Triangle Trip

I’ve been asked by many friends about where to skate in New York City over the holidays. I want to tell you, what I tell them, because this is the perfect time of year to go ice skating in NYC. Whether you’re a tourist visiting New York, or a longtime resident, nothing quite compares to the experience of gliding across ice underneath the tall facades and lights of Manhattan. If you are visiting NYC, I suggest you also see Captain G’s Guide to see NYC in a day or two, an excellent list of things to do in NYC.

Of all of the ice skating options in NYC, I’d recommend Wollman and The Pond. Wollman Rink and The Pond at Bryant Park have the most convenient locations, the most interesting alternative entertainment venues nearby, and acceptable lines and crowd sizes.

Below are all of the ice rinks (with a map showing approximate location) with their websites and phone numbers for your reference. As a rule, outdoor rinks are seasonal, and are converted in fields, gardens, or amusement parks once the weather begins to soften, while indoor rinks are open year round.

Battery Park City On Ice
North End Ave, between Warren and Murray Streets (888-727-5423, batteryparkcityice.com)
A brand new ice rink just opened up last November at downtown Manhattan’s Battery Park City, north of the World Trade Center along the West Side Highway. This mobile rink is supposed to be eco-friendly, sustainability minded, and one of the most energy efficient in the country. The rink is open Monday to Friday from 1pm–10pm, Saturday 10am–10pm, and Sunday 11am–9pm. Battery Park City on Ice will stay open until February 15, 2010. Giant, heated exhibition tents provide a place to rest in between skating, and a refreshments stand provides food and drink. Admission is $10, and skate rental is $3. While the rink is definitely interesting (especially it’s eco-friendly features), it’s surrounded by construction buildings. I wouldn’t recommend this spot if you’re looking for a scenic skate.

Rockefeller Center Ice Skating Rink
30 Rockefeller Plaza, between 49th and 50th Streets (212-332-7654, therinkatrockcenter.com)
Located at Rockefeller Center, this is the most famous (and most expensive) rink in New York City! The rink is usually packed, and we recommend you go early in the morning to avoid the one to two hour wait. Prices vary depending on what day you go (it’s usually pricier around Christmas), and admission provides access for a single session only; this is typically an hour and a half. It’s typically open from late September all the way to late March. Very scenic, and the iconic skating experience in the city, set in the backdrop of the statue of Prometheus – if it weren’t for the small-ish size of the rink, the crowds, and the wait time. Ultimately, this rink is a tourist trap, and city visitors and residents alike can find better.

The Pond at Bryant Park
Sixth Ave, between 40th and 42nd Sts (212-661-6640, thepondatbryantpark.com)
During the winter, Bryant Park converts into an amazing seasonal event spot. Besides an ice rink, the park turned exhibition tent complex includes holiday shops, an indoor pavilion and the Canadian-themed lounge Celsius, which conveniently offers a full children’s menu and plenty of hot chocolate. Admission is completely free, but skate rental is $12, which just about puts it even with the other ice rinks. This is one of my favorite ones to go to. It’s set against the backdrop of a beautiful public park, not too crowded, and has shopping within the park and nearby along 5th and 6th avenue. The rink is seasonally open between November 6 to January 24. Hours are Sunday to Thursday 8am–10pm; Friday and Saturday 8am–midnight.

Lasker Skating Rink
110th Street and Lenox Avenue (917-492-3857, wollmanskatingrink.com/main_lasker.htm)
This rink is in the upper part of Manhattan, right at the northern edge of Central Park. Although it has two huge ice rinks, I haven’t gone to this rink because of its location and hours. The rink hosts local hockey games, and so hours are very specific, depending on which day you want to go. Generally, it’s open Monday to Thursday from 10 AM to 3:35 PM, Friday 10 AM – 11 PM, Saturday from 1 – 11PM, Sunday 12:30 – 4:30 PM; on Tuesdays, it’s also open during the evening 8 – 10 PM, and on Friday, it’s open 7 – 11 PM.  Ultimately, I’d suggest avoiding it, since it’s out of the way, and the schedule is a little confusing.

Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers
Chelsea Piers, Pier 61, 23rd Street & the Hudson River (212-336-6100, chelseapiers.com/sr01.htm)
Sky Rink is unique among the ice rink offerings in that it’s indoors, and open year round. It’s located on the western edge of Manhattan, past the West Side Highway. This is another rink that’s slight out of the way, and not scenic at all, but it’s worth the trip if you’re either determined to skate out of season or at a rink that isn’t crowded. Most of the times I’ve been here, there were very few people on the ice. Hours are Monday and Thursday 1:30 – 5:20 PM, Tuesday and Thursday 3:00 – 5:20 PM, Saturday and Sunday 1:00 – 3:50 PM. Adult admission is $13, youth is $10.50, and skate rental is $7.50; considering the location, and the lack of scenery, I’d suggest avoiding this one unless you want to skate in the middle of summer or practice your skating in a less crowded rink.

Wollman Rink
59th Street and Sixth Avenue (212-439-6900, wollmanskatingrink.com/main_wollman.htm)
This rink is another favorite of mine. Located at the southern end of Central Park, Wollman is located near several subway stations; is set in the backdrop of Central Park; and isn’t too crowded during the non holiday winter season. I personally prefer going during the late morning and afternoon, though; since the park doesn’t have much lighting, Wollman Rink switches on stadium lamps once it gets too dark. Admission prices vary, depending on age and day of the week you go (admission is higher for adults and when going Saturday or Sunday). Skate rental is $6.25. Hours are Monday and Tuesday 10:00am – 2:30pm; Wednesday and Thursday 10:00am – 10:00pm; Friday and Saturday 10:00am – 11:00pm; and Sunday 10:00am – 9:00pm.

Spring has finally arrived in New York. I have been getting many questions from friends, family members and clients on where to go in New York City. I initially drafted the post below nearly 10 years ago for a client in Kansas City intending to visit NYC for the first time in his life. I have just updated the information and thought it would be helpful to share it with everyone. If you start your day at 8AM or so from Downtown Manhattan and have an unlimited Metrocard, I believe you can see all of NYC in one day.

NYC is so big and has so much to see. I am sure I’ve missed a site here or there but I hope you find this helpful. Feedback welcome!  Enjoy the Big Apple!!!

Downtown

1.  Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island – located in lower Manhattan by Broadway & Whitehall St. (N or R train to Whitehall; 4, 5, 6 trains to Bowling Green). Tickets can be purchased by the Park located on Broadway by the Staten Island Ferry.

2.  NYSE (New York Stock Exchange) – on Broad Street, 6-10 blocks north from Statue of Liberty Park. Tickets can be purchased at the Exchange. Hours are 10 to 3. (Wall Street stop for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 trains; Broad Street stop for M, J and Z trains).

3.  South Street Seaport – South Street, 5 blocks east of Broadway, right by the water. Nothing special, just a shopping/eating area downtown. Walking distance from Wall Street.

4.  World Trade Center (WTC) – Site of Ground Zero. It’s on Church Street (three blocks north, two blocks west of Wall Street) between Fulton and Liberty. (Fulton Street stop for A/C and 4/5 trains).

5.  New York City Hall – On Broadway (N train City Hall stop) and Chambers Street. You can actually walk north of WTC and stay on Broadway which will take you to City Hall. Park has been renovated and has free wi-fi.

6.  Brooklyn Bridge – Steps away from City Hall, you can actually walk across this bridge on a sunny day. Bridge takes you to Brooklyn and offers a great view of lower Manhattan. Brooklyn Bridge is approximately 10-15 blocks north of Wall Street; 2 blocks east of the WTC. (Brooklyn Bridge stop – 4, 5, 6 train).

7.  Chinatown – Largest Chinatown in the US. Radius: Worth Street to Broom, East Broadway to West Broadway. Chinatown is approximately 1 mile from Wall Street. If you’re in a walking mood, you can walk north on Broadway and it’ll take you to Chinatown (make a right turn/east on Canal Street). You would want to walk Mott Street, Chinatown’s busiest Street. Mott Street is 6 blocks east of Broadway. (N, R trains to Canal St).

8.  Little Italy – was one of the largest Italian neighborhoods in the US. It is located inside Chinatown. Mulberry Street is the busiest street (Mulberry’s right next to Mott Street).

SOHO/Village

1.  SOHO (South of Houston Street) – ranges from Broom Street to 4th Street along Broadway.  SOHO’s famous for art galleries and alternative fashion. It’s just north of Chinatown. You’ll want to walk a few blocks east and west of Broadway to check out the culture. (N, R train to Spring Street)

2.  Greenwich Village – also known as “The Village.” Northwest of SOHO. Definitely NYC culture. Located west of Broadway. The Village ranges from west of 5th Ave to 7th Ave,  between West 4th to 14th Street. There are lots of boutiques, bars, restaurants, clubs, strange people, etc. New York University is also located in the Village. (B, C, D, F, E trains to West 4 St).

3.  East Village – East village is located east of Broadway. It ranges from west of Broadway to 2nd Ave, between East 4th and East 14th Street. (6th train to Astor Place).

Midtown

1.  Herald Square – 34th Street and 6th Avenue. Macy’s, the world’s largest department store, and a lot of other large retail shopping stores are located in Herald Square.  Madison Square Garden is located on 34th Street and 7th Ave, 1 block west of Macy’s. (Nearly all the trains go to 34th Street – B, D, N, Q, R, etc.)

2.  Empire State Building – 34th Street and 5th Ave.

3. K-Town – Koreatown is located right next to the Empire State Building (one block south). You can find great Korea food from 31st to 33rd Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue.

4.  Rockefeller Center/Radio City Music Hall – the place where they have the big Christmas tree during the Holidays. 49th Street and 5th Ave. (49th Street stop on the B, D, Q trains).

5.  St. Patrick’s Cathedral – across the street from Rockefeller Center. 5th Ave and 50th Street.

6.  Time Square – 42nd Street and Broadway/6th and 7th Ave (All the Avenues converge). Time Square actually span more than 10 blocks – from 40th Street to 52nd Street. (Nearly all the trains go to Time Square – B, D, N, Q, R, 7, etc.). David Letterman’s studio is on 52nd and 7th, a few blocks north of Time Sq. You can also catch a great “Broadway Show!”

7.  United Nations – Located on 42nd Street and 1st Avenue, east of Time Square (FDR Drive). No trains go to the UN, taking a cab from Time Square is your best bet.

8.  The Intrepid Museum – located on 42nd and 12th Avenue, west of Time Square (West side Highway). No trains go to the Intrepid, taking a cab from Time Square is your best bet. The Intrepid is an old Aircraft Carrier with a lot of WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War planes and helicopters.

9.  Circle Line Cruise – located next to the Intrepid museum. You can take a 4 hour scenic tour around Manhattan. Circle Line also offers a helicopter ride around the city. The cost of boat tour is approximately $10, helicopter ride will cost you approximately $100.

10.  Lincoln Center/Columbus Circle – home of a lot of symphonies. Located on 59th Street and 7th Ave, right across the street from Central Park, north of Time Sq.

11.  Central Park – The Park is huge. Ranges from 5th Avenue to 7th Ave, 57th Street to 86th Street. The Park has a zoo, the Great Lawn (it’s in a lot of movies), NYC reservoir, etc.

12.  5th Avenue & Madison Avenue from 50’s to 80’s – where most famous designer boutiques have shops are setup. You’ll find Tiffany, DKNY, Prada, FAO Schwarz, etc.

Uptown – East (Museum Mile)

1.  Museum of Modern Arts – 53rd Street, between 5th Ave and 6th Ave. Walking distance from Rockefeller Center.

2.  Museum of National History – Central Park West (also known as 5th Ave) at 79th Street. A must see!

3.  The Guggenheim – 5th Ave and 89th Street.

4.  Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) – 5th Ave and 82nd Street. (4 or 5 train to 86th Street, walk 4 blocks south and 4 blocks west).

5.  The Planetarium is also along the Museum Mile. . .