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 iconic spots like Rockefeller Center and Central Park to new rinks under the Brooklyn Bridge and on the Williamsburg waterfront.
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 11 this year.
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.
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 $20.32. Reserve them here. If you bring your own skates, ice skating is free.
The Rooftop at Pier 17
The Dead Rabbit, one of New York City’s most iconic Irish pubs, is kicking off the new year with an all-new concept at the Rooftop at Pier 17. The winter sports bar concept also includes access to the rooftop’s ice skating rink. The pop-up will run seven days a week through early March before transitioning into the pub’s “Paddy’s Not Patty’s” St. Patrick’s Day concept. General admission with skate rentals costs $25 plus fees, and you can book a skate session here.
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.
61 Chelsea Piers
At Chelsea Piers, you don’t need to wait until the winter season to ice skate. The piers offer two full-size ice rinks that are open year-round, offering a skating school for youth and adults, ice skating summer camps, figure skating, private lessons, and public skating sessions. Admission for public skating sessions starts at $22.50 plus skate rentals. Tickets can be purchased here.
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.
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. IC’s rink partners with Fireworks Skating Academy and offers skate lessons for children and adults. The IC Ice Rink will be open during the winter season every Thursday through Sunday through March. On Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., admission costs $10 for both entry and skate rentals. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., admission costs $28 for entry and skate rentals.
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 $13 and skate rentals are $7.
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 $10.60 on weekdays and $15.25 on weekends. Skate rentals cost $10.35.
Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, Brooklyn Bridge Park
Nestled under the Brooklyn Bridge at Emily Warren Roebling Plaza in Dumbo, Roebling Rink offers skating for all ages. Guests can enjoy rinkside food and beverages from the nearby Time Out Market while taking in sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline. Tickets start at $10. The rink also offers special pricing for groups and can be rented for large events. Additionally, a limited amount of discounted tickets will be available on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Mondays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. for Brooklyn residents who provide proof of residency.
145 Brooklyn Avenue, Crown Heights
The Brooklyn Children Museum’s beloved ArtRink has returned for another fun-filled year. The experience is perfect for families with young children, swapping out ice-skating blades with socks that provide more cushioning and control. This year’s theme ArtRink is “We Celebrate!,” in honor of BCM’s 125th birthday. Admission is $5 per person on top of general admission, which costs $15. ArtRink is open Wednesday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and all day on Saturdays and Sundays.
Domino Square, South 3rd Street between Kent Avenue and River Street
The newly-opened public plaza Domino Square offers the first ice skating rink on the Williamsburg waterfront, providing scenic Manhattan skyline views as visitors glide across the ice. The 7,000-square-foot rink offers public skating, themed events, and private rentals, with themed skate nights and live DJ sessions throughout the season. Admission costs $18 from Mondays through Thursdays and $22 from Fridays through Sundays. Tickets can be purchased here.
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.
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 $14, and skate rentals are $7.
Editor’s note: The original version of this article was published in 2023, and has since been updated.
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