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Back in the 1800s, New Yorkers of all social classes would converge on the city’s frozen ponds and lakes each winter to skate. Legend has it that daredevils from Brooklyn often skated right across the East River to Manhattan. Today ice-skating in the city is a far more gentle and safer pursuit, with beautifully crafted man-made ice rinks in great locations all over the city. From Bryant Park’s midtown splendor at The Pond, to stunning Central Park views at the Wollman Rink, there’s plenty of ice for blades of all abilities.
Bryant Park
The Pond
Between 40th and 42nd Streets/5th and 6th Avenues.
212.661.6640
$12 rental. Free if you have your own skates.
One of our favorite locations – enjoy free skating at this fabulous midtown rink – you only pay for skate rentals. Then explore the Christmas gift shops around the Park afterwards. Non-skaters can watch friends and family from the Celcius bar and restaurant, with its great ringside views across the Pond and over to the glorious Bryant Park Hotel. Skating lessons also available – call for details.
Battery Park
Battery Park City on Ice
North End Avenue (between Murray and Warren St)
235 Murray Street
NY, 10282
1.888.727.5423
Admission: $10
Skate rental: $3
Discounts: $90 for 10 admissions and rentals
A brand new rink in downtown Battery Park, bringing a new life and energy to the area – especially on the weekends. Offers ice skating lessons, hockey lessons and also caters for birthday parties or corporate events. Check it out on Youtube before you go.
Brooklyn
Prospect Park
Kate Wollman Rink
Parkside Ave/Ocean Ave
718.287.6431
Adults: $5 (ages 15 and up)
Children (ages 14 and under) and Seniors: $3
Skate Rental: $6.50 (tax included)
A massive 585-acre urban oasis located in the heart of Brooklyn, Prospect Park is just as stunning as its neighbor in Manhattan, but less crowded and certainly less well known. The skating rink is located between the Lake and the Concert Grove. Snackbar open year round.
Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center Ice Skating
47-50th Street Rockefeller Center subway stop.
$5 to $14 – depending on the season.
212-332-7654
Skate rental: $7 per session pre-season/$8 per session during holiday season.
Built back in 1936, The Rockefeller Center Ice Rink is located in the center of the complex of buildings between 47th and 50th Streets, and 5th and 7th Avenues and is one of the first man-made rinks in the city. After a great skate, check out the famous Christmas tree, go shopping in the Plaza complex or take the elevator up to the Top of the Rock observation deck, a dizzying 70 stories above Manhattan.
Upper East Side
Riverbank Ice Skating Rink
679 Riverside Drive at 145th Street
Admission $4.50, skate rentals $3.50
nysparks.state.ny.us
212.694.3600
If you’re venturing up to the far Upper East side, then take in a skate. You could combine it with a visit to the Cloisters – part of the Met’s medieval museum at Fort Tryon Park.
Central Park
Wollman Rink
East side of the Park between 62nd and 63rd Streets.
Enter at 59th and 5th Avenue.
212.439.6900
Weekday:
Adults $10.25
Children $5.50
Seniors $4.75
Skate Rentals $6.25 (tax incl.)
Rescued in the early 1990s by entrepreneur Donald Trump, who now manages this fantastic – and massive ice rink – the Wollman is a New York institution, sited in one of the most beautiful urban parks in the world. In the height of the season, more than 4,000 skaters are out there daily. Thankfully not all at the same time!
Uptown
Lasker Rink
Mid-Park between 106th and 108th Streets.
Enter the Park at 110th and Lenox Avenue.
212.534.7639
Adults $6.25
Youths: $3.50
Seniors $2.25
A much much smaller rink, but still fun to use – doubles as a swimming pool in the summer.
Chelsea
Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers
62 Chelsea Piers
NY 10011
212.336.6100
Adult: $13.00
(Ten Pass – $110.00) Youth & Senior: $10.50
(Ten Pass – $85) Skate Rental: $7.50
(Ten Pass – $60) Helmet Rental: $4.00
Part of the impressive Chelsea Piers sports and entertainment complex, with great views over the Hudson. Group lessons are available daily. Take advantage of their Christmas Day Special: enjoy a reduced admission of $10 and free Skate Rental on Friday, December 25, from 12:00pm – 6:50pm. Go with a group of friends and follow your skate with a bowl at the 8-lane alley with its own bar and grill.
Long Island City – Queens
City Ice Pavilion
47-32 32nd Place
Long Island City
NY 11101
718.505.6230
If you’re in Queens and can’t face the schlep into Manhattan, then skate locally at Long Island City. Beginners classes available and you can even learn to play ice hockey. Children of all ages will be pleased to heart that Santa will be at the Pavilion every Saturday and Sunday until Xmas – and he’s bringing his skates, folks!
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