Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in NYC: Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center, and More

New York City's outdoor ice skating rinks are ready for a new season, and we've rounded up our favorite outdoor ice skating rinks in NYC. Whether you want to take a twirl on some long-running classics, like the Rockefeller Center Ice Rink and the always-free Bryant Park rink, or explore new favorites like Glide at Brooklyn Bridge Park, our list of family-friendly outdoor ice skating rinks in NYC continues to grow.

Read on for our top picks for outdoor ice skating rinks for beginners and experienced skaters alike. And, if it ever gets too cold to glide outside, know you can always hit one of NYC's indoor ice skating rinks.

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Most of these ice skating rinks in NYC rent kid-sized ice skates, offer skating lessons, and some even host ice hockey leagues.

Remember to click through to each outdoor ice skating rink's website to confirm skating times and daily availability before heading out as schedules can change throughout the season, especially during the busy NYC holiday season. Closing dates listed are subject to weather; unseasonably warm temperatures may force seasons to end sooner than listed.

Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Manhattan

1. Bryant Park Ice Skating Rink – Midtown West

Open through Sunday, March 3, 2024
FREE admission; skate rental and hours vary; book reservations online in advance
If you own your skates, Bryant Park's ice skating rink is one of NYC's best deals—in fact, it's completely FREE. However, the skate rental fees here are at least what you'll pay to skate and rent at other rinks in the city and even higher on peak dates. Skaters can check their shoes free of charge; larger items incur a fee. Penguin- and snowman-shaped skate supports are available for skaters under 5 feet tall who need extra help and are charged at an hourly rate. Book a morning session and use skate aids for FREE up until 11am. Book your tickets online before visiting this ice skating rink in NYC.

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Hit the ice at the famed Rockefeller Center ice skating rink.

2. Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center – Midtown East

Open daily; closing date TBA
What's more magical than an ice skating outing at this iconic NYC rink? If you book after Wednesday, November 29, you can skate under the sparkling lights of the Rockefeller Christmas tree, albeit with some sold-out crowds. Plan to visit early in the season or post-holidays for the best availability and lightest crowds. Book your tickets and reservations online prior to visiting to ensure you're not turned away.

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Spend a day in lovely Central Park and take a spin on the ice while you're there. Photo by Janet Bloom

3. Wollman Rink – Central Park

Open through Friday, March 15, 2024
We couldn't do this roundup without mentioning this iconic ice skating rink in NYC. Nestled in the activity-packed Central Park, Wollman Rink is again partnering with Culture Pass to offer FREE admission tickets that can be booked with a library card. Its walk-up WRAP (Wollman Rink Access Program) tickets provide equity and access to more skaters throughout the city. Present your library or IDNYC card at the box office to nab a first-come, first-serve $15 ticket that includes entry, skate rental, and a cup of hot cocoa during any skate session. We advise arriving early in the day when it first opens or hitting the ice just after school to avoid the crowds. Online reservations are recommended. Season passes are also available.

4. Riverbank State Park – Harlem

Open through Sunday, March 17, 2024
Riverbank State Park is a hidden gem in New York City. It's rarely crowded and one of the least expensive rinks for public ice skating. Riverbank also offers an inexpensive hockey program and skating lessons. After you skate, check out the park's other family-friendly attractions, including an indoor pool, sports fields, and amazing views. There's a snack bar adjacent to the rink, as well as the restaurant Sofrito NY near the entrance of the park.

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The Rink at Brookfield Place is popular among neighborhood kids who fill the ice after school.

5. The Rink at Brookfield Place – Battery Park City

Season dates TBA
Enjoy stunning views of New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty while skating around this rink, which returns for its seventh season. The ice is cleaned at the end of every 90-minute session, so don't dawdle getting out there. Visitors are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. At 7,350 square feet, it beats the Rockefeller Center ice rink for space. Prices, however, are steeper than at some other rinks. Parent-and-child skate lessons and hockey classes are offered. Afterward, you'll find plenty more things to do in the family-friendly Battery Park City neighborhood. The adjacent Brookfield Place has hot cocoa, snacks, plenty of rotating art exhibits, and indoor fun.

6. The Rink at Manhattan West – Midtown West

Open late November 2023 through March 2024
This new rink was added to this list last year and is managed by the team behind Brookfield Place's popular ice rink. Programming is similar and the rink will be open for both weekday and weekend ice skating times. Lessons are available. There's plenty more to do at this shopping and dining destination when you're ready to take the skates off.

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Glide your way across the Brooklyn Children's Museum's roof when its popular ArtRink returns. Photo by Winston Williams

Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Brooklyn

7. ArtRink at the Brooklyn Children's Museum – Crown Heights, Brooklyn

Open Saturday, November 25-Sunday, March 31, 2024
The Brooklyn Children's Museum's rooftop ice skating rink is a kid-friendly favorite. Pair your next visit to the Brooklyn Children's Museum with a trip to this synthetic Glice rink. Glide around in the open air while enjoying the view of several art installations surrounding the rink. Access to ArtRink skating sessions requires an add-on ticket. Skate rentals are included in the price of admission. After skating, enjoy all the fun museum exhibits inside. Enjoy this year's theme, "We Grow Together" which reflects the ways we all contribute to create healthy communities.

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The IC Ice Rink is but one of the family-friendly attractions in the Industry City shopping and entertainment complex.

8. IC Ice Rink – Sunset Park, Brooklyn

Open now; closing date TBA 
Industry City's open-air ice skating rink is a lovely diversion in this mega shopping destination. When you've had your fill of on-ice fun, explore the rest of the family-friendly amenities at this mixed-use development, or mosey up to the family-friendly outdoor bar for some hot cocoa and kid-friendly snacks.

9. Vale Rink – Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Dates TBA
This charming rooftop rink at The William Vale features a synthetic surface instead of traditional ice, but it's a stunning location with sweeping skyline views. Vale Rink is accompanied by an outdoor, chalet-themed dining concept.

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

The LeFrak Center at Lakeside features both a covered and an open-air ice rink. Photo courtesy of the Prospect Park Alliance

10. LeFrak Center at Lakeside – Prospect Park, Brooklyn

Open through early April 2024
Built on the old Wollman Rink site, this Prospect Park complex features 32,000 square feet of skating surface on two rinks: one open-air, the other covered. Advance reservations are not required but are recommended to avoid being turned away. Skating lessons for beginners and experienced skaters, hockey leagues for kids and adults, and birthday party packages are offered. Beginner skaters can get some help from a limited number of penguin-shaped ice skating supports (distributed on a first-come, first-served basis). The Bluestone Cafe on-site offers sandwiches, salads, and snacks as well as coffee and hot chocolate. In summer, the ice skating rinks transform into a roller rink and water play area. Read our full review of Lakeside.

11. Glide at Brooklyn Bridge Park – Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn

Open Wednesday, November 15-Friday, March 1, 2024
Brooklyn Bridge Park is getting its very own ice skating rink, adding to its list of fun, family-friendly attractions. Dubbed Glide, the rink is located on Emily Warren Roebling Plaza and open daily beginning in mid-November. Tickets start at $9 for NYC residents, with an additional charge for skate rentals. Glide plans to offer 12,000 FREE tickets to local residents throughout the season, courtesy of Brooklyn Bridge Park. Free tickets are available in limited quantities every Sunday from 9-11am and on Tuesday afternoons from 4-6pm. Food and beverages are available for purchase.

Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Staten Island

12. WWII Veterans War Memorial Ice Skating Rink – Staten Island

Dates TBA
Located in the gorgeous Clove Lakes Park, this is the only outdoor ice skating rink on Staten Island, and it is very popular with borough families. Regular season hours are Friday evenings and weekend afternoons and evenings, though there are additional hours available on holidays and school breaks. An on-site snack bar keeps skaters fueled during their outings.

Holiday Pop-ups with Ice Skating Rinks in NYC

13. Frost Fest at Luna Park – Coney Island, Brooklyn

Select dates from Saturday, November 18-Sunday, January 7, 2024
NYC's favorite seaside amusement park takes on a shimmering winter glow when Frost Fest transforms the grounds of Luna Park for a whole new season of fun. Guests can hit the ice on a brand-new ice skating rink, enjoy some high-flying fun on select rides, and pose for fun seasonal photo-ops with holiday decor and the seasonal celeb, Santa Claus. Enjoy a holiday market and plenty of festive food options, too.

14. The Santa Clauses Winter Wonderland – South Street Seaport

Wednesday, November 22-Friday, January 5, 2024
It's up, up, up the escalator to the rooftop at Pier 17 where the North Pole is revealed. Bucket Listers and Disney+ team up to bring this wintertime experience to life at the 65,000-square-foot venue. Manhattan's only rooftop ice skating rink awaits, plus there's plenty of seasonal fun to enjoy. Step into Santa's living room and snap a picture by his fireplace, stroll down the candy-cane-lined hallways, pose under the giant Christmas tree, peek into his bustling workshop, fill up your stockings at Mrs. Claus' candy bar, and even meet Santa on select dates. Of course, seasonal treats, including hot chocolate, naughty-or-nice eggnog, s'mores, and more are all available for purchase.

If you're looking to glide in northern Central Park, take note: Lasker Rink is closed for the foreseeable future as it undergoes a multi-year transformation to the Harlem Meer Center meant to blend more seamlessly into the park surroundings.

Unless otherwise noted, photos courtesy of the venues.

This article, originally published in October 2011, is updated annually.