A winter ritual: ice skating and where to warm up after

Winter in New York City conjures images of dazzling trees and festive storefronts, the serenades of carolers and captivating parades. Yet the city’s skating rinks may offer the city's most enchanting experience.

As frost laces the avenues and the air turns crisp, step into a timeless New York ritual. Within moments of The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel, you’ll find rinks set in exquisite surroundings, each with its own character and irresistible après skate diversions.

To guide your winter wanderings, we've curated our favorite New York skating destinations for winter 2025.

Wollman Rink in Central Park

Encircled by Manhattan’s skyline, the Wollman Rink is an NYC icon where ice becomes a stage for locals and visitors alike to carve out moments of joy. The rink's Central Park setting provides a serene escape from the city's rush. But despite the oasis-like quality of the rink, Wollman always feels alive with festive energy.

After gliding across the rink, coffee or tea at Ralph's Coffee provides the perfect après skate pairing. This classic spot offers rich roasts and aromatic teas that revive the spirit - a simple ritual that pairs movement with comfort. 

Bryant Park Winter Village Rink

Located between Fifth Avenue and Avenue of the Americas, Bryant Park’s Winter Village Rink glows with cheer from morning until late evening. City life softens into something truly magical as you glide across the ice surrounded by festive lights.

After skating, visitors can pause to soak in the atmosphere of the open-air market stalls that frame the rink. However, we feel that Fondue at Le Chalet at Bryant Park is the perfect complement to an hour on the ice. 

Warm bread, bubbling cheese and candlelit corners offer a welcome contrast to the crisp air outside. It is the kind of pairing that lingers in memory. There's no better place to blend comfort and delicious flavors in the heart of Manhattan.

The Rink at Rockefeller Center 

Our third winter skating suggestion needs no introduction. In fact, the Rink at Rockefeller Center could be the most famous in the world.

Few winter activities in NYC rival gliding across the Rockefeller Rink. Manhattan's towers create a cozy environment tucked away from the streets of the city. From December 4, the famous Christmas Tree oversees festivities as the space between W 48th & 51st St illuminates the season.

We recommend combining time on the ice with dinner and cocktails at the Ralph Lauren Polo Bar. The Polo Bar effortlessly exudes glamor with its polished wood furnishings and low lighting. Wintry favorites like pigs-in-blankets reach a new level on December evenings, while the cocktail menu refines American and global classics. 

Brookfield Place Rink

Brookfield Place offers a completely different (but equally inviting) ice skating experience. Located at Three World Financial Center, Brookfield boasts stunning panoramic views of the Hudson River and Lady Liberty in the distance. 

Show off your pirouettes or learn new skills with Brookfield's expert tutors. Then unlace your skates and head over to nearby L'Appart for a post-exercise warm-down. 

This Michelin-starred dining venue at the tip of Manhattan serves delectable chocolate that feels more like a ritual than a refreshment. Alternatively, linger a while to savor Michelin-starred meals and fine wine as another New York evening draws to a close.

Ice Skating Roebling Rink (Brooklyn) 

Our final suggestion for winter activities lies across the Hudson, where the Roebling Rink awaits underneath the Brooklyn Bridge. Located on Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, this skating destination offers breathtaking views of Manhattan and the unforgettable Bridge itself. 

Between November and February, expect to be enchanted by the crisp winter air and the glittering lights across the water. The nearby area offers a wealth of après skate options as well. However, Cecconi's Dumbo stands out as a place to relax in warmth and comfort.

This superb Italian eatery in Dumbo blends northern Italian specialties with intimate surroundings. Think hearty rigatoni, wood-fired pizzas and sublime tiramisu. The result is a winter evening of indelible memories and culinary delights.

Stay at The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel and weave timeless tales on New York's ice

Wherever your quest for winter skating experiences takes you, The Surrey is the ideal base for seasonal escapes. Our Upper East Side hotel is a luxurious refuge from the chill and a well-situated base for visiting New York's finest skating spots. Contact our team now to craft your own snow-dusted NYC fairytale.