Meatpacking District, or the Meatpacking District. Have you heard of this New York City neighborhood? As it is easy to deduce, it owes its name to the more than 200 slaughterhouses that until recently were concentrated in this area of New York.
Meatpacking is a small area of Greenwich Village, next to the Hudson River, where some 30 slaughterhouses still remain, reminiscent of their origins. The rest has nothing to do with the past. Luxury hotels like the Gansevoort, designer boutiques like Stella McCartney or Alexander McQueen and trendy restaurants are the places that now give life to what
was one of the most marginal areas of New York in the 80s.
With the new decade came new airs to the neighborhood and the 90s brought artists, boutiques and restaurants to its streets until it became, today, one of the must-see places in the
coolest lists of the city.
The terrace of the Gasenvoort Hotel or the legendary Pastis restaurant have been the scene of the famous series "Sex and the City" so, if you are unconditional of the adventures and misadventures of Carrie Bradshaw, you will surely love to know them. Of course, if you travel soon to New York, I'm afraid you will only be able to enjoy the Pastis from outside because it is temporarily closed. :(
The stores, restaurants and TV sets are fine, but
what you can't miss under any circumstances is the High Line Park, which stretches from Gansevoort Street to West 30th Street.
High Line Park is a park built high on the old railroad tracks. Suddenly, old and abandoned railroad tracks become the most successful green space in New York. Through the High Line Park you can stroll, sit and enjoy a more relaxed moment within the tireless activity of the Big Apple.
The large number of accidents that took place in this area of Manhattan was the trigger for the construction, in 1930, of the High Line. Thanks to this project, the train tracks were built in height, thus avoiding the danger of the railroads running in the middle of the streets.
In 1980 the trains stopped running on these tracks and in 1999, when the disused structure was to be demolished, its defenders managed to keep it and give it a new use:
a public park along the Hudson River to enjoy a different view of Manhattan. Undoubtedly, the best way to recycle a disused infrastructure for the benefit of all.
If you are going to travel to New York soon, the High Line Park is a must-see and I recommend that you first visit the website of the association
Friends of the High Line which, in collaboration with the New York City Council, is in charge of looking after the park, taking care of it, maintaining it and bringing it to life.
Moreover, if you are traveling to New York during the winter and think that the High Line Park is not a good idea at this time of the year, you are wrong. On the
Friends of the High Line blog they give us
6 reasons to visit the High Line Park in winter and, truth be told, they are quite convincing. Especially since the volume of visitors is quite a bit lower than in warmer seasons and you can enjoy the snowy park and, even better, without so many people.
Now you know, if you are preparing your trip to New York, include in your route the Meatpacking District and, above all, the High Line Park. Ah! And before leaving to wear out your soles around the city, don't forget to recharge your energy with a good serving of
La Newyorkina handmade granola!;)
