The Best Places to Ice Skate in NYC

The Rink at Rockefeller Center

With a gilded statue of Prometheus, the world-famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, and the 70-story 30 Rockefeller Center building towering above, The Rink at Rockefeller Center affords the most glamorous skating experience in the city, but it's also the priciest.

Accommodating just 150 skaters at a time for 90-minute skate sessions, the rink is one of the few areas of Midtown where you won't find crowds (though lines can get quite long, especially during the holiday season). Entry is usually first-come, first-served, but in 2021 you will need a reservation. Rates depend on the time of year and are higher during key holidays and skate rentals are available if you don't have your own.

The Rink at Winter Village at Bryant Park

Part of the Bank of America Winter Village at picturesque Bryant Park, this 17,000 square-foot rink has brought free ice skating to NYC for more than a decade. Accessing the rink is free, although you will need to make a reservation online for your session time. If you don't have your own, skate, helmet, and skating aids rentals are available.

After a spin on the ice, stick around to nosh at the Danny Meyer rink-side restaurant pop-up, Public Fare, or browse the 125-plus boutique-style vendor at the Holiday Shops.

Wollman Rink in Central Park

Framed by skyscrapers on the horizon, and bucolic Central Park, the Wollman Rink offers ice skating at about half the cost of Rockefeller Center. Skating lessons are also available ranging from the learn-to-skate level to ice dancing. There is also a hockey program. VIP tickets include skate rental, no-wait admission, use of a heated tent, snacks, and locker access. In a rather unusual policy, spectators must pay a $5 cash fee to watch.

The Rink at Brookfield Place

This Battery Park City Rink at Brookfield Place, situated alongside the Hudson River's North Cove Marina in front of the Winter Garden, offers great views of downtown skyscrapers and the Statue of Liberty in the harbor. With 7,350 square feet, it's bigger than the Rink at Rockefeller Plaza. In recent years, the rink has partnered up with U.S. ice dancers and Olympians who host various skating programs throughout the season. You can book your ticket in advance on the rink website.

Riverbank State Park Ice Skating Rink

Overlooking the Hudson in the Hamilton Heights neighborhood on the Upper West Side, this covered rink at Riverbank State Park offers a budget-friendly skating experience in a scenic setting, far removed from the bustling crowds further south in Manhattan. In 2021, only 18 skaters will be allowed on the ice at a time and reservations must be made in advance.