Summer at the Whitney
A Seasonal Guide

It’s summer in the city—here are our favorite ways to beat the heat at the Whitney.

Two women clink glasses of rosé wine at a rooftop bar with a cityscape in the background.

Al Fresco Dining
Studio Bar and Cafe, Floor 8

Enjoy outdoor dining at the renovated Studio Bar and Cafe on Floor 8, operated by Frenchette Bakery. The views from the top-floor terrace are unbeatable and we’ve set out tables and umbrellas for you to take in the city skyline—and an AR artwork by Nancy Baker Cahill—in the shade. (If it’s really a scorcher, we have indoor dining options, too!) The summer menu includes refreshing favorites like spritzes, iced tea, cold brew, matcha lemonade, and more. Snacks and a lunch menu are also available. We recommend the jambon beurre. Before you go, make sure to peep the floor-to-ceiling mosaic by artist Dyani White Hawk on the back wall of the cafe, which is just as breathtaking as the city views. You can find more al fresco dining and a full menu at Frenchette Bakery on the ground floor.

A woman with dark hair stands on a sandy beach, facing a city skyline across the water. Blue umbrellas and beach chairs are scattered around.

Riverside Oasis
Gansevoort Beach

It is a little-known fact that just steps from the Whitney is a white sand beach complete with electric blue beach chairs and umbrellas. Stop by this idyllic riverside oasis to wiggle your toes in the sand, soak up the sun, and catch the breeze off the river. Admire the huge but delicate sculpture hovering just offshore, Day’s End by David Hammons, which traces the silhouette of a pier that formerly occupied this site and was an important fixture to many artists and the neighborhood community. To learn more about this artwork and the history of the site, check out the Whitney’s podcast or take our self-guided walking tour.

People on a rooftop terrace admire a cityscape with modern and historic buildings, including a tall skyscraper in the background.

Free Tickets to the Whitney
Every Friday night and all day on the second Sunday of every month

The Whitney has two new free offerings: Free Friday Nights and Free Second Sundays. We’ve heard Free Friday Nights described as “the perfect start to a night out in New York City.” Every Friday evening from 5–10 pm, admission to the Museum is free for everyone. We’ve got music, cocktails, and terrace views—oh, and art! The Free Second Sunday vibe is family-friendly and also full of fun. There is always a lot going on and something for everyone, from artmaking and story hour with NYPL to gallery tours, classes, and more.

Plan your visit
What to know before you go.