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Year after year, one thing never changes: There’s nothing like summer in New York City with its glorious sunny days and fun-filled nights. Whether you’re a visitor, a newcomer, or a lifelong New Yorker, you know there’s an indescribable magic in the air, where anything seems possible. We all look forward to longer days and warmer temperatures, but sometimes you just need a reprieve from the dog days of summer.
There’s one place to go when temperatures get too high and you don’t feel up for the journey to Rockaway Beach: Rockefeller Center. Consider it your cool-down oasis in the heart of midtown Manhattan, featuring seasonal programming, sky-high views, and melt-in-your-mouth ice cream. Here, we’ve rounded up a handful of Rockefeller Center spots where you can cool off in the late summer months.
1. Treat yourself to Glace’s viral desserts.
Is there anything better than ice cream on a hot summer day? In a bright yellow truck on Center Plaza, Glace is serving a frozen version of its famous hot chocolate alongside signature, handmade soft serve and sundaes. For the perfect NYC summer treat, founder Sasha Zabar recommends the Fifty Fifty — a half ice cream, half slushy blend offering the best of both worlds.
The Glace truck is located on Center Plaza between 5th and 6th Avenues.
2. Indulge in a midday meal at Lodi.
This culinary concept features an all-day bakery, coffee, and café specialties in the style of Italian aperitivo. This season, Lodi is putting the spotlight on midday meals with a $42 pre-fixe lunch menu and new summer cocktails — best enjoyed on the restaurant’s expansive outdoor patio.
Lodi is located at 1 Rockefeller Plaza.
3. Kick back at Summer at The Rink.
Summer at The Rink is the place to be this season. The Rink has plenty of shaded seating, giving you a pleasant break from the sun’s rays while still enjoying the outdoors. You can grab something quick to eat from Under 30 Rock’s collection of restaurants or opt for al fresco dining at NARO or Jupiter. Summer at The Rink also has a host of season-long programming and public interactive artwork, including Joel Mesler’s Pool Party (through July 21) and an Olympics Viewing Village from NBC.
The Rink is located at Rockefeller Plaza between 50th and 49th Streets.
4. Leave the hot summer streets behind, and head to Top of the Rock.
Too hot on the ground level? Head 70 stories up to Top of the Rock. No matter when you visit throughout the day, you’re guaranteed breathtaking vistas from the indoor and outdoor observation decks. For days that are especially suffocating, The Beam offers a getaway in the sky; as it rises and rotates, you may catch a breeze to help cool you down. Pro tip: Buy your tickets ahead of time to make your visit as seamless as possible.
Top of the Rock is located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, with the entrance on 50th Street.
5. Sip on something cold and refreshing from Other Half Brewery.
Enjoy a curated selection of beers from this Brooklyn-based brewery, featuring craft beers made in Carroll Gardens and Williamsburg, the Finger Lakes, and Washington, D.C., among others. Founded in 2014, Other Half opened its Rockefeller Center outpost in early 2022, just in time to act as the ultimate watering hole and summertime drinking respite for visitors and New Yorkers with a taste for local brewing. With an outdoor beer garden in addition to its large indoor taproom, options abound in this inviting space.
Other Half Brewery is located at 600 Fifth Avenue, and its outdoor beer garden is on the South Esplanade overlooking The Rink.
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![Aerial view of artist Joel Mesler's "Pool Party," a public art installation at The Rink]()
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