Tastes and Views of the West Side

This past weekend I walked above the streets of Manhattan. Overlooking the Hudson River on my left and gazing out at the Empire state building to my right, I felt happily at home as a Fordham student- as a New Yorker. I decided to bring my friend Erin, who was visiting from my hometown in Connecticut, to the High Line and then to the Chelsea Market to get both a beautiful view and a little taste of the city. 

View of the Hudson River from the High Line

The High Line is one of New York’s most unique public parks built on freight rail line elevated above the streets on the West Side of Manhattan. The walkway is a mile long and runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 34th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues. The elevated views are beautiful and the scheme on the High Line is very hip with benches to lounge on, a few local vendors, and both gardens and contemporary art along the way. What is really cool about the High Line is that the tracks of the old railway are still standing in the gardens that run down the side of the path.

Standing over the streets of Manhattan

Erin, another of mine friend Alex, and I took the subway downtown and got on the High Line at 14^th street. We stopped multiple times just to take in the view and snap some pictures and then finished up by heading to the Chelsea Market to eat. Our plan was to muster up every free sample we could find! Chelsea Market is one of the greatest indoor food halls in the world, with more than thirty-five vendors selling everything from fresh pastas to organic smoothies to unique cookbooks.

Erin enjoying her fancy crêpe!

It was here where I came across the most delicious thing that I have ever put in my mouth…and I mean ever. A little Italian shop called Rana was handing out samples of their “Wild Mushroom Ravioli Fritti” and with one bite, Erin, Alex, and I all looked at each other in awe of its deliciousness.  We simply couldn’t resist going inside to eat more!

We also tried multiple samples of savory chocolates, fancy cheeses, and even homemade blueberry lemonade. Alex and I treated ourselves to fresh fruit smoothies before indulging in some heavenly- literally heavenly- crêpes. Erin ordered a Brie, apple, and honey crêpe and Alex went with the classic Nutella, banana, and strawberry crêpe. Needless today, we were happily stuffed on our way back to campus.

For a tasty taste and beautiful view of New York City, I highly recommend heading down the Meatpacking district to walk the High Line and visit  the Chelsea Market. As a Fordham student, I feel so extremely lucky to have everyday opportunities like this to explore the city around me! For more information, check out the High Line and the Chelsea Market online!