The Rink at Rockefeller Center

The postcard rink in the heart of Midtown

⏱ 1 hour👤 All ages$$$

Timing and tickets are everything. The season typically opens in the autumn and runs through the winter into spring, with exact dates announced each year, and sessions are sold online in time slots. The holiday season, from late November through early January, is the most expensive and the busiest, with the tree lit and every session fully booked, so book as early as possible. Weekday mornings and late evenings are quieter and cheaper, and early-season or late-season sessions are the best value. Skate rental is available on site or you can bring your own, and lockers are provided. Plan to arrive early for check-in, and expect a session of about an hour or somewhat less, including time on the ice.

The experience suits all abilities, though the rink can be crowded and the ice busy, so beginners should plan for slow going and use the wall for support. Families and couples are the main audience, and children usually love it; dress warmly in layers with gloves and a hat, and wear thick socks for the rental skates. Spectators can watch from the plaza rail and the surrounding level, with cafes and the Rockefeller Center shops nearby. Check the rink's current rules on bags, age limits and accessibility, and its schedule for special events, which sometimes close sessions for private use.

It is part of a larger Rockefeller Center visit. Top of the Rock is a short walk away, Radio City Music Hall is across the street, Saint Patrick's Cathedral and Fifth Avenue's holiday windows are a block east, and the Christmas tree lighting ceremony in late November or early December is among the best-known events in the city, though viewing it requires patience. A good plan is to skate in the morning, have lunch nearby, visit the observation deck at sunset and finish with a show at the Hall. Skating beneath the tree is an experience you will talk about, but for something calmer, try one of the other city rinks in Central Park or Bryant Park.

To make the session smooth, arrive early to collect rental skates and use the lockers, wear thick socks and gloves and tie the skates firmly for good ankle support. If you are skating with children, ask staff about skate aids and keep to the edge of the rink. Allow time before or after your session for the Rockefeller Center shops and the Channel Gardens, and check weather policies, because heavy rain or snow can interrupt sessions.