Fresh air and sweeping vistas add a special something to events.
Whether it’s a team meal on the top floor or a welcome reception under the stars, attendees agree that meeting outdoors on rooftops and terraces is a fresh take. The venues are effortlessly gorgeous thanks to the scenery, and there’s nothing like networking while enjoying a breeze or sipping a cocktail while watching the sunset.
From chic hotel rooftops to whimsical museum terraces, here are five outdoor venues across the country that are perfect for off-sites and receptions.
JUMP
Boise, Idaho
JUMP, short for Jack’s Urban Meeting Place, is a multipurpose gathering space in downtown Boise. Opened in 2015, it’s known for its contemporary design, including multiple vintage tractors and farm equipment located throughout. Its creative use of space turns it into a playground for all ages, five-story spiral slide included. In addition to its variety of indoor spaces, JUMP features several outdoor spaces befitting all types of events.
One of the most impressive outdoor venues at JUMP is known as The Deck, a great choice for receptions or outdoor meals. Found on the top floor of the building, it features a lofty pergola, a raised wooden deck, overhead fans, a rooftop fireplace and an outdoor kitchen. The space also boasts views of downtown and the mountains beyond, making it an excellent spot for an evening reception or outdoor meal. On the third level, the building’s Garden Terrace is 3,255 square feet of open-air space. It’s perfect for everything from receptions to outdoor fitness classes. One of the indoor spaces, The Loft, also has a terrace for planners who want to add an outdoor element to their meetings.
In The JUMP Park, large informal gatherings can be held at the grass amphitheater; the front lawn; or the celebration circle, a circular concrete pavilion perfect for marketplaces and performances. JUMP provides exclusive in-house catering, as well as basic A/V equipment.
The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel
Asbury Park, New Jersey
In the small, seaside New Jersey town of Asbury Park, meeting attendees will be impressed by the offerings on the coast, including the beachfront boardwalk and several prominent music and performance venues. But just steps from the Atlantic Ocean, planners will find one of the city’s best venues for receptions, off-sites and banquets: The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel. The sophisticated 1925 hotel includes the opulent design features innate to Beaux-Arts architecture, in addition to elegant contemporary decor and finishes.
The 275-room hotel has 25,000 square feet of meeting space for a maximum of 400 people. While its multiple historic ballrooms are popular spots for daytime meetings, one of the hotel’s most prized venues is its Rooftop Lookout, featuring the stunning sights and sounds of the ocean. Events held in the many hotel ballrooms during the day can move to the rooftop for an elegant sunset reception or a starlit banquet with a panoramic view of the beach below. For a more casual gathering, such as a group meal, team-building exercise or social hour, one of the hotel’s on-site restaurants, Berkeley Backyard, has a lovely outdoor patio with views of the ocean.
Planners have the choice of several catering packages, including a cocktail reception option and two sit-down packages, complete with a three-course meal and a variety of stations. All catering packages include a premium open bar, table numbers and linens.
The Capital Club of Asheville
Asheville, North Carolina
Known for the breathtaking backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville, North Carolina, is the perfect setting for outdoor events. One of the premier rooftop venues in the city can be found at The Capital Club in the heart of downtown, not far from the city’s top attractions, including the River Arts District and the Asheville Museum of Science. It’s a popular spot for weddings, and it also frequently hosts corporate events and other social gatherings.
The venue’s elegant indoor banquet room features floor-to-ceiling glass windows, meaning that even indoor events enjoy a spectacular view. For an indoor-outdoor feel, the doors open onto one of the most iconic rooftops in the city. It features stunning views of downtown Asheville and the mountains beyond and can accommodate up to 205 people for a reception, including staff, or 120 guests for a seated event. The venue can be rented for four-hour windows.
With an on-site catering kitchen, flexible setups, and tables and chairs, a roller bar, some décor, music service and basic A/V included in the venue rental, The Capital Club offers a bargain for banquets, receptions and other gatherings. The venue can provide event planning services and has an extensive list of approved caterers, though it’s open to considering additional caterers.
MOXI Sky Garden
Santa Barbara, California
The entire city of Santa Barbara, California, is a haven for meeting planners looking to take their next event outdoors. With its warm, Mediterranean-like climate and mild winters, it’s a great year-round destination with no shortage of charming rooftops, terraces and historic venues. One standout rooftop can be found at the MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation. Opened in 2017, the museum highlights STEAM learning experiences for all ages, with exhibits designed around concepts in physics. The entire museum is available for a buy-out, but the Sky Garden, also one of the museum’s permanent exhibits, can be rented separately.
The MOXI Sky Garden is designed to bring out one’s inner child with its exhibits, including an interactive water feature, a weather orchestra, a lookout tower with five telescopes and a glass sky deck with a view of the courtyard below. But the 360-degree view of Santa Barbara, including the Santa Ynez Mountains, provides an elegant backdrop for receptions, performances or dinners. The rooftop space can accommodate up to 200 attendees.
Events can be held from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., after regular museum hours. Attendees get full access to museum exhibits. The museum can supply a list of preferred vendors, and the back lot is available for kitchen staging. The museum sound system can be used for music.
Monona Terrace Rooftop
Madison, Wisconsin
Designed in 1938 by one of America’s most notable contemporary architects, Frank Lloyd Wright, Monona Terrace is a 250,000-square-foot convention center in Madison, Wisconsin. Though Wright’s visions weren’t brought to life until 1997, the convention center gained acclaim for its picturesque views of Lake Monona, as well as its significance to the state capital.
While its 40,000-square-foot exhibit hall, 13,500-square-foot ballroom and stunning 7,000-square-foot Grand Terrace overlooking the lake (an indoor venue, despite its name), provide plenty of options for indoor events, the convention center’s rooftop gardens steal the show and provide stunning scenery for outdoor gatherings. Decorated with blue and yellow umbrellas and carefully landscaped foliage, the gardens are a popular venue for outdoor concerts, art exhibitions and receptions. They’re also known for providing the best views in the city.
The center circle of the rooftop gardens totals nearly 35,000 square feet. An additional west circle adds another 5,000 square feet, while the east circle houses Lake Vista Cafe. The rooftop gardens can accommodate up to 3,000 attendees. The convention center also offers tours of the gardens to the public to learn about their history, architecture and significance to Madison.
