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The best places to go ice-skating in NYC this winter

Lace up your skates and head to our picks for the best indoor and outdoor ice-skating NYC has to offer

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By Time Out New York contributors and Will Sabel Courtney Posted: Thursday November 19 2015

When the temperature drops, it’s time to strap on the blades and hit the slick stuff. We’ve ranked the top places to go ice-skating in NYC, whether you want to skate in the shadow of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, take in the Central Park views or cap off a shopping trip at the Winter Village at Bryant Park. If exposure to the elements isn’t your style, you can also check out one of the city’s many all-weather indoor rinks.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Christmas in New York

Best places for ice-skating in NYC

Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park Rink

Bryant Park’s 17,000-square-foot outdoor rink is free and open late. Don’t get too excited—the admission may be gratis, but you’ll have to shell out $19 to rent skates (or BYO). Still, it’s a veritable winter wonderland: After your time on the ice, warm up at spacious rinkside restaurant Celsius. If you want to practice your lutzes and axels with ample spinning room, try visiting during off-peak hours.

Until Sun Mar 6

Wollman Rink in Central Park

If you decide to check out this famed rink, be prepared for hordes of children and slow-moving newbies. There won’t be room for speed skating or fancy tricks, but braving the crowds is worth it for the priceless Central Park scenery. If you’re a skating greenhorn yourself, take heart—Trump Rink is home to the largest learn-to-skate program in the country.

Midtown West

Ice-skating at the LeFrak Center

Prospect Park’s massive new arena transforms from roller rink to ice haven come wintertime, with outdoor and indoor ice-skating and figure skating, hockey, curling and broomball. The walk through the park’s foliage is worth the price in admission.

Until Sun Mar 20

Trump Lasker Rink

The second Donald-branded skating venue isn’t quite as popular as Wollman Rink, which means you just might be able to hit your Apolo Ohno stride. The rink is open until 11pm on Friday and Saturday nights. When the ice isn’t available to the public, good odds are there’s a hockey game or practice happening; if you’re a puck fan, stop by to cheer on the adult and youth teams that frequent the spot.

Central Park

The Rink at Rockefeller Center

Even if the sidewalks are overrun with tourists, you’ll have ample room to skate at the city’s most iconic rink; only 150 people are allowed on the ice at once. Unfortunately, that also means that you should prepare for long lines. If you want the privilege of being among the first to hit the cold stuff in the morning, visit the rink’s website to make a reservation for the first skate of the day (daily 7am, Nov 9–Jan 7).

Midtown West

Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers

There’s no need to wait until winter to glide across the two NHL-size rinks at this megacomplex—they’re open year-round for general skating as well as hockey and figure skating. Unlike most indoor ice arenas, this one doesn’t feel like a cave; ample windows afford sweeping views of the Hudson River to the west.

Chelsea

Riverbank State Park Ice Skating Rink

This sizable outdoor rink is open to the public Friday through Sunday, and has a roof to prevent December snows and April showers alike from raining on your ice capades. And since Riverbank State Park overlooks the Hudson, you’ll have nice views of the river and the George Washington Bridge as a backdrop.

Harlem

Abe Stark Rink

This seaside rink keeps people flocking to the area even after the theme parks have closed. The 40-year-old venue began its life as the Ravenhall Baths, a saltwater swimming pool that was quite the Coney Island hotspot in its day. It was destroyed by fire in 1963, after which the space was converted into a destination for the heavily sweatered and uncoordinated. It’s open through March for weekend-only skating, but don’t lollygag: Saturday, Sunday and holiday sessions last only for three hours a pop.

Brooklyn

Floyd Bennett Field, Aviator Sports and Events Center

This place is an actual airline hangar filled with two NHL-regulation rinks—plus a gym, arcade, rock wall, bungee jumping and air hockey, so you can try out pretty much every sport you love in one place. There’s at least one open-rink session held daily so you can practice that double axel.