New York Family Sports on Ice

There's nothing like gliding gracefully, or not so gracefully, across the ice with the wind in your hair and the New York City skyline as your backdrop. Ice skating is fun and it's good exercise. Hockey, figure skating, or freestyling, New York City has some great ice for everyone. Here's a little list for you to consider while you chilling out this month.

Battery Park City on Ice

Check out NYC’s newest public skate rink. Take a trip down to Battery Park City, where you can skate in the twinkling lights of downtown Manhattan. Weekdays, the rink is open from 1pm-10pm, with extended hours on the weekend. And there will never be a shortage of activities to partake in. Check out the website for information about skating classes, and hockey instruction. The rink also specializes in birthday parties, so gather up your friends and explore this new downtown City on Ice! Visit www.batteryparkcityice.com for more details.

Wollman Rink in Central Park

Celebrate the winter season at Wollman Rink, located on the southeast corner of Central Park. Here you can skate to the backdrop of The Plaza Hotel and Essex House. Wollman keeps their skaters entertained with constant programing including, Freestyle & Ice Dance, Social Ice Dance, Wollman Skate School: USFA “Skate with Us” Basic Skills Program, Innovative Group Figure Skating Curriculum, and group and private lessons. Access to the rink for the full day is $10.25 ($5 children) during the week and $14.75 weekends ($5.75 children). Ice skate rentals are $6.25. For more information, visit nyc.gov/parks, keyword: Ice Skating Rinks.

Lasker Rink in Central Park

Located in the northeastern area of the park, near 110th St and Lenox Ave., Lasker Rink offers inexpensive public ice time in addition to youth hockey classes, group or private skate lessons, birthday parties, and even a Learn to Skate Holiday Camp. Ice skating will cost you $6.25 (children under 12 are $3.50) and ice skate rental is $5.50. Like Wollman rink, admission is good for a full day of access. For more information, visit nyc.gov/parks, keyword: Ice Skating Rinks.

Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center

It wouldn’t be winter without a spin around one of New York City’s most celebrated attractions. The world-famous Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center has become a quintessential NYC winter experience for generations. Here you’ll find New Yorkers and visitors alike, skating amid the watchful eye of the gilded Prometheus statue and the unique urban backdrop of Rockefeller Center’s sparkling lights. The ice skating rink is open daily. Visit www.therinkatrockcenter.com for all schedules and rates.

Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers

From competitive hockey teams and premier figure skating instruction to open skating, you’ll find it all at The Sky Rink. Here, ice skating is offered year-round. Check out www.chelseapiers.com for information about signing up for the program of your choice. For open skating, adults pay $13 per session, youths and seniors pay $10.50. Skate rental costs $7.50 and helmet rental is available for $4. Wanna skate with your friends? The Sky Rink offers special group packages for twelve or more skaters, so call ahead and plan your day of tearing up the ice.

The Polar Rink at the American Museum of Natural History

Nestled behind the Museum of Natural History, you’ll find the Polar Rink. This is a great opportunity to learn how to skate where you won’t find intimidating crowds of experienced skaters. Meanwhile, enjoy a view of the Rose Center for Earth and Space and a 17-foot-tall twinkling polar bear. Tickets are $10 for adults, $9 for students & seniors, and $8 for kids 3-12 and include skate rentals and 45-minutes of ice skating.

Riverbank Ice Skating Rink

Located on the Hudson River at 142nd Street, Riverbank Ice Skating Rink is a covered ice skating rink that offers skating sessions on Fridays from 6pm-9pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm-3pm and from 4pm-7pm during the winter.

The Pond at Bryant Park

Bring your skates to Manhattan’s only free admission ice skating rink, located in Bryant Park. Open seven days a week, some amenities include Skate Coaches, Photos @ the Pond, Skate Sharpening, The Pond Shop, party packages as well as group and school reservations. For more information, visit nyc.gov/parks, keyword: Ice Skating Rinks.

Kate Wollman Rink in Prospect Park

Located in the southern part of the park, near Parkside & Ocean Avenues, the Kate Wollman Rink is another great ice skating choice. Skating costs $5 and for children 14 & under and seniors it’s just $3. Skate rentals are $6.50 and free lockers are available though you’ll need to bring or buy a lock.

Aviator Sports Complex

Visit the ultimate destination for public skating! You can bring your own skates or rent from the rink. Open 7 days a week, our regularly scheduled open skate hours offer you a chance to experience year-round fun on New York City’s only twin NHL size ice rinks. Before and after your skating experience, hang out with friends in our sports lounge or grab a delicious bite to eat from our large food court, enjoy table service at the Winnie Mae Grill. Admission & Rental Fees are $8 for adults, $6 for children, and $5 for rentals. To find out more about rink times and hockey instruction, visit www.aviatorsports.com.

QUEENS

World Ice Arena

Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens 125-40 Roosevelt Avenue Opened in February 2009 and ten years in the making, the World Ice Arena is a state-ofthe-art facility in Flushing Meadows Corona Park with a NHL regulation-size rink. Take part in ice sports including figure skating, speed skating, ice hockey and sled hockey at the largest facility ever built in a city park. The 110,000 square-foot building also houses an Olympic-size indoor pool. For more information, visit nyc.gov/parks, keyword: World Ice Arena

City Ice Pavillion

This roof-top ice skating rink is located in Long Island City, Queens and has daily public skating sessions, in addition to offering figure skating, ice hockey and private rentals. Skating sessions are $5 Monday - Thursday and $8 Friday - Sunday. Skate Rental is $6.