Looking for somewhere to roller skate or learn in New York City? There are plenty of spaces. Which is right for you? Find out here.
Key Takeaways
- Xanadu Roller Arts is a dedicated indoor Brooklyn venue offering scheduled skating events and $7 quad skate rentals.¹⁰
- Pier 2 Roller Rink offers seasonal outdoor skating in Brooklyn Bridge Park, with both admission and skate rental currently priced at $8.³
- Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park is one of the most affordable full-service options, with $2 admission and $6 skate rental.⁹
- NYC Parks roller-hockey facilities provide outdoor alternatives for experienced skaters who already have their own equipment.⁸
- Community groups such as the Central Park Dance Skaters Association and Empire Skate Club offer opportunities to skate socially outside traditional rinks.⁴
NYC Roller Skating: Top Picks
While there are skate scenes across the country, there's still more to NYC roller skating than you might think. Some places offer staffed sessions and skate rentals, while others are public spaces designed primarily for roller hockey or independent practice. Beginners can go to full-service rinks while confident skaters can find outdoor places.
Xanadu Roller Arts
The community is amazing. So welcoming and warm.
Sarah Oakes, Xanadu skater⁷
Xanadu Roller Arts is an indoor skating venue at 262 Starr Street in Bushwick, Brooklyn. There are regularly scheduled events, so make sure you check the calendar. Quad skate rentals cost $7, and visitors can also bring their own quad skates or rollerblades.¹⁰ This is a classic roller rink that you'd find in the skate scenes of Philadelphia, New Jersey, and New York, of course.
Bushwick, Brooklyn
Indoor roller-skating venue
Beginner to advanced skaters
Yes
Area 53 Adventure Park
Area 53's indoor roller rink is part of an adventure park at 616 Scholes Street in Brooklyn. Skate rental costs $8, while visitors with their own skates can bring them at no additional charge.¹ It's a great option for families.
Brooklyn
Indoor roller rink
Beginner to intermediate skaters
Yes
Xanadu Roller Arts
- Dedicated indoor roller-skating venue
- Best for skating-focused visits
- Quad skate rentals available
- Social skating and themed events
- Suitable for different levels depending on the session
Area 53 Adventure Park
- Indoor roller rink within a larger attraction
- Best for families and mixed-interest groups
- Skate rentals available
- Other activities available alongside skating
- Better for visitors who want more than just rink time
Pier 2 Roller Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Pier 2 is a seasonal rink in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Roller skating is generally available from March through November. General admission is currently $8, and skate rental is another $8, although selected sessions may be free or reduced.³
If you like outdoor roller skating, you may want to consider LA's top skating parks, too.
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn
Outdoor and seasonal
All levels
Yes
LeFrak Center at Lakeside
LeFrak Center has both daytime and evening public sessions in Prospect Park. Skate rentals cost $10, and the wider roller program includes beginner classes, Skaterobics, themed sessions, and live events.⁶ It's a good choice if you're looking to skate to make progress.
Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Outdoor/covered and seasonal
Beginner to experienced skaters
Yes
Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park Skating Complex
Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park has a covered skating rink in Hamilton Heights overlooking the Hudson River. Skating is from April to October with weekly public sessions, rentals, learn-to-skate programming, roller dance, and roller hockey. It's one of the most affordable full-service roller skating options in NYC.⁹
You may also be interested in Portland's skate scene, which also boasts some nice riverside skating options.
Hamilton Heights, Manhattan
Covered and seasonal
Yes
Yes
- Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park: $2 admission and $6 skate rental.⁹
- Pier 2 Roller Rink: $8 admission and $8 skate rental, with some free sessions available.³
- NYC Parks roller-hockey facilities: Free public alternatives for skaters who already have their own equipment.⁸
Inwood Hill Park Roller Hockey Area
Inwood Hill Park in northern Manhattan offers a dedicated outdoor roller-hockey facility as well as other recreational amenities.⁸ This is for skaters who already have their own equipment. It's a good place to practice if you already have a good idea of what you're doing.
There are also some great skating locations in Houston if you're interested in outdoor skating.
Inwood, Manhattan
Outdoor roller-hockey rink
Independent and intermediate skaters
No
James Bohan Hockey Rink at Juniper Valley Park
The James Bohan Hockey Rink is in Middle Village, Queens. Like the outdoor rinks of places like Las Vegas or Houston, you'll find this is also a good option for skaters with their own equipment. This is another good option for practice or hockey rather than a beginner-focused destination with rentals and organized public skating sessions.
Middle Village, Queens
Outdoor roller-hockey rink
Independent and intermediate skaters
No
George U. Harvey Park Roller Hockey Rink
George U. Harvey Park in Whitestone is another NYC Parks location that features an outdoor roller-hockey rink.⁸ Unlike some of the other commercial roller rinks we've mentioned, there are no skate rentals or the usual amenities, so it's an option for confident skaters looking for somewhere to practice.
Whitestone, Queens
Outdoor roller-hockey rink
Independent and experienced skaters
No
Bufano Park Roller Rink
Bufano Park in the Bronx features an outdoor hockey rink. This is used for community roller-skating events. For example, NYC Parks held a free children's skating event there in May 2026.⁸ Bring your own skates if you want to practice, as this isn't a staffed rink and is more like the outdoor rinks you'd find in places like Miami and warmer climates.
The Bronx
Outdoor public rink
Independent skaters
No
Pier 3 Plaza at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Pier 3 Plaza is a multipurpose outdoor hardscape where spontaneous activities such as roller skating can take place.² Roller skating can take place here. Go check it out.
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn
Outdoor multipurpose hardscape
Independent skaters and casual practice
No
Full-Service Roller Rinks
- Scheduled skating sessions
- Skate rentals available at many venues
- Staffed and managed skating environment
- Easier choice for beginners
- Admission fees may apply
BYO-Skates Public Spaces
- Bring your own skates and equipment
- No rental counter
- Less structured skating environment
- Better suited to independent skaters
- Often free to use
| Roller skating spot | Location | Indoor or outdoor | Suitable for | Skate rental |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xanadu Roller Arts | Bushwick, Brooklyn | Indoor | Beginner to advanced | Yes |
| Area 53 Adventure Park | Brooklyn | Indoor | Beginner to intermediate | Yes |
| Pier 2 Roller Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park | Brooklyn Heights | Outdoor | All levels | Yes |
| LeFrak Center at Lakeside | Prospect Park, Brooklyn | Outdoor/covered | All levels | Yes |
| Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park Skating Complex | Hamilton Heights, Manhattan | Covered/seasonal | All levels | Yes |
| Inwood Hill Park Roller Hockey Area | Inwood, Manhattan | Outdoor | Independent/intermediate skaters | No |
| James Bohan Hockey Rink at Juniper Valley Park | Middle Village, Queens | Outdoor | Independent/intermediate skaters | No |
| George U. Harvey Park Roller Hockey Rink | Whitestone, Queens | Outdoor | Independent skaters | No |
| Bufano Park Roller Rink | Bronx | Outdoor | Independent skaters | No |
| Pier 3 Plaza at Brooklyn Bridge Park | Brooklyn Heights | Outdoor | Casual practice | No |
Community Skate Events and Night Skates in the Big Apple
NYC has a large skating community, and while there are plenty of places for you to skate, you'll find that the whole city can be home to skaters. The Central Park Dance Skaters Association runs seasonal Skate Circle sessions with DJs and a strong social focus, giving skaters a place to combine skating, music, and dance.⁴ New York also has moving group skates, including the year-round Empire Tuesday Night Skate from Grand Army Plaza and the seasonal Wednesday Night Skate from Union Square.⁵
Community skates take place on public streets and park routes rather than on a controlled rink. Skaters should already be able to stop, turn, and maintain control confidently before joining a moving group.⁵ Bring your own skates, use appropriate protective equipment, and check the latest meeting point and event details before setting out.
References
- Area 53 NYC. “Adventure Park.” Area 53 NYC, https://area53nyc.com/adventure/. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.
- Brooklyn Bridge Park. “Pier 3 Plaza.” Brooklyn Bridge Park, https://brooklynbridgepark.org/places-to-see/pier-3-plaza/. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.
- Brooklyn Bridge Park. “Roller Skating.” Brooklyn Bridge Park, https://brooklynbridgepark.org/things-to-do/roller-skating/. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.
- Central Park Dance Skaters Association. “Sessions Run from 2:45 to 6:45 PM.” CPDSA, https://cpdsa.org/events/. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.
- Empire Skate Club. “NYC Skating Links.” Empire Skate Club, https://www.empireskate.org/links.html. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.
- Lakeside Sports and Entertainment, LLC. “Public Skate.” LeFrak Center at Lakeside, https://lakeside.prospectpark.org/activity/public-roller-skate/. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.
- Lee, Ron. “Xanadu, the City’s Last Year-Round Indoor Roller Rink.” Spectrum News NY1, 15 Aug. 2025, https://contest.ny1.com/ny/nyc/news/2025/08/15/xanadu--the-city-s-last-year-round-indoor-roller-rink. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.
- New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. “Roller Hockey.” NYC Parks, https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/hockey. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.
- New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. “Riverbank State Park (Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park).” New York State Parks & Historic Sites, https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/riverbank-state-park-denny-farrell-riverbank-state-park. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.
- Xanadu Roller Arts. “FAQ.” Xanadu, https://www.xanadu.nyc/faq. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.
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