The best places to catch a summer sunset or a blissful breeze, from a refreshed midtown muse in New York City to panoramic views of Boston's skyline and the Boston Harbor and more around the country.
The Royalton Park Ave Rooftop Lounge | New York, NY
Royalton Park Avenue’s dynamic two-floor food, beverage and entertainment rooftop is back with a modern refresh and new offerings to the indoor and outdoor spaces. Embodying a high-end private club feel, the midtown space is adorned with distressed Chesterfield sofas, rich leather club chairs, marble accents and lush details. Signature floor-to-ceiling windows and a wrap around terrace beckon once again, while new small plates and vibrant, seasonal cocktails greet guests with delectable variety. Outside, the heated pool takes center stage, not to be outdone by unobstructed Empire State Building views. Adjacent is the intimate Ivy Lounge, where an electric yellow piano catches eyes before guests settle into the private outdoor terrace or in front of the cozy fireplace, featuring special music performances on a weekly basis.
The Joule | Dallas, TX
Perhaps the most iconic feature of The Joule, its unique 8-foot cantilevered pool gives guests the sensation of swimming out beyond the hotel’s edge. Equally voyeuristic for those swimming or those standing on the street below, this sexy swimming pool gives “hanging out by the pool” a whole new meaning. Besides the unreal views, guests can also enjoy bites and drinks, including The Joule’s signature frozen margaritas, at the pool’s full bar.
Rare Bird at Noelle Nashville | Nashville, TN
Overlooking the Music City skyline and perched high on top of Nashville’s best boutique hotel, Noelle Nashvillle, is their charming rooftop bar, Rare Bird. An open air lounge, this rooftop terrace is complemented by warm brick and natural elements, making it the perfect place to relax with some of their signature cocktails and light bites — serving up everything from their Early Bird espresso martinis to Nashville Hot Cauliflower, a healthier spin to the city’s favorite fried delicacy.
Palacio Provincial | San Juan, PR
Located in the heart of Old San Juan, Palacio Provincial is the hottest homebase for adult travel in Puerto Rico. The meticulously restored and reimagined Palacio Provincial celebrates the history of San Juan while incorporating modern design elements throughout the 43-room property and the best part - the stunning rooftop deck which boasts a heated infinity pool and whirlpool where guests can enjoy open-air dining, cocktails and relax in pool chairs with stunning views of both the city and Old San Juan Bay.
Lookout Rooftop at The Envoy Hotel | Boston
Boasting panoramic views of Boston’s skyline and the Boston Harbor, Lookout Rooftop is one of the most thoughtfully designed, sought-after rooftop experiences in the city. The beverage-only bar offers a comprehensive menu of craft cocktails, a selection of microbrews and a specially curated wine list perfect for any occasion. With seating available both indoors and outdoors (including a collection of outdoor igloos in the winter months!) with outdoor seating complemented by glowing fire pits. Lookout Rooftop is the ideal year-round destination for a beautiful view and a refreshing beverage.
Thompson San Antonio I San Antonio, TX
Serving as a modern retreat floating 20 stories above San Antonio’s celebrated River Walk is the Rooftop at Thompson San Antonio, a 162-room lifestyle hotel located in San Antonio’s dynamic Arts District. The hotel’s rooftop restaurant & bar The Moon’s Daughters is led by Executive Chef Robert Cantu and offers Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and 300 seats both indoors and outdoors. Bringing sky-high dining and nightlife vibes to the city, guests can sip on an assortment of spirits with a Texas twist while taking in panoramic views of Downtown San Antonio. The hotly anticipated space offers tunes and DJ sets every weekend and Sunday Solstice every Sunday for Bloody Mary’s fish bowls, lobster scramble, and falafel waffles. Open 11am-9pm, this specialty menu is served all day!
Perry Lane Hotel I Savannah, GA
Soak in exquisite views of the cityscape from Savannah’s best rooftop bar, Peregrin at Perry Lane Hotel, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Savannah. From hand-crafted premium cocktails and vibrant dishes, the Peregrin experience is Southern elegance at its best. Offering one of the swankiest pool experiences in the south, Perry Lane Hotel’s Rooftop pool features sweeping views of Savannah, plush lounge chairs and cocktail service poolside. An urban oasis with tropical touches, the pool is situated in the heart of residential Savannah, with 360-degree views of the Historic District. Hotel guests can enjoy fresh locally inspired dishes at Pelegrin, open day and night, or spend a day of leisure by the pool, and experience why this is unequivocally the most upscale rooftop experience in the beloved city.
The Mississippi Terrace at Big Cypress Lodge | Memphis, TN
At The Mississippi Terrace, hotel guests at Big Cypress Lodge and locals alike can dine al fresco, listen to live music, and cozy up by the fire pits, while admiring the spectacular views of the Memphis skyline and the Mississippi River. Located within the soaring 32-story Bass Pro Shops Pyramid along the Mississippi River, the hotel’s restaurant & bar offers bird’s-eye views and is also one of the best spots to watch the Mighty Lights LED light show that illuminates the Hernando de Soto and Big River Crossing Bridges each night. Launched in 2020, The Mississippi Terrace features fire pits, oversized cozy furniture, a full bar offering hand-crafted cocktails, and small bites for a sunset Happy Hour or evening under the stars.
The Rooftop at Torali at The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago | Chicago, IL
Overlooking Chicago's Magnificent Mile from the 12th floor, The Rooftop at Torali atop The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago offers a chic, outdoor lounge setting for sipping, savoring, and socializing over cocktails and shared plates. Internationally inspired and locally driven, Torali’s modern rooftop bar and lounge, specializes in handcrafted cocktails and Italian inspired bites, and is as much of a Local’s Hot Spot as it is a hotel guest’s playground. A rooftop is coveted in the city and with views of Lake Michigan, Navy Pier, and the skyline, there is no better place in Chicago to take advantage of the warmer weather.
Prince Waikiki | Honolulu, HI
Located in the heart of Hawaii’s bustling Island capital, Honolulu, Prince Waikiki is a luxurious contemporary hotel that provides a perfect oasis for travelers seeking a relaxing island escape with all the amenities of city life. The expansive fifth-floor, open-air pool deck offers breathtaking ocean views and boasts two separate pools, a saltwater pool and an adjacent adults-only infinity pool overlooking the Ala Wai Harbor below, alongside lounge chairs and private cabanas; a casual poolside bar and eatery, Hinana Bar, serving fresh island fare and craft cocktails; a lavish, open-air Club Lounge offering an array of complimentary culinary presentations and personalized concierge services, which is exclusively available for guests staying in Club-level rooms; and so much more. If that isn’t enough to entice travelers, Prince Waikiki’s annual Summer Daze programming is sure to do the trick thanks to a rotation of weekly and monthly events on the fifth-floor pool deck, from poolside movie screenings, stargazing events, fitness classes, and live entertainment from local DJs and musicians.
Fairmont Century Plaza | Los Angeles, CA
Sitting on top of the newly reimagined Fairmont Century Plaza, in the heart of Century City, the rooftop pool and bar provides some of the best views of Los Angeles including the Pacific Ocean and the Getty to the West, the Hollywood Hills to the North, and Downtown LA and the San Gabriel Mountains to the South and East. Guests can catch the sunset over the Pacific while enjoying the heated zero-edge pool, enjoy poolside bites at the rooftop bar and lounge, and cushy chaise lounges with new amenities launching this summer.
The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection | Newport, RI
Pull back the portico curtains and step into the historic downtown Newport mansion once owned by businessman Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt that has been reimagined as a glamorous social hub with a culinary secret to discover at every turn. One of the best-kept secrets in all of Newport, The Roof Deck at the very top of the hotel is the perfect al fresco spot to watch the sunset and take in sweeping views of the historic city and port. Now open daily and serving handcrafted cocktails, fresh Rhode Island Oysters, and a menu featuring light New England fare.
The Peninsula Chicago | Chicago, Illinois
The Peninsula Chicago, rated #1 Best Hotel in the USA for 2022 by U.S. News & World Report, is committed to providing an abundance of top-tier amenities to guests looking for an over-the-top stay, including its fabulous rooftop, Z Bar. Located above Chicago's iconic Michigan Avenue, Z Bar boasts innovative hand-crafted cocktails and cuisine that showcase bold global flavors, while curated live music, art and design create an immersive atmosphere. Featuring iconic views of the city, the rooftop terrace is an ideal place to experience Chicago’s wonders. Included in the Forbes Travel Guide Verified List of World's Best Hotel Bars for 2019, Z Bar embodies the jet-setter’s search for surprise, adventure and, yes, a taste of luxury.
Santa Fe’s iconic Bell Tower Bar | Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe’s iconic Bell Tower Bar atop the iconic La Fonda on the Plaza which happens to be celebrating its Centennial this year. Here are five things to do at The Bell Tower:
