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urban rooftops, rooftop gardens, rooftop gardens in NYC, rooftop gardens in Manhattan, Leslie Adatto, Roof Explorer’s guide, 101 new york city rooftops, nyc rooftops, green roofs, green roofs in nyc, 230 fifth ave, le bain at the standard, waldorf-astoria rooftop garden, 5 boro green roof garden, Brooklyn botanic green roof, garden of stones rooftop garden, andy goldsworthy

Photo by Heather Shimmin

230 Fifth Rooftop Bar and Restaurant

230 Fifth Ave. Manhattan

While the 230 Fifth rooftop is open year-round, we’re willing to bet that this lush rooftop bar and restaurant likely looks its best in the height of summer. Planted with potted palms and blooming ornamentals, this family-friendly rooftop with its summery drinks feels like something straight out of the tropics–that is, until you turn around and see the amazing views of the Empire State Building and city skyline.

urban rooftops, rooftop gardens, rooftop gardens in NYC, rooftop gardens in Manhattan, Leslie Adatto, Roof Explorer’s guide, 101 new york city rooftops, nyc rooftops, green roofs, green roofs in nyc, 230 fifth ave, le bain at the standard, waldorf-astoria rooftop garden, 5 boro green roof garden, Brooklyn botanic green roof, garden of stones rooftop garden, andy goldsworthyPhoto by Ari Burling

Le Bain at The Standard, High Line

444 W. 13th St. Manhattan

Do you love the High Line’s views of the Hudson River, but prefer to avoid the summer crowds? To escape the throngs of tourists that flock to the elevated park, take a trip up to Le Bain, a rooftop bar located on the 19th floor of the Standard Hotel. This outdoor space is lined with artificial turf and sprinkled with colorful moveable seating for that extra summery and casual feel.

urban rooftops, rooftop gardens, rooftop gardens in NYC, rooftop gardens in Manhattan, Leslie Adatto, Roof Explorer’s guide, 101 new york city rooftops, nyc rooftops, green roofs, green roofs in nyc, 230 fifth ave, le bain at the standard, waldorf-astoria rooftop garden, 5 boro green roof garden, Brooklyn botanic green roof, garden of stones rooftop garden, andy goldsworthyPhoto by Ari Burling

Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Lawn

Overlooking W. 65th St. between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave. Manhattan

According to Adatto, the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Lawn is “one of only a handful of public-access roof lawns in Manhattan.” Set atop a restaurant, this well-manicured, sloping green roof was built in the shape of a hyperbolic paraboloid that contrasts with the linear silhouettes of the surrounding buildings. Views of neighboring green roofs can be seen from the Illumination Lawn, including those on the Barclay Capital Grove and the Claire Tow Theater.

urban rooftops, rooftop gardens, rooftop gardens in NYC, rooftop gardens in Manhattan, Leslie Adatto, Roof Explorer’s guide, 101 new york city rooftops, nyc rooftops, green roofs, green roofs in nyc, 230 fifth ave, le bain at the standard, waldorf-astoria rooftop garden, 5 boro green roof garden, Brooklyn botanic green roof, garden of stones rooftop garden, andy goldsworthyPhoto by Ari Burling

Brooklyn Botanic Garden Visitor Center

900 Washington Ave., Brooklyn

Completed in 2011, the 9,400-square-foot green roof that tops the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Visitor Center is a leading example of a successful, multifunctional living roof. Planted with 40,000 native grasses and flowers, this curvilinear roof meadow provides habitat, filters rainwater runoff, and helps insulate the building below. The green roof excellently captures the rich textures of a meadow plant palette as it changes through the seasons.

urban rooftops, rooftop gardens, rooftop gardens in NYC, rooftop gardens in Manhattan, Leslie Adatto, Roof Explorer’s guide, 101 new york city rooftops, nyc rooftops, green roofs, green roofs in nyc, 230 fifth ave, le bain at the standard, waldorf-astoria rooftop garden, 5 boro green roof garden, Brooklyn botanic green roof, garden of stones rooftop garden, andy goldsworthy

Photo by Ari Burling

Bronx County Courthouse

851 Grand Concourse, Bronx

There’s a giant gem of a living roof in the South Bronx, but you’ve likely never heard of it because of its location behind a 10-foot parapet wall. Guarded by high-security checkpoints and tall walls, this hidden green roof may lack the stunning views enjoyed on other rooftops, but it does hold the distinction of being the first extensive green roof in the South Bronx.

urban rooftops, rooftop gardens, rooftop gardens in NYC, rooftop gardens in Manhattan, Leslie Adatto, Roof Explorer’s guide, 101 new york city rooftops, nyc rooftops, green roofs, green roofs in nyc, 230 fifth ave, le bain at the standard, waldorf-astoria rooftop garden, 5 boro green roof garden, Brooklyn botanic green roof, garden of stones rooftop garden, andy goldsworthyPhoto by Ari Burling

5 Boro Green Roof Garden

New York City Parks Department Five Borough Administration Building, Randall’s Island

The 5 Boro Green Roof Garden is the fifth-largest living roof in New York City. Featuring 30 different green roof systems side by side–possibly the only setup of its kind in the world–this massive rooftop landscape serves as a living roof laboratory that grows a variety of sedum, fruits, vegetables, herbs and berries. Visitors can see the multi-system green roof, including its solar panels and rainwater collection system, by setting up a prearranged tour with the New York City Parks Department.

urban rooftops, rooftop gardens, rooftop gardens in NYC, rooftop gardens in Manhattan, Leslie Adatto, Roof Explorer’s guide, 101 new york city rooftops, nyc rooftops, green roofs, green roofs in nyc, 230 fifth ave, le bain at the standard, waldorf-astoria rooftop garden, 5 boro green roof garden, Brooklyn botanic green roof, garden of stones rooftop garden, andy goldsworthyPhoto by Heather Shimmin

The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria Rooftop Garden

301 Park Ave. Manhattan

You may be surprised to learn that even the bees love to check in at the posh Waldorf-Astoria historic hotel. The famous art-deco building teamed up with the Horticultural Society of New York and the New York Restoration Project to convert nearly a third of the hotel’s rooftop into a thriving garden and apiary for honeybees. You can make reservations to dine at the restaurant below and tour the rooftop chef’s garden and apiary.

urban rooftops, rooftop gardens, rooftop gardens in NYC, rooftop gardens in Manhattan, Leslie Adatto, Roof Explorer’s guide, 101 new york city rooftops, nyc rooftops, green roofs, green roofs in nyc, 230 fifth ave, le bain at the standard, waldorf-astoria rooftop garden, 5 boro green roof garden, Brooklyn botanic green roof, garden of stones rooftop garden, andy goldsworthyPhoto by Heather Shimmin

Garden of Stones at the Museum of Jewish Heritage

36 Battery Place, Manhattan

Designed by prolific land artist Andy Goldsworthy, the Garden of Stones is a deeply symbolic rooftop garden commissioned by the Museum of Jewish Heritage. Built as a “contemplative space dedicated to the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust and a tribute to those who survived,” the 4,150-square-foot rooftop garden features 18 hollowed out boulders that, over time, will be fused together with the roots of the surrounding trees.

Interested in learning more information about these stunning urban rooftops or want to see what other elevated oases the city has to offer? Check out Leslie Adatto’s new book ‘Roof Explorer’s Guide: 101 New York City Rooftops’ (also available as an e-book) and read about her latest urban rooftop explorations on her blog, Looking up with Leslie.

+ Roof Explorer’s Guide: 101 New York City Rooftops

Images via Leslie Adatto