Winter’s here, and we say don’t fight it, embrace it, and hit the ice at one of these skating rinks. Some are seasonal, but some are year ‘round, so you can perfect your Figure 8’s even in the summer heat. Merging info from Localicious and Foursquare, here are our picks for the Top 10 Most Popular Skating Rinks:
10. Holiday Ice Rink at Union Square – San Francisco
Running thru Monday, January 16th, this joint puts you on center ice, in the heart of Union Square. This lovely winter scene is open until 11:30 every day. Note: bathrooms are in an adjoining garage.
9. McCormick Tribune Ice Rink – Chicago, IL
Located in Millenium Partk this public rink attracts 100,000 people annually. While skate rental is $10, bring your own if you’ve got ‘em and you can skate for free. Cool: Since the rink itself is cooled, it’s no problem to skate when the temperature’s above freezing.
8. Oakland Ice Arena – Oakland, CA
Skaters enjoy the “friendly staff and nice facility”, and recommend the best parking in the garage on 17th Street. Great idea for an active and arty date or day: “Go skating here between gallery hops”.
7. Castle Ice Arena – Renton, WA
You’ve got plenty of options for public hours, plus hockey and figure skating , but some recommend that you bring your own tunes because the “music could be better”.
6. Pettit National Ice Center – Milwaukee, WI
You’ll feel like a champ at this U.S. Olympic Training Facility, that houses an indoor 400-meter Olympic Oval. If you’re not on the ice, you can walk/run on the track that encircles the ice rink. “Early mornings are peaceful”, if you want to sharpen your skills. Year-round skating helps counter the summer swelter.
5. Yerba Buena Ice Skating & Bowling Center – San Francisco
At San Francisco’s year ‘round ice rink, you can skate as much as 18 hours a day, 7 days a week. Mondays and Wednesdays are great nights to skate, since they’re “nice and quiet”. Home ice for Olympian Brian Boitano, you can sample classes and lessons, and both figure and hockey skates are available for rental.
4. Rockefeller Ice Skating Rink – New York City
Possibly the most famous skating rink (with shots on the Today show nearly every day), this small rink is still the place to get an iconic NYC shot in front of the golden statue of Prometheus. Tip: Go during lunch time or midweek in the evening to out-smart tourist crowds. One downside: because of the crowds, the ice isn’t cleaned as often as at other places.
3. Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers – New York City
Part of the 28-acre sports entertainment complex that is Chelsea Piers, this year-round rink offers views of the Hudson River, lessons, hockey teams and free skating on Sundays in August (what better way to beat the summer heat!)
2.Wollman Rink – New York City
New York City’s largest ice rink, opened in 1950 and situated in the south end of Central Park with skyscrapers reaching above the trees. Why not spend the day? Pay admission and you can stay as long as you like.
Monday nights are reduced admission and Tuesday eves are reserved for Adults only. Otherwise you’ll enjoy the ice with a mix of ages, and you can take lessons or join in a hockey game during lunchtime drop-in hours. If you’re hanging out more on the sidelines than on the ice, you’ll want to “bring a sweater – it gets cold in here”.
