SKATING IN NY

The Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center
The most famous of rinks returns for its 72nd season, and it’s still as cramped as ever. 
When to go: Early in the morning or between 9am and noon on Thanksgiving—otherwise, expect a one- to two-hour wait. 30 Rockefeller Plaza between 49th and 50th Sts (212-332-7654, therinkatrockcenter.com). $9.50–$19, skate rental $8.

The Pond at Bryant Park
Don’t get too excited: The admission may be free, but you gotta pay $12 to rent skates (or BYO). On the upside: The complex holds 500 people, holiday shops, an indoor pavilion and the Canadian-themed lounge Celsius. 
When to go: Mountie Mondays start November 24—then you can get your picture taken with an authentic Canuck! FREE Sixth Ave between 40th and 42nd Sts (212-661-6640, thepondatbryantpark.com).

Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers
This athletic megacomplex offers year-round skating, two NHL-size rinks and classes galore. If you’re looking for holiday accoutrements, head elsewhere. 
When to go: Between 1 and 3:50pm on Sundays, through November 23; admission, skate rental and a slice of pizza cost just $15 ($10 for kids). Chelsea Piers (Pier 61), W 23rd St at Hudson River (212-336-6100, chelseapiers.com). $10–$12.50, skate rental $7.

Trump Lasker Skating Rink
This rink is less crowded than Wollman, but go for the hockey: Competitive leagues for Gretzky wanna-bes practice here daily. 
When to go: Wanna see somebody lose their teeth? Swing by on Wednesdays at 8:15pm for Division One adult hockey. Central Park at 110th St and Lennox Ave (917-492-3856). $2.25–$6, skate rental $5.25.

Trump Wollman Rink
If you’re a skating newbie, this is the place to be: It has the largest learn-to-skate program in the country. Select classes cater to the over-12 crowd. 
When to go: Friday nights, when rink manager Barry Weisselberg drops thumpin’ dance beats. W 59th St at Sixth Ave (212-439-6900, wollmanskatingrink.com). $4.75–$14, skate rental $6.

Brooklyn

Abe Stark Rink
This 38-year-old venue began its life as the Ravenhall Baths, a saltwater swimming pool that was quite the Coney Island hot spot in its day. It was destroyed by a fire in 1963, after which the space was converted into a destination for the heavily sweatered and uncoordinated. 
When to go: Promptly at 1pm, when the rink opens; the ice fills fast and it closes at 4pm. Surf Ave at 19th St, Coney Island, Brooklyn (718-946-6536, nycgovparks.org). $8, skate rental $5.

Aviator Sports and Recreation
Two rinks, sized to NHL regulations, are Brooklyn’s answer to Chelsea Piers. Competitive types can participate in figure skating or hockey leagues, but there’s also public skating aplenty. 
When to go: Fridays and Saturdays draw lotsa teens. Go during the week if you want to avoid hormonally charged adolescents on blades. Floyd Bennett Field, Flatbush Ave south of the Belt Pkwy, Brooklyn (718-758-7500, aviatorsports.com). $6–$8, skate rental $4.50.

Kate Wollman Rink
This 26,000-square-foot, 48-year-old rink will get a green-themed makeover starting next year, but for now it’s the same ol’ same ol’. New amenities—like disco-music night (Dec 18, 7–9pm), half-price admission on Fridays and free admission days (see prospectpark.org for updates)—will tide you over. 
When to go: On Thanksgiving—when all those transplant types are busy eating Aunt Ida’s green-bean casserole. Enter at Lincoln Rd and Ocean Ave, Prospect Park, Brooklyn (prospectpark.org). $5, children under 14 $3, skate rental $6.50. Opens Nov 26.

Queens

City Ice Pavilion
The five boroughs’ only rooftop rink stretches an NHL–size 85 x 200 feet under a weatherproof air dome (if it’s good enough for Canadians, it’s good enough for the wussy New York winter).
When to go: Stop by mid-afternoon during the week, or between noon and 2:50pm on the weekends. At other times, the rink is devoted to skating lessons, hockey practice and private parties. 47-23 32nd Pl between 47th and 48th Aves (718-706-6667, cityicepavilion.com). Mon—Thu $5, Fri—Sun $8, skate rental $6.

Read more: http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/own-this-city/68608/where-to-ice-skate-in-new-york-new-york-city-ice-skating-rinks#ixzz0XprntjX6