Residents of the 555TEN Midtown West apartments are steps away from some of the city’s most diverse offerings. Sunny bistros, fragrant bakeries, sleek cocktail lounges, and trendy shops are the hallmarks of Hell’s Kitchen, a place known for its laid-back vibe, intimate theaters, and exploding restaurant scene. The Hell’s Kitchen streetscape on 34th to 59th between 8th Avenue and the Hudson River is increasingly picturesque, layered with brownstones and high-rises, welcoming side streets, and bustling shops. It’s hip, eclectic, and fiercely independent, too—something that lends it a strong sense of community. All of this is to say that Hell’s Kitchen isn’t exactly the sweltering den of misery its colorful name implies—not even close.

That name has been traced to a variety of sources: a London neighborhood, a Manhattan gang, and a conversation between two police officers that pivoted on the difference between “Hell” and “Hell’s Kitchen.” At any rate, it hints at the history of an energetic and sometimes (in its youth) notorious Manhattan enclave. But even before Hell’s Kitchen was teeming with intrigue, it was a working-class community. In the mid-19^th century, it was a place where Irish and German immigrants lived and worked in lumberyards, factories, docks, and slaughterhouses, and on the Hudson River Railroad. Later on, disputes between warring groups of Hell’s Kitchen immigrants became the basis for the musical West Side Story.

The history doesn’t end there. For decades, it has been a haven for actors working in and outside of the nearby Theater District, and a culture of off-Broadway plays and performances has flourished in Hell’s Kitchen. Proximity to the theaters has also made it an international cuisine scene, celebrated every year by the Ninth Avenue International Food Festival—and every day and night by hungry theatergoers and Hell’s Kitchen denizens. The street life is striking and diverse. Depending on your direction, if you gaze or walk down one of its side streets, you’ll encounter a surprising number of trees, the glistening river, or a full family of glorious Midtown skyscrapers (that appear to be watching you watch them).

Bordered by Chelsea and the exciting new Hudson Yards development on the south, the Theater District to the east, and the Lincoln Square neighborhood on the north, Hell’s Kitchen has always been distinctive and is experiencing a resurgence in the 21^st century. We may never identify who first uttered the words “Hell’s Kitchen” to describe this section of the city, but one thing is certain: the people who live and work here are proud of the name. It has no negative connotations for them because this “warm” and lively place, filled with some of the best hot spots for enjoying an eternity of NYC luxury and fun, is, today, a far cry from any hint of infamy.

It’s that time of year again: windows are opening; flowers are blooming; tables are moving outside; pool covers are lifting; skirts and shorts are being put back in rotations; bike lanes and parks are filling up. The warmth has returned. If you listen closely, you can almost hear the sound of mojitos being muddled.

The sun…it’s back.

Rejoice, fellow New Yorkers! For now is the time when the city truly comes alive. There is nothing better than spring and summer in NYC, especially if you’re fortunate enough to live in one of the Midtown West apartments at 555TEN. Before we even venture out to some surrounding options, we have to mention the incredible rooftop pool that sits 650 feet over Manhattan. It’s the type of pool people wait in line for all day even if it’s just for a quick dip.

But if you live in 555TEN, it’s right upstairs. Imagine lounging on a float in a private rooftop pool as the city sparkles beneath you. That could be your Tuesday—or, frankly, any other day. You’ll never want to leave.

But if you do, here are some local summer recommendations:

El Centro  |  824 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10019

El Centro is a vibrant contemporary Mexican eatery with incredible quesadillas, nachos, enchiladas, mojitos, and margaritas. They have a sizeable street-side patio space, so you can soak up some sun while imbibing. It’s the perfect place for an early dinner or just a few cocktails.

McGarry’s  | 417 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10001

If you’re in the mood for a good ol’ burger and fries and perhaps an ice-cold beer, McGarry’s is the destination. Their food is bar fare prepared with care—it’s delicious. Their service is friendly and quick, and their beer garden out back is an amazing place to be on a nice day. The hours tend to just tick away when you’re there.

Summer Garden and Bar  |  20 West 50th Street, New York, NY 10020

This one is a few blocks further than the others, but it’s worth the steps. Summer Garden sits right in front of the fountain at Rockefeller Center; it’s an iconic and stunning space and a must-visit during the summer months. They have a stellar brunch, and it’s a post-work destination like no other.

44 ½  |  626 Tenth Avenue, New York, NY 10036

This place is about as serene as an NYC restaurant gets. There’s a bamboo garden here, and there’s plenty of outdoor seating. You’ll still feel like you’re in New York, just a quieter, more ethereal section of it. Their brunch (modern American fare) is phenomenal and quite popular in the area, so be prepared to wait. Again, it’s worth it. Sitting outside at 44 ½ on a nice day while eating a sharp gruyere omelet is pretty heavenly.

Chelsea is home to some of the most prominent galleries in the world. It’s the place where great artists have their most important shows, and it’s where up-and-comers make their debut on the world’s stage. There’s an unmistakable energy and freshness when you’re this close to art that is about to change the cultural landscape. And when you live in the luxury apartments for rent at 555TEN, this is part of the pulse of your Midtown West neighborhood. Art shows and openings where you stand shoulder to shoulder with the featured artists are just a natural part of your day-to-day life where the cutting edge is formed.

When Kara Walker debuted a new set of work this past winter, it happened at Sikkema Jenkins, a gallery that also features Nikki S. Lee, Vik Muniz, Mitch Epstein, and Trisha Brown. In the main gallery right now is a show of photographs by Deana Lawson that was just reviewed in The New Yorker by Doreen St. Felix. St. Felix writes of Lawson’s pictures, “…it is that rush of assorted associations, augmented by Lawson’s almost fetishistic spatial creativity, that makes these photos fun to get lost in.”

Another heavy hitter is David Zwirner, which is a gallery that has featured so many of the best artists at work today that the original space was not big enough. Zwirner has since expanded into the adjacent address where a museum-quality list of artists past and present show the kind of work that critics struggle to praise highly enough. Chris Ofili, Mamma Andersson, Neo Rauch, and Raymond Pettibon have all been showing with Zwirner for years and garnering the kinds of reviews art collectors keep on file. Collectors also know to keep up with the calendar at Luhring Augustine, where Pipilotti Rist, Tom Friedman, Christopher Wool, Larry Clark, and Janine Antoni show their work before it makes the rounds of the world’s most renowned art museums.

Gallery Lelong is now featuring Radiation Explorations and Magnetic Fields, a group of paintings by Mildred Thompson. The gallery’s roster also includes legends like Carolee Schneemann and Nancy Spero. Another current must-see exhibit is Falling Water, a group of photographs of an Icelandic waterfall by the South Korean artist Boomoon, at Flowers. Boomoon’s images, which recall abstract paintings as well as supernovas in space and digital explosions, capture the magnitude of the past and future of contemporary art. They also give you a sense of the intimacy of what it’s like to be this close to the awe-inspiring—a feeling you will come to know quite well living in the Midtown West apartments at 555TEN, just steps away from the inspirations of West Chelsea.

In our technological age, we can work from almost anywhere. When your home is at 555TEN’s Hudson Yards apartments, where the standards of luxury and convenience are as high and far-reaching as the views, you may find it harder and harder to leave for work in the morning. Luckily, with 555TEN’s amenities, building-wide Wi-Fi, and work-friendly environment, you can make that desire a reality. You may, in fact, find that the expansive outdoor and live-work spaces in the building, in addition to your masterfully appointed apartment, will give you not only greater ease, but an increase in inspiration and productivity.

At 555TEN, you can set up a home office where the parameters lie well beyond your own apartment. On chillier days, you can get cozy with your laptop in front of the fire in the 56^th floor bar/lounge and work while taking in the views through the floor-to-ceiling windows. In the summer, you can take a conference call from a poolside chaise lounge. The rooftop means you can work alfresco whenever you want to feel the breeze or catch the sunset as you transition smoothly from work to play right where you are.

With so many options, it’s easy to combat the ever-dreaded health risks of being stuck at your desk all day. At  the 555TEN luxury rentals, you can transform a work break into a relaxing dip in the pool—getting to the water is a matter of feet instead of blocks or miles. Or, make it a workout break—take advantage of 555TEN’s Health and Wellness floor where you can get your cardio fix, do a high-intensity interval workout on a Peloton stationary bike, let off any work-related steam with the Nexersys Boxing Exergame, or take a yoga class. With a studio that’s also open to you to use on your own, you can develop your personal yoga practice, tailor-made to work with your needs and work schedule.

Working in and around 555TEN also means you don’t have to feel isolated by the convenience of working from home. The 555TEN community will always be there to help you feel more connected to other people “IRL.” But when privacy is what you crave as you work from home, or is something you need for especially important projects, your apartment just may be the perfect home office space. With double-paned windows to offer you the peaceful views of the city without the noise, and with interior designer Paris Forino’s serene color and texture combinations as a backdrop, work will start to feel like a seamless part of luxury New York living.

Relaxing with a decadent treat after a tough work week can be a highly effective stress-reliever. Never underestimate the power of eating something monumentally delectable.

If you’re fortunate enough to live in one of the 555TEN luxury rentals in Midtown West, you’ll find yourself very close to many stellar options for flavorful indulgence. Here are four of our favorites:

Magnolia Bakery  |  1240 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020

Just a few avenues east of 555TEN sits one of the city’s best bakeries. For over two decades, Magnolia has been creating incredible pies, cakes, cupcakes, scones, muffins, cookies, brownies, bars, and pretty much anything else sweet. Their cupcakes are amazing, and they rotate throughout the week, so they provide a calendar on their site to help patrons know exactly when their favorite flavor will be available. Their apple crumb pie is wonderful, and their famous banana pudding is the best in town. Go. Go now!

Baked by Melissa  |  526 7th Avenue, New York, NY 10018

A quick 10-minute stroll, and you’re in tiny-cupcake heaven. If you’ve been to a party in the last year or so, there’s a good chance someone brought a box of Baked by Melissa’s delightful bite-sized cupcakes. It’s kind of like a tapas experience for cupcakes. Instead of having to decide on one, you can try three of four flavors or more. The flavors are inventive and unique. They have everything from pb&j and Key lime to cookie dough, hot cocoa to mint cookie, electric tie-dye to chocolate chip pancake. They even have equally delicious gluten-free cupcakes! Each bite is its own experience.

Pinkberry  |  596 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10036

The frozen yogurt craze has ushered in many interesting options, but Pinkberry is our favorite, and it’s only four blocks from 555TEN. It’s their well-balanced flavors and the freshness of their yogurt and variety of toppings that put them a step above the competition. Currently, they are serving cinnamon churro, salted caramel, chocolate hazelnut, mango, coconut milk coconut, and a bunch of others. If you like something tart—they have you covered; if you like something sweet—they have you covered; if you like a bit of both—well, you get the point. The best part of Pinkberry is the ability to customize your dessert with any combination of their 27 toppings.

Little Pie Company  |  424 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036

For over 30 years, Little Pie Company has been offering up a stellar cast of pies in their, as they describe it, “theater of baking.” It’s a famous locale for good reason; the aroma of their cinnamon apple pie swirls through the street, almost daring you not to go in and try it. Luckily, it’s only a few blocks from 555TEN. Strawberry rhubarb, sour cream apple walnut, Key lime, three berry, Mississippi mud, and banana coconut cream are insanely delicious staples, and inventive, seasonal additions pop in and out periodically. The pies are made from locally sourced ingredients and are truly as fresh as can be.

Haven’t yet spent a day at Hudson River Park? There’s no need to wait for spring. In fact, this 550-acre oasis, running alongside the Hudson, is a perennial beauty with endless activities to engage in. Next time you have a free afternoon, wrap up warm and make the short trip over from 555TEN. Here’s a generous handful of ideas for winter park inspiration.

Take a scenic stroll

Nothing rejuvenates mind, body, and soul like a brisk winter walk—especially when it takes in the scenic waterside of the Hudson. Put on your best walking boots and stroll a strip of the park. Planning on taking a furry friend with you? Four dedicated dog parks are dotted along the routes; let them off the leash and watch them make new pals, while you enjoy a hot coffee and a sit-down. Bringing children? They can let off steam at one of the four play parks. One of them even allows you to operate a miniature canal!

Appreciate alfresco art

Hudson River Park Pier has its own outdoor art gallery. Count the masterpieces that line the waterside, including the beautiful stainless-steel water wheel known as “Long Time;” the Serpentine Structures, which deftly reflect the surroundings; and The Apple, a fruit in bronze, which weighs three tons (talk about the Big Apple). If you fancy getting crafty yourself, how about trying your hand at boat building? No-fee community lessons are held in the park during the winter months.

Get on the water

Whether or not you crafted your own vessel, there are ample opportunities to get out on the Hudson, courtesy of the park’s superb facilities. Enroll in a community sailing or rowing course or explore the Hudson with the Manhattan Kayak Company. If you prefer to sail in the lap of luxury, take a dining cruise or board the anchored 142-foot sailboat “Grand Banks” and tuck into a plate of sustainably sourced oysters while quaffing a nautically inspired cocktail.

Meet with someone for a drink or dinner

Good cuisine is abundant at Hudson River Park, making it the perfect place to meet with friends and loved ones. Dine decadently on calamari and tuna tartare at Hudson’s; tuck into tasty snacks without the guilt at Sweet Love Snack Bar at Pier 25; or sip fine vintages paired with Chilean sea bass and blood orange pot au creme at City Vineyard.

Get stuck into sports

After all that indulgence, you might want to consider a little fitness and wellbeing. The park caters to healthy urges in style—even during the colder months. Dance figure eights at the indoor ice rink (or just succeed in staying upright), tackle Chelsea Piers’ 30-foot-high rock climbing wall, work on your baseball swing in one of the batting cages, or simply hike and bike—and see how much of this incredible park you can cover in a day.

Image courtesy of ©iStock.com/vladans