Central Park, Photo by Ihor Dvoretskyi on Unsplash
Cold weather has arrived and 'tis the season for ice skating. Indoor rinks are the go-to place for children to learn to skate, play hockey, attend skating camp, have a birthday party and more-- all in a warmer setting than the great outdoors. Most indoor ice rinks have concessions (phew!) and skate rentals. Be sure to check the rink's schedule for open skate times. Perhaps best of all, skating rinks give kids an opportunity to stay active during the colder months, which everyone desperately needs!
On the other hand, outdoor skating rinks offer the magic of the season, with a classic backdrop to take in the authentic Upstate New York winter experience. Photoworthy indeed! Take in some fresh air and get those muscles working. Don't forget your earmuffs and mittens!
What is your favorite place to skate? Share in the comments below or take a selfie and share with us on Instagram!
On the other hand, outdoor skating rinks offer the magic of the season, with a classic backdrop to take in the authentic Upstate New York winter experience. Photoworthy indeed! Take in some fresh air and get those muscles working. Don't forget your earmuffs and mittens!
What is your favorite place to skate? Share in the comments below or take a selfie and share with us on Instagram!
Outdoor Skating Rinks
Westchester County
Cross County Holiday Ice Rink
Cross County Shopping Center Pop-Up Holiday Skating Rink
8000 Mall Walk, Yonkers, NY (at Center Court near Gap)
Limited time offer! Open now through January 5th on select days. Admission is $10 per person and includes skates and a one hour skate session. You may bring your own skates, however, admission is the same. Must be 5 years old to skate or 42" tall. Character skating events are detailed on their website.
Westchester Parks Outdoor Skating
Multiple locations
Looking for a nostalgic outdoor skating experience? Westchester County’s ponds and lakes are the perfect scene for a family skating day. Mountain Lakes Park (North Salem), Tibbetts Brook Park (Yonkers), Twin Lakes (Eastchester), Wampus Pond (Armonk) and Willson's Woods (Mount Vernon) all offer skating in the winter. No rentals are available so pack your skates! The ice is checked daily at all locations for safety. When the white flag with the green ball or sign is posted indicating safe conditions, ice skating is permitted seven days a week during daylight hours. For your own safety, it is suggested that you check conditions before venturing over to the park. For more information call (914) 864-PARK. Admission is free with the exception of Ward Pound Ridge Reservation where parking is $5 with a Park Pass, $10 without a pass.
8000 Mall Walk, Yonkers, NY (at Center Court near Gap)
Limited time offer! Open now through January 5th on select days. Admission is $10 per person and includes skates and a one hour skate session. You may bring your own skates, however, admission is the same. Must be 5 years old to skate or 42" tall. Character skating events are detailed on their website.
Westchester Parks Outdoor Skating
Multiple locations
Looking for a nostalgic outdoor skating experience? Westchester County’s ponds and lakes are the perfect scene for a family skating day. Mountain Lakes Park (North Salem), Tibbetts Brook Park (Yonkers), Twin Lakes (Eastchester), Wampus Pond (Armonk) and Willson's Woods (Mount Vernon) all offer skating in the winter. No rentals are available so pack your skates! The ice is checked daily at all locations for safety. When the white flag with the green ball or sign is posted indicating safe conditions, ice skating is permitted seven days a week during daylight hours. For your own safety, it is suggested that you check conditions before venturing over to the park. For more information call (914) 864-PARK. Admission is free with the exception of Ward Pound Ridge Reservation where parking is $5 with a Park Pass, $10 without a pass.
Westchester Winter Wonderland 2018
Westchester Winter Wonderland
Kensico Dam Plaza, One Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla, NY
Uniquely Westchester! Open only during the holiday season, Westchester Winter Wonderland invites you to come skate and enjoy many other festive attractions at the Kensico Dam. The outdoor rink is lit and surrounded with twinkling holiday decor. It is open November 29th through January 4th (closed December 24th and 25th). Admission includes unlimited skating (with skates included) on the outdoor ice rink. General admission is $20 per person and children ages 0-3 are free.
Kensico Dam Plaza, One Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla, NY
Uniquely Westchester! Open only during the holiday season, Westchester Winter Wonderland invites you to come skate and enjoy many other festive attractions at the Kensico Dam. The outdoor rink is lit and surrounded with twinkling holiday decor. It is open November 29th through January 4th (closed December 24th and 25th). Admission includes unlimited skating (with skates included) on the outdoor ice rink. General admission is $20 per person and children ages 0-3 are free.
Notable, Just Outside Westchester County
Rockefeller Center, Photo by Marc Ruaix on Unsplash
Bear Mountain Ice Rink
Bear Mountain State Park, 3020 Seven Lakes Drive, Tomkins Cove, NY
Picturesque skating at the scenic Bear Mountain State Park may be one experience to add to your holiday bucket list. The large, uncovered rink is open for public skating from November 2nd through March 1st. Skating hours extend into the evening. The rink does close occasionally if the weather does not cooperate or if there are mechanical issues. It's best to call ahead to make sure skating is open before trekking over there. Figure skate rentals are available as well as lockers and refreshments. Access their public skating pricing and schedule here. You can view their special holiday events and hours here. You may also wish to venture over to the Bear Mountain Inn while you are there, and perhaps reserve a breakfast with Santa. The Skating Rink is on the south end of the parking field bear the Merry-Go-Round.
Central Park
Wollman Rink (Enter at 59th Street and 5th or 6th Avenue), Lasker Rink (North end of Central Park, nearest street entrance is 110th St and Lenox Ave.) and Conservatory Water (East Side between 72nd and 75th Streets )
How about outdoor skating with scenic views of the New York City skyline? Then Central Park it is! There are two main ice skating rinks in Central Park, Wollman Rink and Lasker Rink. Each have skate and locker rentals. Wollman Rink is open from late October to early April, weather permitting. Details are available here. Lasker Rink is open from late October to mid-March, weather permitting. Details are available here. Conservatory Water offers free ice skating (when the ice is deemed safe).. No rentals are available so don't forget to pack your skates. Call ahead to confirm skating is open before your trip.
The Rink Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center, 5th Ave between 49th and 50th Streets, New York, NY
The it-rink! One of New York City’s most celebrated attractions, The Rink at Rockefeller Center is a New York City tradition for all ages. Located in midtown, the rink is the perfect spot to visit during a holiday trip to the city, as it is just steps from the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and other attractions like shopping, Radio City Music Hall's Rockettes, Times Square, Broadway and the American Girl store. Open skating, lessons and exclusive wintertime experiences are all on the menu here. Online advance reservations are available. General Admission skating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. No advance reservations or online sales are available for General Admission - tickets are sold only in the Skate House. To avoid waiting on line during the busy holiday season, you can make advance reservations to skate through the VIP Igloo.
Bear Mountain State Park, 3020 Seven Lakes Drive, Tomkins Cove, NY
Picturesque skating at the scenic Bear Mountain State Park may be one experience to add to your holiday bucket list. The large, uncovered rink is open for public skating from November 2nd through March 1st. Skating hours extend into the evening. The rink does close occasionally if the weather does not cooperate or if there are mechanical issues. It's best to call ahead to make sure skating is open before trekking over there. Figure skate rentals are available as well as lockers and refreshments. Access their public skating pricing and schedule here. You can view their special holiday events and hours here. You may also wish to venture over to the Bear Mountain Inn while you are there, and perhaps reserve a breakfast with Santa. The Skating Rink is on the south end of the parking field bear the Merry-Go-Round.
Central Park
Wollman Rink (Enter at 59th Street and 5th or 6th Avenue), Lasker Rink (North end of Central Park, nearest street entrance is 110th St and Lenox Ave.) and Conservatory Water (East Side between 72nd and 75th Streets )
How about outdoor skating with scenic views of the New York City skyline? Then Central Park it is! There are two main ice skating rinks in Central Park, Wollman Rink and Lasker Rink. Each have skate and locker rentals. Wollman Rink is open from late October to early April, weather permitting. Details are available here. Lasker Rink is open from late October to mid-March, weather permitting. Details are available here. Conservatory Water offers free ice skating (when the ice is deemed safe).. No rentals are available so don't forget to pack your skates. Call ahead to confirm skating is open before your trip.
The Rink Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center, 5th Ave between 49th and 50th Streets, New York, NY
The it-rink! One of New York City’s most celebrated attractions, The Rink at Rockefeller Center is a New York City tradition for all ages. Located in midtown, the rink is the perfect spot to visit during a holiday trip to the city, as it is just steps from the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and other attractions like shopping, Radio City Music Hall's Rockettes, Times Square, Broadway and the American Girl store. Open skating, lessons and exclusive wintertime experiences are all on the menu here. Online advance reservations are available. General Admission skating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. No advance reservations or online sales are available for General Admission - tickets are sold only in the Skate House. To avoid waiting on line during the busy holiday season, you can make advance reservations to skate through the VIP Igloo.
Indoor Skating Rinks
Westchester County
Ebersole Ice Rink
Delfino Park , 110 Lake Street, White Plains, NY
Skate lessons for all levels, hockey teams, and public skating sessions are offered here throughout the season. The rink is open from mid October through late March. Access their pricing and schedule here.
Hommocks Park Ice Rink
140 Hommocks Road, Larchmont, NY
The season runs September 28th through June 14th. The Hommocks Park Ice Rink offers lessons, public skating, Stick and Puck Sessions, appreciation days, character skates and more year-round recreational community events. Access their public skating pricing and schedule here.
Ice Hutch
655 Garden Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY
The Ice Hutch serves the skating community all year-round by offering skating lessons for all levels (ages 4+), weekly public skating, figure skating and hockey sessions. Freestyle sessions for figure skaters and hockey Stick Time sessions are also available. Access their public skating pricing and schedule here.
Murray's Skating Center
348 Tuckahoe Rd., Yonkers, NY
Public skating hours are open early September through the end of April. Offering skating lessons, hockey and recreational skating, Murray's Skating Center offers the largest weekly public skating schedule in the area. Most weekend sessions feature a live DJ. Access their public skating pricing and schedule here.
Playland Ice Casino
100 Playland Parkway, Rye, NY
Public skating, tot programs, learn to skate lessons, camps, hockey programs and more are all available. Two rinks are used for public skating and are equipped with state-of-the-art music systems and dance lighting. Additional skating sessions are added around the holidays. Friday night teen skating featuring a DJ and lights is held between September and April. Access their public skating pricing and schedule here.
The Harvey School: Evarts Rink
The Harvey School, 240 Jay Street, Katonah, NY
The fully enclosed ice rink is home to Harvey Hockey and offers a variety of instructional skating programs. The arena operates year-round. Please note skate rentals are not available. Access their public skating (walk-on) pricing and schedule here.
Westchester Skating Academy
91 Fairview Drive, Elmsford, NY
Westchester Skating Academy is one of the premiere skating facilities in the area. It is one of the only NHL twin rink facilities in Westchester County. They offer public skating, holiday camps & clinics, learn to skate lessons, hockey lessons & camps plus hockey leagues for children and adults. Access their public skating pricing and schedule here.
Ebersole Ice Rink
Delfino Park , 110 Lake Street, White Plains, NY
Skate lessons for all levels, hockey teams, and public skating sessions are offered here throughout the season. The rink is open from mid October through late March. Access their pricing and schedule here.
Hommocks Park Ice Rink
140 Hommocks Road, Larchmont, NY
The season runs September 28th through June 14th. The Hommocks Park Ice Rink offers lessons, public skating, Stick and Puck Sessions, appreciation days, character skates and more year-round recreational community events. Access their public skating pricing and schedule here.
Ice Hutch
655 Garden Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY
The Ice Hutch serves the skating community all year-round by offering skating lessons for all levels (ages 4+), weekly public skating, figure skating and hockey sessions. Freestyle sessions for figure skaters and hockey Stick Time sessions are also available. Access their public skating pricing and schedule here.
Murray's Skating Center
348 Tuckahoe Rd., Yonkers, NY
Public skating hours are open early September through the end of April. Offering skating lessons, hockey and recreational skating, Murray's Skating Center offers the largest weekly public skating schedule in the area. Most weekend sessions feature a live DJ. Access their public skating pricing and schedule here.
Playland Ice Casino
100 Playland Parkway, Rye, NY
Public skating, tot programs, learn to skate lessons, camps, hockey programs and more are all available. Two rinks are used for public skating and are equipped with state-of-the-art music systems and dance lighting. Additional skating sessions are added around the holidays. Friday night teen skating featuring a DJ and lights is held between September and April. Access their public skating pricing and schedule here.
The Harvey School: Evarts Rink
The Harvey School, 240 Jay Street, Katonah, NY
The fully enclosed ice rink is home to Harvey Hockey and offers a variety of instructional skating programs. The arena operates year-round. Please note skate rentals are not available. Access their public skating (walk-on) pricing and schedule here.
Westchester Skating Academy
91 Fairview Drive, Elmsford, NY
Westchester Skating Academy is one of the premiere skating facilities in the area. It is one of the only NHL twin rink facilities in Westchester County. They offer public skating, holiday camps & clinics, learn to skate lessons, hockey lessons & camps plus hockey leagues for children and adults. Access their public skating pricing and schedule here.
Notable, Just Outside Westchester County
Notable, Just Outside Westchester County
Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream Opening Day, Photographer: Angela Pham/BFA.com
American Dream Rink
1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ
Ready for something new? The Rink is a NHL-size ice skating and hockey facility, located inside the brand-new, ginormous American Dream mall in East Rutherford, NJ. It has three viewable tiers and can hold thousands of spectators. Activities include open skating, figure skating, hockey tournaments, events and more. Open seven days a week, hours vary. Open skate tickets can be purchased in person at the rink, access their pricing here.
Brewster Ice Arena
63 Fields Lane, Brewster, NY
Similar to the indoor facilities in Westchester County, this arena offers learn to skate programs, hockey programs, clinics, camps, travel hockey, adult hockey, fitness programs and freestyle figure skating. Access their winter skating schedule here. Pricing can be accessed here.
Chelsea Piers Connecticut
One Blackly Road, Stamford, CT
For the sports-enthusiasts out there, it may be worth a trip out to CT to Chelsea Piers, located in Stamford. There is a whole slew of drop-in sports and activities to do. For skating, they offer a dual-rink facility that operates seven days a week. Skaters of all ages and ability are welcome. Activities include ice hockey, league play, figure skating, general skating, birthday parties and more. Chelsea Piers is the premier ice skating facility in Fairfield County.
Palisades Center Ice Rink
Palisades Center, 4900 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack, NY
Calling all shoppers! Similar to the rinks above, there is a full suite of skating offerings-- open skating, figure skating, hockey, camps. However, this rink sits inside the massive Palisades Center, just across the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. The mall is bursting with tons of entertainment options, shopping and food. So you can make a day of it. Access their public skating pricing and schedule here.
1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ
Ready for something new? The Rink is a NHL-size ice skating and hockey facility, located inside the brand-new, ginormous American Dream mall in East Rutherford, NJ. It has three viewable tiers and can hold thousands of spectators. Activities include open skating, figure skating, hockey tournaments, events and more. Open seven days a week, hours vary. Open skate tickets can be purchased in person at the rink, access their pricing here.
Brewster Ice Arena
63 Fields Lane, Brewster, NY
Similar to the indoor facilities in Westchester County, this arena offers learn to skate programs, hockey programs, clinics, camps, travel hockey, adult hockey, fitness programs and freestyle figure skating. Access their winter skating schedule here. Pricing can be accessed here.
Chelsea Piers Connecticut
One Blackly Road, Stamford, CT
For the sports-enthusiasts out there, it may be worth a trip out to CT to Chelsea Piers, located in Stamford. There is a whole slew of drop-in sports and activities to do. For skating, they offer a dual-rink facility that operates seven days a week. Skaters of all ages and ability are welcome. Activities include ice hockey, league play, figure skating, general skating, birthday parties and more. Chelsea Piers is the premier ice skating facility in Fairfield County.
Palisades Center Ice Rink
Palisades Center, 4900 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack, NY
Calling all shoppers! Similar to the rinks above, there is a full suite of skating offerings-- open skating, figure skating, hockey, camps. However, this rink sits inside the massive Palisades Center, just across the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. The mall is bursting with tons of entertainment options, shopping and food. So you can make a day of it. Access their public skating pricing and schedule here.
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