A familiar chill is in the air, along with the Christmas décor that seems to have popped up overnight with Santa’s help, signifies the start of the New York City holiday season.
One of the most beloved NYC holiday traditions is none other than lacing on a pair of ice skates and going for a few laps around the rink.
Whether you keep them in the back of your closet, you’re a 6.0 figure skater or it’s your first time venturing out on the ice, here are some of the best places in the city to warm up that landing leg.
1. The Rink at Rockefeller Center (600 5th Avenue)
kelseykline1999 The #rinkatrockefeller #iceskating #nyc #sweet16 #thanksgiving Ice skating on the birthday trip!!
Likely the most recognized ice skating rink in the entire world, The Rink at Rockefeller Center just screams Christmas in NYC. Since its opening in 1936, hundreds of thousands of people have skated on this iconic ice.
Rock Center is the ultimate pit for holiday tourists, so if you want to skate here, make sure you plan it out. Open from 8:30 to midnight daily, ice time and skate rentals will run you about $45 all together.
Want to beat the crowds? The Rink offers advance reservations with the First Skate Package, which includes a 7 a.m. session, skate rentals and coffee or hot chocolate with an optional breakfast for about $50 per person.
2. The Rink at Winter Village (Bryant Park)
The lawn at Bryant Park is transformed into a Winter Village for the season, complete with holiday shops and a central ice skating rink. Although it’s still midtown, this is the place to go for scenic NYC skating without the Rock Center crowds.
With plenty of food and warm beverages available on site, it’s a great place to spend a day on the ice. The only mandatory charge here is for skate rentals, which average at $15, so if you have your own, you skate for free!
The Rink is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. through March 6th, so there’s plenty of time opportunity to set aside a day to skate amid the 42nd Street skyscrapers.
3. Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers (Pier 61, Hudson River Greenway)
valerielevine Today I got to be an ice angel at with @stephaniejillchernick for a little girls birthday party! The best part is the kids were asking me if I was a real fairy! Too cute :)! #iceangel #fairy #chelseapiers #childrensparties #entertainment #skaters #figureskaters #iceskating #nyc #newyorkcity #angels
The year-round indoor Sky Rink takes on a certain winery magic when the holidays roll around. Two NHL-sized rinks seem to float in midair above the Hudson River as you round the chilly bends.
Sky Rink also accommodates many private events and skating parties on its scenic Sunset Terrace, a cascade of huge windows with sweeping river views. And with $10 admission and $5 skate rentals, it’s a day that won’t take away from the Christmas present budget.
4. City Ice Pavilion (47-32 32nd Place – Queens)
Situated high above Long Island City is City Ice Pavilion, the only rooftop rink that can be found in the five boroughs. This enormous 85-by-200-foot rink sits under a weatherproof dome, shielding skaters from the harsh winter elements.
Another year-round rink, City Ice Pavilion also offers hockey programs for children and adults, in case you want to try and unleash your inner New York Ranger. The weekend admission price is $9 per person skate rentals are a cool $5.
5. Wollman Rink (Central Park South)
shaudgt Wollman Rink in Central Park with the Gapstow Bridge in the distance. #wollmanrink #gapstowbridge #centralpark #nyc #nofilter
One of the most beloved rinks to NYC locals, Wollman Rink places you against a picturesque park backdrop for a day of skating in nature, or at least as close as you can get to it in the city.
First opened in 1949, Wollman plays home to the Victorian Gardens Amusement Park come the summertime. But as of October 24th, the rink is open to skaters of all levels.
It’s important to note that the place is cash only, which you’ll need for the $11.25 admission and $8 skate rentals. It’s a bit more on the wallet than some other NYC rinks, but the cost comes with the benefit of lessened tourist traffic.
,6. Abe Star Rink (1902 Surf Avenue – Brooklyn)
via Coney Island Fun Guide
After a huge fire destroyed its original setup as an indoor pool in 1963, Abe Star was redeveloped into the Coney Island skate spot it is today. This rink also wastes no time to get a jump on things and is open starting mid-October.
The rink opens promptly at 12:30pm on the weekends for public skating, but be sure to get there early as the ice can fill up fast. Just make sure you have $10 to get in and $5 to rent skates if you don’t already have some.
7. The Rink at Brookfield Place (230 Vesey Street)
via TimeOut
If you’re looking for a quaint, more sophisticated night of skating, head down to the Brookfield Place Winter Garden in Battery Park, overlooking the scenic North Cove Marina.
Although it’s not as majestic as Midtown’s two rinks, it’s bigger than Rock Center’s with 7,350 square feet of icy bliss, and a $15 ticket beats their price too. The Rink also offers single and group skating lessons, just in case you’re rusty.
8. Lakeside at The LeFrak Center (171 East Drive – Brooklyn)
Use the Parkside and Ocean Avenue entrance to find Lakeside in Prospect Park, a newly renovated and reopened 26-acre area in the southeast corner of the park that now offers activities year-round.
Found within the new LeFrak Center are two state-of-the-art rinks; one covered, and one open-air, to allow for a customizable ice skating experience. These will double as roller rinks come the summer months.
You can get all the ice time you want for $6 on weekdays and $6 on rentals. Tack on another $6 if you need a pair of skates.
9. The Standard Ice Rink (848 Washington Street)
felixbujo Me in @MrTurk after landing the Toe loop Salchow Flip Lutz triple Axel @kiirakorpiofficial taught me 😝😜
Part of one of the more recent developments on the High Line, this rink isn’t just attracting ice skaters. It stands adjacent to the Standard New York, which has become a hot nightlife spot as well as a trendy urban hotel.
Slated to open after Thanksgiving, what the Standard Ice Rink lacks in size it makes up for in substance. An array of Alpine-inspired eateries line the nearby patio to warm its visitors, which are mostly adults given any day.
Doughnuts, waffles, apple cider, hot toddies and black-and-white hot chocolates are only some of the treats that await Standard skaters. Adults get in for $12, plus and extra $3 if you’re lacking skates.
10. Staten Island Skating Pavilion (3080 Arthur Kill Road)
The big S.I. gets some ice time too! As the borough’s only year-round skating rink, the Staten Island Skating Pavilion offers a lot more than just the ability to shave some ice with your skates.
You can rent the entire rink and have your own private skating party or take some ice hockey lessons to really get an edge on your speed skating. Public free skating is offered on Friday evenings weekends, so be sure to get there early. An afternoon on the ice and a skates rental will run you $16.
[Feature Image Courtesy New York Magazine]