Ice skating is fun, but skaters usually only enjoy this sport during the winter. However, if you live in New York, there are ice skating rinks that are open all year round!
Some of the best places to go ice skating in New York state include the Rink at Rockefeller Center, the Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers, Wollman Rink in Central Park, and the Abe Start Rink in Coney Island.
These aren’t your only options, though! There are also many other places open for skating in New York State. Read on to learn more about these awesome skating rinks!
1. The Rink at Rockefeller Center
Christmas is almost upon us, and ice skaters will love the Rink at Rockefeller Center. The Rink is an attraction that draws over 150,000 people every year. One major attraction is the amazing view of the big Christmas Tree and the statue of Prometheus that serves as a backdrop for skaters.
The Rink opens from 9 am to midnight every day, from November to mid-March. Each session, which used to be 90 minutes, has now been reduced to 50 minutes.
Skating at the Rink at Rockefeller Center requires a ticket. You’ll either buy a ticket at the venue or book online. The Rink can only contain 150 people at a time, so you’ll have to wait if you don’t have a reservation.
It’s best to buy tickets online ahead of time to avoid the queue. This way, you only need to go a few minutes before your allotted time and show your ticket at the entrance to access the venue.
Ticket prices differ according to age, day, and time of the day. During peak periods (Christmas and New Year’s Day), tickets sell for $11 for toddlers and $35 for adults. Depending on the time of the day, it can increase to $73 per person.
You can come to the Rink with your skating gear or hire one for $15. You need to be there early to enjoy every minute you pay for. Your 50 minutes start counting from your reservation time.
Membership tickets are available for $500 for those who want unlimited access to the Rink. You don’t have to stand in a queue, and no matter the time of day you come, you’ll have access to the Rink. The Rink is located at 45 Rockefeller Avenue Plaza, New York, NY 10111.
2. Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers
You can locate Sky Rink on Pier 61 of the Chelsea Piers in New York City. The pier has two separate ice skating rinks attracting many skaters from all over the world.
The rink is open every day. But the most amazing part is that it’s open all year round! You don’t have to wait till winter to do ice skating anymore. The Sky Rink is open to skaters of all ages and levels (beginners and professionals alike).
To skate, you must get a ticket for $20 (for all ages). You can rent skating gear for $10 and a helmet for $5. It’s open every day from 3:30 pm – 5 pm. The time may differ during holidays.
Beginner skaters can book a training session (individually or in a group) on the Rink for 60 minutes at $20 per person. However, if they are up to 10 people, the training fee will be discounted to $180.
If you’re new to ice skating and want to learn, you can book a coach online. They also have summer camp skating for ages 3-17. In addition, they have Skating School, Youth Figure Skating (freestyle session for youths), and Freestyle Sessions (for adults).
If you want to enroll in any of the above, you can register via their website. A cool side fact about the twin rink is that it offers a fantastic view of the Hudson River.
3. Wollman Rink in Central Park
Wollman Rink is an ice skating rink located southeast of Central Park. The Rink hosts lots of skaters who come during winter to skate. The skatepark is open in 2022 from October through March 2023.
Tickets are currently available at different prices, for adults sell from $15-$35 depending on the time of the year (off-peak, prime, peak). Tickets for children from ages 2-12, and seniors from 65 upwards, sell at $10 at all times. They cost more during holidays when the demand will be higher.
You can come with your skate or rent one for $10 at the Rink. You can also rent a locker at $7, but you’ll need your credit card. Aside from the locker rental, all other purchases you hope to make require cash payments.
Minors must always come with a guardian. Every skater must sign a waiver before they can skate. Spectators will also pay a fee for watching.
The Rink is open every day at different times. In addition, the Rink undergoes cleaning for 30 minutes at particular times each day, so check to ensure your schedules don’t clash.
- It’s open from 10 am – 2:30 pm on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- It’s open from 10 am – 10 pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
- It’s open from 10 am – 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
- It’s open on Sundays from 10 am – 9 pm.
Note that holiday schedules differ. Check their website for more details.
The Rink offers several packages.
- Skating classes for adults and kids
- Freestyle Figure Skating Sessions
- Wollman Rink Access Program (WRAP) helps subsidize the amount for the ticket. It aims to assist New Yorkers who can’t afford the ticket a chance to skate at the Rink. The tickets are free on some days. Check their website for more details
- Public skating sessions
- Early Morning Skate from 9 am-10 am.
One benefit to skating at the Rink, especially at night, is the beautiful view of the sky that serves as a backdrop for skaters. It’s simply amazing!
4. The Rink at the Standard, High Line
The Roller Rink at the Standard Hotel is a 3,000 sq ft (279 sq m) ice rink. It’s not spacious enough for professional skaters to showcase skills, but it’s enough for the purpose. The environment is serene, especially in the mornings.
The Rink is open from October 2022 to March 2023 for ice skating. So you can take advantage of the current window to enjoy an amazing skating session. It’s open from 12 pm – 12 am during weekdays; on weekends, it opens from 9 am – 1 am.
However, access isn’t free. Entry requires a fee of $6 for children and $12 for adults. You can rent a skate if you don’t have one at the Skate Shack for $3.
5. Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park is a must-visit for ice skating lovers, especially during Christmas. Its 17,000 sq ft ice outdoor skating rink welcomes many ice skaters every winter.
The Rink opens from October 28, 2022, to January 2, 2023. The best part is that admission is free! You can come with your skate or rent one at the venue. Skate rental ranges from $15-$50. If you own a Bank of America card, you qualify for a 10% discount for rentals.
The management of the Rink does not permit luggage or strollers. You’ll pay $5 for luggage search if you come with a bag—the price increases to $15 for heavier luggage and strollers. There are lockers available to put small purses if you have a lock.
Asides from ice skating for the public, they also have bumper car rides on the ice and other competitive ice skating events. The Rink is open from 8 am – 10 pm daily. However, the time changes to 8 am – 12 am on certain weekends and holidays.
6. Runway Rink at TWA Hotel, JFK
The Runway Rink at TWA Hotel, JFK Airport, is again open for its Roll-A-Rama. Ice skating here is a great way to wait for a flight or unwind after work. You can skate on the runway. How cool is that!
The Rink opened in April 2022 and will remain so till November 2022. Tickets are available on-site and can only be purchased with a credit card. There’s no provision for reservations or online bookings. It’s on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Tickets are available at the venue at $20 per adult and $16 per child (ages 12 and below). Each session lasts for 50 minutes.
You can either come with your skating gear or get one at the venue. The price for the skating gear is included in your admission fee. You could buy socks at the venue and rent a helmet if you don’t have one.
The Rink is open every day. It’s open Mondays through Thursdays from 4 pm – 9 pm, Fridays from 4 pm – 10 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am – 10 pm. The rink only closes during bad weather.
7. City Ice Pavilion, Long Island City
City Ice Pavilion is an ice skating rink open all year round in Long Island City. It’s located at 47-32 32nd Place, Long Island City, NY 11101. The Rink is shielded by a sky-high Yeadon air dome, which protects it from winter frost or other harsh weather conditions.
The Rink offers public and private beginner skating classes for adults and children. You can book online for your preferred class.
Skating ticket prices differ according to days of the week, holidays, seniors, etc.
- Tickets for Seniors (65+): $6
- Tickets for all on weekdays: $7
- Tickets for federal holidays: $10
- Tickets for weekends (7 pm from Friday): $10
You can bring your skate or hire one at the venue for $6. All skaters must wear socks. So you must buy one if you don’t have one. They also have lockers that use coins available for rent at $75.
The Rink opens Mondays through Thursdays from 10:30 am – 5:15 pm. On Fridays, it opens for two periods: from 9 am – 5:15 pm and 7 pm – 9:50 pm. Saturdays, it also opens for two periods: from 12 pm – 4:45 pm and 8 pm – 9:50 pm. On Sundays, it opens from 12 pm – 4:45 pm.
8. Riverbank State Park Ice Skating Rink
The Riverbank State Park is home to the only functioning uptown ice skating rink. It’s located at 679 Riverside Drive, New York, NY, 10031. It’s an indoor rink that welcomes all skaters, adults and children, beginners and professionals.
The Rink was designed in an NHL style, with a shelter above to protect it from winter frost. It’s open from November to March. The time differs according to the season.
- It opens from 6 pm – 9 pm on Fridays.
- It opens twice on Saturdays and Sundays. The first opening is from 1 pm – 4 pm, while the second is from 6 pm – 9 pm.
- On holidays, it opens from 11 am – 2 pm and 3 pm – 6 pm.
Admission to the rink is not free; adults pay $5, while children pay $3. You can come with your skate or rent one for $6 at the venue. The Rink also offers beginner skaters and figure skating classes for interested persons.
9. Abe Stark Rink in Coney Island
The Abe Stark Rink in Coney Island is one of main things that makes Coney Island special. It’s not a crowded ice skating rink, but it’s open for all, beginners and professionals.
The Rink holds private and public skating classes. Interested skaters can call or check their website for more information about the classes and fees.
The Rink is open only on Saturdays from 1:30 pm to 3:40 pm. However, opening times differ during holidays, so check their website for more details. The admission fee is $10. You can bring your skate or rent one at the venue for $5.
10. The Rink at Brookfield Place
The Rink at Brookfield Place attracts lots of skaters all winter seasons. It’s a 7,350 sq ft outdoor ice skating rink located at The Brookfield Place, 250 Vesey St., Manhattan, NY 10281. The Rink is open to skaters of all ages and skill levels.
The Rink is now open and will be until March 2023. It opens from 2 pm – 9:15 pm on weekdays and 9 am – 9:15 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Each session lasts for 60 minutes and costs $15. You can use your skates or rent one for $5. However, the prices of tickets and skate rentals change during the holiday season.
The Rink also offers private, semi-private, and public skating classes at different prices. It’s open to both children and adults. You’ll only be allowed into the classes you enrolled for. It’s best to be around at least 30 minutes before your class.
11. Lakeside Brooklyn
Winter is ice skating time at either of the two outdoor ice skating rinks in Lakeside, Brooklyn. Skaters enjoy an amazing view of Prospect Park Lake.
If you want to be part of the skaters during this holiday, booking a ticket online earlier is best. Each skating session lasts for 90 minutes. You can come with your skates or rent one for $8.71 at the venue.
Tickets sell for $7.50 on weekdays and $12 on weekends. Skaters are to come 30 minutes before their allotted time. The admission fee doesn’t include rentals. You can also rent skate aids for your kids or friends riding for the first time. It makes riding easier for them.
Lakeside Brooklyn offers private and semi-private skating and figure skating classes. You can check their website for further information and bookings. The training and public skating sessions are for all ages and skill levels. They can teach a beginner how to skate, and a professional can learn new skills.
12. World Ice Arena
World Ice Arena hosts an indoor ice skating rink that opens every day. The Rink is open to skaters of all ages and skill levels. They also offer skating and figure skating classes. You can visit their site for more information.
Their public skating sessions run from Mondays to Fridays at different times. They’re open for public skating on weekdays from 10:30 am – 5:15 pm, on Fridays from 9 am – 5:15 pm and 7 pm – 9:50 pm, on Saturdays from 12 pm – 4:45 pm, and again from 8 pm – 9:50 pm. On Sundays, they’re open from 12 pm – 4:45 pm.
Their opening time differs during holidays, so check their website for more information. Note that you won’t be allowed into the skating rink when it’s closed for public skating.
Admission to the Rink comes with a price.
- Adults (Seniors included) pay $8 on weekdays. On weekends (from 7 pm on Fridays), the fee is $11.
- Children pay $6 on weekdays. On weekends (from 7 pm on Fridays), the fee is $11.
- On holidays, all skaters, irrespective of age, pay $11.
You can come with your skate or rent one at $6. If you need a locker, you can rent a coin-operating locker at $0.75.