Where to Ice Skate in Manhattan

December 19, 2006 at 1:07 PM | by pbb | 0 Comments

It's the most wonderful time of the year, they say. Of course, "they" probably aren't standing in a security line that could stretch to the moon and back. To catch a flight to go watch Aunt Mable put another glaze on the Christmas ham. For the 10th year in a row. (But, honestly, we're not bitter.)

How can you possibly have fun combining travel and the holidays this year? Get to New York City, a hell of a Christmas town. And to enjoy the season in NYC, you have to go ice skating. Wollman Rink and Rockefeller Center are Manhattan's classic skating spots, but they aren't the only places you can hit the ice. Here's a round-up of the best options in the city:

Riverbank State Park: Further uptown than Lasker, at 145th Street, it doesn't get more city than Riverbank: the park is on top of a sewage treatment plant. Admission is $4.50; skate rental, $3.50.

Four more picks after the jump.

Bryant Park Pond: No, it's not Rockefeller Center ice skating but, trust us, that's OK. The lines here are shorter (but not that short), and there's a nice bar right next to the rink for post-skate Irish coffees. Bonus: take your own skates and admission is free.

Rockefeller Center: Even if you don't skate here, you have to at least check out the tree. It's been going up since 1933 and is the city's Christmas icon. We wish there were a way to see it and avoid the tourist hordes, but you're on your own for this one. Skating admission is a whopping $17.50, and it'll be $8.50 more for skate rental.

Chelsea Piers: (Indoors) The M14 bus will transport you straight from the East Village corner you woke up on to this megaplex of athletics. You can skate off your eggnog hangover during the Sky Rink's extended holiday skating hours. Admission is $11, plus $6 for skate rental.

Lasker Rink: It's apparently Trump-sponsored now, so we don't recommend Lasker if your name is Tara Conner*. This uptown rink is located in Central Park just like Wollman, but isn't as well known. Admission is $4.50 to Wollman's $12.00, and skate rental is $4.75 to Wollman's $5.00.

[Photo: Mamluke]

*(Editor's note: News broke today, straight out of the Donald's mouth, that Tara Conner will NOT be fired but WILL be sent to rehab.)

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