More about: 6 Things to Do at Hudson Yards in NYC
In New York, there are always a thousand new things to see and do: it is a lively place that is constantly changing. It is hard to imagine that on an island as congested as Manhattan there was still space to build, but then the miracle of Hudson Yards happened.
1. Start by walking along the High Line
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-kilometre-long linear park built on an old railway line that runs along the Hudson River on the edge of Manhattan. My advice is to join the High Line at Chelsea Market (Gansevoort St. metro: 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, 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 put you off if you go in winter, as a walk along the High Line is worth it at any time of year (although it is in spring and summer when it is at its greenest).
Useful information
- Start: Gansevoort St (underground: 14th St – 8th Ave)
- End: 34th St (underground: 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 lift: Gansevoort St, 14th St, 16th St, 23rd St and 30th St.
- Price: Free
- More information: Guide to the High Line in New York City
2. Have fun at The Vessel
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 neighbourhood.
The Vessel is a futuristic 45-metre structure that offers great views of the city from different heights, perspectives and angles (don't forget to bring your mobile 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 centre, 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
- Address: 20 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001
- How to get there: 34th Street-Hudson Yards Station (line 7)
- Opening hours: every day, from 11:00 to 19:00
- For more information: How to get to The Vessel and how much it costs to get in
3. Climb up and be amazed by The Edge
And now, as the sun begins to set, it's time to test your head for heights. The Edge is one of the most spectacular viewpoints in New York, 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 metres high, making it the highest open-air observatory in the Western Hemisphere. Climbing The Edge is a truly thrilling experience. From its 700-square-metre 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 to 20:00
- For more information: How to get to The Edge and how much it costs
4. Go shopping at The Shops at Hudson Yards
To get to The Edge, you'll need to enter the luxurious shopping centre The Shops at Hudson Yards and go to the fourth floor. Shopping lovers will go crazy in this modern seven-storey shopping centre in the 20 Hudson Yards building, where the best of the fashion world comes together.
It has over 100 shops 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 to 19:00 and Sundays from 11:00 to 19:00
5. Dinner at Hudson Yards
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.
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 flavours 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 savour great classics of Spanish cuisine such as tapas, sandwiches, 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 since then has been making thousands of people happy with its burgers, hot dogs, milkshakes and wavy fries.
Kawi
This restaurant specialises 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. You can book 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.
6. Check out The Shed's programme
The Shed is another ultra-modern building that will catch your eye as soon as you see it. Designed as a cultural centre, it offers all kinds of artistic experiences (theatre, dance, music, technology, etc.) and brings together the brightest national and international talents of the moment. To this end, they have designed a daring, interesting and original programme. You can check it out on their official website.
As a curiosity, I'll tell you that its roof is retractable and can be moved into different positions depending on the needs of the programme, revealing a second building. I did tell you that a visit to Hudson Yards would be a trip to the future, didn't I?
What's the best way to discover Hudson Yards?
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 neighbourhood 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 centres 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 an old railway line, 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 neighbourhood, built on an industrial area, was too central to be left unused. In a city like New York, where square metres are highly valued, many set their sights on this area to revitalise it.
Where exactly is Hudson Yards?
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!).
How to get to Hudson Yards?
To get to the Hudson Yards neighbourhood, I highly recommend public transport; as always, the fastest way to get around New York is usually the New York subway. The nearest 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 to take a taxi or Uber, which is very convenient but, depending on rush hour, may not be the fastest option. If you're just wandering around Midtown, you can probably get there on foot.
Is Hudson Yards worth visiting with children?
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. What's more, The Vessel, for example, has lifts if you have a pushchair, and the High Line also has ramp access and lifts.
What's more, you'll see lots of New York families out and about at the High Line park at the weekend. If you've come to New York with your children, be sure to take them to enjoy the modernist Hudson Yards.