Chelsea Market Food Tour & High Line Walk, NYC

Eight Tastings Inside Chelsea Market, Then a Walk Above the City

You taste eight foods across Chelsea Market's top vendors (hot dog, cheese, pizza, gelato, and more), then walk the High Line with a guide who explains the neighborhood's shift from factories to nightlife. The food alone is substantial enough for lunch, and the tour handles all the stops and timing so you don't have to map it yourself. Book ahead and note any dietary needs when you reserve.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each3 stops

1. Chelsea MarketEntry included15m
2. Meatpacking DistrictEntry included20m
3. National Portrait GalleryEntry included20m

Chelsea Market food tastings and High Line walk

• Discover Chelsea Market history and Oreo origin
• Taste artisanal NY hot dog at Dickson’s
• Try Sicilian pizza at Filaga
• Sample NY State cheeses at Saxelby’s
• Enjoy Italian crostata at Buon Italia
• Taste Japanese beef curry taco at Takumi Taco
• Eat buttermilk biscuit with jam at Sarabeth’s
• Have gelato scoop at L’arte Del Gelato
• Sample special treats from Chelsea Market Baskets
• Learn about Meatpacking District’s butcher history
• Walk three blocks on the High Line park

The experience

What if the building where the Oreo cookie was invented in 1912 is now one of New York's best food markets, and you could taste your way through eight of its vendors in a single afternoon? Chelsea Market sits in a converted factory, and the tour starts there. You'll move through the market with a licensed guide, stopping at Dickson's for an award-winning hot dog made in-house from upstate farms, then Saxelby's for a five-vault cheddar with sun-dried fig, Filaga for Sicilian square pizza, Buon Italia for an Italian crostata, Takumi Taco for a Japanese beef curry taco, and L'arte Del Gelato to finish. The tastings shift sometimes, but the idea stays the same: each vendor has a story, and you taste it.

After Chelsea Market, the tour moves to the High Line. That's the elevated park three blocks north, built on old railroad tracks that used to serve the butchers and factories below. Your guide walks you through it and explains how the neighborhood changed from industrial to nightlife hub, pointing out the architecture and the newly built Little Island as you go. You'll also spend time in the Meatpacking District itself, learning about the last working butchers still operating there and how the whole area transformed. The whole thing takes around three hours, and the food is enough that you won't leave hungry.

Food Of NY Tours has been running this since 1999, so the route and the vendor relationships are established. Dietary notes matter here: the tour can do vegetarian and nut-free swaps if you mention them in your booking, but vegan, gluten-free, and other specific allergies need a direct call to the office first. Bring cash or a card. Some vendors may have a minimum, and drinks at Takumi Taco are available for purchase separately.

What’s included

• Your tour includes a licensed NYC tour guide, all eight food tastings at Chelsea Market vendors, a guided walk on the High Line for three blocks, and time in the Meatpacking District learning about its history and working butchers.
• The food provided is substantial enough that you won't be hungry afterward.
• Drinks and additional purchases are not included.

Information

Lasts 3h, runs every day except Tuesday and Wednesday at 10:00 and 10:30, from US$ 99 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday, Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 and 10:30Thursday and Friday: 10:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 162 private ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Under 5: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Foods of New York Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to taste Chelsea Market's best vendors without planning the route yourself and learning the neighborhood's history at the same time. The guide and fixed stops are what fit eight tastings and two neighborhoods into three hours.

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Top questions

How long is the Chelsea Market food tour?

Around three hours total, including the Chelsea Market tastings, the High Line walk, and time in the Meatpacking District.

What food is included in the tour?

Eight tastings: hot dog from Dickson's, Sicilian pizza from Filaga, NY State cheese from Saxelby's, Italian crostata from Buon Italia, Japanese beef curry taco from Takumi Taco, buttermilk biscuit and jam from Sarabeth's, gelato from L'arte Del Gelato, and one special item from Chelsea Market Baskets. Tastings may vary.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible.

Can I do the tour if I'm vegetarian or have allergies?

Vegetarian and nut-free substitutions are available if you mention them in your booking notes. For vegan, gluten-free, or other specific allergies, contact the office directly before booking.

Does the tour include drinks?

No. Water and other beverages are not included, though drinks are available for purchase at Takumi Taco for around $7.

What is the High Line?

An elevated outdoor park built on old railroad tracks that once served the Meatpacking District's factories and butchers. The tour walks three blocks of it and explains its history and the neighborhood's transformation.

Is a guide included?

Yes. A licensed NYC tour guide leads the entire tour and shares the stories behind each vendor and the neighborhood.

Do I need to bring cash?

The food tastings are included, but some vendors may have a minimum for card purchases. Bringing cash is a good idea.