Public Skating in NYC

twinskaters · October 13, 2014, 07:47:23 PM

Yeah, if I had known that I might've gone! Well, actually not, since one of my kids barfed all over the bathroom at around 11:45 last night (though she was fine today). I will keep an ear out next year. And I just realized the link I put up there has nothing to do with skating. Cut/paste error. See 11:45 PM for explanation.

Maybe we'll do Wollman sometime. That's the first place my Florida-raised husband ever skated, on a date with me sometime in Y2K. We are both better now!

Kitten23 · October 13, 2014, 09:03:58 PM

If you want to skate at Wollman, I suggest the early morning freestyle sessions. You can look on the website for the times, but it opens once the sun comes up. Keep in mind, you can enter Central Park at 63rd Street and then just walk down the path, past the dog park, but you must enter Central Park. If you are easily frightened, this may not be the place for you. And don't even think about Lasker Rink on 110th Street if you're nervous about the subways.

There is always Chelsea Piers. When you're tired of skating, you can walk around the piers and watch the boats.

As a native New Yorker who still lives in NY, I find the linked Youtube video very funny. Others might not, but watch it anyway. It's kinda cute. I can't make it click-able, but....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LmPBPWHJu4

rd350 · October 13, 2014, 10:12:32 PM

Oh yeah, love that video! Haha!

Central Park at dawn sounds lovely sans the waking up at dawn part. Wollman has got to be better for freestyles. The guards on publics are on your back all the time.

sarahspins · October 14, 2014, 03:28:48 PM

Quote from: Kitten23 on October 13, 2014, 09:03:58 PM
As a native New Yorker who still lives in NY, I find the linked Youtube video very funny. Others might not, but watch it anyway. It's kinda cute. I can't make it click-able, but....

I've never been, but that was pretty darn funny

And I've just wasted another 43 minutes of my life watching related videos. Thank you

twinskaters · October 14, 2014, 06:03:25 PM

I love that video. I haven't lived in the city for 9 years, but at least I still know how to blend when I go.

Kitten23 · October 15, 2014, 11:36:53 PM

Quote from: sarahspins on October 14, 2014, 03:28:48 PM
I've never been, but that was pretty darn funny And I've just wasted another 43 minutes of my life watching related videos. Thank you

Oops...

Sorry....

Meli · October 19, 2014, 11:12:37 PM

I just choked when I saw the prices for Rockefeller. I was going to go and have the hubby take a pic, but... um... that is quite the expensive picture. Bryant Park is going to be around the corner from our hotel, so I'll just take my skates and skate there for FREE. (I just need to remember to bring a lock for the lockers.) As a bonus, one of the holiday kiosks will allegedly be selling hot cider and cider donuts, and I've been dying for some cider donuts! I'll just take the money I save and spend it on fried deliciousness. That works, right?

rd350 · October 20, 2014, 01:09:06 AM

Smart! I heard Bryant Park is emptier during work hours.

lutefisk · October 20, 2014, 08:48:46 AM

Quote from: Meli on October 19, 2014, 11:12:37 PM
I just choked when I saw the prices for Rockefeller. I was going to go and have the hubby take a pic, but... um... that is quite the expensive picture. Bryant Park is going to be around the corner from our hotel, so I'll just take my skates and skate there for FREE. (I just need to remember to bring a lock for the lockers.) As a bonus, one of the holiday kiosks will allegedly be selling hot cider and cider donuts, and I've been dying for some cider donuts! I'll just take the money I save and spend it on fried deliciousness. That works, right?

Wait 'til you're a "senior" for that Rockefeller photo op and the price drops to what most rinks charge for an hour of freestyle ice! (Bet Meryl and Charlie got a "discount" last week...)

rd350 · October 20, 2014, 10:13:51 PM

Haha, yeah discount as in they got paid!

nieves · October 21, 2014, 08:41:57 PM

Bryant park is great in the during the weekday before 1! Totally empty.

Christy · October 21, 2014, 09:41:41 PM

Well sadly our trip had to be cancelled but now I've read about all of the great options I need to find another excuse for a trip another time

Meli · October 21, 2014, 10:50:19 PM

Quote from: nieves on October 21, 2014, 08:41:57 PM
Bryant park is great in the during the weekday before 1! Totally empty.

Fabulous! I'm aiming for hitting the ice at 8am while the hubby sleeps in. Then off to the fabric stores for more spandex than I truly need in life.

twinskaters · October 22, 2014, 09:33:27 AM

Quote from: Christy on October 21, 2014, 09:41:41 PM
Well sadly our trip had to be cancelled but now I've read about all of the great options I need to find another excuse for a trip another time

Oh, that stinks! But hopefully you'll get another chance soon.

Meli · October 25, 2014, 12:41:49 AM

Skated Bryant Park at 8 this morning with a lovely group of adult skaters. The ice felt more like hockey ice, but it was a great venue. I was surprised at the number of people that skate on their way to work... Even in shirts and ties!

robinsnest · October 28, 2014, 04:14:00 PM

Thanks for all the tips on NYC skating in this thread... we were up for the weekend and I hit Bryant Park around 10:30-12:15. Hard to beat skating around outside on a beautiful day under blue skies. It was empty enough I got to practice pretty much everything I am working on now too. Meli, it sounds like we just missed each other!

rd350 · October 28, 2014, 07:08:13 PM

I was there yesterday at that time! We should've done a meetup.

I live here and have never skated there. Now I know why. The ice was hard, hard, hard! My back actually hurt when I got off and I never really have back issues.

Of course it is also possible to was the new Transpack I bought which is terrible for ergonomics. I don't think I can return it now that I've used it. $50 down the drain.

littlerain · October 28, 2014, 11:46:44 PM

Quote from: rd350 on October 28, 2014, 07:08:13 PM
I was there yesterday at that time! We should've done a meetup.

I live here and have never skated there. Now I know why. The ice was hard, hard, hard! My back actually hurt when I got off and I never really have back issues.

Of course it is also possible to was the new Transpack I bought which is terrible for ergonomics. I don't think I can return it now that I've used it. $50 down the drain.

Aww wish I was there! Next time I visit friends in nyc, I'll be sure to let you guys know if it is winter time. I skated at Bryant park once or twice in college 5+ years ago and it was fun.

How did you like the transpack, otherwise? I'm not supposed to be buying things right now but if you're not in a hurry, I would totally buy it off you eventually! (What color/size is it?)

Meli · October 29, 2014, 11:46:14 AM

Quote from: rd350 on October 28, 2014, 07:08:13 PM
I live here and have never skated there. Now I know why. The ice was hard, hard, hard! My back actually hurt when I got off and I never really have back issues.

My hips were sore after my time there. That hard ice was making me work!

rd350 · October 29, 2014, 07:31:49 PM

@littlerain I don't know. It seems awkward to me. I wish there were more compartments on the middle inside part but it does the trick I guess.

Here's a photo. It's black with purple and Hawaiian flower pattern very mellow just a lighter purple.

Abbyar · November 16, 2014, 10:47:34 AM

We skated at Rock Center this week. It was very expensive - not just for the skating but also for parking nearby (my dad was in town for business and I drove the kids in from NJ). For a senior with rentals (senior is same price as child) and 2 children (no rentals - kids have their own of course) it was $57 for a 90 minute session. It was relatively quiet though - early in the season and 10:30 am during the week, so only tourists on the ice, mostly learning. The middle of the ice was empty so dd got to show off her scratch spin, which she's starting to speed up on (yay). Definitely iconic and a must-do for every skater visiting NYC. Plus we got some great photos in front of the statue.

rd350 · November 22, 2014, 12:10:40 AM

Wow, yeah crazy expensive there but glad everyone had fun and you went at a good time!

I went to the rink at the Seaport yesterday and boy was it TINY! 1/4 stroke width and about a 2 stroke length with super hard ice and crowded. Also no lockers. $8 just to check your bag. $10 for skating. So much for that one. I hope Sty Town turns out to be better. Hoping to check it out soon.

Kitten23 · November 23, 2014, 11:04:25 PM

I say hit that #7 train and head to City Ice (stop: 33rd Rawson) or World Ice (stop: Willet's Point) and skate those sessions. MUCH CHEAPER!!!! Go on the website for both rinks to find out the times.

rd350 · November 24, 2014, 03:23:25 AM

@kitten23 I haven't been to City Ice (although it's closer to me) but I do go to World Ice. It's good if I can get there early, before school lets out. City Ice doesn't have many public sessions, so strange. I do need to check it out though.

dlbritton · March 09, 2016, 12:53:05 PM

I am going to the Javits Center for a software conference in July and was thinking about skating at Chelsea Piers.
Not sure where I will be staying but I am may be able to duck out of the conference some during the day or go early morning/ late afternoon going to/from conference.

How crowded are the public sessions and what about the low freestyle sessions?

Is walking the High Line from the Javits Center to the rink a good option? There is a bus that runs straight down 11th Ave but I have to check the bus schedule vs ice times.
I will either be walking or using public transport.

I will be driving from NC to NY and parking my car somewhere long term. I will have luggage for a week and may drag along my skates.
Is parking at/near Newark airport (8 year old Subaru so maybe it isn't a thief magnet) and taking a limo in a good idea?

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Public Skating in NYC