10 Best NYC Ice Skating Rinks: The Complete Guide To Free, Scenic, And Crowd-Free Spins

‘Tis the season for snowy spins and running to get hot cocoa after! As the temperature drops, the holiday fun is just beginning here in NYC, and what better way to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year than by lacing up your skates? Here are all of the must-visit ice skating rinks in NYC. 1. [The Rink at Rockefeller Center](https://www.rockefellercenter.com/attractions/the-rink-at-rockefeller-center/) – Open Now --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You can’t go wrong with the classic! This stunning rink is overlooked by the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and is perfect for anyone looking for their main-character moment this holiday season. What to know: * This is the most iconic and often the most popular rink in NYC, especially after the Christmas tree lighting * Ticket purchases are for 60-minute sessions * It’s best to book tickets in advance online, as wait times can be long 📍 Lower Plaza, Rockefeller Center (between 49th and 50th Streets, Fifth and Sixth Avenues), Manhattan 💵 $22 – $124 per person (Varies significantly based on date, time, and peak vs. off-peak hours) ⏰ 9 am – 12 am 🗓️ Open now through end of season 2. [Wollman Rink at Central Park](https://wollmanrinknyc.com/plan/) – Open Now ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This rink wears many hats, having been used as a roller rink and even a pickleball court during the warmer seasons, but its charming nature views and scenic Central Park location make its wintertime transformation into an ice-skating haven truly magical. What to know: * A large, scenic rink with a classic NYC backdrop of the Central Park skyline * Offers the Wollman Rink Access Program (WRAP) with discounted tickets ($16 admission, skates, and cocoa) for IDNYC/NY Public Library cardholders during public skating sessions (walk-up only) 📍 Central Park (East side, near 62nd Street. Closest entrance is 59th Street and 6th Avenue), Manhattan 💵 Adult: $16-40 , Child/Senior: $11 , Skate Rental: $12 ⏰ Mon-Tue: 10 pm – 2:30 pm , Wed-Thu: 10 am – 9 PM , Fri-Sat: 10 am – 10 am 🗓️ Open now through end of season 3. [Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park](https://bryantpark.org/activities/the-rink) – Open Now ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Free admission, an adjacent holiday market with nearly 200 vendors, and iconic NYC scenery? Say no more! Bryant Park is home to NYC’s ONLY free admission skating rink (guests only pay if they need to rent skates) and its glimmering Christmas tree bathes the rink in an incandescent, festive glow. What to know: * This is NYC’s only free-admission rink (you only pay if you need to rent skates) * Advance online booking is required for *all* skaters, even those bringing their own skates * Skate sessions are generally 50 minutes long * Features surrounding include Holiday Shops, food vendors, The Lodge (an après-skate food/drink hall), and cozy igloos 📍 Bryant Park (40th-42nd St, 5th-6th Ave), Midtown Manhattan. 💵 Skate rental $26 ⏰ 8 am – 10 pm daily 🗓️ Open now through end of season 4. [LeFrak Center at Lakeside (Brooklyn)](https://www.prospectpark.org/visit-the-park/places-to-go/lefrak-center-lakeside/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21178582303&gbraid=0AAAAADsfmomH8Yi9a2HW-c2H_k7c8bii8&gclid=Cj0KCQiAq7HIBhDoARIsAOATDxD8S7UNu5okiYHDj3-KZZFW-_TaNksyzKB0ORtW-VbtjwXLMnrUAu0aAsKREALw_wcB) – Open Now ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Double the rinks, double the fun! The LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park offers two spacious ice rinks—one covered and one open-air—perfect for skating, hockey, and curling all winter long. What to know: * This is a large facility featuring two rinks : one covered and one open-air, allowing for skating in nearly all weather * The center also includes the Bluestone Cafe, which overlooks the rinks * One of the best large-scale outdoor skating destinations in the outer boroughs 📍 Prospect Park (171 East Dr), Brooklyn. 💵 $10.60 (Weekday) $15.25 ( Weekend) ⏰ Mon–Thu: 11 am – 7 pm , Fri–Sat: 11 am – 8 pm , Sun: 11 am – 7 pm 🗓️ Open now through end of season 5. [Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers (Manhattan)](https://www.chelseapiers.com/skyrink-chelsea?utm_source=google&utm_medium=listing&utm_campaign=skyrink) – Open Now ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Want to skate but the weather won’t cooperate? Not to worry! This iconic year-round indoor ice rink offers stunning river views, top-notch skating programs, and open sessions for all skill levels, making it a classic NYC spot for skating fun in any season. What to know: * Indoor, year-round facility. Great option for summer skating or guaranteed ice time on a rainy/very cold day * Crucial: You must check the online Public Skate schedule right before you go, as the times change daily and sessions are often scheduled around private events * Scenic : Offers excellent views of the Hudson River from the pier location 📍 Pier 61, Chelsea Piers (23rd St. & Hudson River), Manhattan. 💵 Varies, typically $13 – $20, Skate rental $7 – $10 . ⏰ Hours vary significantly each day as the rinks are primarily used for figure skating, hockey leagues, and lessons, see more details on their website. 🗓️ Open year round 6. The Rink at Brookfield Place (Manhattan) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nestled in a beautiful, bustling plaza in the Financial District, you can’t go wrong with stunning waterfront views as you glide into the holiday season. This large downtown rink is a lesser known spot, making it ideal for those who want to dodge the crowds while still experiencing the classic NYC holiday experience. What to know: * Located on the waterfront plaza, offering beautiful views of the Hudson River and New York Harbor * Often less crowded than the Midtown rinks (Rockefeller, Bryant Park) * The rink is slightly larger than the one at Rockefeller Center * Conveniently located near the indoor shops and dining hall (Hudson Eats) at Brookfield Place 📍 Waterfront Terrace, (230 Vesey St), Battery Park City, Lower Manhattan. 💵 $15 (Weekday) , $17 (Weekend/Holiday), Skate Rental: $5 (Weekday) / $7 (Weekend/Holiday) ⏰ Mon–Fri: Timed sessions from 2 pm – 9:15 pm . Sat, Sun & Holidays: Timed sessions from 9 am – 9:15 pm . 🗓️ Open from November 2025, exact date TBA. Find out more here. 7. Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Skate by the skyline at the new LeFrak Center–operated rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park! Overlooking the East River and Manhattan’s glittering skyline, this open-air rink offers a one-of-a-kind winter experience with breathtaking views and plenty of Brooklyn charm. What to know: * Unbeatable Views: This is one of the most scenic rinks in NYC, located directly under the historic Brooklyn Bridge with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline * Affordable: It is one of the more competitively priced rinks in the city * Local Discount: Offers limited free tickets during select sessions for NYC residents who book in person with a valid ID 📍 Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, Brooklyn Bridge Park (Under the Brooklyn Bridge), DUMBO, Brooklyn 💵 $16 (for a 60-minute session), Skate Rental: $8 . ⏰ Fri: 12:30 pm – 10 pm, Sat–Sun: 10 am – 10 pm 🗓️ Open from November 24th, 2025 – February 1st, 2026 8. Industry City Ice Rink -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nestled in the heart of Brooklyn’s creative hub, this open-air rink combines winter fun with a vibrant atmosphere, perfect for families, friends, and anyone looking to glide, sip, and shop amid twinkling lights and waterfront vibes. What to know: * Outdoor & Uncovered: Dress warm! The rink is open-air in the middle of the Industry City complex * Complex Experience: The location is great for a full day out, with many surrounding shops, food vendors, restaurants, and breweries inside the Industry City campus * Entertainment: The rink often hosts special themed skate nights 📍 Courtyard 5/6, Industry City (220 36th St), Sunset Park, Brooklyn 💵 $15, Skate Rental $10 ⏰ Thu–Fri: 4 PM – 8 pm , Sat–Sun: 10 am – 8 pm Open from- Late November, exact date TBD. Find out more here. 9. The Rink at Manhattan West -------------------------------------------------------------- Surrounded by dazzling city lights and modern architecture, this intimate outdoor rink offers a chic urban skating experience—perfect for a quick spin, a date night, or family fun. Just steps from Hudson Yards, it offers views of one of the most decked-out holiday light experiences in Manhattan. What to know: * Location Advantage: It’s located in a sprawling, modern public plaza, just a short walk from Penn Station and Madison Square Garden * Less Crowded: It is generally much less crowded than the traditional rinks like Rockefeller Center or Bryant Park, making it a great option for a more spontaneous skate * Instruction: The rink often partners with professional instructors, offering lessons from former Olympians like Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov * Nearby Amenities: The surrounding Manhattan West complex features several high-end restaurants for pre- or post-skate dining 💵 Starts at $20 per person, $5 for skate rental ⏰ 2 pm – 9:15 pm 🗓️ Exact opening date TBA, find out more here. 10. Davis Center Ice Rink ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Prepare to lace up your skates—a brand new ice skating rink is freezing over in Central Park’s north end for the first time this November, bringing the joy of skating back to the Harlem community. The center will be a friendly neighborhood hub for winter fun, with stunning views of the Harlem Meer . What to know: * This is a brand new rink built at the Davis Center (formerly the site of Lasker Rink) * It offers a robust roster of programming, including My Tot & Me sessions, Learn to Skate group lessons (for tots to adults), an Adult Hockey Clinic , and Figure Skating instruction * The area is a community-first destination, offering year-round activities and access to Central Park’s North End 📍 Davis Center, Central Park (between 106th and 108th Streets, Harlem/Central Park North). 💵 Starts at $5 for adults (ages 17+) or $10 during peak hours. $5 for children (ages 4-16). Skate Rental $10 ⏰ Sessions range from one to two hours based on the day and time (check the Davis Center calendar for specific schedule details). 🗓️ Opening November 15th, 2025 through March 8th, 2026. Source: https://secretnyc.co/ice-skating-rinks-nyc/