19 Incredible Ice Skating Rinks in NYC to Check Out this Winter!
Are you looking to enjoy some of the most iconic ice skating rinks in NYC this winter season? Whether you’re looking to hit up the classics like Central Park, Rockefeller Center, to Bryant Park or you’re looking to discover some of the other great NYC ice skating rinks, like sky-high ice rinks with skyline views or ice rinks at iconic NYC landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge – we got you covered!
It’s no secret that we might love the ice skating rinks in Brooklyn, I mean the nature of our site is Brooklyn-based although we do frequent popular New York City ice skating rinks and activities too so from under-the-radar rinks to the most iconic rinks, we will breakdown our favorites plus all the information you need to know about visiting these ice skating rinks!
Oh, and if you have your own skates, guess what? There are even FREE ice skating rinks in New York City! Yep, in an expensive city where it feels like your wallet can’t get a break, some of the ice rinks actually are one of the best free things to do in NYC! Imagine that!
And while the summer and fall are popular times to visit the city, winter in NYC is one of the most magical times of year and there are plenty of places to celebrate our favorite cold-weather sport along some of the best winter holidays in NYC and beyond. You’ll quickly see why this is one of the most popular outdoor activities in NYC for locals and tourists.
Whether you’re visiting NYC during Christmas and the holiday season through Valentine’s Day, here are some of the most stellar ice rinks in NYC to enjoy a fun day on the ice with the family, a romantic date, or just to show off that triple axel you’ve been practicing!
Dust off those skates and bring them to these ice rinks in NYC, or if you don’t have your own skates you can rent! If you’re a newbie, don’t worry you can always rent a cool penguin or snowman skate aid too! Even if it is meant for the little ones!
Best Ice Rinks in NYC
The Rink at Rockefeller Plaza
600 5th Avenue, Midtown Manhattan
The Rink at Rockefeller Plaza is easily one of the most famous ice skating rinks in NYC in the middle of Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan. This is also known as one of the best ice skating rinks in NYC as it’s become synonymous with Christmas in the city from the movies used as a filming location in Elf and other holiday classics!
Another reason this is one of the best things to do in NYC around Christmas is that this rink first opened on Christmas day in 1936 when the men who ran the plaza didn’t know how to keep shoppers busy. Thus, they opened the ice skating rink in the sunken spot of ice and named it “The Skating Pond.”
Although they didn’t plan on keeping the rink open for more than a year, they ended up bringing it back each year after seeing how many people loved it!
This ice skating rink is a seasonal rink located right under the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Plaza, the most famous of Christmas trees in NYC too. It is surrounded by statues and trees that make the plaza impossible to miss! Admission into the ice skating rink is $21 for adults, $11 for children and skate rentals are $11. They have multiple sizes available from children to adult sizes. You are also welcome to bring your own skates if you prefer but everyone must have skates on to be out on the rink.
Tickets can be purchased with a variety of options from general admission to VIP admission in advance on their website or you can purchase them when you arrive at the rink. They also offer penguin skate aids for children for $25. They are not able to be reserved in advance and are available on a first come, first serve basis.
Many things make The Rink at Rockefeller Plaza one of the most unique ice rinks in NYC from daily events throughout the holidays to special packages that you can curate for your own best experience. The rink’s official website allows visitors to browse through the various packages that they offer. These packages enable guests to plan out events like birthday parties, private dinners, or proposals! If you’ve ever been here you’ll notice they have a proposal at least every hour during the holidays!
They also offer private lessons and lessons for larger groups that want to improve their ice skating skills. Lastly, this rink provides memberships that start at $500 and allow visitors to enjoy unlimited skating all season long if you’re a local looking to get the most out of your skating season!
The rink is open daily from 9 am to midnight with the last round of skaters permitted on the ice at 11 pm. Every season, this ice rink opens at the end of October and closes late March or early April every season.
The Rink at Bryant Park Winter Village
5th Avenue, Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan
Another great place to go ice skating in NYC is at The Rink at Bryant Park. Also known as The Rink at the Winter Village! Ice skating here is completely free, although skate rental is not included. So if you don’t have your own skates, you’ll just have to pay for that rental.
This popular spot is located in the middle of the Bryant Park Winter Village, a spot with many pop-up shops and food kiosks that will put you in the holiday spirit and is fun all winter long.
In fact, during the holidays this is one of the best Christmas markets in New York City! And what’s awesome is that it continues all winter long, which gives me something to look forward to after the holidays are over and the winter feels a little glum.
This ice skating rink is open every day, including holidays, from 8 am to 10 pm daily and 8 midnight on select holidays and weekends.
Not only does Bryant Park have one of the best ice skating rinks in New York, they also have some amazing events that happen in the Winter Village and on the rink. Be sure to check out these events on their website so that you can plan your day before you go.
Events may include juggling, carousel rides for kids, winter igloos to enjoy food and drinks, and the curling cafe and bar. There are also many places to eat nearby, including the food kiosks in the village and Bryant Park Grill and Cafe.
Lastly, you don’t have to skate to enjoy the ice skating rink here! This rink puts on many choreographed shows where individual professional skaters and ensembles put on fun performances for the public. They also have ice bumper cars too if you’re looking for a unique winter activity!
As mentioned, this ice rink in NYC is free if you have your own skates, otherwise, your only fee is skate rentals, which cost $18 to $55 dollars depending on the day. The season for this ice rink typically is from the end of October through early March.
Oh, and if you’re feeling like you want to enjoy more ice activities in the winter, check out Bryant Park’s ice bumper cars! Unlike the ice skating rink, this is a paid activity and requires a reservation!
Wollman Rink at Central Park
830 5th Ave, Central Park, Manhattan
One of the most famous places for ice skating in NYC is the Wollman Rink. The Wollman Rink is located in the southern section of Central Park near the Central Park Zoo and Central Park Carousel at 59th St. and 6th Avenue. This rink doubles as an ice skating rink and event venue and offers outstanding NYC skyline views, not to mention one of the most iconic things to do in NYC just like the movies.
Not only can you hold a private event and ice skate here, but you can also play youth hockey, be a spectator to the hockey games, grab a lesson at the ice skating school, learn how to figure skate in a class, or watch incredible figure skaters practice right here on the ice.
Just like the other rinks listed in this guide, Wollman Rink offers several community events including a free skate day for teachers, rink-side igloos, season passes, and skate school so make sure you check their website for all the best events!
Tickets vary by adult and children tickets and are priced differently depending on when you visit the rink. During the week, adult tickets are $15, and children and senior tickets (aged 65+) are $10. On the weekends, adult tickets can be either $25 or $35 depending on whether you select a peak or prime skating time while children and senior tickets remain $10. Skate rentals are also $10.
However, there are many discounts, such as student and senior discounts, that will allow you to skate for less! All tickets can be purchased online in advance. Another important thing to note is that the wait times can exceed up to 45 minutes at its peak skating times, even when you have pre-purchased your tickets in advance.
Once you are on the ice, you are welcome to skate as long as you’d like! Typically this ice skating rink in NYC season is open from October to March. The hours vary by day so make sure to check their website for updates!
Harlem Meer Center (Lasker Rink)
110th Street & Lenox Avenue, Harlem, Manhattan
Another one of the best ice skating rinks in NYC located in Central Park at 110th Street and Lenox Avenue is Harlem Meer Center, formerly known as Lasker Rink. Since this ice rink in NYC is located further north in Central Park in Harlem, it doesn’t get the crowds that the ice rinks closer to Midtown get!
This outdoor rink is the perfect winter activity and even offers visitors opportunities to join a hockey or ice skating lesson. Regular skating sessions are $9 for adults, $5 for children, $3 for seniors, and $8 for skate rentals. Lockers are not available at this rink and all personal items must fit neatly inside a bag that can be kept with skaters at all times.
Spectators who want to hang out and not ice skate also do get charged $5, so keep that in mind! This ice skating rink is cash only, so come prepared! This ice rink in NYC is typically open from late October through March.
NOTE: This ice rink in NYC is under renovation and is expected to open back up in 2024.
LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park
171 East Drive, Prospect Park in Brooklyn
My personal pick for the best ice skating in NYC is right here in Brooklyn! The Le Frak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park is one of the largest and most affordable ice skating rinks in NYC!
This large rink is located in the Le Frak Center, which offers many sports, from boating to seasonal ice skating & roller skating.
With covered and opened rinks that are conveniently connected, this center has 32,000 square feet of skating surfaces open to the public.
The best part about the ice-skating rink at Prospect Park is that there are two rinks, one that is completely open and one that is covered! Both are conveniently connected, this center has 32,000 square feet of skating surfaces open to the public.
Hours vary by day so make sure you check out their website before you visit! Ice skating admissions are $9.25 on weekdays and $13.50 on the weekends. The weekend pricing begins Friday at 4 pm. Skate rentals are $9.50. Just like Rockefeller Rink, they also have skate aids available and can be reserved in advance.
Read our full guide to Prospect Park ice skating to learn more about this awesome rink! This ice rink is also great if you’re looking for somewhere less crowded too and more space to practice!
This NYC ice skating rink is typically open from mid-November through March.
The Rink at Brookfield Place
230 Vessey St, Lower Manhattan
The Rink at Brookfield Place with Gregory & Petukhov is an ice skating rink located on the banks of the Hudson River. From here, you can enjoy a view of the World Trade Center while you skate! From the rink promenade, you can also look at Ellis Island and views of the Statue of Liberty.
This ice skating rink offers both public skating and private skating lessons. It is $15 for a one-hour public skating session with another $5 to rent skates during the week, the weekends are are $17 for public skating and $7 to rent skates.
The seasonal pass at this rink is $200 and will get you unlimited skating all season! This rink also plays a variety of seasonal tunes while the ice skaters enjoy themselves on the rink!
Keep in mind that this ice skating spot does not have lockers and is not as large as the other ice rinks in NYC, so it’s best to go on a weekday when there are fewer skaters. If you’re here during the holidays don’t miss checking out the winter luminaries inside the mall, this is one of the best places for Christmas lights in NYC! There is also the opportunity to skate with Santa, which is a great activity for both kids and adults alike!
This ice skating rink in NYC is typically open daily typically from mid-November through mid-March with hours of operation varying depending on the day, make sure to check their website before planning your visit! And an insider tip, dress extra warm if you’re ice skating in NYC along the Hudson River, there is a little more wind here and it can be extra chilly!
Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers
61 Chelsea Piers, Chelsea, Manhattan
The Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers is known to offer some of the best ice skating in NYC! Unlike other ice rinks in NYC that are only open during the winter, this rink is open all year long. With two full-size indoor ice skating rinks, locker rooms, and expansive viewing areas, this rink truly has it all.
Located at Pier 61 at Chelsea Piers, one of the best piers in NYC for activities, the Sky Rink offers public ice skating, ice hockey, figure skating, and skating school for those who want to improve their skills. They also offer openings for those who want to host a private party or event.
The Sky Rink is great for families and children, offering ice skates and helmets as well as an expansive view of the Hudson River without all of the wind from the outdoors!
Winterland at The Seaport
89 South Street, Lower Manhattan
If you want some of the best ice skating in NYC, Winterland at The Seaport in the historic Seaport District is the perfect pick!
Just like the rink at Bryant Park, admission to the beautiful South Seaport rink is completely free! They also have a super impressive light show installation and festive music. Plus, as mentioned above, they truly have one of the best views in all of Manhattan!
Skate rental pricing is different each day but they do offer a neighborhood discount on rentals! During the week (Monday – Thursday), skate rentals are $23 per person and $20 per person for neighborhood friends. On the weekends, regular skate rental is $26 and $22 for locals. On holidays, there is one set price at $35.
Just like so many of the other rinks in the city, the hours vary so make sure you check the website before you visit.
Glide at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn
What was always an integral part of the original Brooklyn Bridge Park vision during construction in 2008, is finally coming to life. One of the latest additions of ice rinks in NYC is Glide at Brooklyn Bridge Park!
Located underneath one of the city’s most famous landmarks, this ice rink will be open mid-November through early March for New Yorkers and tourists alike to enjoy one of the most magical ice skating experiences the city has to offer. With expansive skyline views Glide at Brooklyn Bridge Park is an exciting addition to winters in NYC.
After skating up an appetite, make sure to visit the Rinkside cafe! Stocked full with eats and beverages from local vendors.
Tickets start at $15 for adults and $10 for children, but pricing may vary depending on peak hours, NYC residency, and whether or not you need to add on a skate rental – but all sessions are 50 minutes long! For more information on pricing and planning your visit to Glide, visit their website! This enchanting NYC ice rink is open daily from 10 am to 10 pm.
Industry City Rink
51 35th Street, Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Another amazing open-air ice rink is located in Industry City in Sunset Park!
This ice skating rink in New York is located in the courtyard 5/6 (typically open from November through March) and if you’re new to Industry City then you’ll be blown away by all their beautiful seasonal decor by local artists as well as murals, dining options, drinking options, shopping, and more!
Industry City is known for getting decked out for every holiday of the year with different decor each year from Valentine’s Day to Oktoberfest, which is one of the many reasons this is one of our favorite things to do in Brooklyn.
At night, there is a fire pit for the ice skaters with string lights and hot cider. Skating at this rink is $15 per person, with an extra $10 to rent skates and $5 if you would like to rent a helmet as well. This Industry City rink is open Thursday – Sunday, Thursday and Friday from 4:00 – 8:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am – 8:00 pm.
This is one of the best ice rinks in NYC to visit if you want to do other activities, such as playing arcade games or shopping. They also have great restaurants here and even a food court (the food court only stays open until 7 PM though). It’s also a great place to walk around since so many string lights and Christmas decorations are put up near the rink.
This is also great for heated outdoor dining here, Sahadi’s had a really great heated outdoor set up that is spacious along with hot cocktails to warm up on a chilly winter day. Also, keep an eye out for the few cozy fire pits around the courtyards too!
Vale Rink at the William Vale
121 N. 12th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
The William Vale Rink offers some of the best skating in NYC. Located on the 23rd floor of the 5-star hotel, the William Vale, this outdoor rink gives its visitors panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline including incredible views of the Empire State Building!
In addition, this rink is made of a synthetic material that, unlike ice, does not need electricity or a specific temperature to function.
This makes it easier for skaters to get a grip and fall without getting hurt. Skating here is $20 with a discounted fee of $12 per for kids 12 and under and each session booked is for 50 minutes. The rink is open Wednesday – Friday from 2 pm to 10 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm – 10 pm. (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays). Reservations can be made in advance through their website.
If you need a break there’s a heated enclosure you can take a break at!
Also, while you’re here make a reservation for Westlight, one of the best rooftop bars in Brooklyn and best rooftop bars in NYC for some post-skating snacks and cocktails.
World Ice Arena
131-04 Meridian Rd, Flushing, Queens
The World Ice Arena is one of the best ice skating rinks in NYC. Located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, this rink offers public skating 7 days a week and is located in a massive arena. In addition, this rink offers skating lessons and hockey lessons for all ages!
Skating here costs $8 on the weekdays and $12 on the weekends (starting at 7 pm on Fridays) and holidays and an extra $6 to rent skates. Watching the skaters from the arena is free, and all lockers are 75 cents. Public skate hours vary by day so make sure you check the website in advance!
There is also a full-service restaurant, live music, and many kiosks with food here! Nearby the rink is also a gift shop and a place that sells Dippin’ Dots. Furthermore, if you have a car, rest assured that there is a ton of free parking nearby.
Riverbank State Park Ice Rink
679 Riverside Drive, Harlem, Manhattan
One of the best ice skating rinks in NYC is the Riverbank State Park Ice Rink. Known for some of the best ice skating Uptown, this indoor rink is located in Harlem in the 28-acre public Riverbank State Park.
Although the rink is indoors, this park is located almost 70 feet above the banks of the Hudson River and is a great place to hang out.
This ice skating rink turns into a roller skating rink during the summer, offers free parking downstairs, and is great for families! However, this offers some of the best ice skating in NYC, and there is often a line, so be sure to get there early!
This rink has a DJ, snacks & beverages, and a convenient bus that goes to the Bronx! This rink also offers many lessons, including ice skating, hockey, synchronized skating, and figure skating!
The rink is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 5:30 – 8:30 pm on Friday, 12:30 – 3:30 pm, and 5:30 – 8:30 pm on Saturday and Sundays. Admission for adults is just $5 while children under 12 are $3 and skate rentals are $6.
Sky Skate at the Edge
30 Hudson Yards, Midtown Manhattan
One of the best views in town now has one of the best new ice skating rinks in town! Opened very recently, the Edge in Hudson Yards is now offering some of the best ice skating in NYC!
Located 1,200 feet above Manhattan, this indoor rink is over 1,024 square feet and is made up of the synthetic ice, Glice, like the rink at the William Vale above.
Sky Skate’s admission is only $10 per person, including skates! Sky Skate is open every day from 10 am to 10 pm.
Tickets can be purchased online for one of the best 30-minute ice skating experiences in NYC and if you want something super unique, try to get some of the limited tickets that are available during the live DJ on Thursday and Friday from 5 to 8 pm.
Governors Island Winter Village
Another newer rink to visit for ice skating in NYC is on Governors Island! Bundle up for the ferry ride over to Governor’s Island to the 7,500-square-foot ice skating rink that is open to people of all ages!
Just like the incredible views of the Manhattan skyline you get when you visit Governors Island over the summer, this is what you’ll be skating around. The best part? Thursdays are free admission for everyone that can be booked in advance and Friday is free admission on a first come, first serve basis!
In addition to the skating rink, Governors Island offers a winter village with activities, festive decorations, games, food and drinks, and fire pits to warm you up!
The rink is open Thursdays and Fridays from 12 – 5:30 pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am – 5:30 pm. As noted above, admission is free on Thursdays $12 on the weekdays, and $13 on Saturdays and Sundays with skate rentals being $9/pair. All reservations are available in 90-minute blocks!
And while you’re here check out all the cool things to do at Governors Island, in the winter you may just want to stick around and spend the rest of the day at QCNY Spa which is open through winter with heated outdoor pools with breathtaking skyline views!
The Rink at Manhattan West
385 9th Avenue, Midtown Manhattan
I’m still trying to figure out if Manhattan West has been there all along or it just has recently become one of the buzziest parts of town thanks to all the new restaurants, bars, and another great place for ice skating in NYC.
The rink is located next to the NHL store and offers public skating every day as well as lessons if you prefer! Just like the rink at Brookfield, this rink is hosted by the famous Olympians Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov.
Hours vary daily so make sure you check the website before you visit. During the week, admission is $20 for 60 minutes with an additional $5 for skate rental. On the weekends and over the holidays, the public session is $22 for 60-minute skating and $8 for skate rentals.
The Rink at Brooklyn Commons
1 Metrotech Center, Downtown Brooklyn
Situated in Brooklyn Commons Park, everyone will enjoy is another great ice skating rink located in the middle of downtown Brooklyn! The 5,000-square-foot skating rink is definitely one of the best ice skating in NYC!
Just like many of the other rinks in NYC, admission is $15, and an additional $8 for skate rental. They also offer skate aids for $20 per session.
Each guest will pre-purchase tickets in advance through their website and are recommended to arrive 30 minutes before your time slot to complete the necessary paperwork, get your skates, and be ready to skate! Skating lessons are also offered at this rink but require a 48-hour advance registration!
This NYC ice skating spot is open from November through mid-February.
City Ice Pavilion
47-32 32nd Place, Long Island City, Queens
Sister rink to the World Ice Arena in Flushing listed above is the City Ice Pavilion located in LIC. Just like World Ice Arena, City Ice Pavilion offers both public skating and private lesson skating for some of the best ice skating in NYC.
Pre-registration is required to skate here, even during the public sessions! Make sure you check the website before visiting because the hours vary by day. For admission and rentals, $12 for admission and holidays (including school vacation weeks) and $8 skate rental per person. Lockers are also available for $.75.
Just like the World Ice Arena, parking is free at City Ice Pavilion so feel free to drive!
Staten Island Skating Pavilion
3080 Arthur Kill Rd, Staten Island
Another amazing place to go skating in NYC is the Staten Island Skating Pavilion located in the borough of Staten Island. The best part about this ice skating rink is that it is open year round! It is also indoors so that helps with the extremely cold temperatures that we know can hit in the winters in NYC.
Staten Island Skating Pavilion offers both public skating and lessons. They also offer options for birthday parties or other events where you can rent out the space!
Public skating is available on the weekends on Fridays 8:10 am – 11:10 pm, Saturdays 2:30 – 4:30 pm/ 7:30 – 9:30 pm & Sundays 2:00 – 4:00 pm. Rink admission is $15 for adults and $13 for children. Skate rentals are $8 per person.
Winter Whirl at The Oculus
185 Greenwich St, Lower Manhattan
For the first time ever, one of the most iconic landmarks in New York, The Oculus, is opening its very own roller skating rink! While technically not an ice skating rink, it’s still a rink for a close enough sport we decided to throw this in the mix!
Winter Whirl at The Oculus is one of the newest skating rink additions to the city and it’s also one of the most perfect weatherproof activities in NYC. Inside the downtown Manhattan mall at the World Trade Center, this new roller rink will be operating from late November to late January.
Tickets to this magical experience are $30 for 45 minutes of skating and $25 for ages 8-18 (skate rental included!) While reservations are not required, they are strongly encouraged!
After taking off the skates, make sure to scope out the local food and beverage vendors that Winter Whirl is hosting along with all the endless shopping opportunities!
The hours for Winter Whirl are Wednesday-Sunday from 11 am to 10 pm with last admission at 9 pm. If you plan on taking a skate on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, the hours will be from 11 am to 6 pm, with the last skate being at 5 pm!
Best Ice Skating in New York City (Post Summary):
- The Rink at Rockefeller Center
- The Rink at Bryant Park Winter Village
- Wollman Rink at Central Park
- Harlem Meer Center (Lasker Rink)
- LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park
- The Rink at Brookfield Place
- Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers
- Winterland at the Seaport
- Glide at Brooklyn Bridge Park
- Industry City Rink
- Vale Rink at The William Vale
- World Ice Arena
- Sky Skate at The Edge
- Governors Island Winter Village
- The Rink at Manhattan West
- The Rink at Brooklyn Commons
- City Ice Pavilion
- Staten Island Skating Pavilion
- Winter Whirl at the Oculus (Roller Rink)
Did we miss your pick for best ice skating rinks in NYC? Let us know in the comments below! Happy winter!
I think the best ice skating rink is at Rockefeller Center, especially when the holidays are coming.The annual lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center is a widely watched event