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Top 10 Ice Skating Rinks Around NYC

Top 10 Ice Skating Rinks Around NYC


When the weather gets frosty and the holidays draw near, there are two things New Yorkers add to their to-do lists: seeing the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and ice skating!

There are so many options for skating in the city across all five boroughs. So, we’ve rounded up the top 10 ice rinks in NYC so you can easily choose which works best for you. Some are even open year-round, perfect if you get the skating itch at a time other than winter. 

Of course this truly is the best time to sail along the ice and pretend you’re part of your own holiday movie special. 

Oh, and we have the perfect accompanying activity: sipping one of the best hot chocolates in NYC!

1. The Rink at Rockefeller Center, Midtown

Facebook / Rink at Rockefeller Center

Open now: From the gold and silver flags lining the square to the world’s most beautiful Christmas tree (okay, in our humble opinion) in the center, the Rink at Rockefeller Center is arguably the most iconic ice skating rink in NYC. It’s worth braving the crowds to get this once-in-a-lifetime holiday experience. General admission skating is on a first-come, first-served basis, starting at 8:30 a.m. and going all the way until midnight.

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12 midnight, with a half-hour break every hour and a half to clean the ice

Price: $25-35 (certain days are on-peak), $18 skate rental 

2. Bank of America’s Winter Village, Bryant Park

Colin Miller / Bryant Park Ice Rink

Open now: If you’re going the budget-friendly route, Winter Village in Bryant Park is New York City’s only ice skating rink with free admission. Plus, for the first time this year, you can actually reserve your entry time so you don’t have to wait in a long line when you get there. 

Also, don’t forget to pick up gifts at the open-air holiday market!

Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Price: Free admission, $18-33 skate rental (depending on the day)

3. Pier 17 Rooftop Ice Rink and Winter Village, South Street Seaport

Wagstaff New York (Wagstaff)

Opens Nov. 22: Elevate your skating game — literally — at the new rooftop ice rink at Pier 17 that opened just last year. Instead of staring up at Manhattan’s beautiful skyscrapers, you can skate right alongside the iconic skyline and also see amazing views of the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge. 

Hours: Varies — see their website for further details. 

Price: Rink admission + skate rental: $23 on weekdays, $26 on weekends, and $35 on peak days (most weekends in December plus Christmas week)

4. Wollman Ice Rink, Central Park

Open now: Central Park’s Wollman Ice Rink looks like the inside of a gorgeous snowglobe, with views of The Plaza Hotel and the charming Gapstow Bridge in the background. It’s also within walking distance of high-end stores like Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys, which have some of the most festive holiday window displays.

Hours: Various hours, see website here.

Price: $12 on weekdays, $19 on weekends for admission, plus $10 for skate rentals. Cash only.

5. The Rink at Brookfield Place, Tribeca

Facebook / The Rink at Brookfield Place

Open now: Skate with the best at The Rink at Brookfield Place, run by U.S. Olympians Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov. And, if you want to get the festive experience but not actually skate yourself, they have epic “ice concerts” with different musicians and other Olympic skaters.

Hours: Various, see website

Price: $15 admission, $5 skate rental

6. Lafrak Center at Lakeside, Prospect Park

Michael Moran / Prospect Park.

Opens later this winter, TBC: The Lafrak Center in Prospect Park boasts two outdoor ice skating rinks, with one being covered and one being uncovered. Enjoy picturesque views of the stunning Prospect Park Lake and an easy commute from other parts of Brooklyn!

Hours: Coming soon!

Price: $7.50 admission weekdays, $11 weekends & holidays, $8 for rentals

7. City Ice Pavilion, Long Island City

Facebook / City Ice Pavilion

Open now: If you don’t want to do the typical slip-and-slide around the rink, the City Ice Pavilion in Queens might be the best bet for you, since they offer skating lessons all year. Perhaps take a few lessons here before you have a go at one of the more popular outdoor spaces (so you can get that perfect Instagram video, of course)!

Hours: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Price: $12 on weekdays, $19 on weekends, $10 skate rentals for general admission.

8. Chelsea Piers Sky Rink, Chelsea

Facebook / Chelsea Piers Sky Rink

Open now: Complete with gorgeous views of the Hudson River, the Chelsea Piers Sky Rink has been a part of NYC ice skating culture since 1969. Like the City Ice Pavilion, it’s an indoor rink that is open year-round and offers many lesson options. It also pays to have an indoor choice in mind, in case it rains on the day you make skating plans.

Hours: Open general skating in the afternoons, check website

Price: $13 admission, $7 skate rental

9. Lasker Rink, Central Park

Facebook / Lasker Rink

Open now: Central Park’s other ice rink isn’t quite as known as Wollman, but also isn’t nearly as crowded. Lasker Rink is up in the northern section of the Park, next to the North Meadow. It’s also one of the most affordable options.

Hours: Various, see website

Price: $9 for admission, $8 for skate rentals

10. WWII Veterans Memorial Ice Skating Rink, Staten Island

Instagram / ken.gv

Opens later this winter, TBC: If you live in New York’s outermost borough and don’t want to make the trek into Manhattan, have no fear, you have a public skating rink right in your own backyard! The WWII Veterans Memorial Ice Skating Rink is run by the NYC Parks Department, and is located within Clove Lakes Park on the north shore of Staten Island. 

Hours: Coming soon!

Price: $10 admission, $5 rental

[feature image source: Wagstaff New York (Wagstaff)]

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