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High Line was once an elevated railroad track that serviced the long-ago factories along the lower west side. Neglected and forgotten, it went through a dramatic conversion into a highly acclaimed park that integrates landscaping with witty rail-inspired design. Vegetation here includes 210 species of plants, trees, and shrubs intended to reflect the wild plants that flourished for decades after the tracks were abandoned in 1980. The park—30 feet above street level—is open between Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 20th Street, with another section extending up to 30th Street expected to open in 2010. The viaduct runs alongside and sometimes through buildings, including Chelsea Market. Wonderful sweeping views of the Hudson River and an extended sight line of the Meatpacking District are the highlights, but some visitors also report getting an eyeful of uninhibited couples at the nearby Standard Hotel. On Sunday at 2 pm during warm-weather months, the park offers guided tours. For more information and a calendar, go to | www.thehighline.org or call | 212/500–6035.

Getting Here The High Line is accessible at Gansevoort, 14th, 16th, 18th, and 20th streets with elevator access at 14th and 16th. Sorry, the elevated route is strictly for pedestrians, so park that bike and walk. The High Line is two blocks west of the subway station at 14th Street and 8th Avenue, which is served by the L/A/C/E. You can also take the C/E to 23rd Street and walk two blocks west. The 1/2/3 stops at 14th Street and 7th Avenue, three blocks away. By bus: M11 to Washington Street, M11 to 9th Avenue, M14 to 9th Avenue, M23 to 10th Avenue, M34 to 10th Avenue.

BATTERY PARK CITY

Built over the past 30 years on landfill jutting out into the Hudson River, Battery Park City is a high-rise residential neighborhood split in two by the World Financial Center and its marina. Although the Hudson River Park promenade borders BPC alongside the West Side Highway, locals prefer the route that follows the river’s edge through BPC—it’s the more scenic path heading to the World Trade Center site from Battery Park. In South Battery Park City you’ll pass by the Museum of Jewish Heritage, at 36 Battery Place. Nearby are several reasonably priced outdoor restaurants with stunning views of the Statue of Liberty. Gigino at Wagner Park (20 Battery Pl. | 212/528–2228) offers Italian cuisine, and reservations for the outside patio are a must. Or skip the food in favor of high art; public exhibits are scattered throughout BPC. In Wagner Park, Louise Bourgeois has created Eyes, two large balls that represent oversize, ahem, body parts. At Vesey Street is the Irish Hunger Memorial by artist Brian Tolle, which includes an Irish cottage dismantled stone by stone and reassembled here. And in Rockefeller Park at Chambers Street, Tom Otterness has created The Real World, a popular collection of whimsical—and dark—bronze sculptures, including tiny workers rolling giant pennies.

Getting Here By subway: South Battery Park: 1, R to Rector Place; 4, 5 to Wall Street. North Battery Park: 1, 2, 3, A, C to Chambers Street; E to World Trade Center. By bus: M9, M20, M22.

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Taking a guided tour is a good idea, even if you prefer flying solo. It will help you get your bearings in this city, and it’s a great way to investigate out-of-the-way areas, or learn about a particular facet of the city’s history, inhabitants, or architecture.

BOAT TOURS

A Circle Line Cruise (Pier 83 at W. 42nd St., Midtown West | 212/563–3200 | www.circleline42.com) around Manhattan Island is one of the best ways to get oriented in the city. The three-hour, 35-mi circumnavigation gives a good sense of where things are. The cruises run at least once daily; the cost is $35 per person (there’s also a shorter, two-hour “semi-Circle” option available for $31).

Manhattan By Sail (North Cove Marina, Lower Manhattan | 10280 | 212/619–0885 | www.shearwatersailing.com) has an 82-foot