Monday, February 24, 2014

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.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

The Rink at Brookfield Place (World Financial Center)


Rink: Brookfield Place (at the World Financial Center)

Location: 250 Vesey Place, New York, NY 10017 / 200 Vesey St.
I am rarely in this area so the rink was a little hard to find, as part of Vesey street is closed to construction.  Walk west along Vesey, then turn left and walk south along North End Ave.  (Walking time from the World Trade Center subway station E line: 10 minutes.) The entrance to the rink is an unmarked tent.

Unmarked entrance to rink


When Visited: Feb. 17 (President's Day) at 1pm

Price: $15 admission / $5 skate rental (I brought my own skates).  Supposedly you can buy a season pass for about $200.

Having skated at half a dozen different rinks in NYC, this is the first one I've been to with such an abbreviated skating period - I was told officially that the $15 admission was good for only a single session, with sessions being 10-11:30am, 12-1:30pm, 2-3:30pm, 4-5:30pm, 6-7:30pm, 8-9:30pm.  The guy at the counter said that since I arrived near the end of one session, I could stick around for the next one.  So beware!

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

About This Blog

I grew up taking skating lessons but then didn't skate for over 20 years.  Last winter, I rediscovered the fun of skating and after buying a pair of used stakes off eBay, have been going once or twice a week to Bryant Park (thank you, Citibank and Bank of America).

New York Magazine's recent survey of new ice rinks has inspired me to try some of the new spots and it occurred to me that I could share my experiences on a blog.

Sorry for getting this blog going so late in the season.  I may not get a chance to visit all the rinks before March, when most of the rinks will close down.  I'm not a skating expert by any means so if I use an incorrect term, please let me know. All comments and suggestions welcomed.