The Best Skating Rinks in NYC

Outdoor Rinks:

The world-famous Rink at Rockefeller Center has been a classic New York City experience for generations. Check out SkySkate, which also lets you venture to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck. 45 Rockefeller Plaza, rockefellercenter.com

The tradition of ice skating at the iconic Trump Rink (formerly known as Wollman rink) with its skyline views is as old as the park itself. It also boasts the largest instructional skating program in the entire country! Central Park South and 6th Avenue, wollmanskatingrink.com

Bryant Park’s transformation into a winter wonderland has the Bank of America Winter Village’s rink as its centerpiece and features free admission, in addition to high-quality rental skates, skating shows, special events, and activities. Between 40th and 42nd Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues, wintervillage.org

The South Street Seaport Ice Rink just opened this past November. Admission is free everyday for children under 5, though there is a skate rental fee. Regular admission is $10. 19 Fulton Street, southstreetseaport.com

The Standard Ice Rink is a 3,000-square-foot rink that belongs to the 18-story hotel towering over the Highline. Alpine Kaffeeklatsch, a rinkside cafe, serves up cold-weather favorites. 848 Washington Street, standardhotels.com

Open every day, Van Cortlandt Park Ice Skating Rink—the only one in the Bronx—is now in its second season. 242nd Street and Broadway, Bronx, vcpicerink.com

Williamsburg now has North Brooklyn’s first and only outdoor ice skating experience: McCarren Rink. The 7,200-square-foot rink sits beside the renovated McCarren Park pool and bathhouse. 776 Lorimer Street, Brooklyn, osanb.org

Indoor Rinks:

Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers, with its expansive views of the Hudson River, is the year-round indoor skating spot in Manhattan. The twin-rink facility operates seven days a week, welcoming skaters of all ages and abilities for drop-in skating, figure skating lessons, skating school, and youth hockey, as well as birthday parties. 23rd Street and Hudson River Park, chelseapiers.com

The breathtaking World Ice Arena, located in Flushing Meadows’ Corona Park, has it all: an abundance of public skating, as well as skating lessons, parties, and hockey leagues. 13135 Avery Avenue, Queens, worldice.com

Long after the theme parks have closed for the season, people come to Coney Island to enjoy Abe Stark Rink, a 40-year-old seaside rink. It’s open through March for weekend-only skating, with sessions lasting for three hours. Coney Island Boardwalk and West 19th Street, Brooklyn, nycgovparks.org

The Staten Island Skating Pavilion is the only rink on Staten Island to stay open year-round. It offers public skating only on weekends and during special holiday sessions. 3080 Arthur Kill Road, Staten Island, thepavilion.org –Lorraine Duffy Merkl