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By no means am I a particularly good skater, though I did take lessons for two years when I was a kid — all that means is that I know how to stop, skate, and keep my balance, which is really all you need to know to have a good time ice-skating.
I decided to try Manhattan's seasonal, outdoor ice-skating rinks to decide which one is the overall best, rated by price, rentals, lines, crowds, and general vibes.
I visited four rinks: Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, and Brookfield Place.
Here's how each rink stacked up.
Unfortunately, the most famous rink was also my least favorite. I found my visit expensive, crowded, and full of falling people.
On a Thursday afternoon, it cost $35 per ticket just to skate, and there was an added $10 skate rental fee. If you don't want to go alone, you and another person will pay around $90 for an hour of skating, unless you go at an off-peak time.
There are slots that are even more expensive in the evenings.
Some of the other rinks I visited had a no phone policy, which could be annoying if you're skating for a photo op, but it was definitely helpful in regards to safety. I'll admit that I hypocritically also participated in taking photos, including the one above ... just before someone smashed into me.
People were weaving in and out of couples trying to take pictures, which led to at least a couple of falls and crashes when I was there.
But of course, you're at Rockefeller Center — why wouldn't you try and get a picture of you and the tree?
Unfortunately, this did mean we were kicked off the ice for a good 10 minutes, cutting into everyone's skate time. It also set them back $450, according to the website.
Another bonus at this rink: They offered free lockers.
As it is an outdoor activity, masks are not required. However, masks must be worn when you're inside.
It's much easier to adjust these skates than all of the other ones I was given, which were poorer-quality lace-up skates.
In my opinion, you're better off just visiting the tree and watching the skaters — and any proposals — for free.
If you're still committed to visiting, the rink is open daily from 7 a.m. to midnight until January 2. It then has reduced hours through April, though the tree comes down in January.
I visited Wollman Rink on a Sunday afternoon, which set me back $23 for a ticket plus $11 to rent skates. I also could've rented a locker for $7, but I luckily had my dad with me, who decided to skip skating and held on to my shoes and bag.
Like Rockefeller Center, there are staggered ticket prices depending on the time of day. If you're not about skating, you can also purchase spectator tickets.
This is just the first part of the line ...
Fortunately, I got to Central Park around half an hour before my scheduled time, which was lucky. I got to the front right at the beginning of my time slot. So I'd recommend getting there early, even if you've booked a time.
People in the line speculated that there was such a back-up because there was no predetermined end time to skating sessions, which led some people to stay at the rink for hours.
I watched multiple people give up on the line because, regardless of their ticket time, they were forced to wait, and they didn't have time due to other plans.
This type of skate, for me personally, is annoying to use — it took me a couple of tries to lace them up tight enough.
The coffee stand, not pictured, was outside where all the spectators could sit.
Like Rockefeller Center, there were no specific rules about using phones, but I noticed way fewer photos in the middle of the rink — people confined their use to the wall, like I did.
Proof of vaccination is required if you wish to go inside and eat, and masks should be worn at all times, except while you're eating.
Wollman Rink is open daily with various hours (Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.,;and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.). It's open through April, weather permitting.
It easily had my favorite view of the rinks I visited, as it's right next to the Hudson River on one side, and though it seemed smaller, it's larger than the similarly teeny Rockefeller Center, according to Time Out.
To visit on a Tuesday afternoon cost $17 for the skate slot, plus $5 for skate rentals, making it the cheapest option (by $1).
It looked onto Brookfield Place, which is packed with shops and dining options.
Either way you turned, it was a great view.
As I visited on a Tuesday, I would expect the rink to be less busy than the Sunday slot I had for Wollman Rink. However, it was also less busy than the rink at Rockefeller Center, which I had also visited on a weekday.
The skaters were also mainly little kids, which was sweet.
The rental skates were the same as Central Park's, which was annoying, but at this point I was used to it.
The Lodge is open daily through January 16, with rotating merchants and photo opportunities.
Overall, it was a very cute set-up.
The Rink at Brookfield Place is open Monday to Friday from 2 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9:15 p.m.
My ticket for a Wednesday afternoon skate was $23 due to the skate rental — if you have your own skates, it's free. The skate rental fee, like the other rinks, changes depending on your time slot, and it can go up to $45.
The sneaker bag was free with a skate rental. If you brought your own skates, you could also purchase one for $5.
Other options for storage included a bag check, which varied depending on the size of the bag, or you could bring your own backpack if it was smaller than 16 inches by 18 inches.
They were actually two different skates paired together.
Yes, my skating buddy (aka my dad) took this photo for me from off the ice.
This is just one of the stands at your disposal.
My skating buddy (again, my dad) got a Bailey's hot chocolate.
It also has a view of the Empire State Building that can't be beat.
From December 10 to January 2, the rink is open daily from 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. The rink will stay open with reduced hours through March 6.