NYC Guide: Where to Go Ice Skating in All Five Boroughs

One of the great pleasures of winter in New York City is ice skating, especially at one of the rinks with a skyline view and those which give discounts to NYC residents.

Here are the best places to skate – including for FREE – around my hometown, including prices, hours and rental costs.

Most rinks are open through mid-March.

Best Things to do in New York City_nyctravelguru — Photo: Bryant Park

FREE Ice Skating in Bryant Park

Another sure sign the holidays are coming is the arrival of the Bryant Park Winter Village, FREE ice skating and nearly 200 holiday kiosks, featuring handmade crafts, food, jewelry and gift items.

The holiday kiosks close on January 5, but the ice skating continues through March 2, 2025.

The holiday kiosks are open daily.
Monday-to Friday, 11am-8pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10am-8pm.

FREE Ice Skating Rules

The 17,000-square-foot ice-skating rink is FREE with our own skates. There also are skates and lockers for rental.

Skating is available daily from 8am-10pm.
Extended hours of 8am-midnight are available on Thursdays-Sundays starting November 7, and again daily December 1-January 5.

Also returning are –

The Lodge: a covered, outdoor après-themed area where visitors can grab a festive cocktail, enjoy delicious food, watch the ice skaters or admire the tree.
The Curling Café returns in mid-November with iceless curling, food, drinks, and each lane’s own private igloo. These are warm, cozy spots which can be booked for a small party or for date night.

Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center

The world-famous Rink at Rockefeller Center is open daily through March, with extended hours – and higher prices – during the peak holiday season.
Reservations recommended.
Cost: $21+ for ages 6+, $11+ for ages 0-5 depending on the date/time/age. Skate rentals are $12.

ice skaters in Central Park with NYC skyline in background, to illustrate article on best things to do in NYC_nyctravelguru — Photo: Wollman Rink

Ice Skating at the Wollman Rink in Central Park

The iconic rink is open through March 2025. During the skating season, enjoy skyline views, rinkside igloos, an expanded skate school, and free access programs.

General admission ranges from $15-$38 for adults, depending on the date; kids and seniors get in for $10/person. Skate rentals cost $12.

New Yorkers who have historically not been able to afford a visit can get free and reduced access through the Wollman Rink Access Program.

Through Culture Pass, free skating admission tickets are available online for New Yorkers with a NYPL card.

Plus, New Yorkers with a library card or ID NYC card can stop by the box office each day to purchase a $15 package that includes admission, skate rental, and hot cocoa. The package is available each day, first-come, first-served.

Cost: $12 skate rentals | Off-peak admission: $15 adults, $10 kids 4-12 & seniors | Peak admission: $27 adult, $10 kids 2-12 & seniors | Prime admission: $38 adult, $10 kids 2-12 & senior

Roebling Rink ice skating rink under the Brooklyn Bridge_nyctravelguru — Photo: Brooklyn Bridge Conservancy

Ice Skating Under the Brooklyn Bridge

The Roebling Rink is one of the newest additions to rinks in NYC parks where you can go ice skating – and this one is under the Brookyn Bridge, with memorable views of Manhattan. .

Roebling Rink, located underneath the Brooklyn Bridge at the picturesque Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, is perfect for skaters of all ages and skill levels.

With affordable rates —just $10 for skating, $7 for rentals, $3 for helmets, and $5 for skate buddies— there’s no better place to create unforgettable winter memories.

Plus, Brooklyn residents can enjoy free skating on Sunday mornings 10-11 AM and Mondays 5-6 PM throughout the season (first come, first served; tickets are walk-up only).

For more details and to grab your tickets, visit RoeblingRink.com.

Aerial image of new ice skating rink at Domino Park, Brooklyn_nyctravelguru — Image: Domino Park

Ice Skating in Domino Park in Brooklyn

Another brand new ice skating rink this season is the new one in Domino Park, along the waterfront in Williamsburg, with reduced prices for NYC residents.

Full-price ticketing is $18 for a 75 minute session and $12 for NYC residents.

Skating is open Monday – Friday from 12PM to 9PM and Saturday/Sunday from 9AM to 9PM. The main entrance is located on South 3rd Street, between Kent Avenue and River Street.

Cost: Multiple prices
Mon/Tues/Thurs: $18 admission ($75 min session), $12 admission for NYC residents (ID required), $12 skate rental
Half-price Wed: $9 admission ($75 min session), $6 admission for NYC residents (ID required), $6 skate rental
Fri-Sun: $22 admission ($75 min session), $16 admission for NYC residents (ID required), $12 skate rental

Ice Skating at LeFrak Center at Lakeside Prospect Park

This is a unique space because there’s the choice of both outdoors and indoors.

Covered rink: Mon – Thurs: 11am – 4:30pm, Friday: 11am – 8:30pm, Saturday: 1pm – 8:30pm, Sunday: 12:30pm – 6pm

Open air rink: Mon – Thurs: 11am – 7pm, Friday: 11am – 8:30pm, Saturday: 11am – 8:30pm, Sunday: 11am – 7pm

Cost: $10.60 weekdays, $15.25 weekends, $10.35 skate rental, $27.20 skate aid rental (lockers, bag check, helmets, elbow/knee pads also available for rental)

Ice Skating at The Rink at Brookfield Place

Brookfield Place has plenty of holiday activities under its iconic palm trees inside, but outside, you’ll find a seasonally appropriate winter wonderland.

The complex’s riverside skating rink is now open for the season for public skating and private lessons. One-hour sessions start at $15 on weekdays and $17 on weekends.

Find the full schedule and book a spot on the ice here.

Cost: Weekdays $15, Weekends $17, $5 weekdays/$7 weekends skate rental, $15/$20 skate aid rental | $55+ skate lessons

Ice Skating at The Rooftop at Pier 17

Spice up skating season with a dash of Irish whiskey at the Rooftop at Pier 17; the venue is partnering with legendary Irish pub the Dead Rabbit for a holiday pop up dubbed “Jingle Jangle”, including nostalgic Irish holiday festivities, kitschy cocktails , private cozy dining cabins, over-the-top decorations.

It’s open seven days a week, with hours stretching until 11 p.m. on Saturdays. Find more info and reserve a spot here.

Cost: $13-$14

Ice Skating at Industry City Ice Rink

This rink is open through early March, Thursdays to Sundays only. Industry City is a shopping complex in Sunset Park.

Hours are : Thu-Fri 4pm – 8pm, Sat/Sun Noon – 8pm

Cost: $10 Thursdays includes admission and rentals, $16 Friday-Sunday. $40 VIP tickets also available.
$15 ticket, $10 skate rental (skate aids, helmet, bag check also available)

Indoor Ice Skating at Abe Stark Rink

This indoor rink in Coney Island is open through March 30th. It is operated by the NYC Dept. of Parks.

Hours are Saturdays, Sundays & select holidays 12:30-3:30pm (11/29, 12/26-30, 12/31, 1/1, 1/20, 2/17-21. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas)

Cost: $13 admission, $7 skate rentals

Indoor Ice Skating at the Staten Island Skating Pavilion Ice Skating Rink

This indoor rink is on Staten Island’s South Shore, at 3080 Arthur Kill Road.

Hours: Fridays, 8:10-11:10 pm; Saturdays, 2:30-4:30 pm and 7:30-9:30 pm; Sundays, 2-4 pm.
Price: $15; $13 children. $8 skate rental.

Roller Skating at Winter Whirl Rink at the Shops at the Oculus

Okay, it’s not ice skating – but it is skating.

The Oculus’s much-loved Winter Whirl Roller Rink returns for its second season starting November 22, giving skaters the opportunity to glide around (on wheels) amid the building’s breathtaking architecture.

The rink is open Wednesdays through Sundays until January 5 and runs $30 for adults, $25 for children under 13.
Book your spot here

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist and native New Yorker with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.