Photo Credit: Jason DeCrow/AP Images for Patina Restaurant Group/The Rink at Rockefeller CenterThe Rink at Rockefeller Center is officially open for its 82nd season. Olympian, five-time Finnish National Champion Figure Skater, and New York resident Kiira Korpi hosted the ceremonial first skate of the most famous ice rink in the world, accompanied by rising child skaters from Ice Theatre of New York and Figure Skating in Harlem. Continuing its time-honored tradition as the first New York rink to open each year, the first skate signifies the start of winter festivities all around the city.
“Today was the first time that I’ve had the privilege to skate on the ice at the world-famous Rink at Rockefeller Center and it was truly amazing,” said Korpi. “Being a part of this iconic New York tradition that has taken place is an experience that I will never forget.”
The Rink will be open to the public daily from 8:30 am until midnight through Easter (April 21, 2019). First designed as a temporary attraction, The Rink has evolved into one of the city’s most legendary landmarks and one of the top visited sites in Manhattan, hosting more than a quarter of a million skaters annually.
Photo Credit: Jason DeCrow/AP Images for Patina Restaurant Group/The Rink at Rockefeller Center
The iconic landmark offers packaged skating and culinary experiences in collaboration with rink-side restaurants Rock Center Café and The Sea Grill, both of which feature front-row, floor-to-ceiling views of the skating action. Helmed by executive chef Andy Bennett, The Sea Grill is one of New York’s finest seafood restaurants, and a quintessential destination for holiday dining from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
Rock Center Café has a more casual menu, with all-American dishes perfect for families, from breakfast to late-night. This season, special experiences include The Perfect Start: Breakfast and Skating, Afternoon Tea and Skating, Après Skate, late night Starlight Skate, and classic traditions such as the popular Breakfast with Santa, Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Engagement on Ice, VIP Skating & Dinner, and more.
Making wintertime memories even more special is The Igloo, a reservation-only glass-encased and heated VIP lounge located rink-side at The Rink at Rockefeller Center. With velvety benches and sweet refreshments, The Igloo allows VIP guests to enjoy skip-the-line privileges, receive enhanced service with in-house Skate Concierges, and as a plush resting area to take breaks with plenty of water, hot chocolate and freshly baked cookies.
General admission to The Rink is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, whenever The Rink is open to the public.
Location: 5th Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets.
