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One of the best things about spring and summer in New York is the chance to spend an afternoon walking along one of NYC’s most innovative parks: the High Line! But there’s a lot more you can do than just walk from one end to the other taking in the elevated views. In fact, Friends of the High Line launches their 2016 programming season this Saturday with a giant celebration. Get ready for live performances, stargazing and more this summer.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the High Line in NYC
1. Culture Shock
This huge celebration marks the official kick-off to this year’s season. From Gansevoort to West 26th Street, the High Line will be full of live music, dancing, poetry, comedy, storytelling and spoken word performances. It’s definitely not an event you’re gonna want to miss.
2. High Line Tour: From Freight To Flowers
This free tour tells the story behind the High Line, and how the popular attraction came to be. It runs every Tuesday at 6:30pm and Saturdays at 10am from May to October. Guides will give you a unique look at the park's history, design and landscape.
3. Wildlife Tour: High Line As Habitat
This free tour of the High Line is all about the animals. A horticulturalist and resident wildlife expert will guide you through the park and provide information on how pollinators, birds and other wildlife use the space as a habitat and forage in the gardens.
4. Stargazing
Every Tuesday through October, this fun night-time event gives you a closer look at the stars above the city. Members of the Amateur Astronomers Association will point out noteworthy celestial bodies in the night sky that you can view through high-powered telescopes.
5. Art Tour: Wanderlust
The High Line's Art Assistant Curator Melanie Kress will guide you through the sculptures, murals, performances and videos that dot the park. Running every second Monday through October, the tours should give you a greater appreciation for High Line's engaging public art.
6. Out Of Line
This performance series will bring talented artists to the elevated park to perform free shows throughout the summer. This year's lineup includes Renegade Cabaret, The Illustrious Blacks, Narcissister, Carmelita Tropicana and Heartbeat Opera.
7. Garden Tour: Spring Bulbs & Blooms
There will be six tours this summer that focus on the High Line's fascinating plant life. Staff horticulturists will take lead guests on a path of discovery through perennials, grasses, shrubs and trees.
8. Design Tour: Elevated Design
Friends of the High Line Director of Design and Construction Patrick Hazari leads this free tour exploring the unique design elements of the High Line. The tour happens the third Wednesday of every month (June-October) and also focuses on notable architecture in the neighborhood.
9. ¡Arriba!: Latin Dance Party
Dance the night away in the Chelsea Market Passage on July 6 when the park is transformed into a dance floor featuring some of the NYC's hottest Latin bands. Los Hacheros, Orlando Marin and more are set to perform this summer.
10. Make it!
Enjoy a day of family fun on the High Line with differently-themed Saturday events all summer long. Make It Grow! will teach kids gardening skills with a mobile garden, Make It Slow! is inspired by the High Line's art exhibition, Make It Sweet! will teach kids about bees and let them taste plants, Make It Splashy! is all about water and Make It Wild! will introduce kids to some of the animals that call the High Line home.