Bryant Park vs. Rockefeller Center Ice Skating: Which is Better?
Ice skating at Bryant Park or Rockefeller Center are two of the most iconic winter experiences in NYC. Tickets aren’t cheap though, so you may be wondering which location is better value.
I’ve been skating at both Bryant Park and Rockefeller Center, and here are some reasons you may prefer one place over the other.
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Reasons to Pick Bryant Park Ice Skating
Overall, I felt that ice skating at Bryant Park was more worth it due to the pricing and festive energy from the surrounding holiday market. Here are some reasons you may prefer this location:
1. Skating is free if you have your own skates.
Skating at Bryant Park is actually free—what you pay for are the skate rentals, which can range from $18-55, depending on the popularity of the time slot you pick.
If you bring your own skates, you can skate for free, but you’ll still need to book a time slot online.
2. Tickets are cheaper overall.
The lowest-priced adult skating ticket at Rockefeller Center in December is $38 (weekday morning), while it’s $21 at Bryant Park.
In November, I paid around $32 for a weekend evening (~$36 without the Bank of America card discount), while prices were $50+ at Rockefeller Center.
3. The rink is surrounded by the holiday market.
Bryant Park is just so bustling and festive during the holiday season, and the rink is in the center of the Winter Village. After skating, you can grab food or buy artisan presents at the holiday market.
Reasons to Pick Rockefeller Center Ice Skating
While I preferred skating at Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center is still an iconic experience for a reason, and it feels more intimate since the rink is below ground level. Here are some reasons you might want to pick Rockefeller center instead.
1. You get free lockers to store your stuff.
At Bryant Park, you have to “check” your shoes and bags, and stand in line to hand them over and get them back. While the shoe check is free, you have to pay ~$5 to check a bag—and they’re strict about this, not even letting me wear my fanny pack on the ice (I was wearing it as a side-body bag).
At Rockefeller Center, there are small, free lockers where you can store your belongings. If you have a small bag along with your shoes, it should fit no problem.
2. There are fewer spectators/people right next to the rink.
Rockefeller Center’s rink feels more secluded, as it’s lower than ground level. While there will be many passersby, they aren’t in your face like they are at Bryant Park. At Bryant Park, the rink is surrounded by tables of people talking and eating, and people will literally be right next to you if you’re holding onto the railing.
3. You’re allowed to take photos.
This could be a pro or a con, depending on what you prioritize. There are no rules against phones on the ice at Rockefeller Center, meaning you can snap as many photos as you want.
At Bryant Park, they don’t allow phones in the rink, and they will enforce this. (I didn’t know until partway through my skate session, when I saw a staff member stopping some others). If you want to get a photo, you’d have to ask someone standing outside the rink to snap it for you.
The rule makes sense for safety purposes, but it’s unfortunate to pay a lot of money for such an iconic experience, and not have a photo.
The Bottom Line
Both locations will give you a festive holiday experience, but you can save some money by going to Bryant Park, and you can make a day of it by exploring the Winter Village afterwards.
If you’re more self-conscious and plan to hang onto the edge of the rink, then you may prefer Rockefeller Center as there aren’t as many spectators at eye level. You’ll also be able to snap as many photos of the experience as you want.
See my full reviews of ice skating at Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park for more info, and check out the rest of my NYC guides.
