Skate the Skyline at Pier 17

Skate the Skyline at Pier 17

Ice-skating in New York City is one of those classic experiences that never gets old. But there’s always room to elevate your rink game—and you can do it right here in the Seaport District, with a spin on the ice atop The Rooftop at Pier 17. After a wildly successful debut last season, the Winterland Rink returns this November, serving up more spectacular views of the East River, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline.

“It’s the only outdoor ice-skating rink on a rooftop in New York City,” says rink expert Kristin Egan, a former competitive hockey player and figure skater who now runs Competitive Edge Rink Consulting, the firm responsible for the Winterland Rink’s construction.

Behind the picture-perfect setting is a world of technical precision. Egan—who has developed over 250,000 square feet of ice worldwide—says it takes 300 tons of refrigeration on the rooftop to keep the ice smooth for perfect skating conditions. Instructional programming and special events all winter long make for a lively social scene, and the food and beverage outlets and pop-up options next to the rink make it easy to enjoy some après-skate refreshments right there on the roof.

Whatever you do, don’t forget your smartphone for those all-important photos of what Egan calls, “New York’s most Instagrammable-rink.”

Stay tuned for updates on Winterland events throughout the season. Follow Pier 17 on Instagram at @pier17ny.