I love ice skating in New York City in the winter. I’m terrible at it, mind, but skating surrounded by the city is one of the most iconic New York Christmas traditions.
There are several places to go ice skating in Manhattan and Brooklyn. I live in New York and here are my top New York Ice Skating Rinks.
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The Best Ice Skating Rinks in Manhattan
1. Bryant Park
The rink at Bryant Park is fairly large and is completely surrounded by towering skyscrapers, which is very cool. There is a large Christmas tree, a nearby fountain that is sometimes frozen, and holiday shops in the build up to Christmas.
Dates
The rink is open October 26, 2024 – March 2, 2025.
Times
⛸️ Monday – Thursday: 8:00am – 10:00pm
⛸️ Select weekends (Friday – Sunday) + holidays: 8:00am – midnight (4:00pm NYE)
Prices
It’s absolutely FREE – with your own skates. Skate rental is expensive at $20.32 – $57.57+ depending on the date. Check out the full fee schedule and make a reservation here.
You need to reserve a spot (most sessions are 50 minutes). If you have your own skates, “Own Skates” reservations roll out daily for dates one week out through the season.
There are some lockers available and locks for sale (you can bring your own).
What’s great about it?
If you have your own skates, it’s free, which is great! It’s amazing being surrounded by towering midtown skyscrapers and the New York Public Library. And The Bryant Park Winter Village is a whole scene with a nice vibe.
2. The Rink Rockefeller Center
This is the iconic skating rink featured in many movies and TV shows. It’s at the foot of the Rockefeller tree. The downside is that it’s small and can get crowded.
Dates
The rink is open from October until March 31, 2025.
Times
It’s open daily 9:00am – 12:00am (midnight).
There is timed entry throughout the day and you get about 60 minutes of skate time for the time of your ticket (90-minute premium sessions are also available).
Prices
It costs $21 – $114 ($11-$61 for children 5 and under) depending on the dates. Skate rental is an additional $12 and you can also get a Rockefeller center tree ornament for $19. Check out the fee schedule and buy tickets here.
What’s great about it?
The location is iconic, with the famous Rockefeller Tree right there, next to and above the rink.
If you want to hang out after (or before) skating, there are eight cozy chalets set up above the rink level. These are $45 – $180 (for up to 6 people) depending on the time and date for a 40-minute reservation.
3. Wollman Rink Central Park
Ice skating in Central Park is magical. The Wollman Rink is in the south part of Central Park. The rink is fairly large, so you have room to skate around. The best part, though, is it location, with incredible views of Central Park and midtown Manhattan.
Dates
It’s open every day October 26, 2024 – March 15, 2025.
Times
Times vary. (Resurfacing happens several times a day and takes 30 minutes).
⛸️ Monday – Tuesday: 10:00am – 2:30pm
⛸️ Wednesday – Thursday: 10:00am – 9:00pm
⛸️ Friday – Saturday: 10:00am – 10:00pm
⛸️ Sunday: 10:00am – 9:00pm
Prices
There are prime, peak and off-peak days.
Prime Days:
💲 Adults: $38.00
💲 Children: $10.00
💲 Seniors: $10.00
Peak Days:
💲 Adults: $27.00
💲 Children: $10.00
💲 Seniors: $10.00
Off Peak Days:
💲 Adults: $15.00
💲 Children: $10.00
💲 Seniors: $10.00
Skate rentals are $12.00 + tax and lock rentals are $8.00 + refundable deposit. Skate aid rental is $25.
Tickets can be bought online or in-person.
What’s great about it?
You can see Central Park, the Plaza Hotel and the iconic New York City skyline.
4. The Rink at Brookfield Place
This small downtown skating rink is the new kid on the block. It’s tiny, but is a fun diversion if your downtown, and has nice views of the Hudson River.
Dates
It’s open November 22, 2024 – March 2, 2025.
Times
Monday – Friday
⛸️ 60-minute sessions 2:00pm – 9:15pm
Saturday, Sunday & Holidays
⛸️ 60-minute sessions 9:00am – 9:15pm
Prices
Each session costs $17 (weekends) or $15 (weekdays) plus fees. Skate rental is $7/ $5 and skate aid rental is $20/ $15.
It’s at Three World Financial Center, 230 Vesey St (across West Street from One World Trade Center).
What’s great about it?
It’s less touristy than the other ice rinks in Manhattan and has nice views of the Hudson River.
5. Chelsea Piers Sky Rink
Chelsea Piers is a large sporting complex on a pier on the Hudson River with a golf driving range, a bowling alley, a swimming pool and an ice-skating rink.
Unlike the other rinks on this list, it is indoors and open all year round. This makes it more functional and less atmospheric, but has they offer lessons if you want to learn, and you aren’t at the mercy of the weather.
Chelsea Piers is on the West Side Highway at 21st Street.
Dates
It’s open all year.
Times
Times for public skating vary, but at the time of writing, were:
Monday-Thursday
⛸️ 1:30pm – 2:30pm
⛸️ 2:45pm – 3:50pm
Friday
⛸️ 1:30pm – 3:10pm
⛸️ 3:20pm – 4:50pm
Saturday-Sunday
⛸️ 1:00pm – 2:20pm
⛸️ 2:30pm – 3:50pm
Prices
$22.50
Helmet and skate rentals are available.
What’s great about it?
This is good if you love to skate and want to be indoors or if you want to take lessons. (It does not have holiday charm).
The Best Ice Skating Rinks in Brooklyn
6. Industry City Ice Rink
Industry is a quintessential Brooklyn space with restaurants, shops and entertainment. The IC Ice Rink is squeezed in between buildings 5 and 6 in Industry City. It’s small and deep in Brooklyn (about 45 minutes on the subway from Times Square), but if you’re looking to experience Brooklyn like a local, this is the place to go.
Times
⛸️ Thursday: 4:00-5:30pm, 6:00-8:00pm
⛸️ Friday: 4:00-5:30pm, 6:00-8:00pm (this is a themed music night. The theme varies each week)
⛸️ Saturday: 12:00-2:00pm, 2:30-4:00pm, 4:30-6:00pm, 6:30-8:00pm
⛸️ Sunday and holidays: 2:30-4:00pm, 4:30-6:00pm, 6:30-8:00pm
Prices
💲 Thursday: $10 for admission
💲 Friday-Sunday: $16 admission
VIP Tickets are also available on Saturday and Sunday 12:00-4:00pm until December 31. $40 VIP tickets give you access to the heated VIP room, concierge service, bag check, and a validated parking pass. It also includes treats from Frying Pan (hot chocolate, coffee, and cookies).
Additional fees are:
💲 Skate Rental: $12
💲 Skate Aide: $10
💲 Helmet: $5
💲 Bag Check: $5
What’s great about it?
This is a quintessential Brooklyn experience, you can go shopping or dine before or after, and the price is cheap! You’ll be surrounded by more locals than tourists.
7. Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park
This is my favorite ice rink in Brooklyn (possibly because it’s so close to Manhattan, where I live 😉) You’ll find it at the Emily Warren Roebling Plaza directly under the Brooklyn Bridge in Brooklyn Bridge Park, near the cool Time Out Market New York and the famous DUMBO Manhattan Bridge viewpoint.
Dates
It’s open November 5, 2024 – February 2, 2025.
Times
It’s open 7 days/ week.
You book for a 60-minute time slot. They close the ice for half an hour between each 60-minute session to fix the ice.
It’s open:
⛸️ Monday-Thursday: 2:00 – 9:00pm
⛸️ Friday-Sunday: 10:00am – 10:00pm
Prices
Admission is $10 for a 60-minute session.
Additional fees are for:
💲 Skate rental: $7
💲 Helmet rental: $3
💲 Skate aid: $5
What’s great about it?
Skating under the iconic Brooklyn bridge with a spectacular view of the skyline of downtown Manhattan? Yes, please!
8. The LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park
Prospect Park is the largest park in Brooklyn, and is especially popular with locals. The LeFrak Center has two skating rinks in Prospect Park: The Cosmic Covered Rink is an outdoor-covered rink and the Winter Sky Open Rink is an open-air rink. They’re next to each other.
The complex includes the Bluestone Cafe & Bar, where they have indoor and outdoor tables.
Dates
The rinks are open from November to early spring.
Times
Sessions are 90 minutes, with a 30-minute break between each session to fix the ice.
Cosmic Covered Rink
⛸️ Monday – Thursday: 11:00am – 4:30pm
⛸️ Friday: 11:00am – 8:30pm
⛸️ Saturday: 1:00pm – 8:30pm
⛸️ Sunday: 12:30pm – 6:00pm
Winter Sky Open Rink
⛸️ Sunday – Thursday: 11:00am – 7:00pm
⛸️ Friday – Saturday: 11:00am – 8:30pm
Prices
💲 Weekdays admission: $10.60
💲 Weekends admission: $15.25
💲 Skate rental: $10.35
💲 Helmet rental: $8.18
💲 Skate aid rental: $27.20
💲 Bag check: $8.70 (small) | $14.15 (large)
💲 Locker: $5.45 (small) | $10.90 (large)
What’s great about it?
This is a nice family venue (and the covered rink is good in bad weather). You can enjoy the beautiful Prospect Park before or after.
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More Planning Resources for Christmas in New York
📃 Ultimate Guide to Christmas in NYC
🎄 New York City Christmas Tree Guide
🚶♂️ Ultimate New York Christmas Walking Tour
🏮 New York City Christmas Lights: Where to Find them
🛍️ The Best New York Holiday Markets
🎅 The 10 Best Things to Do in New York City at Christmas
🎆 10 Events Not to Miss in New York City During the Holidays
🏨 Best Hotels In New York City At Christmas
🎫 The Best NYC Christmas Tours
‼️ Tips for Visiting New York City at Christmas Time
🎁 Gift Guide of great New York City experiences
About the author
James Ian has traveled to 83 countries and all 7 continents. He is passionate about experiential travel, i.e. meaningful travel that actively engages with the environment and culture. He helps people have similar experiences that involve active participation in activities and festivals; engaging with the local food and handicrafts through lessons and food tours; and interacting positively with environment by hiking, riding, rowing, diving and low/no impact animal encounters.
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