Winter Magic Awaits at Domino Square—Williamsburg’s Newest Ice Skating Rink | Mommy Poppins

A new ice-skating rink with stunning riverfront views is drawing families to Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Skate at Domino Park debuted in early December and offers ice skating fun through the middle of March. Situated atop of Domino Square, a newly completed section of Domino Park, the icy attraction is drawing families from both sides of the East River and beyond.

Read on for our full review of this brand-new ice skating rink in NYC and find more places to skate on our list of the best outdoor ice skating rinks in NYC .

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Skate at Domino Park has waterfront views of the Manhattan skyline and family-friendly ice skating options.

First Impressions of Skate at Domino Park

My son, Noah, and I rode the bus from our corner of Brooklyn to Williamsburg and walked downhill to the Domino Park rink on a mild December weekend. Noah is 8 and has only skated a handful of times. He had a blast as we glided and stumbled around in counterclockwise circles.

At 7,000 square feet, the rink is about the same size as the one at Rockefeller Center—but with far fewer tourists. The shimmering East River takes the place of a certain glittering Norway spruce. The Manhattan skyline, three iconic bridges, and Lady Liberty in the distance make for quite an eyeful.

“It’s very scenic,” said Alice Lin, a Brooklyn mom. “The sun setting and the view of the river—the view is what’s capturing me.”

Alice’s little boy, Axel, grinned nonstop as she pushed him across the ice with the help of a penguin-shaped skate aid. Axel’s dad, Tommy Chen, said it was an awesome first ice skating experience for their son.

“It’s incredible to see all the smiling faces,” said Mike Lampariello, director of Domino Park. “We’ve been planning it for many years, so it’s really exciting to see it come to fruition.”

Our family has relished summertime trips to Domino Park since it opened in 2018 on the site of the former Domino Sugar refinery. The ice rink has turned the park into a winter destination, with discounts for NYC residents to sweeten the deal.

Brooklyn mom Evelyn Polanco brought her son, Peter, to the rink to celebrate his fifth birthday. Evelyn is nine months pregnant and stayed on solid ground while Peter skated with his 10-year-old cousin, Nashla, and his 12-year-old stepsister, Alexandra. It was the first time ice skating for all three children.

“It’s really fun to skate,” Nashla said. “It hurts when you fall, though!”

RELATED: 37 Things To Do in Williamsburg, Brooklyn with Kids

Skate at Domino Park offers public skating, themed events, and private rentals.

A group of three girls laughed and squealed as they skated hand-in-hand. They live in Williamsburg and have already visited the new rink multiple times.

“It’s just really fun to ice skate, and they have really good music,” said 10-year-old Matilda Smith as she leaned on the side of rink with her buddies, Sloane Essig and Hazel Solis, both 9. Their parents were equally enthusiastic to discover a new winter activity close to home.

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Every Wednesday, the rink offers family days with half-priced admission and skate rentals.

Hours and Tickets for Skate Domino Park

The ice rink is open daily. Visit the website for current hours and to book your 75-minute skating session in advance.

Weekend admission is $22/person ($16 for NYC residents). Weekdays are $18/person ($12 for New Yorkers). Wednesdays are half-price. Skate rentals are an additional $12 ($6 on Wednesdays).

Insider Tips for Visiting Skate at Domino Park’s Ice Rink

• Bring your own skates or wear thick socks. Like the rink, the rental skates are brand new and not broken-in yet.
• Bundle up! It tends to be extra windy by the water.
• There are a limited number of skate aids available for an extra fee.
• There are no concessions on-site, so pack a thermos of hot cocoa or hit up a local restaurant to warm up after your session.
• The ice is resurfaced at 10:15am, 11:45am, 1:15pm, 2:45pm, 4:15pm, 5:45pm, and 7:15pm. If your session overlaps with a resurfacing, 15 minutes will be added to your skating time.

Photos by the author