Ice Skating in NYC is one of the Top Things to Do in Winter! Updated with the 2020/2021 Ice-Skating RATES, Opening Days, Hours and the Covid-19 Guidelines to follow when going ice-skating in NYC!
The most popular Ice Skating Rinks in NYC are the ones located at:
- Rockefeller Center
- Bryant Park
- Central Park at 63rd Street
In this post, you’ll find the prices, cool tipsand other Ice Skating locations in the city. Which one’s the right one for you? Read below!
What to wear when you go Ice Skating:
- Wear waterproof pants, gloves and warm clothing.
- It would be good, for tourists, to have an international health insurance (like Assist Card or Universal Assistance) because if by any chance, you have a little accident, the healthcare service in NYC can be very expensive!
- What to wear in NY month to month: read more.
Ice Skating Rink at Rockefeller Center
Opening 2020 of The Rink at Rockefeller Center: November 21, 2020 @ 2pm through January 17, 2021, weather permitting!
The most attractive one for tourists. It’s beautiful in Christmas Season with all the decorations and the famous Christmas Tree. You can ice skate before or after going to Top of the Rock.
Cons of Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center
- Usually, people have to wait in line for an hour or two. You can buy VIP packages to skip the line.Peak holiday season, in which the lines are longer, usually goes from Opening Day through Jan 6th.
- You have to wait in line outdoors. Not very pleasant if you go on a very cold day.
- It’s the most expensive one.
How to Beat Long Lines
- Morning time is when the line is shorter. Try to arrive early for the 8:30am or 10:30am session.
- Weekdays are usually better than weekends.
Engagement on Ice:you can ask your beloved to marry you and have a moment in the rink for only the two of you with your favorite music! I’ve seen this happened and it’s very romantic and magical, and everybody is watching and celebrating with you! Click here for more info.
COVID-19 UPDATE: The Rink at Rockefeller Center will be operating at limited capacity. Face masks are required at all times and skate time is limited to 50-minutes from your scheduled session. The experience is mainly outdoors but admission will be through the indoor skate house. Read more here about how Rockefeller Center will keep the place safe and clean.
Hours at Rockefeller Center
Opens every day from 9am until midnight.
- It’s usually on a first come, first-served basis but this year with Covid you need to schedule a time in advance.
- 50 minute sessions this year 2020/2021 due to Covid-19.
- Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center Schedule: check here the arrival times available in advance by clicking on “Daily Skate: Select Date/Time).
| 08:30am – 10am | 4:30pm – 6pm |
| 10:30am – 12pm | 6:30pm – 8pm |
| 12:30pm – 2pm | 8:30pm – 10pm |
| 2:30pm – 4pm | 10:30pm – Midnight |
Prices at RockefellerCenter
Book tickets 2020/2021 here. You can purchase tickets on-site but it’s highly recommended to book them online for Covid-19 safety.
| TICKETS | Admission | Skate Rental |
| Adults | $25-35* | $13 |
| Children 5 & Under | $10 | $13 |
First and Last Skate (Discounted rates during early and late sessions) | $15 adults – $5 children under 6 | $8 |
*Adults admission: standard day $25, holidays & peak season (through Jan. 3, 2021) $35.
Children under 6 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Open through January 17, 2021.
- Weather permitting.
- Where to eat close to Rockefeller Center.
Ice Skating Rink at Bryant Park
Opening 2020: Oct. 30th through March 7, 2021!
It’s the only Ice Skating Rink in NYC with FREE Admission! (You still have to pay for Rental).
Great spot to go withkids because they have penguins skate aids to help them skate easily.
Hours at the rink in Bryant Park
Opening date 2020: Oct. 31 at noon.
Daily: 8am to 10pm through March 7, 2021.
The rink will be closed under bad weather conditions.
Prices at Bryant Park & How to Reserve Your Ice-Skating Spot
COVID-19 UPDATE / 2020-2021 Season: All tickets must be reserved online here this year for the season 2020/2021. No personal items can be left on the ground. All transactions are online only. This year the experience will be fully outdoors from the moment you check-in. Lockers have been eliminated.
- ADMISSION: FREE! Reserve online here if you bring your own skates. Tickets will be released one week at a time. If you bring your own skate you must bring your own bag with a secure closure or purchase one at Bryant Park Shop.
- SKATE RENTAL: Standard: $21 | Holidays: $26 | Peak Season: $36. Check dates here.
- HELMET RENTAL: $6
- SKATE AIDS FOR KIDS: $22 an hour
- BAG CHECK: $12 (Small Bag); $15 (Large Bag). If you bring your own skates, you must reserve a ticket for checking your bag here! Bryant Park encourages not to bring any type of bag due to Covid-19 and safety guidelines.
Things to do while you wait for your turn to skate
- Take yourkids to Le Carrousel right next to the rink
- Check out the Holiday Shops (only available in peak season).
- Getsome coffee or food in the food shops around the park
- Simply wait inside at the Skating Pavilion
- More about Winter Village
Try going on weekdays when fewer people go skating.
Holiday Shops: only available in peak season (Opening on Oct. 30, 2020 through January 3, 2021). Hundreds of boutique shops in an open-air market in the park, featuring artisans from all around the world.
Ice Skating at Central Park
There are two Ice Skating Rinks in Central Park:
- Wollman Rink at 63rd Street.
- Lasker Rink at 110th Street & Lenox Avenue.
Wollman Rink at 63rd Street in Central Park
Opening date 2020: Soon!
It’s bigger, cheaper and less crowded than Rockefeller. With a great view of Manhattan and the trees of Central Park. Plus Ice Skating in Central Park at night is a wonderful and magical experience with that view! A classic for New Yorkers.
The ice quality at Bryant Park and Rockefeller is better.
Hours
Opens daily at 10am.
- Mondays and Tuesdays until 2:30pm.
- Wednesdays through Saturdays until 10pm.
- Sundays until 9 pm.
Prices
Cash Only.
- LOCK RENTALS: $5 + $6 Refundable Deposit.Bring your own lock so you don’t have to pay for lock rentals!
- SPECTATOR: $5
Monday through Thursday
- ADULTS: Admission $12 + Rental $10 = $22
- CHILDREN (11 and under): Admission $6 + Rental $10 = $16
- SENIORS (60 and up): Admission $5 + Rental $10 = $15
Friday through Sunday and holidays
- ADULTS: Admission $19 + Rental $10 = $29
- CHILDREN (11 and under):Admission $6+ Rental$9 = $15
- SENIORS (60 and up): Admission $9 + Rental $10 = $19
Lasker Rink at 110th Street & Lenox Ave in Central Park
Opening Day: Nov. 21, 2020!
Close to Harlem. One of the largest Ice Skating Rinks in Manhattan. They support events and ice hockey.
Not common for tourists. It’s cheaper, less crowded and spacious.
Tip: check the schedule before you go because sometimes there’s an event going on taking up the entire rink.
COVID-19 Update: each skating session will have a start and ending time. They will check your temperature at check-in, hand sanitation stations will be available at check-in and face masks are required at all times. Read more here.
Hours 2020/2021
- Monday-Tuesday & Thursday: 9:30am – 4pm
- Wednesday: 9am – 4pm
- Friday: 9:30am – 4:50pm & 6pm – 10pm
- Saturday: 1pm – 10pm
- Sunday: 12:30pm – 4:30pm
Pricing 2020/2021
Cash Only.
- ADULTS: $9
- CHILDREN (12 and under): $5
- SENIORS (60 and up): $3
- SKATE RENTAL: $8
- SPECTATOR FEE: $5
- LOCKERS ARE NOT AVAILABLE THIS YEAR. Personal items must be left in your bag that you must carry with you at all times.
Ice Skating at Brookfield Place (Battery Park City)
Opening day 2020: Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020!
The newest Ice Skating Rink in Manhattan. Great spot for little kids since they have small sleds where they can seat, piloted by an adult.
LOCATION: Right next to Brookfield Place where you’ll find great quality food shops downstairs and upstairs, right next to Hudson River in Battery Park City.
You won’t experience long lines as in Rockefeller and Bryant Park.
Hours at the rink in Brookfield Place
- Opens daily.
- 60-minute sessions.
Monday-Friday:
| 2pm – 3pm | 4:30pm – 5:30pm |
| 3:15pm – 4:15pm | 5:45pm – 6:30pm |
Additional schedule times: 7pm – 8pm & 8:15pm to 9:15pm.
Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays:
| 9am – 10am | 12:45pm – 1:45pm |
| 10:15am – 11:15am | 2pm – 3pm |
| 11:30am – 3:30pm | 3:15pm – 4:15pm |
Additional schedule times: 4:30pm – 5:30pm, 5:45pm to 6:45pm, 7pm to 8pm & 8:15pm to 9:15pm.
The rink will be closed under bad weather conditions.
Prices at Brookfield Place
Prices for 60-minute sessions.
- ADMISSION:$15
- SKATE RENTAL: $5
- SEAL SKATE AID: $15 for 30 min.
- More info.
- Book online here.
Tip: check the schedule beforehand to make sure there isn’t an event using the entire rink the day you wanna go.
Rooftop Rink at Pier 17 in Seaport District
The newest rink in the city and the only open-air rooftop ice rink.
Opening 2020/2021: To Be Confirmed.
Open daily through March!
Hours
Opens daily at 10/11am depending on the day.
Usually open till 9pm. Some days until 5pm.
Prices
Time may be limited to 90 min during times of high volume.
Daily Rink Pricing
MON-THU:
- Admission + Rental: $22.
- Admission only: $14.
FRI-SUN & Holidays:
- Admission + Rental: $25.
- Admission only: $17.
Neighborhood Discount Pricing
For Seaport District locals!
WEDNESDAYS: $5 Admission + Rentals!
MON-THU:
- Admission + Rental: $16.
- Admission only: $10.
FRI-SUN & Holidays:
- Admission + Rental: $19.
- Admission only: $13.
Membership Pass
- Seaport Locals: Admission Only $100, Admission+Rental $166.
- Non-Residents:Admission Only $150, Admission+Rental $227.
Other Ice Skating Rinks in NYC
Chelsea Piers
Opening 2020/2021: To Be Confirmed for General Skating Sessions. Check here for updates.
Chelsea Piers Ice Skatingis open all year round. It’s very big and usually people that live in the city go there, or tourists that are Ice Skating fans. They also offer hockey, figure skating and school skating.
PRICE FOR GENERAL SKATING: $12 + $6 Skate Rental.
Prospect Park in Brooklyn: Lefrak Center at Lakeside
Opening 2020/2021: Soon! Check here for updates.
It’s a big rink. Great spot for Brooklyn locals.
Hours
Opens daily through March 31.
- Monday: 9am –5pm.
- Tues-Thurs: 9am – 7:15pm.
- Fri: 9am –9pm.
- Saturday: 12pm –9pm.
- Sunday: 12pm – 5pm.
Pricing
- Mon-Fri: $7
- Weekends (beginning Friday 4:30 pm) + Holidays: $10
- Rentals: $7.
Click here for more info.
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Hope all this info was helpful to enjoy Ice Skating in NYC. Please share and recommend this blog 🙂
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