When I was growing up, I lived far from skating rinks.
Only through movies, documentaries and magazines could I experience the vicarious thrill of skating.
By the time I moved to Long Island, my limbs and body were no longer agile or supple.
Still, every Saturday during the winter months I’d head to the Rink at the Rockefeller Center in midtown Manhattan to stand and gaze at the skaters, young and old. Their pleasures and shouts of joys became mine.
Alas, skating at the Rockefeller Center is not free.
During the 2011 season, the per session cost during the peak Nov 18-Jan 6 was a whopping $21.00. And that’s not including the skates rental.
So without further ado let’s turn to the FREE skating options in New York City.
Bryant Park Rink, W42nd St
Bryant Park (between 40th & 42nd Streets and Fifth & Sixth Avenues) in Midtown Manhattan features FREE ice skating at the 170′ x 100′ rink.
Wait time to get into the rink during my visit in late 2011 was about 15-minutes on a weekend.
Best as I know, Bryant Park is the only FREE skating option for the 99% in Manhattan.
Locker use at Bryant Park’s Citi Pond is free but if you want to rent skates, it’ll cost you $14. Skate sizes range from child size 9 to adult size 13.
Free Skating Rink Entrance
Entrance to the Skating Pavilion is on the 40th Street side of the park.
For the 2012-2013 season, Citi Pond will be open daily from October 26, 2012 – March 3, 2013.
Be warned though that lines are long on evenings, weekends and holidays.
Hours
Sun-Thu: 8AM-10PM
Fri & Sat: 8AM-Midnight
Subway: B, D, F, M to 42 St-Bryant Park
Web site: http://citipondatbryantpark.com