The Met's Rooftop Garden

In the warm months, the Metropolitan Museum opens its roof: a garden terrace floating above the Central Park treetops, with the midtown and Central Park West skylines rising out of the green on either side. Most seasons it hosts a site-specific art commission, and there is a bar for a glass of wine while the late light works on the park below.

The roof is reached through the museum, so admission applies, and the season, hours, and current commission change year to year — check metmuseum.org for the current season and what is installed before building an evening around it. Aim for the last ninety minutes before closing on a clear day; the hour when the park goes gold is the whole point.