The High Bridge

In Manhattan's Meatpacking District, many tourists visit the famous High Line which is an archetype of urban renewal and reuse. However, if you happen to venture to the the far northeast end of the island at 172nd St. and Amsterdam Avenue, you can visit another manmade structure that has been revived in this often forgotten part of the city. With the Harlem River flowing below, the High Bridge is a steel arch structure and stands at a height of about 140 feet. In fact the bridge is one of the oldest surviving bridges in the New York City; constructed 35-years before the Brooklyn Bridge. The original stone arch span was constructed in 1848, and renovated with steel in 1928. High Bridge fell into disuse and both entrances from the Bronx and Manhattan were shuttered in the 1970's. Nevertheless, with help from local benefactors and the city, renovations began on the bridge in order to reuse it as a pedestrian walkway. In 2015, High Bridge reopened and though it may not be as popular as the High Line, it certainly has less tourists and the views of the river and city are spectacular.