Ice skating on Long Island

Winter is a great time to take up ice skating, or just sharpen your skills. Long Island has everything from Olympic-sized indoor rinks to outdoor rinks with a water view. While there are individual do's and don'ts, all recommend helmets for younger skaters; and hats, coats, gloves and socks for everyone. None allow use of electronic devises while on the ice.

Outdoor rinks are usually open through February (weather permitting). Most have sessions for the public every day, with extra sessions school holidays.

Nassau County

Cantiague Park indoor ice rink

480 W. John St. (east of Cantiague Rock Road), Hicksville

INFO 516-571-7056

ADMISSION Non-residents $20 adults ($14 ages 18 and younger); Leisure Pass holders pay $7 ($5 younger than 18)

SKATE RENTAL $5

This massive indoor facility underwent extensive renovations in 2010. It offers public sessions, group and private lessons and team play. It also offers a teen session 8-10 p.m. Fridays. Concession service is sporadic, but there are vending machines.

Freeport Recreation Center

130 E. Merrick Rd., Freeport

INFO 516-377-2314, freeportny.gov

ADMISSION Non-residents $8 adults ($6 child); Freeport activity card holders pay $5-$6 a person (includes skates)

SKATE RENTAL $4

This 2-year-old family oriented indoor facility has specials sessions for preteens and teens on Fridays. Saturday night is family skate night and discounts are offered. Public sessions are available Thursday-Sunday. Group and individual lessons (all skill levels, all ages) are available Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Children ages 8 and younger must wear a helmet.

Iceland

3345 Hillside Ave., New Hyde Park

INFO 516-746-1100, icelandli.com

ADMISSION $8 ages 10 and up; $6 younger than 10 (Friday admission is $9)

SKATE RENTAL $4

This busy indoor rink offers multiple youngsters-only sessions, and even a session for 10 and younger with a parent (noon-1:30 p.m. Saturday). This medium-size rink is very family friendly with children, parents and grandparents on the ice together during public sessions. Take a break from the ice with hot dogs, pizza, hot drinks and snacks at their concession stand.

Long Beach Ice Arena

150 W. Bay Dr., Long Beach

INFO 516-208-6136

ADMISSION $8 ($6 ages 12 and younger); Resident passholders pay $5 ($3 kids).

SKATE RENTAL $4

This indoor facility offers weekly "learn to skate" sessions (4:15-4:45 p.m. Monday and Friday and 2-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday) for ages 4 to adult. Drop by Friday for teen night. There's also an upstairs teen center with arcade and video games, pool, Ping-Pong and other activities.

Andrew Stergiopoulos Ice Rink at Parkwood Sports Complex

65 Arrandale Ave., Great Neck

INFO 516-487-2975, greatneckparks.org

ADMISSION $10 ($6 ages 16 and younger); Residents: $7 ($5 kids)

SKATE RENTAL $3.50

With public sessions every day of the week, this is a busy indoor rink, especially during school holidays. In addition to public sessions and private lessons, it offers a hockey program for those who are interesting in learning or playing the game but not taking part in a travel team. Friday is teen night. There is a full-service snack bar and bleacher seating.

Port Washington Skating Center

70 Seaview Blvd., Port Washington

INFO 516-484-6800, pwskating.com

ADMISSION $7

SKATE RENTAL $4

This community-oriented indoor venue caters to families and is known as a place where parents went as children and later take their children. It has public skating sessions daily. In business for more than 20 years, this rink prides itself on being an intimate experience with owners on site and longtime staffers.

Bethpage Community Park Ice Rink

1001 Stewart Ave. at Cherry Avenue, Bethpage

INFO 516-433-7465

ADMISSION Non-residents $10 ($7 ages 5-17; $2 ages 2-4); Residents: $6 ($5 ages 5-17, $2 ages 2-4)

SKATE RENTAL $3

At 3 years old, this is one of Long Island's newer indoor rinks. It offers daily public sessions, lessons and special events. There's bleacher seating surrounding this regulation-size rink. Group and individual lessons are available for all ages and skill levels.

Christopher Morley Park Ice Rink

500 Searingtown Rd., Roslyn

INFO 516-571-8113

ADMISSION Non-residents $20 ($14 ages 17 and younger); Leisure Pass holders pay $7 ages 17 and up ($5 ages 4-17)

SKATE RENTAL $4

This outdoor, Olympic-size rink was built in the early 1970s. It is surrounded by trees and the scenery looks postcard beautiful when it snows. When you take a break from the ice, sit in the hearth room, enjoy the roaring fire, a warm drink and snacks. It has public sessions everyday but Thursday. Private and group lessons are available for children (Wednesday-Saturday) and adults.

Grant Park Ice Rink

Broadway and Sheridan Avenue, Hewlett

INFO 516-571-7821, nassaucounty.gov

ADMISSION Non-residents $20 ($14 ages 17 and younger); Leisure Pass holders pay $7 ages 17 and up ($5 ages 4-17)

SKATE RENTAL $5

This outdoor rink overlooks a small pond. It is part of a recreation area that includes a playground and basketball and tennis courts. It offers public sessions Wednesday through Sunday. There's limited seating adjacent to the rink, but there is an indoor seating area nearby that has a view of the rink.

Marjorie R. Post Community Park

Unqua and Merrick roads, Massapequa

INFO 516-797-7990, oysterbaytown.com

ADMISSION Non-residents $8 ($7 ages 5-12, $2 ages 2-4); Residents: $5 ($4 ages 5-17, $2 ages 2-4)

SKATE RENTAL $3

This outdoor facility in a park setting is especially busy weekends and during school holidays. It has a children's play area nearby and a full concession stand. Group and individual lessons are available for all ages.

Syosset-Woodbury Community Park

7800 Jericho Tpke., Woodbury

INFO 516-677-5990, oysterbaytown.com

ADMISSION Non-residents $8 ($7 ages 5-17, $2 ages 2-4); Residents: $5 ($4 ages 5-17, $2 ages 2-4)

SKATE RENTAL $3

In a park setting, this outdoor rink is especially busy weekends and during school holidays. It has public sessions nearly everyday and additional public sessions school holidays. Group and individual lessons are available for all ages.

Suffolk County

The Arches at Tanger Outlet

152 The Arches Circle, Deer Park

INFO 631-242-0239, tangericerink.com/public-skating

ADMISSION $7 weekdays, $10 weekends

SKATE RENTAL $3-$4

This is a great place to park the kids while the adults shop. This outdoor rink is smaller than many, but conveniently located in the center piazza. It has public sessions evenings Monday through Friday and nearly all day Saturday and Sunday. There are no classes, but all ages and skill levels are welcome. Not recommended for younger than 5.

The Rinx at Hidden Pond Park

660 Terry Rd., Hauppauge

INFO 631-232-3222, therinx.com

ADMISSION $10-$12 ($7.50-$8.50 ages 11 and younger)

SKATE RENTAL $5.50

There are two large rinks at this indoor facility, which offers at least one public session daily and a longer super session Saturday and Sunday. There are special sessions for teens Friday nights. Additional public sessions and super sessions are added during school holidays. Their full-service concession offers meals as well as snacks.

The Rinx at Harborfront Park

1-A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson

INFO 631-403-4357, portjeffrink.com

ADMISSION $9.50-$11 ($7-$8 ages 11 and younger)

SKATE RENTAL $5

This outdoor rink is almost the same size as the Rockefeller Center rink and has the same public vibe. It offers both public sessions and lessons. There are no hockey teams or games allowed. With a view of the harbor, this is just a great place to spend an afternoon. There is no concession stand and limited outdoor seating. You can see the rink from both floors at the nearby village center. Outside food and drink are allowed.

Superior Ice Rink

270 Indian Head Rd., Kings Park

INFO 631-269-3900, superioricerink.com

ADMISSION $9 ($7 ages 11 and younger)

SKATE RENTAL $4

This family-owned indoor rink has been in business since 1972. Popular with hockey teams, this community-oriented rink offers public sessions Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It offers lessons for all ages, with most students 18 and younger. It has a full concession stand and seating around the rink.

Dix Hills Indoor Skating Rink

575 Vanderbilt Pkwy., Dix Hills

INFO 631-462-5883

ADMISSION $12 ($9 younger than 18); Town of Huntington recreation cardholders pay $7.50 ($6 kids)

SKATE RENTAL $4

This busy indoor rink offers public sessions daily. It also has an adults-only session (9-10 p.m. Wednesday) and a DJ session (8:15-10:15 p.m. Friday). Family oriented, it is in the heart of Dix Hills and gets loads of families with younger children. The Friday DJ night caters to middle schoolers.

Newsday ice skating rink

235 Pinelawn Rd., Melville

INFO 631-843-2666

ADMISSION $8 ($6 ages 12 and younger) includes holiday light show and skate rental

Ice skating is just one of the things you can do at this outdoor winter wonderland experience that runs Thursday-Sunday through Dec. 30 (closed Dec. 24, 25 and 31). In addition to outdoor skating, you can take the holiday lights walk, visit with Santa and do some holiday shopping. There are food vendors on site.

Mitchell Park Ice Skating Rink

115 Front St., Greenport

INFO 631-477-2200, ext. 2, greenportvillage.com

ADMISSION $5 weekdays ($3 younger than 18), $10 weekends ($7 kids)

SKATE RENTAL $5

This outdoor rink in the middle of Mitchell Park has a view of Greenport Harbor. Available Thanksgiving weekend through February, it offers daily public sessions and off-hour rentals. Despite being the only ice rink on the North Fork, it is easy to find room on the ice during the week. Weekends get a little congested, but it is open from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. It also offers private and hockey lessons. There's no concession stand, but village shops and eateries are within walking distance.