Where to go ice skating in NYC

Have your moment with the bronze gilded statue of the Greek legend Prometheus starting in November. Whether the weather is frigid or balmy, nothing stands in the way of New Yorkers and their time on the ice. Fun fact: The attraction, which first opened on Christmas Day in 1936, was meant to be temporary, but it has stood the test of time to become one of the most coveted things to do in New York, especially during the holidays. 

If you want to eat, shop and go ice-skating all in one-go, The Bank of America Winter Village in Bryant Park is the spot. The 17,000-square-foot outdoor rink is free and open late, however, you’ll still have to rent skates (or BYO). It’s a veritable winter wonderland: After your time on the ice, warm up with hot chocolate at the new The Lodge Deck rinkside. The Village opens October 28.

Ahh, is there anything more picturesque than Prospect Park during the fall and winter? We have a feeling you’ll be spending a lot of time there this season, particularly for the park’s massive arena, which transforms from roller rink to ice haven come wintertime. The walk through the park to view the foliage is a bonus, so save time for a stroll.

In addition to great skating, Wollman Rink includes a side-rink cafe that will be serving, among other offerings, hot dogs (even vegan ones!), burgers, tacos, grilled cheese sandwiches and more. It all starts on October 23 for the season. Braving the crowds is worth it for the priceless Central Park scenery.

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. You can book a freestyle skate session, which you can book here.

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. You could even stop by Sofrito, which is on the premises, after a brisk day of skating.

This seaside rink keeps people flocking to the area even after Coney Island's 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 $10 to skate and $5 per skate rental.

Need some skating tips before you attempt to navigate Manhattan’s obstacle-ridden ice? Head to this Queens arena, where dozens of weekly classes are available in addition to daily open sessions. If you need to refuel after all that gliding, the World Ice Cafe serves rinkside grub during most public skating hours. Admission is $7 for weekdays and $10 for weekends (starting at 7pm on Fridays) and holidays and skate rental is $6. You must register online before you arrive to skate.

World Ice’s sister arena has the added benefit of a second, smaller skating area for spillover. The five boroughs’ only rooftop rink, it stretches to NHL size under a weatherproof air dome. (If it’s good enough to withstand Canadian temperatures, it can handle the wussy NYC winter.) The additional rink—made of synthetic material—gives smelly adult-leaguers a place to practice their hockey stops while you enjoy your leisurely laps. Right now, public skate sessions are on Sundays between 11:40am and 2:20pm. It's $12 $7 to skate and skate rental is $8. You must register online before showing up to skate.

Located on the plaza in front of the erstwhile World Financial Center Winter Garden (it's now called Brookfield Place Winter Garden), this rink brings a much-needed cold-weather option to the seasonally popular outdoor spot overlooking the North Cove Marina. At 7,350 square feet, it's even bigger than the Rink at Rockefeller Plaza.

Open all week long throughout the winter season, the 60x80 rink offers both public skating hours and specific programs hosted by Olympians Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov (private lessons, for example). The location of the rink clearly also calls out to the new NHL Shop, adjacent to Manhattan West. The two destinations will work together to offer New Yorkers unique on-the-ice programming and more.

This indoor ice arena is the only rink on Staten Island to stay open year-round, though public skating is available only on weekends (Fri–Sun). If you want to hit the Zamboni slick during the week, join a freestyle figure-skating or open-hockey session.

Opening in late November, Clove Lakes Park in Staten Island boasts some of New York’s few remaining wetlands and a pretty nice ice skating rink that's open just on the weekends and holiday Mondays.