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5. Indoor Skating at Chelsea Piers: If frostbitten fingers aren't your thing, then perhaps take the winter fun indoors at the Chelsea Piers' regulation-size ice hockey rink. Regular old family ice skating gets squished in between hockey practice times, so hours are generally 1:30pm to 5:20pm with ticket prices at $13 for adults and $10.50 for kids. Tack on skate rental for an additional $7.50 and it gets kinda pricey; you better break out with the trip toe loops to get your money's worth.

4. Newport Skates in Jersey City: So what if it's technically in New Jersey; taking the PATH train one stop to Newport-Pavonia and locating this secret spot means that you won't have to share the ice with busloads of tourists from Topeka. Instead, you'll share the scene with about 20 or so locals spending quality time with their kids after work. Open until at least the end of February, the rink will set you back $5 plus another $5 for skate rental on weekdays, and $6 on weekends.

3. Rockefeller Plaza's Rink, of course: It may be a tourist trap, expensive and small, but the midtown location and adjoining cafe can't be beat. Have some friends or parents who aren't keen on hitting the ice with you? Send them to eat in the Rock Cafe, which looks out onto the ice so that even from afar, everyone may admire your graceful gliding. Admission and skate rental here varies depending on season, day and time, but the best deal is definitely the lunchtime skate for $5, Monday thru Thursday. That's when we stopped by to shoot the above video, and as you can see, there is plenty room for more skaters.

2. Wollman Rink in Central Park: C'mon, it's Central Park in the winter. How can you possibly turn that down? If you are able to ignore the high-rise buildings circling the park, then this can be quite the bucolic dream for city slickers. it is, however, owned by Trump and this you can tell from the ridiculous $5 "spectator fee" they charge. Like $16 for admission and skate rental isn't enough; they have to dig into your grandma's pocket too?

1. The Pond at Bryant Park: This is the mother of urban rinks; it's huge, affordable, and well-lit with great music and concessions. Situated next to the New York Public Library, the Bryant Park rink lets you not only watch for free, but lets you skate for free if you have your own blades (otherwise it's $12). We recommend reserving online to skip the line. It is truly the best experience except for one large issue: last weekend ended the rink's season. Right now it is being dismantled so that the area can be prepped for Fashion Week. Mark it on your calendar for next year though, as Fashion Week must move on and allow the rink to stay open further into winter.

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