Empire Hotel Rooftop: This weekend’s a scorcher, but things should cool down enough in the evening for the opening of this swank rooftop lounge. Three terraces and an indoor bar add up to over 8,000 square feet, with views overlooking Central Park and the Upper West Side. Cocktails are fancy and expensive, but that’s to be expected considering the lofty location. And there is a pool, but you’ll need to charm a hotel guest card off one of the swells to swim in it. 44 West 63rd Street, (212) 265-7400. more ›