Winter just isn’t winter—and the same goes for the holidays—without ice-skating in New York City. These spots across the boroughs offer the chance to be outdoors in the crisp air and circling the ice under the stars. You can do so at some of the City’s top landmarks: Rockefeller Center, Central Park and Prospect Park, for a start. There are also a few new rinks worth checking out; wherever you go promises a magical time.
Read on for details of the ice-skating rinks open near you. At press time, some details and openings were still being confirmed; check back for updates (both here and on the websites of the rinks you are interesting in going to) and note that some of the more popular places request or require reservations for your time on the ice.
Manhattan
Chelsea Piers Sky Rink
Where: 61 Chelsea Piers, 111C Eleventh Ave., Chelsea
When: Daily year-round, usually 60-minute sessions at 1pm, 2:30pm and 3:50pm, though definitely check the schedule ahead of time to register
Price: $22.50; skate rental $12
The Chelsea Piers complex has extensive sports facilities, including two ice rinks. They are frequently used for hockey or skating school and lessons, but they also have regular public drop-in-skate periods.
Governors Island Winter Village Ice-Skating Rink. Photo: Julienne Schaer
Governors Island Winter Village Ice-Skating Rink
Where: Colonels Row, Governors Island
When: To be announced (TBA)
Price: TBA
[Note: the following is still being confirmed] On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays this winter, Governors Island will be home to an ice-skating rink as well as other cold-weather attractions (fire pits, sled rentals, hot chocolate and the like). It’s all a reminder that the harbor getaway has become a year-round destination.
The Rink at Brookfield Place
Where: 250 Vesey St., at North End Ave., Lower Manhattan
When: November–March (exact dates TBA)
Price: $15 per single session (60 minutes); skate rental $5
This is a great downtown bet for open-air ice-skating, scenically located right by the Hudson River in Battery Park City and not far from Lower Manhattan’s Oculus and World Trade Center. You can book public sessions and private or semi-private lessons (with an Olympian, if you like). Brookfield Place also offers ample dining and shopping options, so you can grab a bite and buy some holiday gifts too.
Rink at Manhattan West. Courtesy, Brookfield Properties
The Rink at Manhattan West
Where: 385 Ninth Ave., Chelsea
When: November–March (exact dates TBA)
Price: TBA
This rink is part of the newish Manhattan West development, sandwiched between retail-heavy Hudson Yards and sports-oriented Madison Square Garden. That’s fitting, because at one end of the rink is the NHL Shop, so you can take home hockey paraphernalia after some loops around the ice. Like at its sister Brookfield Properties spot downtown (see above), the rink offers private lessons and the chance to skate with Olympians—plus a few holiday “Skate with Santa” sessions.
The Rink at Rock Center. Photo: Brittany Petronella
The Rink at Rock Center
Where: Between Fifth and Sixth Aves. and 49th and 50th Sts., Midtown
When: October 21 to mid-March
Price: Adults and children 6–12 $21–$73 depending on date and time, children 5 and under $11–$37 depending on time and day; skate rental $11
The Rink at Rockefeller Center is the world’s most famous ice-skating rink and a can’t-miss New York City experience, conveniently located steps from Times Square and the Theatre District. Getting out on the ice here feels as much partaking in a holiday tradition as it does a chance for a spin, especially with the Christmas tree looming above from late November to early January. Lots of people come to watch too, and there are little private chalets you can reserve to enjoy a drink while doing so.
The Rink at Winter Village – Bryant Park. Photo: Brittany Petronella
The Rink at Winter Village – Bryant Park
Where: Between Fifth and Sixth Aves. and 40th and 42nd Sts., Midtown
When: October 27–March 3
Price: Free; skate rental $18–47, depending on time and day (the least expensive times are weekday mornings)
The rink is the centerpiece of Bryant Park’s winter season, which also includes the annual Holiday Shops at Bryant Park. The rink offers free admission for ice-skating daily from late October to early March; you can rent high-quality skates if you don’t have your own. Note that the rink also has the occasional special event; check the calendar at bryantpark.org or call 212-768-4242. The possibility of renting adjacent private igloos (not actually made of snow) and a curling lane (not actually made of ice) add to the festive atmosphere.
Riverbank State Park Ice Rink
Where: 679 Riverside Dr., enter at West 145th Street, Hamilton Heights
When: First week of November–March (weather permitting)
Price: Adults $5, kids 12 and under $3; skate rental $6
Riverbank is the only state park in Manhattan; it offers incredible river views across to New Jersey, gorgeous vistas of the George Washington Bridge and a nicely tucked away place to glide on the ice. The season starts once it’s cold enough to make ice; contact the rink for details on public sessions.
Seaport Ice Rink
Where: Pier 17, The Seaport
When: November 22–January 7
Price: TBA
Get out on the synthetic ice at this rooftop spot. You can look out on the water or on Lower Manhattan’s skyline while skating and look forward to other amusements in this holiday setup, which include a slide, spots to eat and drink and a Santa-themed indoor hangout.
Sky Skate
Where: The Edge, 30 Hudson Yards
When: November 15–January 14
Price: $10 for the skate experience, but it is added to a package for entry to the Edge, which costs $31–36, so the total price will be $41–46; it does include skate rental
Maybe you prefer skating way up high. The Edge skyscraper gives you that chance, with its 100th-floor synthetic ice rink set in the indoor portion of the skydeck. It’s hard to rival the views, that’s for sure.
Wollman Rink. Photo: Billy Hickey
Wollman Rink
Where: East side of Central Park, at 63rd Street
When: October 28—March 15
Price: Adults $15–37, kids 2–12 $10; skate rental $11
This popular longtime skating rink, located in Central Park, has reinvented itself in recent years, including adding food and drink from Melba Wilson, owner of Melba’s restaurant in Harlem (there’s also the Wollman Café for a bite and a beverage). Come for your chance to do figure eights against the backdrop of the Midtown skyline, which looks especially majestic at night (it is open most days until 9 or 10pm).
Brooklyn
Abe Stark Rink
Where: 1902 West 19th St., right on the Coney Island Boardwalk
When: Weekends, November through March
Price: $11 admission, $6 skate rental
If you want to skate without the frills of some of our more whimsical holiday-centric rinks, Abe Stark is a good choice; it’s open on weekends and great for free skating or practicing your hockey moves. Plus, it’s right on the Coney Island Boardwalk.
ArtRink
Where: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights
When: November 25–March 31 (closed Mondays & Tuesdays)
Price: $10 (in addition to $15 museum ticket), skates included
Take the kids and head to the roof of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum for ArtRink, a skating experience that uses a synthetic ice that’s less slippery (you can even chase after them with shoe covers if you’d rather not skate). The rink is surrounded by local art and artist-designed playhouses.
Courtesy, Aviator Sports
Aviator Sports
Where: 3159 Flatbush Ave., at Floyd Bennett Field, Marine Park
When: Year-round
Price: Daily freestyle drop-in pass $22; see website for monthly package subscriptions
As far as ice rinks go, the vibe here is more Mighty Ducks than Home Alone 2: Lost in New York—meaning it’s great if you’d like to practice your hockey moves or figure eights, but less so if you’d like a photo with Santa after skating.
Glide at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Where: Emily Warren Roebling Plaza at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Dumbo
When: November 15—March 1
Price: Adult $15–$25, kids (2–12) $10–$12; $12 skate rental
This brand-new skating rink is transforming one of New York City’s most popular (and scenic) destinations into a winter wonderland. Skate right under the Brooklyn Bridge while looking out at the city skyline.
IC Ice Rink
Where: Courtyard 5/6, Industry City, 35th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, Sunset Park
When: TBA
Price: TBA
The “city within a city” is ready for the holidays, topping off their winter village with an outdoor rink right in the courtyard. Enjoy light bites adjacent to the rink or explore the various shops.
Lakeside, Prospect Park. Photo: Michael Moran
LeFrak Center at Lakeside
Where: Prospect Park, near Ocean Avenue and Lincoln Road entrance
When: November 11—March 31
Price: Weekdays $9.25, weekends and holidays $13.50; skate rental $9.50
Prospect Park’s Lefrak Center at Lakeside has a pair of rinks for skating (one open air, one covered); and even if you don’t want to get out on the ice, you might still enjoy the views.
Rudolph’s Rink at Coney Island’s Frost Fest
Where: Luna Park, Coney Island
When: November 18–January 7 (weekends and select weekdays; check their calendar)
Price: $24.99 (includes $10 card for Luna Park rides); you can also buy the Frost Fest North Pole pass, which includes Santa Wonderland admission, for $44.99
Grab tickets for Coney Island’s first-ever Frost Fest, which sees Luna Park open in wintertime. After enjoying a few rides, Santa’s workshop and the holiday market, end your visit by gliding on Rudolph’s Rink.
Vale Rink at The William Vale
Where: 111 N. 12th St., Williamsburg
When: Mid-December–TBA
Price: Adults (13+) $20, kids (4–12) $12
The William Vale, a hotel in Williamsburg, has an open-air rooftop rink 23 floors high, with a synthetic-ice surface and great views. Skating here requires reservations; drinks and snacks will be available in a chalet-inspired setting surrounding the rink.
Queens
City Ice Pavilion
Where: 47-32 32nd Pl., Long Island City
When: Year-round
Price: Set by coaches
City Ice Pavilion is a massive, world-class skating facility with an NHL-size ice rink that's open year-round for open skating sessions. The indoor rooftop facility offers public and private learn-to-skate classes, as well as hockey for tots, youths and adults. Birthday parties and special-events-planning opportunities are also available.
Courtesy, World Ice Arena
World Ice Arena
Where: 131-04 Meridian Rd., Flushing
When: Year-round
Price: Weekdays $8, holidays and weekends $12 (starting at 7pm Friday); skate rental $6
This architecturally breathtaking arena hosts it all, from hockey games to private skating lessons and events such as Halloween parties, where locals show up in costume and take turns whirling around the rink.
Staten Island
Staten Island Skating Pavilion
Where: 3080 Arthur Kill Rd., Tottenville
When: Year-round
Price: Adults $15, kids $13; skate rental $8
Staten Island’s only year-round ice-skating rink offers open ice-hockey games and private skating lessons, though public skating hours are somewhat limited; those sessions take place Friday evenings, Saturday afternoons and evenings and Sunday afternoons, as well as on most holidays.
