There is something deeply satisfying about ice skating outdoors. The sounds of the skate blades scoring the ice are the perfect evocation of the winter season, and the graceful twirls and turns of skaters beautifully mimic the falling snow. Skating outdoors in New York City is a seasonal pastime that has been immortalized and romanticized in many classic films. It’s more than just the stunning backdrop; there’s a certain sense of wonder and nostalgia that goes along with it. Fortunately, residents of the Midtown West luxury no-fee rental apartments at ARO have two of the city’s best rinks right in their own backyard.
The Rink at Rockefeller Center
This is probably the most recognizable ice rink on the planet. Functioning as the crown jewel of famed Rockefeller Plaza, it has been a wintertime staple since it first opened on Christmas Day way back in 1936. What was initially proposed as a temporary installation to increase foot traffic to the area became permanent shortly thereafter. It’s now, of course, one of the most visited attractions in the city — for locals and tourists alike. The Rink is as popular as it has ever been, hosting about 150,000 skaters each year. The rink only allows 150 skaters on the ice at one time, so you’re not packed in. There’s room to really skate. It’s an icon of New York City, a place where you can experience something people have been experiencing for nearly a century, while the skyscrapers shimmer all around you. There are skating sessions from 8:30 a.m. until midnight every day.
The Rink at Bryant Park is a positively charming rink that is part of a larger, and quite beautiful, winter village that includes a wide array of holiday shops. Want to know the best part about skating at The Rink at Bryant Park? It’s free! It’s the only free ice rink in the entire city. It is open from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. through March 1st. The rink also hosts an Olympic skater showcase, bumper cars on ice, broomball, and a skating exercise class.
Learn more about the vibrant Midtown West neighborhood and awe-inspiring apartments—including penthouse residences—at 242 W 53rd St by scheduling an on-site tour with the leasing team.