Is Hudson Yards Worth Visiting?
Even though a lot of people come to Hudson Yards just to climb the weird shawarma-shaped stairway called The Vessel, this new neighborhood has plenty of other things going on. Located on a former elevated train yard, the complex offers shopping, dining, and cultural spaces.
Take the 7 train to 34th Street – Hudson Yards subway station to access the area.
The Vessel
The Vessel is the eye-catcher of the Hudson Yards complex in New York City. A combination of stairs and platforms, it has been described as an alien spaceship or a modern art sculpture. It has 154 flights of stairs and 80 landings and is sure to challenge your stamina. But, the views from the top are worth the climb.
The structure is the brainchild of English architect Thomas Heatherwick, whose imaginative projects have transformed London. He’s designed bridges that fold up on themselves and giant spiky sculptures. He is also behind the Hudson Yards project, which was constructed over rail yards and jet engines and includes luxury condos, office towers, a sleek mall filled with upscale stores and restaurants, and a sky deck called The Vessel.
The Vessel’s internal structure, which has been compared to a beehive, a vase, or a rib cage, is magnetic. It offers fascinating views of the surrounding skyscrapers, the Shed cultural center, and the High Line Park.
The Shed
In a city stacked with flashy follies like the Vessel designed by Thomas Heatherwick and glassy towers anchored with high-end retail, the Shed is an anchor that declares itself open to all forms of art. This multi-story cultural center houses an array of programs, from a dance-heavy retelling of a Queens sect’s belief in immortality to a lecture by a classical oboist who can explain why a measure in Igor Stravinsky’s The Firebird is so hard to play.
The Shed’s telescopic architecture, by Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with Rockwell Group, features an exposed steel diagrid frame wrapped in translucent ETFE foil cushions. When fully deployed, the movable shell creates The McCourt, a multi-use hall for large scale performances, installations and events. It also reveals two levels of expansive galleries and a 500-seat theater.
The Shed has a non-profit mission to support artists at all stages of their career and is committed to making the arts accessible to a broader, less-wealthy audience. That’s why the first event of its opening season was a concert celebrating African American music featuring emerging artists like Victory, Smino and Eryn Allen Kane.
The Edge
If you’re a fan of man-versus-nature movies, The Edge is a good one to see. It features excellent cinematography highlighting the majesty of the wilderness, and is a fun movie to watch. Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin play their roles well and make you believe the situations they’re in. The climactic battle with Bart the bear is also well done.
The film, written cannily by Mamet, toys with the cliches of its genre. Its dialogue is acerbic, and its plotting is full of double crosses and conversations at cross-purposes. It also boasts what is, hands down, the year’s best anti-lawyer line.
But Director Lee Tamahori, after a strong debut with Once Were Warriors, seems to have lost his way here. In the end, The Edge feels like a comedy that doesn’t quite understand its own satire. It’s a taut drama of civilized men pitted against implacable nature, but it’s encumbered by a meaningless title and a script that doesn’t quite hit its mark.
The High Line
The High Line is a one-and-a-half mile walk along an abandoned elevated railway. It offers stunning views of the city and passes by public art installations, historic buildings, and more. This is a great way to see the best of downtown Manhattan.
The park’s plantings were inspired by the self-seeded landscape that grew for 25 years on the abandoned rail line. Legendary planting designer Piet Oudolf chose species that are hardy, sustainable, and provide a variety of textures and colors.
The High Line is open year-round and is a must-visit attraction for visitors to NYC. Whether you’re strolling through the 14th Street Passage to find shade or enjoy a meal at Chelsea Market, there’s always something new to experience. The park also hosts an array of public events such as a dance series in the summer and a roving video series throughout the fall and winter. Don’t forget to check out the merchandise and gifts available for sale to commemorate your visit!