Empire State Plaza Skating Rink
Albany (Albany County)
Why we love it
Each winter, Empire State Plaza turns into Empire Skate Plaza, Albany’s answer to the rink at Manhattan’s Rockefeller Center. Practicing your figure eights upstate will cost you less — in fact, admission is free — while the ambience (but not the hordes) compares favorably. With each revolution, you’ll enjoy views of some cool buildings, including our state’s imposing, red-roofed capitol and one of New York’s true architectural oddities — the aptly-named Egg. No skates? No problem. Rentals are available for a small fee.
More to explore
The concourse beneath Empire State Plaza features a world-class collection of works by New York artists, while the nearby New York State Museum features fascinating exhibits — from a full-scale Iroquois longhouse to a working carousel.
Highlights
- Free ice skating (rentals available for a small fee)
- Interesting surrounding architecture
Directions, hours, etc.: https://empirestateplaza.ny.gov/
