Best ice-skating rinks in New York City

Although the American Museum of Natural History's Polar Rink and Seaport Ice won't be back this season, there are still plenty of places where you can get your glide on.

Manhattan

The Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center

Battery Park City On Ice
Ice-skating gets an eco-friendly spin at this mobile ice rink, which is one of the most energy efficient in the country. After the skate session, grab some organic goodies at the locally operated Green Ice Café, nestled next to the skate rental. Hockey and ice-skating clinics are also available, with discounts for Battery Park City residents. Mon–Fri 1–10pm, Sat 10am–10pm, Sun 11am–9pm. Open through February 21. North End Ave between Warren and Murray Sts (888-727-5423, batteryparkcityice.com). $10, skate rental $3.

The Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center
The most famous of rinks returns for its 73rd season, and it’s still as cramped as ever. Unless you plan on going early in the morning or between 9am and noon on Thanksgiving, expect a one- to two-hour wait. Hours vary; check website for full schedule. Open through March; exact close date to be announced. 30 Rockefeller Plaza between 49th and 50th Sts (212-332-7654, therinkatrockcenter.com). Admission prices vary; see website for more information.

NOW CLOSED. The Pond at Bryant Park
Don’t get too excited: The admission may be free, but you gotta pay $12 to rent skates (or BYO). On the upside: The complex holds 500 people, holiday shops, an indoor pavilion and the Canadian-themed lounge Celsius, which conveniently offers a full children's menu and plenty of hot chocolate. FREE Nov 6–Jan 24; Sun–Thu 8am–10pm; Fri, Sat 8am–midnight. Sixth Ave between 40th and 42nd Sts (212-661-6640, thepondatbryantpark.com). Skate rental $12.

Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers
This athletic megacomplex offers year-round skating, two NHL-size rinks and classes galore. If you’re looking for holiday accoutrements, head elsewhere. Mon, Fri 1:30–5:20pm; Tue, Thu 3–5:20pm; Sat, Sun 1–3:50pm. Open year-round. Chelsea Piers (Pier 61), W 23rd St at Hudson River (212-336-6100, chelseapiers.com). $13, children under 13 $10.50, skate rental $7.50.

Trump Lasker Skating Rink
This rink is less crowded than Wollman, but go for the hockey: Competitive leagues for Gretzky wanna-bes practice here daily. If your tot has a winter birthday, this spot also offers party packages. Open through March 28. Central Park at 110th St and Lenox Ave (917-492-3856, wollmanskatingrink.com/main_lasker). $6.25, children under 13 $3.50, skate rental $5.50.

Trump Wollman Rink

Trump Wollman Rink
If you’re a skating newbie, this is the place to be: It has the largest learn-to-skate program in the country. Mon, Tue 10am–2:30pm; Wed, Thu 10am–10pm; Fri, Sat 10am–11pm; Sun 10am–9pm. Open through April 4. W 59th St at Sixth Ave (212-439-6900, wollmanskatingrink.com). Mon–Thu $10.25, children under 13 $5.50. Fri–Sun $14.75, children under 13 $5.75. Skate rental always $6.25

Riverbank State Park
Located about 85 blocks north of the midtown mayhem, the covered rink here—part of a 28-acre recreational facility—provides some of the least-crowded weekend skating in upper Manhattan. Bonus: Families celebrating birthdays can reserve tables for after-skate cake and ice cream. Open through February; exact close date to be announced. 679 Riverside Dr at 145th St (212-694-3642, nysparks.state.ny.us/parks). $5, children under 11 $3, skate rental $5.

Brooklyn

Abe Stark Rink
This 38-year-old venue began its life as the Ravenhall Baths, a saltwater swimming pool that was quite the Coney Island hot spot in its day. It was destroyed by a fire in 1963, after which the space was converted into a destination for the heavily sweatered and uncoordinated. Arrive at the rink promptly at 1pm when it opens; the ice fills fast and it closes at 4pm. Sat, Sun 1–4pm. Open through March 28. Surf Ave at 19th St, Coney Island, Brooklyn (718-946-6536, nycgovparks.org). $8, skate rental $5.

Aviator Sports and Recreation
Two rinks, sized to NHL regulations, are Brooklyn’s answer to Chelsea Piers. Competitive types can participate in figure skating or hockey leagues, but there’s also public skating, so go during the week if you want to avoid hormonally charged adolescents on blades. Mon 11am–3:50pm; Tue, Wed 11am–4:30pm; Thu 11am–4:20pm; Fri 11am–4:20pm, 7–11pm; Sat 2:30–6:30pm, 7–11pm; Sun noon–5pm. Closing date to be announced. Floyd Bennett Field, Flatbush Ave south of the Belt Pkwy, Brooklyn (718-758-7567, aviatorsports.com). $8, children under 13 $6, skate rental $5.

Prospect Park's Wollman Rink

Photo courtesy of Prospect Park Alliance

Kate Wollman Rink
This 26,000-square-foot, 48-year-old rink provides traditional free-skate opportunities, as well as themed afternoons such as "Show Tunes Skate" and "Disney-o-Rama Skate." Bring your kid on his birthday (of any age, even parents can qualify!) and he'll snag free admission, popcorn and hot chocolate. If you find yourself free on a non-holiday Friday, head over. Admission is half price. Open through March 14. Mon 8:30am–2pm; Tue 8:30am–5pm; Wed 8:30am–3pm; Thu 8:30am–6pm; Fri 8:30am–9pm; Sat 10am–1pm, 2–6pm, 7–10pm; Sun 10am–1pm, 2–6pm. See website for holiday hours. Enter at Lincoln Rd and Ocean Ave, Prospect Park, Brooklyn (718-287-6431, prospectpark.org). $5, children under 15 $3, skate rental $6.50.

Queens

City Ice Pavilion
The five boroughs’ only rooftop rink stretches an NHL–size 85 x 200 feet under a weatherproof air dome (if it’s good enough for Canadians, it’s good enough for the wussy New York winter). Stop by mid-afternoon during the week, or between noon and 2:50pm on the weekends. At other times, the rink is devoted to skating lessons, hockey practice and private parties. Mon–Wed 1:30–3:20pm; Thu 1:30–3:50pm; Fri 1:30–4:20pm, 5:30–8:20pm; Sat noon–3:50pm, 7–9:50pm; Sun noon–2:20pm. Open through spring; exact close date to be announced. 47-23 32nd Pl between 47th and 48th Aves (718-706-6667, cityicepavilion.com). Mon–Thu $5, Fri–Sun $8, skate rental $6.

World Ice Arena
Although this rink offers hockey programs and private lessons, families can enjoy free-skate sessions every day of the week. World Ice also hosts inexpensive birthday parties; the fee (just $20 per child) includes skate rental, pizza and several hours of ice time. Mon–Thu 9am–5:15pm; Fri 9am–5:15pm, 7–9:50pm; Sat noon–4:45pm, 8–9:50pm; Sun noon–4:45pm. Open year-round. Wyck Expwy at Avery Ave, Flushing, Queens (718-760-9001, worldice.com). Weekdays $5, weekends $8, skate rental $5.

Bronx

Kelton Rink
Uptown tots can hang out at this outdoor rink all year long; it’s open through the warmer months, providing the perfect activity for those sweltering summer afternoons. The space is also home to a tennis court, accommodating kids who are partial to balls over blades. Close date to be announced. Broadway at 236th St, Bronx (718-548-9533).

Staten Island

Staten Island War Memorial Ice Skating Rink
We know what you’re thinking: Yeah freakin’ right. But the trip is sooo worth the scenery: Clove Lakes Park boasts some of New York’s few remaining wetlands. Fri 4–10pm, Sat 12:30–10pm; Sun 12:30–4:30pm. Open through March 28. Clove Lakes Park, Victory Blvd at Clove Rd, Staten Island (718-720-1010, nycgovparks.org). $8, skate rental $5.

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