NYC & CO.

 

Winter just isn't winter without ice skating in New York City. And though most of us can probably name two or three famous rinks off the top of our heads there are actually 12 public ice skating facilities throughout the City.The most well known of these is, without a doubt, the Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center.

Millions of visitors plan trips to the City every year just to catch a glimpse of skaters taking a spin on the ice below the famous Christmas tree and gilded statue of Prometheus, and others will wait in long lines to experience it for themselves. Surrounded by famous restaurants, shops and landmarks, Rockefeller Center provides the quintessential NYC skating experience.

This year, the rink opened on October 10, 2009 and closes in April 2010.Admission varies throughout the season. Between October 10 and November 5, Monday through Thursday, adults pay $10 and children under 11 pay $7.50. Friday through Sunday, adults pay $14 and children pay $8.50. During this time period skate rental costs $8. If you visit the Rockefeller Center rink November 6–19, from Monday to Thursday, adults are $15.50 and children under 11 are $9.50; Friday through Sunday, adults are $19 and children are $10.50. Between November 20 and January 9, adults are $19 and children are $12.50 each day. Skate rental from November 6 through January 9 is $9.

If Rockefeller Center gets too crowded you can visit one of the other five rinks in Manhattan. Walk several blocks south and you'll hit the Pond at Bryant Park, the most affordable rink in all of New York City if you already own a pair of skates.Admission is free.The rink is centrally located, off Sixth Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets, and Bryant Park also hosts annual holiday shops if you want to cross some gifts off your list after your turn around the ice. The Pond at Bryant Park is open from November 6 to January 24, and skate rental costs $12.

The Pond at Bryant Park • Photo: www.thepondatbryantpark.com

Few rinks can match the ambience of Central Park's Wollman Rink located inside the park between 62nd and 63rd Streets, especially after a fresh snowfall.This rink opens on October 23 and closes in April 2010. For adults, admission is $10.25 (Monday through Thursday) or $14.75 (Friday through Sunday); for kids, it's $5.50 (Monday through Thursday) or $5.75 (Friday through Sunday). Skate rental is $6.25.

Farther north in Central Park is Lasker Rink, between 106th and 108th Streets. Lasker Rink opened this year on October 31,2009 and closes on March 28, 2010; admission is $6.25 for adults and $3.50 for children 12 and under. Skate rental is $5.50. If you get the chance to skate at Wollman or Lasker Rinks at night be sure to look up for some New York City stargazing opportunities.

 

Wollman Rink, Central Park • Photo: James & Vilija

Even farther north, in the Hamilton Heights section of the City is Riverbank State Park located along Henry Hudson Parkway between 138th and 145th Streets. Riverbank is the only state park in Manhattan, and it offers incredible river views across to New Jersey and gorgeous vistas of the George Washington Bridge. Its rink is open for public ice skating Fridays to Sundays from November through March. Rates for the season have yet to be determined, but expect adult admission to be around $5, children under 12 to be about $2.50 and skate rental to cost $6.

If you prefer to skate downtown visit the Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers. This enormous sports complex offers ice skating year round (just in case the mood should strike you in mid-July). Admission is $13 for adults and $10.50 for children; skate rental is $7.50.

 

Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers • Photo courtesy, Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers

In Queens, the World Ice Arena in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park is open year round. Skating is $5 Monday through Friday; for Friday's evening session and those on Saturday and Sunday, the rate is $8. Skate rental is $5. Long Island City, meanwhile, is home to City Ice Pavilion, a newly opened facility offering the only rooftop ice skating in New York City. Admission is $5 Monday to Thursday and $8 Friday to Sunday. Skate rental is $6.

World Ice Arena • Photo courtesy, NYC Parks and Recreation

City Ice Pavilion • Photo courtesy, City Ice Pavilion

If you're headed to Brooklyn you'll have three skating rinks to choose from, each boasting its own incredible environment. Already missing the beach? Take a trip to Abe Stark Rink located along the Coney Island Boardwalk.The rink is open on Saturdays and Sundays from October 10 through March 28, 2010.Admission is $8; skate rental is $5.

Abe Stark Rink • Photo: Joe Cingrana

Your other option is the Kate Wollman Rink. Nestled inside Prospect Park it's a great place to stop in for a skate after exploring the park or the surrounding neighborhood. The rink opens Thanksgiving weekend and closes on March 14, 2010.Adult skating is $5; children 14 and under skate for $3. Skate rental is $6.50. Finally, take a trip to the Aviator Sports and Events Center at Floyd Bennett Field for indoor ice skating year round, where you can rest up in the sports lounge before or after your skate.Adult skating is $8, children skate for $6 and skate rental is $4.50.

Last but certainly not least, Staten Island is home to the Staten Island War Memorial Ice Skating Rink located in Clove Lakes Park. This rink is encased within a huge heated white bubble similar to that of enclosed tennis courts. The rink opened October 3 and closes March 28, 2010. Public skating is Friday to Sunday for $8 per person; skate rental is $5.

In addition to public skating many of the above rinks offer skating lessons, group rates and private party bookings. Some even have their own hockey leagues with open enrollment. So now that you have the scoop, it's time to lace up your skates and go have some winter fun!