Bundle up the kids, grab your skates and a thermos of homemade hot chocolate, and head outdoors for some classic winter family fun! Local parents share the best outdoor ice skating rinks in New York City. Use our interactive map to find where to take your kids ice skating this winter. If we've missed your favorite outdoor rink, recommend it below to share with other NYC families!
Do you prefer skating indoors? Our parent-to-parent community has a great list of NYC's best indoor ice skating rinks too!
WWII Veterans War Memorial Ice Skating Rink
Lisa R: This outdoor rink is a little rough around the edges but still provides and affordable option for Staten Island families that want to get in some time on the ice. Skaters will truly feel as though they escaped the city, as the rink is completely surrounded by trees and the beautiful scenery of Clove Lake Park.
Visitors are encouraged to call and confirm open skate times before visiting.
Brookfield Place - The Rink
Lisa R: The Rink at Brookfield Place with Olympians Melissa Gregory and Denis Petkhov, offers an upscale skating experience with public skating hours, skate lessons, skate classes, hockey, professional performances, and more on the Hudson River waterfront. This is one of the smaller outdoor rinks in the city, but offers fantastic views and is convenient to restaurants and shopping.
Bryant Park
Lisa R: Created as part of Bank of America's Winter Village in Bryant Park, this 17,000 square foot rink offers a variety of FREE winter programming for visitors of all ages, including open skate times, professional instruction, skating shows, and more!
Rockefeller Center - The Rink
Lisa R: What's more iconic than skating at Rockefeller Center under the giant Christmas Tree? Located in the heart of Manhattan, families can plan a special day window shopping along 5th avenue and then feel like a star skating at the most recognizable rink in NY. Advance reservations to purchase tickets can be made online, so there's no need to wait in line in the cold.
LeFrak Center at Lakeside Prospect Park
Lisa R: The 32,000 square foot seasonal rink at the LeFrak Center offers plenty of room for skaters of all skill levels to enjoy the ice. The rink is divided into a covered and uncovered area, making a daytime trip here less dependent on weather than other alternatives. A café overlooking the rink serves light meals and drinks year round. Additional information about introductory skating lessons, figure skating, and hockey can be found on the center's website.
Wollman Rink
November-April
Starting at $14/adult, $6/youth, $11/skate rental
Lisa R: Surrounded by the Manhattan skyline, Wollman Rink is one of NYC's most recognizable winter destinations. This 33,000-square-foot rink gives skaters plenty of room to glide around while enjoying breathtaking views. An indoor snack bar provides a place to rent skates, warm up, change clothes, and get a bite to eat. Other nearby, kid-friendly attractions in Central Park include the Heckscher Playground, carousel and zoo. If there is fresh snow, Central Park offers several great sledding hills! See the Wollman Rink website for more info about youth skating lessons and hockey.
Central Park - Conservatory Water
Lisa R: You might know the Conservatory Water in Central Park as the place where Stuart Little (and hundreds of NYC kids) sail their model boats. However, when weather permits, the Conservatory Water also hosts free public ice skating. The ice is ungroomed, making it a more natural experience compared to other NYC venues. The trick is finding out when the pond is open for skating. You can look for announcements on the Central Park Conservancy's Facebook and Twitter feeds, or just stop by when the weather seems right.
Primary photo: Upparent
Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.
