Although it may not be Canada, Long Island is surprisingly well stocked with ice rinks, both indoor and out, from Nassau County to the East End. So the next time you feel the urge to hit the ice, whether it’s for a leisurely skate or a bit of puck, test your blades of steel at one of these recommended rinks:
Nassau County
Andrew Stergiopoulos Ice Rink
Offers skating programs for all ages, including parent-and-me sessions for toddlers, as well as figure skating, synchronized skating, hockey, birthday parties and private and group lessons. Warm up by the snack bar and fireplace in the lounge. Teen Night is held on Fridays from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., featuring music, club lighting and adult supervision. 65 Arrandale Ave., Great Neck, 516-487-4673, gnparks.org
Cantiague Park Ice Rink
Stop by for public skating every afternoon, including weekends. Nassau County residents pay $10 for adults and $6 for children; nonresidents pay $22 for adults and $15 for children. Skate rentals cost $5. Check the rink schedule for skating lessons, speed skating, and hockey camps and clinics. 480 W. John St., Hicksville, 516-571-7056, nassaucountyny.gov/2791/Cantiague
Christopher Morley Park
This regulation-sized outdoor rink, a popular Nassau spot, holds open skating six days a week (none on Thursdays). Skate rentals are also available. 500 Searingtown Rd., Roslyn, 516-571-8120, nassaucountyny.gov/2794/Christopher-Morley-Park
De Matteis Ice Rink
Public skating is offered at this outdoor rink from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weeknights, weather permitting. Weekend sessions start every two hours between noon and 9:30 p.m. Admission costs $10 for adults and $6 for kids under 12. Skate rental costs $5. Concessions are also available. 102 EAB Plaza, Uniondale, 516-683-0303.
Freeport Recreation Center Ice Rink
Enjoy free skate rentals at the Thursday afterschool skating special from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday night is Teen Night from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., set to music. Public skating is available on Sundays from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; one parent skates free with each child. Serves as home base for Arrows Youth Hockey and Freeport Skating Academy. Freeport residents enjoy discount passes and activity cards. 130 E. Merrick Rd., Freeport, 516-377-2314. freeportny.gov/148/Ice-Rink
Grant Park Skating Rink
This outdoor rink is open five days a week (closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays). Check out the night skating from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Skate rental is available. Broadway and Sheridan Ave., Hewlett, 516-571-7821, nassaucountyny.gov/2799/Grant-Park
Iceland
Public skates are held Fridays from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 2:30 p.m. and Sundays from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. (children only) and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Admission costs $9 for kids 9 and younger; $11 for all other ages. Skate rental costs $6. Skate to a live DJ Friday nights from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Birthday parties are available, as well as a skating school, hockey clinics and camps, and a figure skating club. Discounts are offered for large groups and frequent skaters. 3345 Hillside Ave., New Hyde Park, 516-746-1100, icelandlongisland.com
Iceworks
Formerly the official practice facility of the New York Islanders, this top-tier rink offers learn-to skate program for kids and toddlers, as well as hockey classes for “minis” (ages 5 to 7), Hockey 101 (ages 7 to 12) and adult hockey instruction. It is also the home rink of the Junior Islanders youth hockey program. 175 Underhill Blvd., Syosset, 516-496-2277, nhl.com/islanders/iceworks
Long Beach Municipal Ice Arena
Offers multiple weekly public skating sessions, as well as a half-hour learn-to-skate program on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for skaters aged 4 and older. There’s also the new Junior Rangers Girls Hockey League, for girls aged 11 to 14. Public skate sessions cost $8 per adult and $6 per child 12 and under for residents; nonresident adults pay $10 and $8 for children. Skate rentals cost $5. There is also a snack bar and party room. 150 W. Bay Dr., Long Beach, 516-705-7385, longbeachny.gov/icearena
Long Island Sports Hub
This multisports complex includes an ice hockey-focused rink for skating and skill development, scrimmages and more. It offers skate and rink rentals, as well as skill development programs for beginner to advanced players. 165 Eileen Way, Syosset, 516-364-4000, lisportshub.com
Newbridge Arena
Holds multiple public skates, including Friday night sessions. Youth hockey, private and group lessons and birthday parties are also available. Newbridge also hosts Hot Shot Hockey, one of LI’s largest fire and police hockey leagues. 2600 Newbridge Rd., Bellmore, 516-783-6181, newbridgearena.com
Northwell Health Ice Center at Eisenhower Park
This is the new official practice facility of the New York Islanders. Public sessions are typically held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays; check the website for evening times. Admission costs $11 for skaters 13 and up, $9 for kids ages 6 to 12, and free for kids aged 5 and younger. Skate rental costs $5. There’s a pro shop, and birthday parties are available. The rink also runs a skating school and hockey leagues. 200 Merrick Ave, East Meadow, 516-441-0070, northwellhealthicecenter.com
Port Washington Skating Center
Sundays are Family Skating Day from 2:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. There’s also skating school, open skating sessions and youth and adult hockey. Party packages can also be booked. 70 Seaview Blvd., Port Washington, 516-484-6800, pwskating.com
Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center
Located at Bethpage Community Park. Offers skate rentals, public sessions and group lessons, youth hockey and birthday parties. Figure skating lessons are provided by the RINX Skating School. 1001 Stewart Ave., Bethpage, 516-433-7465, oysterbaytown.com
Suffolk County
Deer Park Tanger Ice Rink
Why not skate where you shop? Admission is $10 (kids younger than 5 skate free) and skate rentals are $4 (free for TangerClub members). Check the website for current public hours. Teens with school IDs enjoy discounted skating on Tuesdays, and there’s a Friday night skate complete with DJ. Parties and lessons are also available. 152 The Arches Cir., Deer Park, 631-940-9750, tangericerink.com
Dix Hills Ice Rink
This Town of Huntington-owned rink holds open skating sessions on weekends from 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursdays and Fridays from 3:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. There’s also a special Friday night session with a DJ from 8:15 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. There’s an ice hockey recreation league you can join, skating lessons for all ages and a snack bar. 575 Vanderbilt Pkwy., Dix Hills, 631-462-5883, huntingtonny.gov
Southampton Ice Rink
A semi-enclosed facility, this refrigerated rink offers skating into April, with public skating held six days a week (closed Mondays). Skate rentals are available, as well as afterschool lessons and hockey leagues. 668 County Rd. 39, Southampton, 631-283-2158.
Superior Ice Rink
Hit the ice for public sessions from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on weekends, Wednesdays from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., and with a DJ on Friday nights from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Admission costs $9 for adults and $7 for children ages 11 and younger. Skate rental costs $4. There’s a pro shop and party packages are available. 270 Indian Head Rd., Kings Park, 631-269-3900, superioricerink.com
The Rinx
Featuring twin NHL regulation-size rinks, this Town of Islip building located in Hidden Pond Park is Suffolk’s premiere destination for all things ice. It offers party packages, skating schools, hockey camps and a snack bar. Open skates are held from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays; weekend sessions run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Also check out the Friday “Rock & Roll Night,” from 8:15 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. 660 Terry Rd., Hauppauge, 631-232-3222, therinx.com
The Rinx at Harborfront Park
You can’t beat the view at this outdoor rink in Port Jefferson’s Harborfront Park, open seven days a week. Parties, lessons and locker rentals are available. 101-A E Broadway, Port Jefferson, 631-403-4357, therinx.com/pjrinx
The Rinx at Wyandanch Plaza
This relatively new outdoor rink offers public skating through March 1. Sessions run Monday to Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Admission costs $8 per adult, $5 for kids and $4.50 for seniors. Multiple learn-to-skate classes are also offered. 40 Station Dr., Wyandanch, 631-643-2050, therinx.com/wp
