New York City Ice Rink Opening Dates: 2014-2015 Season

Many New York City outdoor rinks are now open!

OPEN: The Rink at Rockefeller Center: Opened October 13, 2014

OPEN: The Rink at Winter Village in Bryant Park: Opened Tuesday, October 21, 2014

OPEN: Wollman (Trump) Rink in Central Park: Opened Friday, October 24, 2014

OPEN: LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park: Opened Saturday, October 25, 2014

OPEN: Lasker Rink in Central Park: Opened Monday, October 27, 2014

South Street Seaport Rink: Opening Saturday, November 15, 2014

Riverbank State Park Ice Skating Rink: Opening November, 2014

Opening Unknown:

Ice Skating Rink at Brookfield Place at World Financial Center (site says Coming Soon)

Standard Hotel (will it return?)

Bryant Park's Ice Rink is Open

There was a dearth of tweets or any sort of confirmation that the Bank of America Winter Village ice rink in Bryant Park was open. I just stopped by and indeed it's open.

There are some wet patches but otherwise the surface looks good and there are very few people there. 

Bryant Park ice rink Oct. 21, 2014

Bryant Park ice rink Oct. 21, 2014

Photos of Bryant Park Ice Rink Under Construction

Here are some photos of Bank of America's Winter Village under construction at Bryant Park.  The ice rink opens Oct. 21, 2014.

Sign outside Bryant Park

Bryant Park ice rink under construction Oct. 11, 2014

Bryant Park ice rink to open in 8 days!

UPDATED: New York City Ice Rink Closing Dates 2013-2014 Season

I've updated this list to reflect the announced closing date of Riverbank State Park Ice Rink.

Since some of the rink websites don't list their closing dates, I've contacted them and compiled them here.  Dates are subject to change.

CLOSED - South Street Seaport Rink: Closing March 2, 2014

CLOSED - The Rink at Winter Village in Bryant Park: Closing March 2, 2014

CLOSED - Riverbank State Park Ice Skating Rink: March 16, 2014

CLOSED - Ice Skating Rink at Brookfield Place (World Financial Center): March 16, 2014

CLOSED - Lasker Rink in Central Park: Closing March 23, 2014

CLOSED - LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park: Closing March 23, 2014

CLOSED - Wollman Rink in Central Park: Closing April 6, 2014

CLOSED - The Rink at Rockefeller Center: Closing April 20, 2014

Revised hours for The Rink at Brookfield Place (World Financial Center)

The Rink at Brookfield Place has announced it will close March 16.  For its final two weeks of operation, it will have shorter hours:

Monday-Friday: 2 - 8PM, weather permitting
Saturday: 10AM - 9:30PM
Sunday: 10AM - 7:30PM

The Rink at Winter Village in Bryant Park

On the occasion of today's rink closing, here is my review.

Rink: The Rink at Winter Village in Bryant Park

Location: Bryant Park.  Entrance at the south end of the park (40th St.) near Sixth Ave.

When Visited: Many times this past winter. This has been my go-to place given the price and proximity to my office and home.

When to Go: Weekday mornings are the best time to visit, when the rink is practically empty.  Another great time to go: whenever the mercury falls (ie. during the Polar Vortex), keeping the tourists and novice skaters away. What they don't know is that once you get on the ice and start moving around, it doesn't feel that cold at all, except on your head (so wear a cap or hood). Busy times are during the holiday season (Thanksgiving-New Years), and on weekends and Valentine's Day (the worst), where there can be a 15+ min wait to get in and ice is gridlocked.

Price: Free admission (yay!). Skate rentals: $15-19.

Locker Room: Free lockers (bring a lock or buy one for $9).  The lockers are small - about 12" cube - so if you don't want to spend money to store your stuff, don't bring bulky items with you.  There is a bag check for $8-10.

The locker room

South Street Seaport's See/Change Ice Rink

The rink after resurfacing

Rink: South Street Seaport See/Change Ice Rink

Location: Fulton Street at Front St.  The rink has been installed on top of Fulton Street's cobblestones.  Rubber mats have been placed around the rink so you can walk from the locker room and to the rink.  There are also a small bank of bleachers for spectators.

When Visited: Feb. 21 at 7:30pm

Price: $10 admission (but there was a 1/2 price promotion so I paid $5) / $6 skate rental ($3 during promotion).  Half price for locals.