The holidays may be over, but the cold weather prevails. This means there are only a couple more months to take advantage of the most beloved of winter activities in the city — ice skating.
A winter fan favorite, ice skating is much more affordable for the average student now that the holiday prices have gone down. It is also less crowded, making it the ideal time to go. Although there is a shared yearning for the warmer months, ice skating will allow you to appreciate the last bits of winter in a fun way with your friends. Without further ado, let’s glide into the best five rinks in the city.
1. Glide at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Open daily until March 1 at Emily Warren Roebling Plaza at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn
A personal favorite, Glide at Brooklyn Bridge Park has so much to offer. It’s got stunning views of the skyline, the East River, and the bridge as well as a prime location in the Dumbo neighborhood of Brooklyn. The rink has proclaimed itself New York’s most scenic rink and I’d have to agree that the views are unbeatable as its location is directly under the bridge.
It’s also one of the most affordable rinks in the city for students since they offer a discount for New York residents. The typical price for a weekend afternoon or evening, which are considered peak times, would be around $43 with a skate rental, but as a student, you can purchase a ticket and skates for $30. If you aren’t purchasing skates or not going during peak times, you could pay as low as $11. One unique aspect of this rink is its special skate events. Coming up, they have a Harry Styles skate where they play only his music, a Valentine’s Day skate where they play love songs, a K-Pop skate featuring popular hits. This rink will only be open until March 1, so go while you can!
2. Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
Located at West 42nd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenue; Open daily through March 3.
Although the festive holiday market is no longer in Bryant Park, the rink will remain open until March 3. The best part about it is that it is the only ice-skating rink in the city with free admission. Yes, you read that right: free. All you have to do is make an online reservation in advance.
This rink is best for people who already have some sort of prior skating experience and are looking to practice in a charming outdoor rink in the heart of Bryant Park. Skating rentals range from $18 to $55, which puts it in about the same price range as other rinks. This is why it’s a recommended rink for people who own skates and have prior experience. They also have certain days where experienced skaters can show off their skills. Trick Skate Tuesdays and the early morning Freestyle Sessions sessions are geared towards advanced figure skaters, hockey players and anyone familiar with the ice. They also host Tuesday 6:30 a.m. classes for advanced skaters looking to improve certain skills. However, being only a short subway ride away, Bryant Park would be a fun experience for all-level skaters looking to have a fun winter day nearby.
3. Wollman Rink at Central Park
Located on 59th St. and Sixth Ave.; Open daily through March 15.
The greatest appeal of Wollman Rink is the beauty of its location in the southeast corner of Central Park. Ice skating in Central Park on a New York winter day sounds like an activity straight out of a ’90s rom-com. Central Park is already the ideal place to escape the chaos of the city without leaving Manhattan, but imagine being able to escape the hustle and bustle while experiencing the thrill of ice skating. Wollman Rink allows you to do both. It’s also one of the biggest of the rinks listed with a 30,800-square-foot surface. You won’t have to worry about bumping into other skaters like at Rockefeller Center.
During peak times, it is $26 plus an additional $11 for skate rentals and during off-peak times it’s $15. They also host numerous classes for all levels for varying prices. In the same way that a Central Park picnic is a must, so is a trip to the Wollman Rink. Be sure to head there before it closes on March 15.
4. The Rink at Rockefeller Center
Location on Rockefeller Plaza between 49th and 50th St.; Open daily through March 15.
Rockefeller Center, the cultural emblem of New York City, is known for its stunning views and 80-foot tall Christmas tree during the holiday season. However, at the bottom of the building is its iconic skating rink open year-round. It doubles as a roller skating and ice skating rink depending on the season. The main demographic of Rockefeller Center is tourists who want that quintessential New York City experience, however, other rinks appeal more to residents. It may be crowded and a bit cliche, but a picturesque visit is a must at least once while in the city.
The price ranges from $21 to $79 for an hour skating session during the non-holiday season. The price is dependent on the day of the week and the time of the day you choose to visit, like most rinks in the city. Skates are also an additional $11 to rent. The rink is on the smaller side, around half the size of a National Hockey League rink, and holds about 150 people. If you’d like a small, intimate rink in the heart of the city’s most touristy neighborhood, then The Rink at Rockefeller Center will be an enjoyable and unforgettable experience. However, if you aren’t the biggest fan of crowds and would like more space to practice some tricks, some of the other rinks would be much more suitable. The ice skating rink will be open until March 24.
5. LeFrak Center at Lakeside
Located on 171 East Drive, Brooklyn; Open daily through April 8.
To close off this list, the final rink is located across the Brooklyn Bridge in Prospect Park. Although a longer commute than the others, the massive size and design of this rink are worth the trip. The rink is partially indoors which is perfect for the unpredictable New York City weather. Unlike all of the others, it’s a rain-or-shine rink, and also offers curling, broomball, hockey as well as other winter activities.
It’s also the cheapest of all of the rinks because their prices are set. Weekday prices are $10.05 plus $10.30 for skate rentals and weekends are $14.70. Some may even argue that Prospect Park is the best park in New York City so visiting this rink will give you a chance to explore and decide for yourself.
Contact Maya Randolph at [email protected].
