Skating the Rink at Rockefeller Center, in shirtsleeves

Last week we were invited to Manhattan to go ice skating at the Rink at Rockefeller Center. Once our bus arrived at the rink, we walked to an awesome rounded, domed elevator that took us down to the VIP room just off the ice. When we walked into the amazing room, we were all stunned about how fancy it was! We were treated like celebrities.

Once we got fitted for our ice skates, we went out to the rink. Ice skating was super-fun — we all played tag on the ice! It was a beautiful day in the 60s so we didn't even have to wear jackets and gloves. We didn’t have much experience ice skating, so it was very difficult for some of us at first. We all fell a couple of times but got up and kept on trying.  

There are a few attendants on the ice that make sure everyone is safe. Everyone was so attentive to what we needed, they even gave us skating tips and helped us when we fell. By the end of the experience we were all able to skate around the rink without hanging onto the rail. When we needed a break, we headed back to the VIP room which provided us with hot chocolate, cookies, and lots of other treats.

After ice skating for our 90-minute session, we headed to The Rock Center Cafe. This cafe is rink-level, and you can watch the skaters as you eat. There are menus for kids and adults, but before we even looked at the menu, the waiter brought us delicious appetizers of fried calamari, sweet potato and bread with butter and oil. Of the appetizers, we all liked the bread the best. We all enjoyed the entrees. We each tried something different and shared: chicken tenders, RCC Chef’s burger, penne pasta, and grilled cheese. Chris liked the grilled cheese the best, Kayla liked the burger the best, Billy liked the penne pasta the best, and Mia liked the chicken tenders the best. We also were able to share some delicious desserts: brownie sundae, sherbet, apple pie and chocolate cake. Chris liked the apple pie the best, Kayla liked the brownie sundae the best, Billy also liked the apple pie, and Mia favored the brownie sundae.

We had an amazing experience and highly recommend if you visit New York City that you try these places. There are two ways to skate — you can go through general admission, which is first-come, first-served, or you can go through VIP and make a reservation. The 90-minute skate sessions start at 8:30 a.m., and the last session starts at 10:30 p.m. You can bring your own skates (no speed skates) or rent them at the Rink.

INFO The Rink at Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue, between 49th and 50th Streets, 212-332-7654, therinkatrockcenter.com