8 best spots to roller skate in New York City

Once the winter months melt away and spring rolls around, New Yorkers swap ice skates for roller skates. New York City is home to lots of fun spots to roller skate, from funky roller discos to chill, laid-back rinks perfect for practice laps. Ahead, find some of the city’s best roller skating rinks, from the retro-themed Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace at Rockefeller Center to scenic skating in Prospect Park.

Image courtesy of Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace

Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace
The Rink at Rockefeller Center
Flipper’s is returning to the Rink at Rockefeller Center after a successful debut season. Designed by Bureau Betak, the retro-themed roller skating rink hosts weekly and seasonal programming, DJ sets, live music, and offers vintage-themed merchandise at its retail store. Flipper’s first opened in Los Angeles in 1978 and was open until 1981. During the short time it was in operation, the roller rink became known as “Studio 54 on wheels,” due to the high-profile celebrities who frequented the rink, including Elton John, Prince, and Cher. Flipper’s opening day is April 14. You can book a skating session here.

Image courtesy of The Standard, High Line

The Standard, High Line
848 Washington Street
The Standard, High Line hotel is hosting an immersive 1960s-themed roller skating rink as a seasonal activation this spring. The rink also includes a restaurant serving up french fries, hot dogs, nachos, fried chicken, and more. They will also offer wearable pouches so cocktails can be sipped as you round the rink. An assortment of old-school merchandise, including t-shirts, bandanas, and tube socks, will be on sale alongside a special collection of skates made by Brooklyn-based skate shop Five Stride. The rink opens for the season on April 12. Admission free is and skate rentals cost $10.

Riverbank State Park
679 Riverside Drive, Harlem
Riverbank State Park’s covered skating rink serves as an ice skating rink in the winter and a roller skating rink in the summer. The 28-acre park is elevated 69 feet above the Hudson River, giving parkgoers and skaters a vantage point for stunning views of the river, the Palisades, and the Washington Bridge. When you’re done skating, you should take a stroll around the park and take in the scenery. The park also offers an Olympic-sized pool, an athletic complex with a fitness center, and a 150-seat restaurant.

Image courtesy of Mike Shane

The Roller Wave
Atlantic Terminal Mall
In February, Brooklyn’s Atlantic Terminal Mall got its own roller skating rink. Founded by Harry Martin, the Roller Wave is a pop-up roller skating experience, with the Downtown Brooklyn rink is its first permanent location. The 24,000-square-foot venue has skating, live performances, DJs, food and drinks, and an arcade. The Roller Wave is open through June 4. You can find more information on the rink here.

Photo courtesy of Michael Moran

LeFrak Center at Lakeside
171 East Drive, Prospect Park
LeFrak Center at Lakeside is located within Prospect Park’s southeast corner, offering a skating rink that serves ice skaters in the winter and roller skaters in the warmer months. The Brooklyn rink is also home to Lola Star’s Dreamland Roller Rink, an immersive roller disco experience that takes place Friday nights in the fall. After you finish skating, you can grab a bite to eat and drink at the Bluestone Cafe at the Chase Pavilion, which features both indoor and outdoor dining.

Photo by Alexa Hoyer courtesy of Brooklyn Bridge Park

Pier 2 Roller Skating Rink
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 2 Roller Skating Rink offers public skating sessions with breathtaking views of Manhattan. Admission is free on Mondays and Fridays from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Every Friday, the rink hosts a themed skate night accompanied by music from a live DJ. In addition to roller skating, the rink hosts two hockey leagues for those looking to get competitive. The rink is a perfect destination for birthday parties, field trips, fundraisers, and any kind of celebratory event. The rink opens for the season on March 31. You can learn more about planning a visit here.

RollerJam USA
236 Richmond Valley Road, Staten Island
Staten Island’s RollerJam USA offers skating sessions for skaters of all ages and skill levels. RollerJam also hosts events like comedy nights, live music, boxing, fundraisers, flea markets, carnivals, and more. It’s also a popular spot for birthday parties and other celebrations. Adult sessions, for skaters ages 21 and over, are held every Saturday night. RollerJam features a full-service bar, making it the only roller rink in America with a full liquor license. You can purchase tickets here.

United Skates of America
80-00 Cooper Avenue, Atlas Park
Located in the center of Glendale’s Atlas Park, the United Skates of America offers a safe space for families to enjoy roller skating. They have lessons for skaters of all ages and skill levels. You can also book a birthday party or any kind of celebratory event at the rink. You can learn more about attending a session here.