Arriving tomorrow - ideas for ice skating in NYC

Hi All. The family and I arrive in NYC tomorrow after months of planning - we can%26#39;t wait! But the 7 yr old wants to go ice-skating in the open-air later this week - something we don%26#39;t do often in Australia! Could people pls give advice as to the best location for very-wobbly kids ice-skating please. We are tempted by the Rock Centre (having seen it in so many movies) but hear that it can get v. crowded and kinda competitive so am thinking of either CP or the new rink at Bryant Park. Also we will need to hire skates there and am not sure if one or more places require you to bring your own. Many thanks.

Arriving tomorrow - ideas for ice skating in NYC

IMHO: skip Rockefeller Center - esp for wobbliy skaters. I always felt like I was bumping into people, and since it is small, you%26#39;re always turning. One leg ends up more strained than the other! It frustrates me like trying to walk quickly through Times Square!

Central Park%26#39;s Wollman Rink gives you PLENTY of elbow room! Plus the views are incomparable.

I can%26#39;t ice skate anymore due to uncooperative feet and knees, so I have not tried the free rink at Bryant Park. I%26#39;m sure it is lovely.

Arriving tomorrow - ideas for ice skating in NYC

I just went to Central Park%26#39;s rink. its bigger and less crowded. use the subway, cause I went when there was the strike on MTA, and a taxi charge us $$40 from American Museum of Natural History to wollman rink

I agree with QB RC rink is quite small. Wollman rink is a safe bet.

Have a fantastic time.

Thanks to everyone who replied - we travel today (12/26) and will be there tonight!

We%26#39;re heading to NYC tomorrow. Since we%26#39;ll be travelling in from Newark by train and then navigating the City by subway, we%26#39;d prefer to not carry our own ice skates. Does Central Park%26#39;s Wollman Rink rent skates ... and if so, does anyone know the amount of the fee?

Yes, all rinks in NYC (including Chelsea Piers, Kate Wollman Rink in Brooklyn, the Rink at the Queens Museum, etc.) rent skates and have lockers. Bring your own lock.

You can use Google to find any of these rinks.

Here%26#39;s all the info on Central Park%26#39;s Wollman Rink:

www.wollmanskatingrink.com/main_wollman.htm

Bryant Park ';The Pond';

www.bryantpark.org/amenities/thepond.php

Kate Wollman Rink in Prospect Park, Brooklyn:

www.prospectpark.org/dest/main.cfm鈥?/a>

Not as spectacular as Central Park. More like skating in the middle of woods.

Queens Museum rink and other activities:

queensbp.org/content_web/鈥orona_park.htm

Also:

Lasker Rink (and outdoor pool in summer) in northern Central Park. More of a neighborhood rink. Usually not crowded, and cheaper than Wollman.

www.wollmanskatingrink.com/main_lasker.htm

centralpark2000.com/database/lasker_rink.html

Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers:

http://www.chelseapiers.com/sr01.htm

I%26#39;ve never been, but Chelsea Piers is a fun complex with dining, and other sports, golfing range, bowling, rock climbing wall, etc.

Enjoy your flight!

Bryant Park ice rink opens Oct 28th 2005 to Jan 15th 2006. It will be half the size of the Wollman rink but will be free, as long as you bring your own skates. (Skate rentals there will be $7.50 a day.)Located on 42nd btwn 5th %26amp; 6th.

By comparison Rockefeller Center adults $13 fee on Fridays through Sundays and holidays, plus a $7 charge for renting skates for an hour and a half of skating. After Dec. 17, the admission fee will rise to $17 for adults plus $8 for skate rentals.

At Wollman, which opens on Oct. 15, the charge will be $11 for adult weekend skating and $3.75 to rent skates.';