The Empire State Plaza ice skating rink is set to open for the 2016-2017 season soon

ESP ice rink agency buildings at night

The ice skating rink at the Empire State Plaza is set to open for the new season December 2 (weather permitting), the state Office of General Services announced Thursday.

As in recent years past, the rink will be open seven days a week from 11 am to 8 pm (closed 3-4 pm for maintenance). And it's free to skate. Skate rental is $4 for adults / $3 for kids 12 and under / and free on Fridays. (A photo ID is required for skate rental.)

Also again this season, there's a series of free learn-to-skate clinics. The first is December 3. These clinics require pre-registration and often fill up fast.

We try to make it over to the ESP to skate a few times each winter. The rink can get crowded on the weekends. But we've found the weekday evenings are often not crowded. And if you pair an evening skate with dinner downtown somewhere, that's a pretty good Wednesday (or Tuesday or whatever day). Also: It's a beautiful scene taking turns around the rink with the buildings lit up.

OGS has also announced the lineup of winter events at the ESP, including the tree lighting, which is December 4 this year.

AOA is a media sponsor of the ESP ice skating rink.

Comments

Can't wait to get my hot chocolate at Daily Grind and pop on those skates :)

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