Unconscious Mating

Last night my husband and I went to check out the High Line, a new elevated park overlooking Manhattan where they used to lift the freight trains off of Manhattan’s busy streets. What they’ve done to this railroad now is amazing. They’ve turned an elevated rail strip into a peaceful scenic green oasis and a pedestrian highway overlooking the cityscape. Somehow it perfectly blends with the urban beauty, highlighting and offsetting New York City’s charms, instead of merely escaping them. The design of the park is calming and conducive to rest, contemplation, socializing, city and people watching and of course, romance!
We went to see it at 9PM (it’s open from 8am-10PM) so we got the nighttime perspective. You could see the city lights, the water view, the rooftop bars and neon signs. There were many New Yorkers lying on architectural lounges and benches. People were eating at interesting looking tables. Beautiful flowers, trees and greenery surprised us at various spots along the path and you could even hear crickets (do you think they’re real or audio?). One location looked like an amphitheater, but instead of observing a screen, there was a large window overlooking the highway, so you could sit and watch the traffic. The whole thing was a great perch to observe a very awake city below.
During the day (I was told) there are also more vendors and it might also be easier to see the architectural touches and greenery of the park. Reportedly babies, dogs and a diverse city crowd enjoy this spot in the day light. Unfortunately, I did not have my camera but you can see some more pictures from a blog I found.
We only walked for a bit last night (due to the hour) but the High Line stretches from Ganzevoort Street to 34th street, between 10th & 11th Avenues. There are a number of entrances (some of which include elevators for strollers, walkers and wheelchairs) so you can choose where to enter and explore.
Visiting the High Line gave me a great perspective on Manhattan’s Westside Meatpacking District. I had not been there for awhile but it seemed bursting with young people in cafes, rooftop bars, restaurants and clubs. As a hot spot, this elevated walk way adds one more romantic venue to the many possibilities for a great date night here. I also mused that the High Line would be a great backdrop for films.
So in this recession, I highly recommend the High Line as a FREE DATE SPOT. There is no entrance fee. You can go get drinks and then stroll there and talk. If you go during the day for a date, you can bring your own picnic lunch. The Chelsea Market below the High Line sells prepared picnic lunches for $15 each if you want to grab something on the fly. If you want to be a romantic risk taker (probably not on your first date) you can bring your ipod and speakers. You can find a quiet night spot to look at the city lights and slow dance with your date. All this for a very inexpensive, romantic and memorable date.
So definitely check it out and let us know what you think! You can visit the High line website below to print out a map of the park. There is also a number for park information below.
Enjoy!
My Best in Love,
Paulette
www.mydatingschool.com
                           High Line Information:

The High Line Information Line: (212) 500-6035

The High Line is open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily.

Access to the High Line is possible via any of the access points listed below.

In the event the High Line reaches capacity, you may be asked to enter via the Gansevoort Street stairs (or 16th Street elevator if you need elevator service) only, to ensure public safety and the safety of the park itself.
• Gansevoort Street
• 14th Street
• 16th Street (elevator access)
• 18th Street
• 20th Street
 

Getting to the High Line
The High Line can be reached via the following methods of public transportation:

Subway
L / A / C / E to 14th Street & 8th Avenue
C / E to 23rd Street & 8th Avenue
1 / 2 / 3 to 14th Street & 7th Avenue

1 to 18th Street & 7th Avenue
1 to 23rd Street & 7th Avenue

Bus
M11 to Washington Street
M11 to 9th Avenue
M14 to 9th Avenue
M23 to 10th Avenue
M34 to 10th Avenue

             Related Links:
http://www.thehighline.org/
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/22/nyregion/22highline.html?_r=2&em
http://chelseamarket.com/

http://nycitymama.com/2009/06/discovering-the-high-line-nyc/

  Author Bio:

Dr. Paulette Kouffman Sherman is a licensed psychologist and author of ‘Dating From the Inside Out: How to Use the Law of Attraction in Matters of the Heart’ published by Atria Books. She’s the Director of http://www.mydatingschool.com which offers coaching and classes in dating issues. She was a speaker at The Learning Annex for over two years and an expert on television shows such as the CBS Early Show & the AM Northwest Early Show and radio shows like ‘the Curtis Sliwa show’ on 77WABC. She has been quoted as a relationship expert in MSN.com, USA Weekend, the NY Post, Newsweek, Lifetime.com, More, Match.com, Foxnews.com, Reader’s Digest, Redbook, Glamour, ‘Seventeen, Complete Woman’ magazine and the NY Times.