Check out the best ice skating rinks in NYC from the famous ice rinks in Central Park, Bryant Park, and Rockefeller Center to rooftop ice rinks with skyline views and under-the-radar ice skating rinks in Brooklyn!
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.
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
The Rink at Rockefeller Plaza is easily one of the most famous ice skating rinks in NYC in the middle of Rockefeller Center. 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 $25, with an extra $12 to rent skates.
Many things make The Rink at Rockefeller Plaza one of the most unique ice rinks in NYC. First, this ice skating 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 $400 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!
Typically the skating season is November through April and the rink is open from 9 am to 12 am daily.
The Rink at Bryant Park
Another great place to go ice skating in NYC is at The Rink at Bryant Park. Also known as The Rink at Winter Village, NYC’s only free admission ice skating rink! This popular spot is located in the middle of the winter village in Bryant Park, a spot with many pop-up shops and food kiosks that will put you in the holiday spirit and is fun all winter long.
This ice skating rink is open every day, including holidays, as long as the weather permits. Since it is located in the middle of the winter village, many daily events happen!
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, or various outdoor ping pong tables. 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 ice choreographical 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 are skate rentals! The season for this ice rink typically is from the end of October through March.
Wollman Rink
Editorial credit: Winston Tan / Shutterstock.com
One of the most famous ice rinks 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 a the ice skating school, learn how to figure skate in a class, or watch incredible figure skaters practice right here on the ice.
Keep in mind that this rink is cash only. Ice skating on weekdays is $12, and ice skating on the weekend is $19. However, there are many discounts, such as student and senior discounts, that will allow you to skate for less!
Typically this ice skating rink in NYC season is open from October to April.
Lasker Rink
Another one of the best ice skating rinks in NYC located in Central Park at 110th Street and Lenox Avenue is 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, and $3 for seniors. Skate rentals are $8 and you can rent a locker for your personal items for $4 (with a $4 deposit you get back at the end).
Spectators who want to hang out and not ice skate also do get charged $4, 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.
Le Frak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park
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. Prices to ice skate at this center range from $7 to $11 and are cheaper on weekdays and for children.
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
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.
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!
This ice skating rink in NYC is typically open mid-November through mid-March. 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
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 Ice Skate Rink at Pier 17
If you want some of the best ice skating in NYC, Winterland Ice Skate Rink at Pier 17 in the Seaport District is the perfect pick! This is an amazing rooftop ice rink in NYC and offers a fantastic view of the Brooklyn Bridge, skyline, East River, and Statue of Liberty!
This rink is open 7 days a week from November until March, and prices range from $14 to $35 for general admission. They also let children under five skate for free and offer seasonal memberships that start at $50! Even more, they offer special group rates and private skating lessons.
The Winterland Ice Skate Rink is a great place to get in the holiday or winter mood. Once you’re here, the R17 Rooftop Lounge next door will have warm drinks like apple cider and hot chocolate on tap. It will also be open for business for those who want to sit down and eat by the skaters!
Don’t miss the hot chocolate bar while you’re here either!
Volvo Industry City Rink
The new IC Ice Rink Powered by Volvo Car USA is an ice skating rink in the middle of the courtyard in Industry City in Sunset Park.
Open from November to March; this ice skating rink is located in the courtyard 5/6 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 $12 per person, with an extra $10 fee to rent skates.
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. There are many great shopping options nearby, including tons of home stores and local boutiques, and a makers market.
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 as they have the largest heated outdoor setup in the city! PS don’t miss the hot cocktails from Sahadi’s, they will warm you up even on the chilliest of days.
The William Vale Rink
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 and each session booked is for 50 minutes. (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
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
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 $10 for a 90-minute skate session and an extra $6 to rent skates. Watching the skaters from the arena is free, and all lockers are 75 cents.
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
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!
Abe Stark Rink
The Abe Stark Rink is located at the Abe Stark Sports Center at the Coney Island boardwalk. From October to March, this ice skating rink offers public skating and private skating lessons. This rink first opened in 1970 and is now one of the best things to do in Coney Island at winter!
Named after Abe Stark, this rink honors the Brooklyn borough president who was so popular that he eventually became known as “Mr. Brooklyn.”
Runway Rink at TWA Hotel
The Runway Rink at TWA Hotel is one of the most unique ice skating rinks in NYC! This rink is located on the tarmac of the JFK airport!
Set in the former TWA flight center, this rink has a unique retro feel to it. This outdoor rink is perfect for both cold and sunny days, not to mention this is one of the most unique hotels in NYC to stay at!
Retro tunes are constantly playing at this rink all while skating next to a 1958 Lockheed Constellation Connie airplane! Not to mention there’s a swanky cocktail lounge inside the old airliner too.
Admission for one skate session is $20 for each adult and $16 for each child. Each session is 50 minutes long. They also have professionals perform a 1960s themed ice skating performance you can catch too.
During the warmer months, they do a roller rink too known as the Roll-A-Rama!
Did we miss your pick for best ice skating rinks in NYC? Let us know in the comments below! Happy winter!