Photo of Winterland in New York1 / 3
Skating

Winterland

πŸ“ Manhattan, NY

β˜…2.8(71 Google reviews)

Manhattan rooftop skating experience with spectacular city skyline views including Brooklyn Bridge and One World Trade. Many families report synthetic ice surface makes skating challenging.

βœ“ Beautiful viewsβœ“ Synthetic ice surfaceβœ“ Great ambiance
β€œ
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…Featured review by Christina Hernandez

I don’t even know where to begin !! This was hands down the best & fun I’ve skating experience for me πŸ’•. The workers behind the counter were friendly and very helpful !! It was definitely not overcrowded, mind you it is a Friday night , so you can actually enjoy the views the ambience & have enough space to ice skate around . I saw that people in the comments were saying that the ice was fake but honestly it didn’t feel fake or filmy?? They literally β€œ resurfaced” the ice when I was there . The holiday music was great & so was the ambience . It wasn’t overcrowded, unsanitary or unprofessional. Everything was literally great !! And for those who need clarity on the prices . Just for my partner and I , skates given, it amounted to $80. Meaning $40 per person . There is no limit to how long you can skate for, there are wooden benches where can take breaks at and even indoor little inns too. And the ice skating rink closes at 11pm ..yes 11pm!!! It almost felt like a hidden gem. And talk about the views ?? I didn’t try the food section so I really wouldn’t know . But everything else is great & memorable I will definitely come back again πŸ™β›ΈοΈ

πŸ† Family Action Verdict

Best suited for families who prioritize Instagram-worthy views over actual skating quality. The synthetic ice surface makes skating difficult, especially for beginners or children learning to skate. Consider visiting just for photos and hot cocoa rather than expecting a genuine ice skating experience.

ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go

πŸ’‘Expect to pay around $40 per person for skating with no time limit
⏰The surface is synthetic plastic, not real ice - skating feels jerky and difficult
🎟️Staff may be unhelpful and ice maintenance can be inconsistent
πŸš—Limited food options - mainly pretzels and mac and cheese bites

πŸ’¬ What Families Are Saying

View all reviews β†’
2.8
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

71 Google reviews

Synthetic/fake ice surface80%
Beautiful Manhattan views60%
Expensive pricing60%
Poor staff service60%
Maintenance issues40%
C

Christina Hernandez

a year ago

β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

β€œI don’t even know where to begin !! This was hands down the best & fun I’ve skating experience for me πŸ’•. The workers behind the counter were friendly and very helpful !! It was definitely not overcrowded, mind you it is a Friday night , so you can actually enjoy the views the ambience & have enough space to ice skate around . I saw that people in the comments were saying that the ice was fake but honestly it didn’t feel fake or filmy?? They literally β€œ resurfaced” the ice when I was there . The holiday music was great & so was the ambience . It wasn’t overcrowded, unsanitary or unprofessional. Everything was literally great !! And for those who need clarity on the prices . Just for my partner and I , skates given, it amounted to $80. Meaning $40 per person . There is no limit to how long you can skate for, there are wooden benches where can take breaks at and even indoor little inns too. And the ice skating rink closes at 11pm ..yes 11pm!!! It almost felt like a hidden gem. And talk about the views ?? I didn’t try the food section so I really wouldn’t know . But everything else is great & memorable I will definitely come back again πŸ™β›ΈοΈβ€

S

shalin jani

7 years ago

β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

β€œGreat views. Small but fun ice rink. 2 nice bars. Obviously pricey because it’s NYC but a cool place to spend a couple of hours.”

M

Michael Keller

2 years ago

β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

β€œFestive Faux Pas: A Winter Wonderland Debacle As the holiday season approaches, the allure of winter wonderlands beckons, promising a festive escape from the mundane. However, my recent visit on top a pier left me feeling more like an arctic explorer stuck in a plastic purgatory. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a rather underwhelming sight: a small, circular expanse of plastic masquerading as an ice rink. The once pristine white surface was now riddled with scratches and scuffs, bearing the marks of countless skates that had valiantly attempted to glide across its resistant surface. The synthetic ice, I discovered, was not only aesthetically unappealing but also functionally deficient. Instead of the effortless glide one expects from traditional ice, this plastic impostor offered a jerky, halting experience, akin to skating on a bed of pebbles. You get this pleasure all for the cheap price of $20. The rink's surroundings, while adorned with twinkling lights and faux snow, failed to mask the underlying sense of artificiality. The festive cheer was further dampened by the incessant drone of a generic holiday playlist, which seemed to be on a perpetual loop of 'Jingle Bells' and 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas. After my somewhat perilous skating adventure, I decided to seek refuge in the restrooms, hoping to find some respite from the plastic purgatory. Upon entering the restroom, I was immediately greeted by an assault on the senses. The lights flickered erratically, casting an unsettling strobe effect that made me feel like I had stepped into a haunted house. The air was thick with a pungent odor that seemed to blend the smells of stale urine, disinfectant, and something far more unpleasant. Determined to brave the restroom, I searched for an unoccupied stall. However, each stall I approached revealed a scene of utter chaos. One toilet was continually flushing, another stall was occupied by the source of the odor, a sight that will forever be etched in my memory. So, unless you have a penchant for synthetic ice, a tolerance for generic holiday tunes, and adventure in a bathroom experience, and a love of trying to have fun because you spent your money already anyway, I would advise only coming here if you want 'meh.'”

N

Nick Morales

2 years ago

β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

β€œWe visited here with the entire family (10 of us!) When it was advertised as Disney's Santa Claus land through New York Bucket Listers. To say it was disappointing would be an understatement. As described in other reviews, the skating rink is not ice but rather UHMW plastic puzzle board. It is really difficult to try and use ice skates on this material especially after it has been used extensively. Staff is lethargic and cares little. There is almost no oversight of what is happening, basically a free-for-all once you get beyond the admission gates. The only food that was available were some hard pretzels and mac and cheese bites at the concession stand. There were no cocktails as advertised just beer and wine. Hot cocoa was okay but you can get that anywhere. Save your money and skip this! If you really want to try it just get the general admission and go up there to take pictures and have a cup of hot cocoa. The view is nice. Perhaps the only saving grace...”

Reviews from Google

Overview

Winterland offers ice skating on a rooftop venue with panoramic Manhattan views of landmarks including the Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, and One World Trade Center. The venue uses synthetic ice rather than real ice, which many visitors find difficult to skate on. Located at Pier 17 in the Seaport district with nearby dining options and waterfront atmosphere.

πŸ“ Other Skating in Manhattan

View all β†’

πŸ“ Similar Activities Nearby

View more in New York β†’