The best places to ice skate in NYC in 2026 are The Rink at Rockefeller Center for the classic experience under the Christmas tree, Wollman Rink for skyline views in Central Park, and Bryant Park's Winter Village for free admission. LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park, Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers and World Ice Arena in Queens are less crowded options.
The world's most famous rink, beneath the Christmas tree.
Skating at Rockefeller Center, below the golden Prometheus statue and the famous tree in December, is a bucket-list New York experience — sessions are short and ticketed.
Good to know: Book a time slot in advance, especially in December.
30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112
Skate with the Central Park South skyline above the trees.
Wollman Rink, at the southeast corner of Central Park, is a large rink with one of the most beautiful skyline backdrops in the city.
Good to know: Weekday mornings are much quieter than weekend afternoons.
Central Park, E 59th St & 6th Ave entrance, New York, NY 10019
A free rink surrounded by a holiday market.
Bryant Park's rink, at the heart of the Bank of America Winter Village, is free to skate, with skate rentals available and holiday shops and food all around.
Good to know: Book a free time slot online to skip the line.
Bryant Park, 6th Ave & W 42nd St, New York, NY 10018
Two rinks in Prospect Park, one covered and one open-air.
LeFrak Center at Lakeside has a covered rink and an open-air rink beside the lake in Prospect Park, with rentals and a café — far calmer than Manhattan's rinks.
Good to know: It becomes a roller rink and splash area in summer.
171 East Dr, Brooklyn, NY 11225
Indoor, year-round skating overlooking the Hudson.
Sky Rink, part of the Chelsea Piers sports complex, offers public skating sessions on its indoor rinks all year, along with lessons and hockey.
Good to know: Check public session times — they vary around hockey and lessons.
Pier 61, Chelsea Piers, New York, NY 10011
A year-round indoor rink in Queens.
World Ice Arena, in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, offers public skating, lessons and hockey on an NHL-size indoor rink.
Good to know: Combine with the Unisphere and the Queens Museum nearby.
131-04 Meridian Rd, Flushing, NY 11368
Outdoor rinks typically open between late October and mid-November and run until early spring. Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers and World Ice Arena are indoors and open year-round.
Bryant Park's rink in the Winter Village is free to skate; you pay only if you rent skates or book a priority time slot.