amNew York
BY ElaiNE PaoloNi
Spinning on the ice in Rockefeller Center or Central Park may be what winter dreams are made of. But if you forego the iconic imagery, you can also escape the tourist crowds. So whether you can land a double axel like Michelle Kwan or are more of a human Zamboni, sweeping the ice with your rear, check out some of the city’s “other” ice rinks.Long Island City
47-32 32nd Pl.
718-706-6667
Around Thanksgiving through May
$5 weekdays, $8 weekends; $6 skate rental
Set up on a rooftop, the brand new City Ice Pavilion is an NHL sized ice-skating dome. Public skating will be offered daily, and open hockey sessions will also be scheduled. In addition, there will be skating classes and a youth hockey league. Individuals and organizations can rent out the space out for special events, including birthday parties. And if you’re worried about running out of energy on the ice, rest assured there will be a coffee bar and a snack bar to refuel.
South Street Seaport
Pier 17, South and Fulton streets
212-661-6640
Nov. 28 to Feb. 28
$5; $7 skate rental
The plans to redevelop South Street Seaport may still be in the early stages, but this season’s addition of Seaport Ice is already a big change. The 8,000-square-foot rink — large enough for 325 skaters — will be open to the public seven days a week. An adjacent 3,500-square-foot heated tent area will include lockers, a bag check and a snack shop. Private and group lessons will also be available. Non-skating events include live music and the annual lighting of the Seaport Chorus Tree.Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Avery Avenue and 131st Street, Queens
718-271-7572
Year-round (scheduled to open mid-December)
$5 weekdays, $8 weekends; $7 skate rental
The ice may have melted for good at the Worlds Fair Ice Skating Rink earlier this year, but the park’s new aquatic center and 85-by-200-foot, NHL-standard indoor rink (still under construction) is gearing up for action. The World Ice Arena, just a short walk from the No. 7 train, will be open 365 days a year for general skating. It will also host a number of hockey leagues under its super-high ceilings.
American Museum of Natural History
Columbus Avenue and 79th Street
212-769-5200
Nov. 21 to Feb. 28
$10 adults, $9 students and seniors, $8 children, $2 less for members; FREE skate rental
For an arctic-like experience, check out the museum’s new outdoor Polar Rink. Situated on the Arthur Ross Terrace, the 150-by- 80-foot rink will accommodate 200 people during 45-minute skating sessions. The synthetic ice will be visually anchored by a 17-foot, stainless steel polar bear. And, of course, the rink will be educational: Skaters will whiz by information about polar bears and the polar regions, as well as tips on environmentally responsible living. There will be benches surrounding the ice for those who want to rest; those who want to warm up can head inside for hot chocolate and other snacks.Prospect Park
Near Parkside/Ocean Ave. entrance, Brooklyn
718-287-6431
Nov. 19 through March
$5 adults, $3 children; $6.50skate rental (cash only)
Although construction on two new rinks is expected to begin next year, you can still spend an afternoon at Kate Wollman rink skating with friends. Sign up for a group or private lesson; for those looking for a starry-eyed “Serendipity” moment, rent out this Wollman rink for just you and your sweetheart. Snacks and beverages are sold on-site. Free lockers are also available, but bring your own lock.
Bryant Park
Sixth Avenue at 41st Street
212-661-6640
Through Jan. 25
FREE; $12 skate rental
The combination of The Pond at Bryant Park, its heated rink-side lounge and the surrounding market stalls (from Nov. 22 to Dec. 28) make this a fun holiday destination. The 17,000-squarefoot ice rink can accommodate 500 people. A number of special performances and events, including live music and wine tastings, are also part of the spectacle.
Chelsea Piers
Pier 61, West Side Highway at 23rd Street
212-336-6100
Year-round
$12.50 adults, $10 children; $7 skate rental
Ice-skating gets comprehensive coverage at Chelsea Piers’ indoor Sky Rink. In addition to general ice-skating, you can go to skating school, join youth and adult hockey leagues and send the kids to summer ice-skating camp. There’s also a shop that offers skating apparel and equipment, and skate sharpening and repair. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays through Nov. 23, check out the rink’s Fall Family Special, which includes admission, skate rental, a slice of pizza and a fountain drink for $15 per adult and $10 per child.
Riverbank State Park
679 Riverside Drive at 145th Street
212-694-3600
Mid-November through first week of April
$5 adults, $3 children; $5 skate rental
Although this alfresco rink has a roof to protect skaters from the harsh winter elements, you still have to bundle up when you’re out on the ice. Beginner kids and adults can start with basic skating lessons and progress to more advanced levels. Other programs include ice hockey, ice dancing and figure skating. In the off-season, the neighborhood arena becomes a roller/ inline skating facility.
No comments:
Post a Comment