The 10 Best Ice Skating Rinks in New York! By
Lauren Itzla
Ice skating on a crisp winter day is a cherished American pastime. Whether you’re on a date with your love or enjoying a little bit of family fun, skating rinks provide a cheerful atmosphere—and sometimes a warm fireplace and a cup of hot cocoa. What better place to lace up a pair skates than in the Empire State? New York State has a plethora of places with fresh sheets of ice just waiting to be skated on. Here are the 10 best.
1. The Rink at Rockefeller Center, New York, NY
Rockefeller Center’s ice skating rink is one of the most popular places to skate—especially during Christmastime. Skaters enjoy the thrill of being right underneath the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. General admission skating costs between $15 and $32 dollars for an hour and a half session. Skate rentals are $12.
2. Central Park’s Wollman Rink, New York, NY
With the romantic backdrop of Central Park and NYC skyscrapers, it’s easy to see why Wollman Rink has been featured in so many iconic movies. The 33,000-square-foot venue has a restaurant as well, and charges anywhere from $11.25 to $18 for an adult skating session, and $8 for rentals.With the romantic backdrop of Central Park and NYC skyscrapers, it’s easy to see why Wollman Rink has been featured in so many iconic movies. The 33,000-square-foot venue has a restaurant as well, and charges anywhere from $11.25 to $18 for an adult skating session, and $8 for rentals.
3. Bryant Park’s Winter Village Rink, New York, NY
Surrounded by picturesque holiday pop-up shops, this giant rink in the middle of Bryant Park is the only ice skating rink in the city that has free admission. Ice skate rentals cost $20 and skating lessons are offered.
4. Bear Mountain Ice Skating Rink, Bear Mountain, NY
Less than an hour from Manhattan and overlooking the majestic Hudson River, Bear Mountain State Park is a scenic getaway in any season. Every year from November to March, Bear Mountain Skating Rink hosts public sessions. The outdoor rink is open seven days a week, and charges $5 for adults, $4 for kids, and $4 for skate rentals.
5. Lake Placid Speed Skating Oval, Lake Placid, NY
Go ice skating on the very rink where U.S. Olympic speed skater Eric Heiden won five gold medals in 1980. The outdoor rink costs $8 for adult admission and $6 for skate rentals. Lake Placid’s Olympic Speed Skating Oval has a fireplace in the center where you can rest and warm up.
6. Buffalo’s Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza, Buffalo, NY
Located in the middle of downtown Buffalo, this outdoor skating rink is extra pretty when it’s lit up at night. Admission is free and ice skate rental costs only $2. The rink is open every day except Monday and hosts an annual tree-lighting event.
7. Playland Ice Casino, Rye, NY
This indoor ice rink in Rye is right on the Long Island Sound and in the middle of an iconic theme park called Playland. The rink hosts public skating sessions seven days a week. Sessions cost $9.75 for adults and $7.75 for kids, and the ice rink charges $4.25 for skate rentals.
8. The Healthy Zone Rink, East Aurora, NY
Blue Cross Blue Shield’s The Healthy Zone Rink hosts many sports and events, but is open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The East Aurora rink has a warming hut, a large pavilion-style roof, and locker rooms. Adult admission costs $5 and kids are free with an adult ticket. Ice skate rentals are $3.
9. The Ice Pavilion at Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, NY
Ice skaters love this gorgeous ice rink, which is outside under a pavilion and surrounded by a woodsy mountain landscape. The rink is free to Mohonk Mountain House guests. Day visitors can skate for a fee of $17 on weekdays and $27 on weekends and holidays.
10. Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers, New York, NY
This beautifully-designed indoor ice rink is New York City’s most popular year-round ice skating destinations. Sky Rink is open seven days a week and offers expansive views of the Hudson River. A single session costs $10.00 and skate rentals cost $5.00.
