Having a family doesn’t mean giving up having a fun summer. Enjoy the views at any one of these kid-friendly rooftops:

The Fulton (89 South Street)
Pier 17’s waterfront restaurant, The Fulton, is a great way to enjoy a delicious meal in the open air with your family. The seafood menu, inspired by the historic Fulton Fish Market, changes as the afternoon stretches on. They offer oysters, pasta, sandwiches, and the usual surf-and-turf mains along with a “Simply Prepared” menu for those with food sensitivities.

The Fulton is an established Seaport favorite.Not only is the view beautiful — the dining room features a hand-painted mural by the En Viu collective’s Diego Castaño and Chandler Noah, contributing to the overall ambiance. Run by French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, who is responsible for the operation and success of 60 restaurants worldwide, The Fulton is somewhere guests can expect fresh ingredients, picturesque views, and good service.

The View at The Battery (1 Battery Place)
If you were already planning to explore Battery Park’s waterfront green space, consider stopping at The View, located by the Sea Glass Carousel and the Staten Island Ferry’s Whitehall Terminal. The menu centers seafood (oysters, lobster rolls, mussels, and squid ink pasta) and American steakhouse-style (caesar salad, burger, steak) dishes in an even ratio. Now run by an event catering company, the restaurant and beer garden functions offer a place to gaze upon the New York Harbor and Statue of Liberty over food and drink.

However, depending on your seating, the view may be obstructed by the Statue of Liberty’s security tent or the New York City Waterfront Revitalization Program (as of Summer 2024). There is also limited outdoor seating, which may be taken over by a private event. My recommendation for avoiding these perils is to make a reservation for outdoor seating a week in advance (less chance of cancellation) or during an off-peak time.

ONE Dine at One World Observatory (117 West St)
ONE Dine is located within One World Observatory on the 101st floor of One World Trade Center. Executive Chef Reuel Vincent curates a rotating seasonal menu inspired by the diversity of New York’s cuisine. While the tables are not in the Observatory directly, the floor-to-ceiling windows provide a sprawling view of the city.

ONE Dine offers standard reservations for lunch, afternoon, and dinner, which do not include access to the Observatory (which is an upgrade to an “Experience”). The bar offers walk-ins, and both seating areas are explicitly family-friendly and cashless.

The Cantor Roof Garden Bar (1000 5th Ave.)
Located on top of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Cantor Roof Garden Bar offers cocktails, snacks, and a gorgeous view of Central Park. They have a range of sandwiches, vegan snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks

Because it’s an open-air venue, the Cantor Roof Garden Bar closes for bad weather. Museum admission is required to enter, but, for locals, Members and Patrons receive a 10% discount. There’s a different type of entertainment at the Cantor Roof Garden Bar each summer, ranging from live music to art installations.

SERRA by Birreria (200 5th Ave.)
SERRA by Birreria is Eataly’s rooftop eatery, located on the 14th floor. The entire venue is decorated with lush greenery, which rotates seasonally to refresh the space. The atmosphere is peaceful, and the dress code is relaxed.

The menu focuses on Southern Italian food, which makes sense for an Eataly restaurant. SERRA’S fresh pasta is made daily in-house, and the specialty cocktails do not disappoint. Though the menu and decor changes, SERRA always offers a full, multi-course meal with rustic, Italian charm.