All Over Albany

The Empire State Plaza skating rink is open for the season

The ice skating rink at the Empire State Plaza opened for the season Friday. When we stopped by this afternoon there were a bunch of kids skating and laughing.

The rink will now be open seven days a week, 11 am-8 pm (closed 3-4 pm for maintenance). It's free to skate. And skate rentals are $4 / $3 for kids / free on Fridays. A photo ID is required for skate rental. And, of course, the rink is open weather permitting.

There are also a series of clinics and special events related to the rink through the winter, such as learn-to-skate clinics and try-hockey clinics. Registration is required for the clinics and they often fill up fast. (The learn-to-skate clinic this Saturday is already full.)

The rink does tend to get busy on the weekends. Our favorite time to go is in the evenings during the week. (If you're driving, you can usually snag a spot along State Street.) Stopping by to skate for an hour after work + dinner someplace downtown = a better than usual Wednesday.

And it's good to see people out in the space during the winter. It makes it seem less cold.

Swinburne Skating Rink
The city of Albany's Swinburne Skating Rink is set to open Monday, December 5 (weather permitting). Here are the hours and admission/skate rental info...

Swinburne hours of operation
Monday-Thursday: 3-5 pm and 7-9:30 pm
Friday: 3-5 pm and 7-10 pm
Saturday: 12:30-5 pm and 7-10 pm
Sunday public skating: noon-2 pm and 6:15-9 pm
Sunday learn to skate and play hockey: 3:15-5:45 pm

Swinburne admission and rates
Under 18: $.50
18 and over: $1
Senior citizens: $.25
Skate rental: $3
Skate sharpening: $5

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