Skating is the ideal city winter sport, as it requires neither steep slopes nor a bounty of snow–and many rinks also offer cushy amenities. Plus, when the mercury drops too close to zero, you can head indoors. This winter, enjoy these picks for both indoor and outdoor skating in NYC from our 2016 Winter Fun Guide!
Outdoor Rinks:
Bank of America Winter Village Rink is the only rink in New York City that offers free admission. And if parents don’t feel like hitting the ice, Penguin Skate Aids will help beginner skaters under 10 around the rink. wintervillage.org
The Rink at Brookfield Place overlooks the Hudson River Waterway and offers learn-to-skate, Mommy/Daddy & Me, and Kick Ice Hockey Fitness classes. brookfieldplaceny.com
Lasker Rink in Central Park is twin-rink facility at the northern end of the park that, in addition to offering skates for rental and lessons, is known for its youth hockey leagues for boys and girls.laskerrink.com
In addition to ice time and skate rentals for the public, Prospect Park’s LeFrak Center at Lakeside’s Skate School offers Parent & Me and Tot (ages 1-4) lessons, plus Stick & Puck sessions during which hockey players of all ages can hone their skills—and a youth curling league. lakesidebrooklyn.com
The Rink at Rockefeller Center provides a classic NYC winter skating experience. The rink allows just 150 skaters on the ice at a time, so families can sign up for VIP reservations or rink season passes to skip the lines. therinkatrockcenter.com
The Trump Wollman Rink offers skyline views of the city from the heart of Central Park and boasts the country’s largest instructional skating program for kids of all ages. wollmanskatingrink.com
Indoor Rinks:
The ice skating rink at Aviator Sports and Events Center in Brooklyn has New York City’s only twin NHL-sized ice rinks. It’s open year-round and offers public skating sessions and skate rentals every day along with extended hours on weekends. aviatorsports.com
City Ice Pavilion in Long Island City, Queens, is an expansive rink offering open skating on both weekdays and weekends—not to mention free garage parking. cityicepavilion.com
Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers is New York City’s only year-round indoor ice skating rink. The twin-rink facility boasts great views of the Hudson River. Drop-in skaters are welcome—with skates and helmets available for rental. chelseapiers.com
The World Ice Arena is a year-round rink located in Flushing Meadows, Corona Park, Queens. It offers daily public skating hours, learn-to-skate lessons, youth hockey leagues, and figure skating clinics, as well as a host of other family programming. worldice.com.
Check out these stories for even more winter fun:
- For our 2016 guide to super sledding slopes, click HERE.
- For our 2016 guide to great family art workshops, click HERE.
- For our 2016 guide to awesome indoor sports and play venues, click HERE.
- For our 2016 guide to great spots to grab hot chocolate and tea, click HERE.
- For our 2016 guide to winter wildlife and gardens, click HERE.
