Roller Skating in NYC for Kids and Families

Roller skating provides plenty of old school, all-ages fun. With the city's popular ice skating season in the rearview, trade in your ice skates for quads and hit one of these roller skating rinks in NYC or just beyond city limits.

The return of Flipper's Roller Boogie Palace and pop-ups like Brooklyn's Roller Wave mean NYC families have more choices than ever for unique roller skating rinks to explore.

In addition to retro roller skating fun, many of these roller skating rinks offer extras, including arcade games, bounce houses, and party packages. So lace up your quads and get moving at these roller skating rinks in NYC!

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Roller Skating Rinks in NYC for Families

1. Flipper's Roller Boogie Palace – Rockefeller Center

Open Friday, April 14 through mid-October
Flipper's Roller Boogie Palace takes over the Rink at Rockefeller Center again this spring with retro vibes and music. Lessons and private events are available. Grab some cool merch at Flipper's Store and get ready to boogie on wheels. For tickets and a full schedule, check the website. Read more about the Flipper's Roller Boogie Palace vibe here.

2. Pier 2 Roller Skating Rink – Brooklyn Bridge Park

Open through October
This rink, in the heart of amenity-filled Brooklyn Bridge Park, offers regular FREE admission hours. The rink is 180 feet by 75 feet and has a poured epoxy skate-friendly surface that's reportedly softer than concrete (good if you fall). Skate mates are available for rent and special themed events abound. Pier 2 has become quite the summer destination with basketball, handball, ping pong, roller skating, kayaking, running, pickleball, and a play turf.

RELATED: Prospect Park in Brooklyn: 25 Best Things To Do with Kids

Beginners and experts are welcome at Prospect Park's LeFrak Center Roller Skating Rink. Photo courtesy of The Prospect Park Alliance

3. LeFrak Center at Lakeside – Prospect Park

Opening date TBD
We raved about this roller skating rink when it debuted. One of its two rinks is converted into a 16,000-square-foot roller rink during warmer months, while the other hosts a seasonal splash pad. Although the rink is covered, the floor is cement instead of traditional wood and stands up better to the elements. In addition to public skating hours, lessons are available. The rink transforms into Dreamland Roller Disco select nights for some grown-up fun.

4. Riverbank State Park Roller Skating Rink – Harlem

May-August; Opening date TBD
Riverbank State Park's roller skating rink features a concrete floor, white dasher boards, and acrylic glass sides. When you're done roller skating, there's plenty of other fun to be had at this uptown spot. Helmets are required for skaters ages 12 and under. Roller skating and roller hockey classes are offered.

RELATED: 15 Family-Friendly Bowling Alleys in NYC

It's throwback indoor fun at RollerJam in Staten Island. Photo courtesy of RollerJam.

5. RollerJam USA – Staten Island

Open year-round
This Staten Island party spot offers more than just roller skating—there are bounce houses and arcade games, too. The rink looks as if it came straight out of the Saturday Night Fever era with disco lights synchronized to music and a smoke machine. On Friday nights, patrons also get $2 pizza slices. The rink offers additional hours during school breaks.

Peep some cool street art and post for photo-ops while you're at The Roller Wave. Photo by Diana Kim

6. The Roller Wave – Downtown Brooklyn

Open through Sunday, June 4, 2023
This pop-up roller rink is bringing the good times to downtown Brooklyn. With live music sets from popular DJs, the music gets you groovin' while skating around the spacious rink. Don't miss out on the family programming and special events. Check its website for a full calendar.

7. The Roller Rink – Chelsea

Opens Wednesday, April 12, 2023
The Standard, High Line gets in on the retro roller skating action this spring and summer with a new activation on The Standard Plaza. Get rolling on the 1960's-inspired black-and-white checked rink and enjoy snacks from the Skate Shack to fuel your fun. Special events include everything from kids-only roller skating sessions to silent disco-inspired skate nights. The Roller Rink is open daily, though weather-dependent.

Where To Go Roller Skating Outdoors in NYC

8. Central Park Dance Skaters Association – Central Park

You don't have to merely watch these skaters; you can join them at their public events in Central Park's Skate Circle, which includes a DJ but no skate rental.

RELATED: 15 Best Places for Family Playtime in NYC

An East Coast version of a California skate park sits on the edge of the Hudson River in Chelsea. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

9. Pier 62 Skate Park – Chelsea

This Hudson River Park skate park also encourages Rollerblades and roller skates, along with skateboards. There are no rentals, of course, so it's completely DIY and frills-free, but for those looking for a dedicated roller skating spot free of bikes and walkers, this 15,000-square-foot park with gentle slopes and hills might do the trick. Find more skate park options here.

10. New York City Inline Skating Guide – Citywide

For a rundown of public paths and parks where skaters are welcome, this site has it all—citywide and beyond. It also highlights rules you need to know before you put on your gear, as well as information on local skate shops and meeting times for group skates.

Family-Friendly Roller Skating Rinks near NYC

11. E.J. Murray Memorial Skating Center – Yonkers, New York

June-August; Opening date TBD
Though this skating rink is covered in ice for most of the year, it does offer a limited roller skating season during summer. Public roller skating session times will be announced closer to the season-opening date.

12. United Skates of America – Seaford, New York

Open year-round
United Skates is the perfect answer to your desire for throwback fun. You'll be welcomed by the carpeted countertops and mini-lockers of your youth. In addition to a roller skating rink large enough for 500 skaters, there is an on-site snack bar and arcade. Open skate times are held for youth, teens, and adults.

13. Branch Brook Park Roller Skating Center – Newark, New Jersey

A sister location to the Long Island roller skating rink, Branch Brook houses a huge roller-skating rink to accommodate up to 1,000 people, plus a fully stocked cafe and an arcade. Skate the night away to music played by a live DJ, and enjoy disco lighting at special times. Lessons and birthday parties can be arranged. Visit in the springtime to get a glimpse of the beautiful cherry blossoms in Branch Brook Park.

Be sure to check out our roundup of New Jersey roller skating rinks and roller skating rinks in Connecticut for more fun options.

This post, originally published in April 2012, has since been updated.