NYC Episode 1
New York City is truly a city of stark contrasts. Only here, right across the street from the bustling New York Times headquarters, can you witness a homeless person resting on cardboard boxes right next to a sharp-dressed businessman peacefully sipping an expensive espresso.
The roaring streets, the endless sea of people, the chorus of car horns, and the soaring skyscrapers that genuinely scrape the sky—all of this makes up the undeniable magic of New York. Visiting this crazy city just once is never enough. I have been fortunate enough to visit New York multiple times. My first trip was back in 2000, when I captured a photo of the Twin Towers—never imagining that the snapshot would eventually become a deeply emotional piece In Memoriam.
Because I love this energetic metropolis so much, I try to explore it every single time I visit the United States, always hunting for something I missed before. Over the years, I’ve developed a few favorite spots. Public parks are easily at the top of my list, and I am not just talking about the world-famous Central Park. Today, I want to take you through one of my favorite urban walks: the incredible stretch from Little Island to the High Line.
Little Island
Both of these spots are living proof that breathtaking transformations can happen in the most unexpected places. Little Island was built on the historic grounds of Pier 54. This exact spot holds immense historical significance; in 1912, the survivors of the Titanic disaster finally stepped onto dry land here after being rescued by the RMS Carpathia. Decades later, starting in 1986, the pier found new life by hosting NYC’s annual Pride festivities for over 25 years. After being heavily damaged by Hurricane Sandy, the area was entirely reimagined and transformed into the lush, floating nature oasis it is today.
You can peacefully stroll along the winding pathways of this architectural marvel while kids enjoy their own specially designed play area. If you love live entertainment, the park features The Amph, a gorgeous 700-seat open-air amphitheater. The views from the park are spectacular, but nothing beats the Southwest Overlook. From there, you get a panoramic view stretching as far as the eye can see, with the Statue of Liberty and One World Trade Center framing the horizon.
Walking the High Line
Right across the street, near 13th Street at the Chelsea Market Ramp, you can ascend directly onto the High Line. The elevated park actually begins two blocks south, right at the intersection of Gansevoort Street and Washington Street.
The High Line is a repurposed, elevated freight rail line that operated from 1933 until the 1980s. When it went dark, it sat abandoned and came dangerously close to being demolished. Fortunately, community advocates saved the structure and turned it into an iconic public park. I highly recommend that you don’t miss this experience—make it a priority the next time you find yourself in New York City!
The very first section made its public debut in 2009. Now, in 2026, the High Line has matured into a magnificent 1.45-mile-long (approximately 2.3 km) green corridor bursting with more than 500 species of carefully curated plants and trees.
Beyond the nature trail, the High Line serves as a vibrant cultural hub. It regularly hosts dynamic public programming, youth and community engagement initiatives, and rotating world-class art installations and performances—all of which are completely free to access.
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