Photograph by ©petunyia/stock.adobe.com
What is more quintessentially winter than the scene of skaters twirling around a rink? Ice rinks with hours open to the public can be found right in our backyard. Or you can make a day of it and head into the city. Either way, grab your mittens and check out the following rinks.
Dorothy Hamill Ice Rink
Now in its forty-fifth year, this indoor facility offers residents- only programs and lessons, as well as open-skating times for residents and nonresidents alike.
Hours: Check the website for skate times.
Fees: Resident, $8; children (5–16), $6; seniors (65 and over) and toddlers (4 and under), no fee. nonresidents, $10; children and seniors, $8
Skate rental: $4
Contact: greenwichct.org; Sherman Avenue, Greenwich
PlayLand Ice
Public skating sessions are held seven days a week. Both the Main Rink or the Studio Rink are equipped with state-of-the-art music systems and disco lighting. Friday night teen skating, featuring DJ spun music, is held through April.
Hours: Check the website for skate times and special events.
Fees: adults, $9.75; children (10 and under), $7.75; seniors (65 and over) and tots (3 and under), $5.75
Skate rental: $4.25
Contact: playlandice.com; 100 Playland Parkway, Rye
Twin Rinks
Public skating is offered daily during the school year. And every Friday night, the rink cranks up the sound system for Friday Night Glow Skate.
Hours: Check the website for skate times and special events.
Fees: Friday Night Glow Skate, $10; public skate, $9 (sign up for a free preferred-customer card and save 10 percent)
Skate rental: $4.50
Contact: stamfordtwinrinks.com; 1063 Hope Street, Stamford
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
The centerpiece of the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park is the 17,000-square-foot rink, which offers free admission, free shows, special events and activities. The Express Skate option ($30 at the Pavilion) includes skate rental and allows you to skip to the front of the entrance line. Inside the Skating Pavilion lockers are free and locks can be purchased for $10 (or bring your own). The locker size is one square foot, which fits one pair of shoes and a small personal item.
Hours: Open daily through March 4, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (weather permitting)
Fees: Skate rental, $20; sock purchase, $6; helmet rental, $6; small bag check, $12; large bag check, $15
Contact: bryantpark.org; Bryant Park, New York City
The Rink at Rockefeller Center
One of the most recognizable ice rinks in the world, the Rink at Rock Center is open for general admission skating on a first-come, first-serve basis through April. No advance reservations are available for General Admission, but a Premium Pass can be reserved and allows you to enter the ice through the VIP Igloo, includes skate rental, ninety minutes of skate time, hot chocolate and cookies.
Hours: Dates and times vary, check the website
Fees: adults, $25; children (11 and under) and seniors (65 and over), $15; VIP access, $60
Skate rental: $12
Contact: therinkatrockcenter.com; Rockefeller Center, New York City
Wollman Rink at Central Park
The Wollman Rink is located on the southeast side of Central Park, close to the Central Park Zoo. It offers ice hockey, skating school, party facilities, skate rentals and lockers.
Hours: Open Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Fees: Monday through Thursday: adults, $12; children (11 and under), $6; seniors (65 and over), $5 Friday through Sunday: adults, $19; children, $6; seniors, $9
Skate rental: $9; lock rental $5 Fees are cash only.
Contact: wollmanskatingrink.com; Central Park, New York City
The Rink at Brookfield Place
Glide across the ice with sweeping views of the Statue of Liberty and the Hudson River at this rink outside Brookfield Place (the original World Financial Center). In addition to a gorgeous backdrop, visitors can step inside the beautiful complex to warm up and enjoy hot cocoa, snacks and bathrooms.
Hours: Skating is available Monday through Friday in one-and-a-half hour sessions from 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Saturday and Sundays from 10:15 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Fees: $15
Skate rental: $5
Contact: brookfieldplaceny.com; Brookfield Place, New York City
The Standard Ice Rink
Combine a winter walk along the picturesque High Line or trip to the Whitney Museum with a stop at this quaint ice rink at The Standard Hotel. Nestled next to the rink is the Skate Haus with food and beverages.
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Friday 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Fees: Hotel guests skate free after 8 p.m.; adults, $13; children (12 and under), $6
Skate rental: $4
Contact: standardhotels.com; 848 Washington Street, New York City
PREFER A SET OF WHEELS TO BLADES?
Greenwich Roller Skating
Nights heat up all winter long as the Greenwich Civic Center hosts indoor roller skating on February 2, 9, 13, 16, 23 and March 16 and 23 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. A $10 fee includes skate rental. This is good old-fashioned family fun featuring games such as Roller Skate Limbo and the Elimination Game. Check out the website for information on theme nights like Pajama Skate and Disco nights. greenwichrollerskating.webs.com Eastern Greenwich Civic Center