The Three Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in New York City

The Rockefeller Center ice skating rink could justly be called the King of all the outdoor ice skating rings in New York City, but this famous gem isn't without a few flaws. The Rockefeller Center rink is small and intimate, nestled under the stunning and massive Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, and is without a doubt the most romantic ice skating rink in Manhattan. However, the small size of the rink means fast turnover of skaters is a necessity, so the high cost of admission (just under $20 for adults, and under $15 for children, without skate rental) only buys you an hour and a half on the ice. If you want to linger on the ice, or enjoy the luxury of lots of space to spin and race in, you'll be better off at another of the city's outdoor ice skating rinks. However, there is no experience which can quite match the romance of a nighttime skate at Rockefeller Center, the most famous and perhaps the most beautiful of the ice skating rinks in New York City. The appeal of this ice skating rink draws crowds all through the holidays, so if you do plan to make a visit, be sure to plan at least 20-30 minutes extra for waiting in line! The official website for the rink, and the other Rockefeller Center attractions, is online here.

Wollman Rink
A Casual Rink In Central Park Beloved By Locals

There are two outdoor ice skating rinks in Central Park, but its convenient location and pretty setting make Wollman Rink the ice skating rink of choice for local New York City skaters of all ages. This outdoor ice skating rink is a family friendly spot, perfect for casual skating. The affordable prices at Wollman Rink mean that a family of four can skate all day long for under fifty dollars, a rare bargain in the big apple. One of the best things about Wollman rink is the fact that it's open beyond just the winter holiday season. Although Wollman doesn't have the glamour of holiday ice skating rinks like Rockefeller Center or Bryant Park, it does have a skating schedule that keeps it open for business from mid November all the way through to March. The exact dates depend on the weather, and vary from year to year, so check the current dates at the official Wollman rink website here.

Bryant Park Rink
Free For All!

There is one persuasive reason why many people consider the Bryant Park rink to be the best of all the outdoor ice skating rinks in New York City: free admission! In a town where a ticket to the movies costs eleven dollars and a cappucino can cost ten, a free outdoor ice skating rink seems almost too good to be true. Although you'll have to pay for skate rental if you haven't got your own set of ice skates, the ice at the Bryant Park ice skating rink is free to all takers, thanks to corporate sponsorship. However, like so many winter treats, the ice skating rink at Bryant Park is sadly short-lived. This bargain among ice skating rinks is only open for a few months. An average schedule has the rink open from the beginning of November through the second week of January, but since the dates change depending on the sponsor, it's prudent to check for current information on the official website here.