Ice Skating

Could anyone recommend which is the best place to ice skate when we go to NY in October, Wollman Rink in Central Park or Rockefeller Center?

Thanks.

Ice Skating

IMHO, Wollman.

2nd - Bryant Park (if it is open), but it is very crowded because it is free.

Worst - Rockefeller Center. Too small for the $$$.

Ice Skating

I love Wollman, but also Rock Center. If you go for the very first or very last sessions, the crowds thin out. Even though the Rock Center rink is the smallest, there%26#39;s something pretty spectacular about the setting.

Can you skate very well? If you can I%26#39;d go for The Rock Ctr, as I%26#39;d feel very self conscious falling over with everyone watching, if not the Wollman, nobody was taking much notice if you fell over, this is great just as its getting dark, being surrounded by the lights and buildings round the bottom of Central Park.

Can I ask... I%26#39;ve never *ice* skated before.. is it really hard? I%26#39;ve rollerbladed a million times and had no trouble, but I%26#39;m thinking that iceskating is probably a lot harder! I definitely want to do it when I%26#39;m in NYC at Xmas, but I don%26#39;t want to wind up breaking my ankle.. I have no qualms about falling over otherwise though -- it%26#39;s not like I%26#39;ll know anybody!

K.

I used to ice skate heaps when I was younger, I think you%26#39;ll find it much harder than roller blading at first, but its like riding a bike..once you get the hang of it you%26#39;ll be away!

One tip...keep your skates moving forwards and outwards if you get what I mean, kind of like in a semi-circle.

I take the opposite view from Saral. Rock Center is smaller and not so scary if you don%26#39;t skate well. It is far easier to go all the way round near the bar for security when you first venture out.

We waited for the beginning of a new session, I think the times are listed on the internet, the ice was cleared and smoothed, and we got on before it got crowded to get used to it. Some of us had enough quite quickly, experience over, but the teenagers carried on for quite a while, then we all got hot chocolate, mmmm.

We were there in February, skating in the dark, and then came just a light flurry of snow, it was magical!

I am sure that whichever you choose the experience is worthwhile, that%26#39;s why there are so many options.

Pat

I took my 3 sons to skate at Wollman last Christmas, the 7 year -old had never skated and the 10 year-old was a rollerblader, the star, and my 16 year-old and I novices, and we never fell once! so so so much fun and such a NY experience, and if you fall, loads of people so no one notices, and not lots of spectators like Rock Center, because at Wollman EVERYONE is on the ice! cheaper than Rock Center and get to see the ny skline, go at dusk so you can see the city light up!!!

MY 12 year old daughter is a pretty good skater and is so disappointed that neither Wollman in Central Park or Rockerfeller centre will be open when we visit NY 16TH - 23RD OCTOBER.

Is there any alternative?

littlefpc,

Rockefeller center%26#39;s rink opens October 6th and Wollman Rink opens October 19th.

Here%26#39;s more info QB put up earlier this month.

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k1453870鈥?/a>

Queens - We wanted to go to the Bryant Park rink last year but ran out of time, so it is on our agenda for next month. Shall I presume the skate rental is free also? That would be rather a bargain.