Where Can You Go Ice Skating in NYC This Winter 2026?
Gliding into winter at one of New York City’s iconic ice skating rinks—where seasonal traditions meet skyline views.
Where to Lace Up Your Skates in New York City This Winter
Ice skating is one of the best parts of winter in New York City. With rinks under massive Christmas trees (and some located right next to the waterfront), there are plenty of places to go ice skating in the Big Apple. No matter how old you are or what your skating ability is, NYC has something for everyone. Below is our ultimate guide to the best ice skating spots in NYC during the winter of 2026.
Bryant Park
Bryant Park’s Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park is the only free ice skating rink in NYC. As such, anyone can visit regardless of income. The 17,000 square foot rink openon tober 24th, 2025, and remains open until March 1st, 2026. It is also open late, often until 12am, during the holidays from November 24th to January 4th.
Admission is always free, however, skate rentals will be anywhere from $18.72 to $60.32 based on how crowded it is, and Bank of America card holders will receive a discount of 10% on rentals for the entire season.
Skate sessions are 50 minutes long, and ice time will start 20 minutes after your ticket time to give you enough time to rent your skates and lace them up. Premium options include the VIP experience ($156-$182), which includes a skate concierge, food and drinks, access to the Polar Lounge shared space, skate rentals, bag check, and longer ice time.
There are also several holiday shops and bars to grab a drink at within the surrounding Winter Village area, in addition to the fun and festive atmosphere that embodies the spirit of a New York winter.
Rockefeller Center
The Rink at Rockefeller Center is still the city's most magical place to enjoy the winter season since its opening on Christmas Day in 1936. The original plan was for the skating rink to be a temporary display, but it proved so popular that it became a permanent attraction.
What could possibly be more memorable than ice skating in front of the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree?
Tickets to skate at Rockefeller Center include general admission, which gives you 60 minutes of ice time and costs between $22 and $124 depending on the day and time, and VIP packages, which include priority entry, a heated lounge with hot beverages, free skate rental, and 20% off items purchased at the gift shop.
While the prices may be higher and the crowds larger, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that everyone who visits New York City wants to have.
Central Park
Two rinks exist in Central Park: Wollman Rink is the rink located closest to the southwest edge of the park and offers skating lessons, youth hockey leagues, birthday parties, and public skating.
Public skating session tickets range from $16 off-season to $40 during peak seasons. Seniors and kids receive discounted admission rates. Seasonal passes make the most sense for frequent visitors, with adult passes starting at $275 and senior/kids passes at $100.
Additionally, Wollman Rink recently renovated its amenities, including a brand-new clubhouse, expanded gift shop, restored trellis, public Wi-Fi, and updated kitchen space.
WRAP Program: A Great Deal for New Yorkers
The WRAP program is a great option for New Yorkers. For just $16 (anytime), you'll get admission, skate rental, and hot cocoa (for those with a valid IDNYC or New York Public Library Card), anit available as a walk-up only.
Brooklyn Waterfront and Downtown Locations
The Rink at Brookfield Place is another great downtown location to ice-skate in NYC with beautiful views of the Hudson River and One World Trade Center. In addition to public skating sessions, The Rink at Brookfield Place also hosts programs run by Olympic figure skaters Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov, including private lessons, group skating sessions, and corporate team-building events.
A final waterfront rink is Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park, which offers magical views of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge in DUMBO. Open daily from November 24th – Open daily from November 24th – February 1st, Roebling Rink is priced at $16 admission (with a 10% discount on the purchase of ten or more tickets), and for NYC residents, there is a limited number of free tickets given away each week from Monday – Friday to those who show a valid NYC ID at the walk-up window on a first-come, first-served basis.
Each session is 2-hours long and includes 1 hour of ice time from when you check-in.
Year Round Indoor Options
Since 1969, Chelsea Piers has operated two indoor ice rinks that are open 365 days a year, providing New Yorkers with a way to ice-skate in the dead of summer or during extremely cold temperatures that force outdoor rinks to close.
Both indoor rinks provide skating classes and programs for all ages and skill levels. Both rinks are ideal options for people looking for a fun and convenient way to get exercise indoors during the cold months.
Getting Ready for the Ice
When planning your Ice-Skating trips consider that each rink has its own methods of obtaining tickets. In addition, Bryant Park requires advance reservations for Skate Rentals; Walk-ins & Advance Purchase are accepted at Rockefeller Center; Box Office & On-line Booking are accepted at Wollman Rink.
Arrive Early to Secure Your Time Slot as Weekends & Peak Holiday Travel will be busier than other times of the year.
Plan on layering your clothing in case you become active when ice-skating, this way you can stay warm. Also, consider wearing gloves/mittens to protect your hands from falling on the ice. Most rinks provide Free Helmet Rentals, so no need to worry about safety for Beginners.
Whether you go to the Free access to Bryant Park, The Iconic grandeur of Rockefeller Center, the Nature of Central Park, or the Water View Charm of Brooklyn Locations, NYC offers something magical about Ice-Skating in the Winter. In addition, there is an advantage of going to each rink, such as Price, Ambiance, and Skyline Views, to make sure everyone finds their Perfect Ice-Skating Experience.
Once you finish your ice-skating adventure and head back to your warm and cozy apartment, no matter how much work you put into maintaining it, or how professional help you received from someone like Sparkly Maid NYC, you can complete the perfect New York winter day.
Sources:
Brooklyn Bridge Park. "Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park." Roebling Rink, 2025-2026.
Bryant Park. "Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park." Bryant Park, 2025-2026.
Bryant Park. "Free-Admission Ice Skating in Bryant Park." Bryant Park, 2025-2026.
Central Park. "Ice Skating Season 2025-2026." Central Park NYC, 28 Nov. 2025.
Loving New York. "The 15 Best Ice Skating Rinks in NYC 2026." Loving New York, Jan. 2026.
Rockefeller Center. "The Rink at Rockefeller Center." Rockefeller Center, 2025-2026.
The Rink at Brookfield Place. "Ice Skating NYC at Brookfield Place with Gregory & Petukhov." The Rink at Brookfield Place, 2025-2026.
Wollman Rink. "NYC Ice Skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park." Wollman Rink NYC, 2025-2026.
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