NEWSLETTER
Credit: @iamanar92 on Instagram
Strap on those skates! New Yorkers love winter sports, especially ice skating, so don’t be surprised to find amazing indoor and outdoor ice skating rinks all over the state. Whether you're focusing on improving your form, learning from scratch, or looking for an entertaining activity for a winter’s day—you can find the right rink for you with this list of spots offering amazing skating experiences.
Originally published: 01/09/2019
1. Empire State Plaza Ice Rink (Capital-Saratoga)
Each winter, the reflecting pools in Empire State Plaza transform into a beautiful ice skating rink. From December through March, you can enjoy free ice skating, along with refreshments, and a variety of events, including the New York State Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony, live music, and entertainment. Take in views of the grand New York State Capitol building, The Egg performing arts center, Corning Tower, and more. The rink is open Tuesday through Saturday, and includes a skate lounge with lockers and available skate rentals in the glass pavilion adjacent to the rink. Skate rentals are $5 for adults, $3 for children 12 and under; a photo ID is required for skate rentals; every Saturday is Hannaford Free Skate Rental Saturday; 25¢ locker rentals.
2. Bear Mountain Ice Rink (Hudson Valley)
Through March 2nd, families will enjoy a fun day of outdoor ice skating in an alpine-like setting at the foot of Bear Mountain at Bear Mountain State Park. The rink, popular with visitors from New York City, and Westchester and Rockland counties, also has hiking trails behind it, as well as an adjacent large lawn for children to play. The best times to skate are in the morning and early evening, and, for your convenience, skate rentals, skating lessons, and lockers are available. $5, children 4 and under free; skate rentals $10; skate sharpening $10. Closed on Christmas Day.
3. Kiwanis Ice Arena (Catskills)
Kiwanis is a clean and well-maintained rink, beloved by the community and an excellent spot to hone your skills. The arena offers public skating sessions, cosmic skate where vibrant strobe lights color the rink on Saturday nights, sticks & pucks sessions where hockey skaters of any age can work on shooting and skating skills, drills and stick handling, as well as drop in hockey, and freestyle figure skating sessions. Admission for sessions ranges from $8 to $20. Open all year.
4. LeFrak Center (New York City)
Rockefeller Center ice skating is classic, and NYC residents flock to the ice rink in Bryant Park and Wollman Rink in Central Park (pictured at top), but these aren't the only places for outdoor ice skating in NYC! Head into Brooklyn to enjoy the massive LeFrak Center rink in Prospect Park (pictured). One of the two interconnected rinks is covered (but still open air) so you can enjoy the fresh air and then warm up a bit—all without getting off the ice. Besides great skating, there are views of the lake and the winter wonderland that is the park. The Center offers a skate school for all levels as well as a hockey program! Refuel at the Bluestone Café with hot food, sandwiches, desserts, and beer. Open 7 days a week, hours vary; weekday admission: $10.60; weekend and holiday admission: $15.25; skate rentals: $10.35. Open through late March.
5. Industry City Ice Rink (New York City)
The ice rink at Brooklyn’s Industry City is open Thursday-Sunday through early March. The rink is uncovered and outside, so dress appropriately for an enjoyable and comfortable skate. Tickets are $15 per person, with skate rentals costing an additional $10 per person. Purchase tickets through their website.
6. Cantiague Park Ice Rink (Long Island)
The Cantiague Park Ice Rink has an enormous domed ceiling that feels as majestic as one would expect of the New York Islanders’ former practice facility. Even gold medalists like Nancy Kerrigan have performed here. Admission for non-residents: $10 for kids, $15 for adults; admission for residents: $10 for adults, $6 for kids; skate rentals: $5. Call the ice rink at 516-571-7056 for session times.
7. Clinton Square Ice Rink (Central)
Syracuse is a city that sees serious snow, so the locals are experts at arranging winter fun. The Clinton Square Ice Rink lies in the heart of downtown, surrounded by some of the city’s oldest and most beautiful buildings. The rink has indoor storage lockers available for rental. Admission: $5 for adults; children ages 12 and under: $3; seniors 55+: $3; skate rentals: $5. Visit the rink's website for more information; weather pending, open end of November until March 1.
8. Nasser Civic Center Ice Rink (Finger Lakes)
The Nasser Civic Center Ice Rink in Corning is covered by a large roof, so you can see the trees, and farther back, mountains, while you skate. Public skating and lessons are available seven days a week. Online reservations are required. Admission for adults: $6; youth: $5; children: $3; seniors $5; skate rentals: $3. Open mid November–March.
9. Classic Rink (Greater Niagara)
East Aurora’s Classic Rink has become a true asset for the entire Western New York community. Since opening in 2008, the venue has added a pavilion-style roof, locker rooms, and warming lodge. With a mix of programs from season to season, some 114,000 people attend events at the Classic Rink each year. From young to old, first-timer to professional, the outdoor rink offers something for everyone. Public Skate times are Friday and Saturday evenings from 7pm - 8:45pm and Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1pm - 2:20pm. Additional holiday public skate times can be found on the rink's website. Reservations are not required. $7 to skate, ages 4 and under free with paying adult; $5 skate rentals.
10. Watertown Municipal Arena (Thousand Islands-Seaway)
The Thousand Islands-Seaway region of New York is full-on hockey country, one reason why communities like Watertown love their ice skating rinks. The Watertown Municipal Arena offers affordable skate rentals, skate sharpening, special programs including Rock N Skate, Skate & Shoot and other lessons. Admission for non-residents: $5; residents: $4; for special evenings: $5-$6; skate rentals: $4-$5; skate sharpening: $5-$6. Open September–April.
11. Ice Skating at The Olympic Center (Adirondacks)
Two-time host of the Winter Olympics, ice skating is a way of life in Lake Placid. Enjoy ice skating year-round at historic rinks – the 1932 Jack Shea Arena, the 1980 Herb Brooks Arena, and the USA Rink – inside the Olympic Center itself. You can also skate outdoors at The Speed Skating Oval, one of the few outdoor rinks of its kind left in the country, adjacent to the Olympic Center. Public skating admission $15 for adults, $12 for teens and seniors, children ages 6 and under are free. Skate rentals: $10. Tickets sold on-site and day-of only; open year-round.
12. Northwest Arena (Chautauqua-Allegheny)
Lace-up your skates (and reserve a ride or two on an ice bumper car while you're there) at Northwest Arena in Jamestown, home to a regular schedule of hockey tournaments and special events. Located across from the National Comedy Center, Northwest Arena is a treasured community center as well as a popular sports arena, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Admission $7; skate rentals: $3. Public skating open select days. Check the schedule here for public skating hours and events.
13. Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park (NYC)
Glide along the Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park alongside the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. Just a stone’s throw from familiar points within the park, the rink is near: Jane’s Carousel, Empire Fulton Ferry, and popular dining destinations such as the River Café, Luke’s Lobster, and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream. Enjoy spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline while you skate the day away! Admission $10. Open November 25-February 2.
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