Raising the Roof: the Bird's-Eye View of Things to Do in New York

You didn’t come to the Big Apple to color inside the lines – you came to Freehand to embrace your adventurous side. This artistic hotel in the Flatiron District has seen many a creative spend long hours honing their craft. Art workshops, live music and a host of other in-house events are yours to explore. Where to start? The Broken Shaker rooftop bar where the rye whiskey-based Out of Office cocktail will get the creative juices flowing.

Allow Mr Purple to introduce you to the Lower East Side with a rooftop brunch atop Hotel Indigo. Pick your way through plates of fries, charcuterie and fried pickles without ever letting go of your bloody mary. In fact, there’s only one reason you should be engaging in Mr Purple without a drink in hand – and that’s when you’re slipping off your clothes for a dip in the pool.

Moxy Williamsburg, a 216-room boutique hotel, offers an unconventional, playful, and approachable stay with a laid-back vibe that fits perfectly into the trendsetting Williamsburg neighborhood. Its timeless architecture and light-filled interiors attract both locals and travelers seeking unique experiences and an unforgettable visit. Perched atop Moxy Williamsburg is LilliStar, an indoor-outdoor cocktail bar from the Bar Lab Hospitality team, the creative minds behind Broken Shaker. Whether staying at Moxy or just visiting LilliStar, guests can enjoy sweeping, unobstructed views of the Williamsburg Bridge, East River, and Lower Manhattan. In addition to the skyline scenery, LilliStar combines a contemporary design with Brooklyn vibes, creating an unparalleled experience heightened by good music, vibrant energy and playful seasonal cocktails.

All roads lead to the center of Manhattan, so after you’ve scaled the Empire State Building and felt the buzz in the air at Times Square, take a moment to rest your feet at Skylawn. This bar and social space on the third floor of Embassy Suites may not be the highest rooftop bar in the city, but its open-air ambience is worth a few hours of relaxation. Think ahead and check their schedule to see when they’re screening films at this prime-time chill-out space.

elNico is the lively rooftop bar and restaurant on the roof of Penny Williamsburg, serving imaginative Mexican food and drinks with majestic views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan skylines. The menu is a reflection of Executive Chef Fer Serrano’s Mexican roots and her family’s favorite recipes, with influences drawn from her experience working at some of the finest restaurants in the world. With an emphasis on agave-based spirits, the cocktail program is led under the direction of Beverage Manager Rodrigo Pulido, which complements the food with fresh, seasonal flavors and locally sourced ingredients. Set in a vibrantly artful, plant-filled space, the Williamsburg hotspot also features a custom built-in DJ kiosk and ample space for live entertainment, fostering a vibrant atmosphere for cultural events.

A pro tip from 1 Hotel: don’t spend your entire NYC holiday in Manhattan. Venture across the Brooklyn Bridge to 1 Hotel and you’ll be rewarded with a five-star stay. Organic bedding, filtered water and in-room yoga will make you feel refreshed and far from the busy city. But the best breath of fresh air awaits on the rooftop pool deck, where you can admire the skyline from across the East River, preferably with a Brooklyn Brewery beer in hand.

Luxury in Brooklyn is synonymous with the William Vale. The Williamsburg community is as vibrant as any, as highlighted by the artwork adorning the hotel’s rooms. Give yourself the chance to breathe it all in with a stay in the Vale Garden Residence, or skip up a few floors to the rooftop to really inhale the spirit of the city. Brooklyn’s longest outdoor pool is ready for your best cannonball. Feeling chilly? Warm up with global street food at the Westlight’s 22nd-floor rooftop bar.

Don’t go running back to Manhattan just yet. You’ve been there, now check out Elsewhere. This huge venue for live music has multiple levels of fun, but we prefer to stay on the open-air rooftop. Here, DJs spin while you slurp a spicy mango margarita slushie, and a trendy crowd mixes and mingles with boozy ice pops in hand. Hanging out in Elsewhere feels like you’re spending an endless summer day without one responsibility on your shoulders.

Assuming your feet take you to Rockefeller Center – and, be honest, they will – you’ll certainly want to drink in the views from Bar 65 in the Rainbow Room. May we sidetrack you for a more serene spot from which to view the city? The Rockefeller Center Rooftop Gardens are made up of five gardens within the complex, some more accessible than others. We suggest swinging up to 620 Loft and Garden, if for no other reason than to geek out at this filming location for the original Spider-Man movie.

Not to overexpose you to more of the most beautiful sights in the country, but after your tour of the Met Museum, there’s one more stunning scene to check out. The Cantor Roof Garden Bar overlooks Central Park and the skyline beyond it, surrounding you with the natural beauty of New York City that’s often overlooked in favor of urban splendor. Food and drinks are available, but you’re also welcome to freely sit alone with nothing but your thoughts as you watch the sunset.

A smart hotel right beside SoHo, Public wants nothing more than to make you feel at home in the Big Apple. Cozy up in your minimalist loft-style room before making your way down for a dazzling performance at the theater, where you can catch live music, cinema screenings and even a hot and sweaty dance night. You could also spend your evening bar-hopping from the lower-floor restaurants to the Roof: a hub of energy and excitement offering 360-degree views of the city. This being a hotel from Studio 54 founder Ian Schrager, expect DJs to be in residence.

It may feel like your holiday has flown by in a New York minute, but there’s one way to slow the last of it down. Head over to Midtown to the top of the Aliz Hotel for a celebration of New York-made spirits. This ode to the Empire State is the best way to drink in views of Midtown and toast a city break like no other.