yards is very easy: you can walk there from Times Square.

  • How much time do I need to see Hudson Yards?

    You can spend around two hours in the area, although if you go into The Vessel or up to The Edge, you'll need more time. Walking the entire length of the High Line can take another two hours, but it's worth it for the views from the walkway.

Reviews from other travellers

4.8
· 6692 Reviews
  • M
    M. K.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    Kevin was the absolute best tour guide
  • V
    V. I.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    I went with my brother on this tour of the High Line and Chelsea, which was amazing! The guide knew a lot, and the Edge is amazing.
  • V
    V. H.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    The experience was incredible, a unique tour through iconic areas with spectacular views, highly recommended!
  • N
    N. I.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    I loved walking through the elevated parks and seeing the city from above, a unique experience. The guide was very knowledgeable, I learned about places I didn't know about.
  • F
    F. G.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    The tour was great, we saw some cool stuff. The guide knew a lot and treated us well.