Some New yorkers Forget that ice skating rinks are open now. They( including me) seem to have it engraved in their brains that the rinks open on THANKSGIVING…..Not!! they are open now and it’s plenty to choose from.
HERE ARE SOME COOL( REALLY COOOOL) PLACES YOU CAN GO!
Every one knows about the Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center
The most famous of rinks returns for its 74th!! 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. Rockefeller Plaza between 49th and 50th Sts (212-332-7654, therinkatrockcenter.com). Admission prices vary; see website for more information.
All FREE!!( if you have your own skates) The Pond at Bryant Park
Don’t get too excited: The admission may be free, but you gotta pay $13 to rent skates (or BYO). On the upside: The complex holds 500 people, holiday shops, an indoor pavilion. There’s a full children’s menu and plenty of hot chocolate. Open through Feb 27; Sun–Thu 8am–10pm; Fri, Sat 8am–midnight. Bryant Park, Sixth Ave between 40th and 42nd Sts (212-661-6640, thepondatbryantpark.com). Skate rental $13.
Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers
This athletic Megacomplex offers year-round skating, two NHL-size rinks and classes galore. Open year-round. Mon, Fri 1:30–5:20pm; Tue, Thu 3–5:20pm; Sat, Sun 1–3:50pm. Chelsea Piers (Pier 61), 23rd St at Hudson River (212-336-6100, chelseapiers.com). $13, children under 13 $10.50, skate rental $7.50.
Trump Lasker Skating Rink (yes he has another one)
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. Hours vary, check website for full schedule. Central Park, enter at 110th St and Lenox Ave (917-492-3857, wollmanskatingrink.com). $6.25, children under 13 $3.50, skate rental $5.50.
Trump Wollman Rink
If you’re a skating newbie, this is where to go! : It has the largest learn-to-skate program in the country! And oh those Central Park views! Open through Apr 3. Mon, Tue 10am–2:30pm; Wed, Thu 10am–10pm; Fri, Sat 10am–11pm; Sun 10am–9pm. Central Park, enter at 59th St at Sixth Ave (212-439-6900, wollmanskatingrink.com). Mon–Thu $10.25, children under 12 $5.50. Fri–Sun $14.75, children under 12 $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 Manhattan. Bonus: Families celebrating birthdays can reserve tables for after-skate cake and ice cream. Opens in November. Riverside Dr at 145th St (212-694-3600, nysparks.state.ny.us/parks). $5, children under 11 $3, skate rental $6.
Brooklyn
Abe Stark Rink
This 40-year-old venue began its life as the Ravenhall Baths, a saltwater swimming pool that was the Coney Island hot spot in its day. The space was converted into a destination for the heavily sweatered and uncoördinated. (Puuuurrffect) Arrive at the rink early. because it opens at 1pm and the ice fills fast. It closes at 4pm. Sat, Sun 1–4pm. Coney Island Boardwalk 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 take part 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. Open year-round. Mon 11:50am–3:50pm; Tue–Thu 11am–4:10pm; Fri 11am–4:20pm, 7–11pm; Sat 1:30–6:30pm, 7–11pm; Sun noon-7pm. Floyd Bennett Field, 3159 Flatbush Ave south of the Belt Pkwy, Brooklyn (718-758-7567, aviatorsports.com). $8, children under 13 $6, skate rental $5.
Queens
City Ice Pavilion
The five boroughs’ only rooftop rink stretches an NHL–size 85 x 200 feet under a weatherproof air dome. Stop by mid-afternoon during the week, or between noon and 2pm or so on the weekends. At other times, the rink is devoted to skating lessons, hockey practice and private parties. Open year-round. Mon–Thu 1:30–3:50pm; Sat noon–2:50pm, 7:30–9:50pm; Sun noon–2:20pm. 47-32 32nd Pl between 47th and 48th Aves (718-706-6667, cityicepavilion.com). Mon–Thu $5, Sat–Sun $8, skate rental $5.
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. Open year-round. Mon–Thu 9am–5:15pm; Fri 9am–5:15pm, 7–9:50pm; Sat noon–4:45pm, 8–9:50pm; Sun noon–4:45pm. Wyck Expwy at Avery Ave, Flushing, Queens (718-760-9001, worldice.com). Weekdays $5, weekends $8, skate rental $5.
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. Opens Oct 30. Clove Lakes Park, Victory Blvd near Clove Rd, Staten Island (718-720-1010, nycgovparks.org). $8, skate rental $5.
CC's Kidz 