If you’ve ever waited in line for a burger & milkshake at The Buger Joint (hidden inside Le Parker Meridian’s public throughway) only to find every seat taken, a great option is IBM’s ope-air atrium two blocks down. You’ll find a spacious, glass enclosed space with seating, and a few food stands.
A little farther down Madison is the Sony Tower atrium, another glass-roofed atrium with food options and seating which also offers a walkway between 56th & 55th St.
One of our favorites is the Ford Atrium over on the East Side. This 160ft tall, “subtropical garden” has tiered terraces centered around a still-water pool at the center.
Most atriums are open during weekdays and are considered privately owned, public spaces.