It’s no secret that one of the best winter activities to enjoy the season is ice skating. Strap on those skates! New Yorkers love winter sports, especially ice skating, so don’t be surprised to find amazing indoor and outdoor ice skating rinks all over the state. Whether you want to brush up on your blades or are just there for a good time, ice skating can be a great way to spend an afternoon.
Here's a look at some popular ice skating destinations, including information on public hours and special features.
Newport Skates, Jersey City
Let your holiday traditions be set here in Newport, Jersey City. Among the places you visit this year, make sure Newport Skates is on your list. Located right on the Jersey City waterfront, Newport Skates is open from November to March, weather permitting. Newport Skates is Jersey City’s only outdoor skating rink.
Newport Skates, an outdoor skating rink located at 95 River Drive South, will reopen in Jersey City. It has lessons as well as public skate sessions, and rentals are $7. The rink has skyline views of Manhattan, skate rentals, and lessons for skaters of all ages. This season marks an exciting year of new management and enhanced offerings.
“Newport Skates has become a winter tradition for families and visitors across Jersey City,” said Jessica Iannacchino, Events & Marketing Manager at Newport Skates. The rink is open November 22, 2025 - March 12, 2026, and the schedule is weather-dependent.
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Public Skating Hours:
- Monday-Thursday: 4 PM-9 PM
- Friday: 4 PM-10 PM
- Saturday: 11 AM-10 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM-7 PM
Admission and Rentals:
- Admission: $13 per skater
- Season Pass: $150 (does not include skate rentals)
Skate rentals and other equipment are available for rental on site.
Skating Lessons:
Skating lessons are also available at Newport Rink, provided by Fireworks Skating Academy. Group Lessons are 30 minutes long on Saturdays and Sundays at 10AM. The cost is $35, which includes skate rental and admission to the rink after the lesson.
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Other Ice Skating Rinks in New Jersey
Besides Newport Skates, here are some other ice skating options in New Jersey:
- American Dream Mall: The NHL-sized arena is just one of the many offerings at American Dream Mall, but tickets must be purchased days in advance. Prices for a one-hour skating slot vary depending on age and peak versus non-peak days.
- Ice House: The largest facility of its kind in the tri-state area, Ice House has four NHL-sized rinks for various purposes.
- Montclair State University Ice Arena: Skate rentals are included in the $20 fee for public skating at Montclair State University Ice Arena, located on Montclair State’s campus. Public skate sessions take place Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with additional sessions available each week.
- Mackay Ice Rink: Mackay Ice Rink has public skating, learn to skate, hockey programs, and birthday parties.
- Secaucus: The town of Secaucus has open skate times on Wednesdays from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM; Thursdays and Fridays from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM; Saturdays from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, and 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM; and Sundays from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, and 7:30 PM -9:30 PM. It is an open-air rink that is typically open from October through March.
Ice Skating Rinks in New York
New York offers a variety of ice skating experiences, from iconic outdoor rinks to covered facilities:
- Rockefeller Center Ice Rink: One of the most iconic rinks in Manhattan, the Rockefeller Centre ice rink has views of the entire plaza and is seasonally decorated. Public skating is offered every day at this historic rink, complete with amazing skyline views.
- Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers: The Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers has been in operation since 1969. Voted the best place to skate in New York City by multiple publications, this outdoor rink has city views during public skate time that’s available every day and on holidays. An hour-long session is $15, and skate rentals are an additional $5 during weekdays.
- Bryant Park and Wollman Rink in Central Park: Rockefeller Center ice skating is classic, and NYC residents flock to the ice rink in Bryant Park and Wollman Rink in Central Park.
- LeFrak Center in Prospect Park, Brooklyn: Head into Brooklyn to enjoy the massive LeFrak Center rink in Prospect Park. One of the two interconnected rinks is covered (but still open air) so you can enjoy the fresh air and then warm up a bit-all without getting off the ice. Besides great skating, there are views of the lake and the winter wonderland that is the park. The Center offers a skate school for all levels as well as a hockey program!
- Industry City, Brooklyn: The ice rink at Brooklyn’s Industry City is uncovered and outside, so dress appropriately for an enjoyable and comfortable skate.
- Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park: Glide along the Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park alongside the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. Just a stone’s throw from familiar points within the park, the rink is near: Jane’s Carousel, Empire Fulton Ferry, and popular dining destinations such as the River Café, Luke’s Lobster, and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream.
- Bear Mountain State Park: Families will enjoy a fun day of outdoor ice skating in an alpine-like setting at the foot of Bear Mountain at Bear Mountain State Park. The rink, popular with visitors from New York City, and Westchester and Rockland counties, also has hiking trails behind it, as well as an adjacent large lawn for children to play.
- Empire State Plaza, Albany: Each winter, the reflecting pools in Empire State Plaza transform into a beautiful ice skating rink. Opening December 5 and in operation through March, you can enjoy free ice skating, along with refreshments, and a variety of events, including the New York State Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony, live music, and entertainment. Take in views of the grand New York State Capitol building, New York State Museum, The Egg performing arts center, Corning Tower, and more.
- Canalside, Buffalo: Celebrate the magic of winter on the ice at Canalside, the largest outdoor rink in New York State! This beloved Buffalo tradition transforms the waterfront into a vibrant cold-weather playground, featuring ice skating, ice bumper cars, curling, and even an ice train.
- Classic Rink, East Aurora: East Aurora’s Classic Rink has become a true asset for the entire Western New York community. Since opening in 2008, the venue has added a pavilion-style roof, locker rooms, and warming lodge. With a mix of programs from season to season, some 114,000 people attend events at the Classic Rink each year. From young to old, first-timer to professional, the outdoor rink offers something for everyone. Public Skate times are Friday and Saturday evenings from 7pm - 8:45pm and Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1pm - 2:20pm. Additional holiday public skate times can be found on the rink's facility calendar.
- Northwest Arena, Jamestown: Lace-up your skates (and reserve a ride or two on an ice bumper car while you're there) at Northwest Arena in Jamestown, home to a regular schedule of hockey tournaments and special events. Located across from the National Comedy Center, Northwest Arena is a treasured community center as well as a popular sports arena, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Public skating open select days.
- Olympic Center, Lake Placid: Two-time host of the Winter Olympics, ice skating is a way of life in Lake Placid. Enjoy ice skating year-round at historic rinks - the 1932 Jack Shea Arena, the 1980 Herb Brooks Arena, and the USA Rink - inside the Olympic Center itself.
- Clinton Square Ice Rink, Syracuse: Syracuse is a city that sees serious snow, so the locals are experts at arranging winter fun. The Clinton Square Ice Rink lies in the heart of downtown, surrounded by some of the city’s oldest and most beautiful buildings. The rink has indoor storage lockers available for rental.
- Nasser Civic Center Ice Rink, Corning: The Nasser Civic Center Ice Rink in Corning is covered by a large roof, so you can see the trees, and farther back, mountains, while you skate. Public skating and lessons are available seven days a week.
- Cantiague Park Ice Rink, Hicksville: The Cantiague Park Ice Rink has an enormous domed ceiling that feels as majestic as one would expect of the New York Islanders’ former practice facility.
This information was originally published: 01/09/2019.
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