The winter months bring more than just the misery of cold weather and gray skies, they also usher in the joy of ice skating in New York City! If you’d like to try your hand at pirouettes and leaps (or merely stretch your legs), here’s a roundup of my favorite rinks.
Back by popular demand for 2025— I’m sharing the personalized 4 Day Itinerary I created for my own family and friends on how to enjoy the city’s most iconic holiday experiences as efficiently as possible in 4 days (a comprehensive 30 page guide). If you’re interested, you can find more information here (limited to 50 sales in 2025).
Best Ice Skating in New York City
(Click Here for the Table of Contents)
Where to Ice Skate in NYC (Table of Contents)
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (10 Best Neighborhoods +3 to Avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
#1. Wollman Rink (Central Park)
2025 Dates. October through mid-March
Found in the southeastern corner of Central Park, the city skyline serves as a magnificent backdrop to one of the most famous ice rinks in New York City. The rink is open from late October through early March so there’s plenty of time to enjoy the experience after the holiday crowds depart.
Better still, I suggest visiting in early November so you can enjoy ice skating in Central Park surrounded by beautiful fall foliage. If your schedule is flexible, visit during a weekday to avoid mind-boggling crowds.
Website— Wollman Rink
Address. 830 5th Ave, New York
Admission. Adults $37 | Children (12 and under) $10 | Skate Rentals $11
#2. The Rink at Bryant Park
Dates. October through March 2, 2025
Bryant Park is a popular destination year-round but there’s something special about the holiday season when the park transforms into a European-inspired holiday market with more than 100 vendors. The best part? The 17,000-square foot ice skating rink which is free to use (but skate rentals run $20-$36 per person).
Afterward, grab a hot chocolate from No Chewing Allowed (my favorite in the city!) as you make your way around one of the best Christmas markets in New York City.
Website. Ice Skating at Bryant Park
Location.Bryant Park
Admission. Free | Skate Rentals $20-$36
The vibe here is reason enough to come back.
#3. Rockefeller Center Ice Rink
Dates. October to March
I’ve been here in every season. My favorite? Fall, when the light hits just right.
The Rockefeller Center inevitably comes to mind when people ask about iconic ice skating rinks in New York City. When the rink first opened on Christmas Day in 1936, it served as temporary solution to attract shoppers to the high-end retail shops in the area during the Great Depression.
Fast forward to present day and the once-temporary ice rink has become a permanent staple in the city’s holiday arsenal. Admission gets you an hour of skating in the shadow of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and Midtown’s soaring skyscrapers.
But take note, with select admission packages clocking in around $80, this one of the most expensive ice skating rinks in New York City. If you find yourself debating famous NYC ice skating rinks worth the expense, I’d suggest the Wollman Rink in Central Park instead because the views are just as epic but admission is more reasonable.
Website. Rockefeller Center
Address. 600 5th Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York
Admission. Adults $21-73 | Children $10-$12 | Skate Rentals $11
#4. Glide at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Dates. November 25, 2025 – February 2, 2026
Pro tip. most people rush through here. Take your time. It’s worth it.
Debuting in 2023, Glide at Brooklyn Bridge Park is the newest addition to New York City’s ice skating scene. Skate underneath an famous landmark while the city’s epic skyline flickers to life in front of your eyes. If you need a break, pop upstairs to the cafe to sip on some hot chocolate while you warm up.
Website. Glide at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Address. Emily Warren Roebling Plaza at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Admission. Adults $15-$25 | Children $10-$12 | Skate Rentals $12
Local tip. Insider move. ask for the off-menu special.
#5. LeFrak Center at Lakeside
Dates. Open all winter
Tucked into Prospect Park, Lakeside is an ambitious 26-acre effort to transform the southeast corner of the park into a recreational destination for families. The LeFrak Center at Lakeside is home to two ice skating rinks open during the winter months.
The open air-rink is prime for ice skating, while the covered hockey rink accommodates winter sports like curling and hockey. An invaluable public resource, this one of the most affordable ice skating rinks in New York City.
Beloved by the community, LeFrak Center was awarded the 2015 Honor Award by the American Institute of Architects, (the highest honor bestowed in the architecture world). Did I mention that there were nearly 500 candidates? Impressive!
Website. LeFrak Center
Address— 171 East Dr, Brooklyn, NY
Admission. Weekdays. $10 | Weekends $15 | Rentals— $10
#6. Industry City Ice Rink
Dates.Mid-November to early March
If you only do one thing on this list, make it this one.
Industry City is a sprawling 35-acre waterfront complex of converted warehouse in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Full of restaurants, breweries, art galleries and stores, the area seems to get cooler by the day so nobody was too surprised when a skating rink was added to the mix.
The rink is open from November through early March and admission starts at $15 per person (skate rentals available for $10). Further removed from Manhattan, this one of the most affordable places to go ice skating in New York City.
If you find yourself needing a break, there’s a charming little outdoor bar selling mulled wine, hot chocolate and snacks. The heated seating area is a nice touch too.
Address. 51 35th St, Brooklyn, NY
Admission. Adults $15 | Skate Rentals $10
Featured in— 10 Fun Things to Do in Industry City, Brooklyn (Local’s Guide)
#7. The Rink at Manhattan West
Dates.November through March
Ice skating in New York City is high on everyone’s bucket list while visiting NYC during the holidays. As such, most rinks get crowded out, which takes away from the overall experience. You have a higher chance of avoiding the crowds at the rink at Manhattan West.
Admittedly, this might be a better option for locals because the views aren’t as spectacular as the other options mentioned on this list. However, what the rink lacks in famous buildings it makes up for with more space to prance about.
Address.385 Ninth Avenue, New York
Admission. Adults $20 | Children $10-$12 | Skate Rentals $5
#8. The Rink at Brookfield Place
Dates.November through March
Located in Lower Manhattan, the 7,350-square-foot ice rink at Brookfield Place allows you to show off your skills while soaking up views of the Hudson River, One World Trade Center and New Jersey. My suggestion is to visit during sunset when the cotton candy sky makes ice skating in New York City all the more romantic.
Website. The Rink at Brookfield Place
Address. Three World Financial Center, 230 Vesey St, New York
Admission. Adults $17 | Skate Rentals $5
#9. Chelsea Piers Sky Rink
Dates. Year-round
Chelsea Piers Sky Rink is a year-round ice skating rink in New York City that has been charming locals for more than five decades. A staple for New Yorkers with kids, the covered rink plays host to a variety of programs for skaters of all levels, from private lessons and summer camps to public skating on the weekends.
Website. Sky Rink
Address. 61 Chelsea Piers, New York, NY 10011
Admission. $22 | Skate Rentals $10
#10. Riverbank State Park Ice Rink
Dates. All year
Officially named Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park, the sizable covered ice rink at Riverbank State Park is open to the public Friday through Sunday. The park itself is worth a detour, inspired by urban rooftop parks in Japan, the 28-acre park rises nearly 70 feet above the Hudson River.
Whatever you do, don’t sleep on a meal from Sofrito (Cuban restaurant) while you’re in the park, it’s the perfect way to cap an exciting day of ice skating in New York City.
Website. Riverbank State Park Ice Skating Rink
Address. 679 Riverside Dr, New York, NY
Admission. Adults $5 | Kids $3 | Skate Rentals $6
Coolest New York City Skating Rinks (Post Summary)
In sum, these are the best spots to ice skate in New York City.
- Wollman Rink
- Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
- The Rink at Rockefeller Center
- Sky Rink Chelsea Piers
- Glide at Brooklyn Bridge Park
- The Rink at Manhattan West
- The Rink at Brookfield Place
- Industry City
- LeFrak Center at Lakeside
- Riverbank State Park Ice Rink
Frequently Asked Questions. Ice Skating in NYC
The best place to ice skate in NYC is.
Wollman Rink
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
The Rink at Rockefeller Center
Sky Rink Chelsea Piers
Glide at Brooklyn Bridge Park
The Rink at Manhattan West
The Rink at Brookfield Place
Industry City
LeFrak Center at Lakeside
Prices vary by season and rink, but expect to pay anywhere between $15 to $30 to ice skate in New York City.
The best place to ice skate in NYC on Christmas is at the Rockefeller Center. Under the towering buildings with the famous Rockefeller Christmas tree as your backdrop.
Ice skating at Rockefeller Center will cost you anywhere from $21 – $73 ( depending on the date and time of day). There is an additional $11 skate rental fee if you don’t have your own skates.
New York City Christmas Guides
- Christmas in New York City. 20 MAGICAL Things to Do (And 5 to Avoid!)
- Christmas Packing Tips. What to Wear in New York City in the Winter (+Packing List)
- Christmas on a Budget. 20 Free Things to Do During Christmas in New York City
- 15 Charming Christmas Shows in New York City (2023 Guide)
- 10 Cheerful Christmas Markets in New York City (Worth the Visit!)
- 10 Bars Open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in New York City
- 15+ Captivating Christmas Trees in NYC and Where to Find Them
- 20 Toothsome Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in New York City
- 15 Charming Christmas Movies Set in New York City
Where to Go Ice Skating in NYC Map
And there you have it, my suggestions on where to find the best ice skating in NYC. Hope to see you on the ice!
Cheers.
Final Thoughts
That wraps up our guide to Impressive Ice Skating Rinks in New York City (Local’s Guide). Have a favorite spot we missed? Whether you’re a local or just visiting, these ice skating NYC options won’t disappoint.
What would you add to this list?
If you liked this guide, you might also enjoy exploring my other local recommendations.
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