15 best ice skating rinks in NYC
When the cool weather of fall fades into the freezing frostiness of winter, it takes a lot of effort to leave our warm, cozy homes. However, one festive activity that gets New Yorkers out of their apartments is ice skating, a New York City tradition since the 1850s. Ahead, find some of the best places in the city to ice skate, from gliding underneath the world’s most iconic Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center to attending lessons hosted by Olympic skaters at Manhattan West and Brookfield Place.
Manhattan
The Rink at Rockefeller Center
600 5th Avenue
Skate underneath one of the world’s most iconic Christmas trees at the Rink at Rockefeller Center. Rockefeller Plaza has been home to an ice rink since 1936 and is on every NYC winter to-do list. Besides public skating sessions, the rink also hosts private individual and group lessons. Tickets for general admission start at $21 for adults. Note, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is on display through January 13.
Wollman Rink NYC
Central Park, 830 Fifth Avenue
An iconic Central Park attraction, the Wollman Rink lets guests spin and glide across the ice surrounded by the glittering Manhattan skyline. Nestled next to the rink is a cafe, serving skaters snacks like hot dogs, burgers, and more. Tickets on off-peak dates start at $15 for adults and $10 for children and seniors.
You can also purchase a premier pass for $40, which grants you access to the Nordstrom Chill Lounge. Running through December, the lounge is a heated rinkside retreat that is accessible only to those with Wollman Rink Premier Passes. The pass includes expedited rink entry, skate rental concierge service, 2 hours of tent access, cozy seating, complimentary coffee, hot chocolate, tea, and other refreshments, and a dedicated tent attendant and storage locker.
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
Bryant Park, 41st Street and 6th Avenue
The 17,000-square-foot Bryant Park Rink is located at the center of the renowned open-air Bank of America Winter Village. Nestled next to the rink is the Lodge, which provides a “rinkside, apres skate escape” where visitors can enjoy festive food and cocktails and watch as skaters circle the ice. Admission to the rink is free, with tickets for skate rentals starting at $14. Reserve them here. If you bring your own skates, ice skating is free.
The Rink at Manhattan West
385 9th Avenue
Located within the new Brookfield Properties development Manhattan West, this rink hosts weekday public skating, weekend and holiday public skating, events, and lessons taught by Olympians Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov. Admission starts at $20 plus a skate rental fee.
Courtesy of Bucketlisters
Disney’s The Santa Clauses’ Winter Wonderland
The Rooftop at Pier 17
In partnership with Bucket Listers, The Rooftop at Pier 17 has turned into Santa Claus’ headquarters with Disney’s “The Santa Clauses’ Winter Wonderland,” inspired by the film series starring Tim Allen. With the skyline and Brooklyn Bridge as a scenic backdrop, the pop-up experience includes Manhattan’s only rooftop ice skating rink. After skating, enjoy seasonal treats, festive cocktails, and a visit from Santa. Tickets start at $20.
The Rink at Brookfield Place
230 Vesey Street
Situated on the Lower Manhattan waterfront, the Rink at Brookfield Place offers skating and activities for guests of all ages and skill levels, as well as skating lessons hosted by Olympians Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov. Guests should be sure to take in the waterfront views and grab a bite to eat at Hudson Eats, Brookfield Place’s dining terrace with several fast-casual options. Weekday public skating sessions cost $15, with skate rentals at $5; on weekends, the admission is $17 and skates are $7. More pricing information can be found here.
Sky Skate at Edge
30 Hudson Yards
New York City’s highest ice skating rink is back for the holiday season. Located within the indoor portion of the sky deck Edge at Hudson Yards, Sky Skate offers guests the ability to skate at 1,131 feet in the air. Edge’s 1,024-square-foot rink is made of Glice, a synthetic form of ice that consumes zero energy. Tickets start at $46 for adults and include 30 minutes of skating time and skate rentals. Sky Skate will be open through January 14.
Riverbank State Park ice skating rink
679 Riverside Drive
Located in Riverbank State Park, a 28-ace public park resting 69 feet above the banks of the Hudson River, skaters can enjoy a peaceful glide across one of Uptown Manhattan’s only ice skating rinks. The covered rink, which offers roller skating in the warmer months, has a roof to prevent skating from being interrupted by inclement weather. Public skating sessions are available Friday through Sunday. Admission starts at $5 for adults and $6 for skate rentals.
Brooklyn
Industry City Ice Rink
51 35th Street, Courtyard 5/6
Industry City’s outdoor uncovered rink is a perfect winter activity for the whole family. The rink is nestled in courtyard 5/6 at the campus with a nearby bar serving hot cocoa and snacks. The IC Ice Rink will be open during the winter season every Thursday through Sunday through March. Admission costs $15, and skate rentals cost $10. This year, the rink will offer a dedicated hour for kids to skate with winter characters Silly Snowman, Ice Princess, and Santa Claus on Saturdays and Sundays in December from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Image courtesy of The William Vale
The Vale Rink
111 North 12th Street
Located on the 23rd-floor rooftop of The William Vale Hotel in Williamsburg, the Vale Rink offers a fun winter outing with views of the city skyline. The Vale Rink is made out of a synthetic form of ice that offers a nearly identical skating experience without the cold and wetness of traditional ice. Next to the rink is the Winter Village at Westlight, a heated area offering Alpine-style fondue, Westlight’s signature dishes, and festival craft cocktails. Stay tuned for the opening date for the Vale Rink this year.
Abe Stark Rink
Coney Island Boardwalk and West 19th Street
For 40 years, the Abe Stark Rink has given visitors a reason to head to the Coney Island boardwalk during the winter. The rink is a community favorite frequented by schools, sports leagues, and locals of all ages. The rink offers public skating sessions, hockey, and skating classes. Admission is $10 and skate rentals are $5.
LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park
Prospect Park, 171 East Drive
Found in the southeast corner of Prospect Park, the LeFrak Center at Lakeside has a covered and uncovered ice skating rink and hosts ice skating and hockey lessons, birthday parties, and other special events. The rinkside Bluestone Cafe serves up piping hot mugs of hot chocolate and coffee, cocktails, and other treats for your post-skating cravings. Admission is $10.05 on weekdays and $14.70 on weekends. Skate rentals cost $10.30.
Glide at Brooklyn Bridge
Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park opened its first-ever ice skating rink last month. Located under the Brooklyn Bridge at Emily Warren Roebling Plaza in Dumbo, the rink, called Glide at Brooklyn Bridge Park, offers skating for guests of all ages, rinkside food and beverages from the nearby Time Out Market, and sweeping Manhattan skyline views.Â
Tickets start at $15 for adults and $10 for children during off-peak hours. The rink also offers special pricing for groups and can be rented for large events. Additionally, a limited amount of discounted tickets starting at $9 will be available every day for NYC residents who provide proof of residency.
Frost Fest at Luna Park
Luna Park, 1000 Surf Avenue, Coney Island
Coney Island’s iconic Luna Park is staying open for the winter for the first time in its 120-year history and bringing with it a brand-new ice skating rink. The seasonal event, known as Frost Fest, is running through January 7. The festival lets visitors ride some of the amusement park’s iconic rides and attractions, enjoy holiday shopping, eat festive food, and ice skate at Rudolph’s Rink. Skating costs $24.99 and includes a $10 Luna Card for rides. For $44.99, visitors can ice skate, take a photo with Santa, and receive a $15 Luna Card.
Queens
World Ice Arena
Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 134-04 Meridian Road
Located within Queens’ Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the World Ice Arena is an ice skating rink that hosts public skating sessions, skating classes, hockey, and more. Public skating sessions are held seven days a week, with admission costing $8 on weekdays and $12 on weekends. Skate rentals cost $6.
Staten Island
WWII Veterans War Memorial Ice Skating Rink
Clove Lakes Park, 1305 Victory Boulevard
The WWII Veterans Memorial Ice Skating Rink is Staten Island’s only outdoor skating rink, hosting adult and youth skating lessons, events, and parties. Admission is $12, and skate rentals are $7.
Editor’s note: The original version of this article was published on January 4, 2023, and has since been updated.
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