The High Bridge
The High Bridge
4.5
Historic SitesPoints of Interest & LandmarksHistoric Walking AreasBridgesScenic Walking Areas
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience The High Bridge and nearby attractions
The area
Neighborhood: Upper Manhattan (Uptown)
How to get there
- 168th St • 10 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,592 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,076 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
46 reviews
Excellent
21
Very good
19
Average
6
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Erik L
Seattle50 contributions
May 2021
This is a nice place to walk, in a neighborhood you probably wouldn't visit otherwise. Inset placards in the lovely brick paving highlight the history of the bridge. Expansive views include the Manhattan skyline in the distance, and towers of the George Washington Bridge. Adjacent, there is a large lovely wooded park on the Manhattan side. There is also a park on the Bronx side, but it is dark and grubby, and probably best avoided after dark.
Written June 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doris B
USA314 contributions
Apr 2023
I went here with a friend and we walked half-way across the bridge. There are good views of the Harlem River but it is difficult to take pictures due to the tall chain-link fencing on each side. The pavement design changes mid-way across indicating the division like between Manhattan and The Bronx. It's a good place for a walk on a nice day.
Written May 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
robcurtross
New York City, NY13,528 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
This time I walked over the bridge in the summer, and the views are still magnificent -- one can see why this bridge was once a real tourist attraction. If parking were easier, it well become one again.
A point of interest; I had always thought that the tower was meant to serve as an air chamber to prevent "water hammer" -- the banging you hear in your water pipes if there isn't an air pocket somewhere in the system.
Wrong!
The High Bridge Water Tower was completed in 1872, 24 years after the bridge was built. The original purpose of the water tower was to increase the water pressure following the development of the upper areas of Washington Heights and the emergence of the flush toilet. The result was an overall improvement water system’s gravity pressure. The water tower is approximately 170 feet and rises 200 feet above sea level on one of the highest points in Manhattan. When it was still in use, it had a 47,000 gallon water tank and a pumping engine that forced water up the tank. During World War I, the tower was shut down due to a sabotage scare, and it was completely removed from service in 1949.
Until 2010, the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation periodically opened the tower for tours until it was closed for repairs. In 2015, it was announced that the water tower would undergo its own renovation, which is scheduled to be completed in September of 2016.
Access: If you are entering the High Bridge from the Manhattan side, please enter Highbridge Park at West 172nd Street and Amsterdam Avenue and walk east to the High Bridge Water Tower Terrace staircase down to the bridge level. If entering from the Bronx side, enter at University Avenue and 170th Street in Highbridge, Bronx.
For ADA access, please use the ramp located at 167th Street and Edgecombe Avenue on the Manhattan side or the ramp north of 170th Street and University Avenue on the Bronx side.
A point of interest; I had always thought that the tower was meant to serve as an air chamber to prevent "water hammer" -- the banging you hear in your water pipes if there isn't an air pocket somewhere in the system.
Wrong!
The High Bridge Water Tower was completed in 1872, 24 years after the bridge was built. The original purpose of the water tower was to increase the water pressure following the development of the upper areas of Washington Heights and the emergence of the flush toilet. The result was an overall improvement water system’s gravity pressure. The water tower is approximately 170 feet and rises 200 feet above sea level on one of the highest points in Manhattan. When it was still in use, it had a 47,000 gallon water tank and a pumping engine that forced water up the tank. During World War I, the tower was shut down due to a sabotage scare, and it was completely removed from service in 1949.
Until 2010, the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation periodically opened the tower for tours until it was closed for repairs. In 2015, it was announced that the water tower would undergo its own renovation, which is scheduled to be completed in September of 2016.
Access: If you are entering the High Bridge from the Manhattan side, please enter Highbridge Park at West 172nd Street and Amsterdam Avenue and walk east to the High Bridge Water Tower Terrace staircase down to the bridge level. If entering from the Bronx side, enter at University Avenue and 170th Street in Highbridge, Bronx.
For ADA access, please use the ramp located at 167th Street and Edgecombe Avenue on the Manhattan side or the ramp north of 170th Street and University Avenue on the Bronx side.
Written August 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
biosafety-guy
Andover, MA222 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
Access to the bridge is via parks on either end. From Manhattan end there is a long staircase to negotiate to reach the bridge. You cross the Harlem River and get great views of Manhattan and Queens. There are benches on the bridge if one needs to rest but no shade. Unlike the High Line which can be jammed, this walking path is not heavily traversed. Embedded in the brick surface are historical markers giving the history of the bridge. Bring your camera and in the summer, WATER.
Written July 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelbob1
New Windsor, NY1,134 contributions
Sep 2019
This is one of those hidden gems. Hidden from both sides; the neighborhood on the Bronx side and the park on the Manhattan side. Both are accessible using mass transit. Parking is hard to find. There is little to no restaurants or shopping immediately at each end.
The view from the bridge includes the approaches to the GW Bridge, the Harlem River and the train yards below. Off in the south is the midtown skyline. The path includes a mile or so walk through High Bridge Park with its tree lined and tree covered pathway. Comes peak fall season will make this walk come alive with color.
There was no vendors or carts, just the trees, the sounds of traffic an sunlight filtering through the trees and the sun and breeze along the bridge walk.
Wheel chair and bike accessible.
The view from the bridge includes the approaches to the GW Bridge, the Harlem River and the train yards below. Off in the south is the midtown skyline. The path includes a mile or so walk through High Bridge Park with its tree lined and tree covered pathway. Comes peak fall season will make this walk come alive with color.
There was no vendors or carts, just the trees, the sounds of traffic an sunlight filtering through the trees and the sun and breeze along the bridge walk.
Wheel chair and bike accessible.
Written September 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
moodymcsue
Port Moody, Canada88 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
The High Bridge is one of my favourite places for a peaceful walk in New York. It was built in 1848 as an aqueduct, to carry water from upstate New York, through the Bronx, into Manhattan. Later, a walkway was added over the water pipes, making a beautiful place to stroll, high above the Harlem River, linking the Bronx and Manhattan for pedestrian traffic. Eventually it stopped being used as an aqueduct, fell into disrepair, and was closed for more than 40 years. In 2015, after a massive renovation project, it was reopened to the public. Connected with the peaceful High Bridge Park, and featuring a gorgeous water tower, it is a splendid place to spend an hour, and imagine a New York City of long ago. This is a great place to watch boat traffic, take photographs, and feel connected with the vibrant city, and the beauty of nature. Seasoned visitor tip: avoid the 181st St Subway station. (It's really deep in the ground, and accessible by elevator only.) Instead, take the A, C, or 1 train to 168 St. Walk one block east to Amsterdam Avenue, and 4 blocks north on Amsterdam, to 172nd St. The entry to the park closest to the bridge is here. Follow the pathway towards the water tower, around the back of the recreation centre and swimming pool, and you will find a stairway down to the bridge. Take time to read the historical medallions, installed along the bridge walkway. They begin on the Bronx side and finish up on the Manhattan side, so you may want to read them on your walk back from the Bronx. South of the bridge, on the Manhattan side, there's a short paved walk along the bluffs above the River. There are benches all along the way for resting and relaxing, and an innovation - solar powered cell phone recharge stations attached to benches on both sides of the bridge. (Bring your charging cord.) This is a hidden treasure, easy to reach by subway, free and fun for visitors who like to go for a walk back in history.
Written January 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MedfordMA
Medford, MA89 contributions
Oct 2019
Terrific walking bridge - oldest in NYC - connecting to the Bronx. The history is great - having originally opened as part of the Croton Aqueduct in 1848 and reopened as a pedestrian walkway in 2015 after being closed for over 45 years. Nice strolling bridge.
Written October 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve T
Sayville, NY542 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
This is an amazing walkway that produces some fantastic scenic panoramas of the NYC upper skyline. The area has been rebuilt and the walkway is clean and a pleasure to walk across. What's lost is the significance that the High Bridge played in the mid 1800's engineering marvel of the 'Old Croton Aqueduct' which brought fresh water through this area to midtown New York City from the Croton Reservoir; which is approximately 28 miles north of this location. The view is amazing but to truly appreciate the view make it a point to visit other points of interest on the trail.
Written November 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnnaNLCH
The Netherlands3,353 contributions
Oct 2017 • Solo
This bridge is a nice way to get away from the business of downtown Manhattan. It's a bit out of the way but worth it.
The bridge itself is beautiful. Difficult to get a good shot because of all the trees around it.
It is quiet there and there are benches on the bridge to relax and enjoy the views. The views are interesting. You see bridges, elevated roads and far in the distance the skyscrapers.
Nice to visit on a second or longer visit to NYC when you want to get away from the crowds.
The bridge itself is beautiful. Difficult to get a good shot because of all the trees around it.
It is quiet there and there are benches on the bridge to relax and enjoy the views. The views are interesting. You see bridges, elevated roads and far in the distance the skyscrapers.
Nice to visit on a second or longer visit to NYC when you want to get away from the crowds.
Written October 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gboi77
Taipei, Taiwan1,159 contributions
Nov 2016
Nice pedestrian-only bridge linking Manhattan and the Bronx. It also provides sweeping views of the two boroughs and the Harlem River. It has the distinction of being the oldest bridge in the city but is not very touristy, owing to its location away from most tourist traps.
Written November 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing