Winter is a prime time for sightseeing New York’s best bits, as the city starts to change with the seasons. Once the leaves have fallen and the snow starts to settle, a winter wonderland emerges, and where better to enjoy it from than on the ice. Ice skating is a popular pastime in New York’s winter months, with several spots from which you can take to the ice.

Skating at the Rockerfeller Centre

Found in the centre of the Rockerfeller Complex, a visit to this ice rink is a unique and exciting part of sightseeing New York. Typically opening on the Columbus Day weekend and remaining open through to April, skating at the Rockerfeller is a real winter treat. Opening for the first time on December 25th 1936, the rink has grown to a point where it can now accommodate up to 150 skaters at any one time, making it small and cosy enough to capture the hustle and bustle that is so quintessentially New York in the winter season. The opportunity to be able to say that you’ve ice skated at the Rockerfeller Centre will only set you back around ten dollars, and will ensure an experience that you are unlikely to forget in a hurry.

Bryant Park Pond

If you prefer the idea of skating in the open air, then be sure to include Bryant Park in your sightseeing. New York’s Manhattan escape, Bryant Park is found between the 5th and 6th Avenues and is a stunning place to explore in winter. Ice skating on the pond in Bryant Park is available between November and the end of January and is free, with the hire of skates costing just a little over ten dollars. A little more quaint than the indoor ice rinks, the pond at Bryant Park is a fantastic place to welcome the winter. With the Fetes de Noel holiday market located just next to the ice rink, and both a cafe and a Canadian lounge nearby, there is plenty to see and do in the park before you take to the ice. And, with the rink being open until ten o’clock in the evenings, and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, there is no need to hurry as there is plenty of time for a night-time skate after dark.

The Polar Rink

Housed within the American Museum of Natural History, the Polar Rink is by far one of the most exciting places to take to the ice whilst sightseeing New York. Open between November and March, the ice rink is made from a synthetic and recyclable surface, which makes for a completely different style of skating. From the ice rink you will be able to take in stunning views of the Rose Centre for Earth and Space, as well as enjoying the sight of a 17-foot tall polar bear adorned with twinkling fairy lights. After your skating session, you can warm yourself up with a cup of hot cocoa in the glass-fronted gallery, before heading into the museum to explore further. A great way to combine skating with sightseeing, New York’s American Museum of Natural History has one of the most exciting rinks around.

So, if skating is one of your favourite ways to spend the winter season, then be sure to incorporate it into your sightseeing. New York is home to several exciting and entertaining ice rinks, all of which will help you to see in the winter season with a warm welcome.

Author Bio: Marta Sanders-Cooper is the New York Destination Expert for Shorex, specialising in unique and unmissable, expert-led tours & excursions in major cities around the world, for the best in city sightseeing. New York tours are custom made and constructed from an extensive menu of activities, attractions and excursions, many of which are unique to Shorex.com.

Category: Travel
Keywords: sightseeing New York