NJ Ice Skating Rinks: The Best of Indoor and Outdoor Facilities

Looking for something fun to do with the whole family? Go ice skating! There are many rinks located all over NJ with some great activities and programs. Take a family lesson, play some hockey or just grab a hot chocolate and skate during a public session. Ice skating is an activity that will wear your kids out and help you burn calories from all that holiday food. Best of all – it’s fun! Here’s a listing of rinks by county for NJ families.

Hudson County

Newport Skates (Jersey City)
This outdoor rink is the perfect place to skate with kids. The rink is on the smaller side and pretty empty (or mostly kids) weekday afternoons. Due to damage sustained from Hurricane Sandy, the grand opening will be by Christmas. Check their Facebook page for up-to-date information on when exactly they will open for the 2012 – 2013 season. Skating lessons are available on Saturdays from 10am - 5pm and Sundays from 11am – 5pm. The rink’s hours are 4pm to 9pm on weekdays, 11am to 9pm on Saturday and school holidays and 11am to 7pm on Sundays. The rink is normally open on all holidays – Christmas Day and New Years Day included (click here for exact hours.) Admission is $7/Person. Skate rentals are $6. Check the website before going, because sometimes the rink closes for special events during regular skating hours. Season passes and group party rates are available.

Pershing Field Ice Rink (Jersey City)
The rink is outdoors, but covered, which means you can skate in all types of weather. Plus, it’s quiet and very affordable. Public hours are Monday through Tuesday 3:30pm - 4:45pm and Wednesday through Thursday 3:30pm - 6pm. Friday offers two sessions: 3:30pm - 5:45pm and 6pm - 7:45pm. There are four sessions on Saturday: 12:45pm - 2pm, 2:15pm - 4pm, 4:15pm - 6pm and 6:30pm - 7:45pm. Sunday offers two sessions: 12:15pm - 2pm and 2:15pm - 4:45pm. Admission is $3/Resident adults and $5/Non-resident adults, $1.50/Resident kids and $3/Non-resident kids. Skate rentals are just $2.50. Call (201) 547-4392 to confirm the schedule.

Richard J. Korpi Ice Rink (Bayonne)
This indoor rink is home to the Bayonne Rangers. It offers lessons, hockey and group rentals. Public skating is offered Friday from 5:45pm - 7pm, Saturday from 2:15pm - 3:30pm and 6:45pm - 8pm and Sunday from 2pm - 3:15pm. Admission is $5/Adult residents, $3/Kid residents and $6/Non-residents. Skate rentals are $4. As Bayonne High School hockey games may sometimes affect the times, please call (201) 858-5850 to confirm the schedule.

Secaucus Ice Rink (Secaucus)
Skate with Santa on Sunday, December 16 at 3pm. This ice rink is located in Buchmuller Park at 1203 Paterson Plank Road in Seacaucus. Call (201) 330-2078 for public skating and rental information.

Bergen County

Ice House (Hackensack)
Known for training skating stars like Sarah Hughes, Tara Lipinski, Oksana Baiul and Sasha Cohen, Ice House is the largest skating facility in the tri-state area, with four large rinks, a full-service food court, a Starbucks and arcade rooms. Ice House also offers ice skating lessons and skating camps. Public skating is offered weekends from 1pm to 6pm and Saturday night 8pm to 10pm. Admission is $9/Adults and $8/Kids 11 and under. Skate rentals are $4. However, what makes this rink most popular among the teenagers is the Friday night Skate Jam, when from 9:30pm to midnight, the Ice House brings out a DJ, laser lights and smoke machines. Admission is $20/Person including skate rental.

Fritz Dietl Ice Rink (Westwood)
A popular neighborhood skating destination, this rink has a cozy size and family atmosphere. The rink offers skating year-round. Figure skating lessons, hockey ice rentals and parties are available. Public skating is currently offered Monday through Friday 3:30pm to 5:30pm and weekends 1pm to 3pm. Admission is $10/Person for a two hour session. Skate rentals are $3. Call the message board at (201) 666-9883 for the new winter schedule.

Ice Vault Arena (Wayne)
The home arena to the Federal Hockey League’s New Jersey Outlaws, this full-service rink also offers lessons, adult open hockey, hockey programs, birthday parties and a pro shop. Public skating is available on certain weekdays and weekends. The schedule changes weekly, so be sure to click here for an updated schedule. Admission is $9/Adults and $8/Kids. Skate rentals are $4. Savings cards are available for 10-sessions for the price of $80/Adults and $70/Kids.

Union County

Union Sports Arena (Union)
Featured on Bethenny Ever After, this arena afforded the reality star with an unforgettable Napoleon Dynamite-like instructor. Union Sports Arena is great for family outings, skating lessons, parties, event hosting and hockey. The “living room café” is open daily and offers hot beverages, snacks, big comfy couches, free WiFi and DirecTV. Public skating is offered Monday through Friday from noon to 1:30pm, Friday evenings from 7:30pm to 9pm and weekends from 12:30pm to 2pm, with a Saturday evening skate from 8:30pm to 10pm. Admission is $8/Person and a 10-session pass will cost you $65. Skate rentals are $4.

Warinanco Ice Skating Center (Roselle)
Located in Warinanco Park, this ice rink is celebrating its 51^st skating season. Come here for lessons, hockey clinics, special events and more. Public skating is available Tuesday from 12:30pm to 2:30pm, Wednesday 10am to noon, Thursday 12:30pm to 2:30pm. Friday offers four sessions: 10am to noon, 3:30pm to 5:30pm, 6pm to 8pm and 8:30pm to 10:30pm. Saturday affords three sessions: 10:30am to 12:30pm, 1pm to 3pm and 8:30pm to 10:30pm. Sunday has three sessions: 1pm to 3pm, 3:30pm to 5:30pm and 8:30pm to 10:30pm. Extra holiday sessions have been added, please click here  for the holiday schedule. Admission is $5/Adults and $4/Kids 17 and under. Skate rentals are $3. Discount cards are available to Union County residents.

Essex County

Clary Anderson Arena (Montclair)
This rink has it all, including skating lessons, hockey clinics and birthday parties. The rink offers public skating Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday from noon - 2pm. Thursday afternoon skating is from noon – 2pm and 4:30pm - 6pm. Friday sessions are from noon - 2pm and 9pm – 11pm, Saturday 3pm – 5pm and 9pm - 10:45pm and Sunday 2pm – 4pm. Admission is $6/Person and skate rentals are $4. Season passes are available for Montclair residents in the amount of $115 and non-residents for $200. You can also opt for a ten-ticket pass for $55. The rink is open from September through May.

Richard J. Codey Arena at South Mountain (West Orange)
This ice rink is part of the Essex County Park System. The arena was renovated in 2005 and features meeting rooms, a concession stand, pro shop and arcade. Public skating is available daily. The schedule changes monthly, so be sure to click here to download a schedule. Admission is $7/Adults and $5/Kids. Skate rentals are $4.

Atlantic County

Flyers Skate Zone (Atlantic City)
Located in “America’s Playground,” Flyers Skate Zone has skating seven days a week. Hockey camps and clinics, leagues, figure skating, lessons, a snack zone and pro shop are all available. Public skating times are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:15am to 10:45am, Friday from 8pm to 10pm and weekends 12:30pm to 2:30pm. Admission is $8/Person for afternoon and evening sessions and $5/Person for morning sessions. Skate rentals are $3.

Burlington County

The Igloo (Mt. Laurel)
In 2002 this ice skating rink underwent a major renovation, which resulted in amenities such as a pro shop, snack bar and arcade. The rink is available for skating, hockey, parties and private rentals. The public skating schedule changes monthly, so be sure to click here to access the latest information. Admission is $8/Adults and $4/Kids five and under. Skate rentals are just $2.

Gloucester County

Hollydell Ice Arena (Sewell)
Figure skating, lessons and hockey are offered. Plus, there is an Olympic size rink and an NHL size rink available. There is a pro shop on-location. Public skating sessions are available weekdays from noon - 1:30pm, Friday and Saturday evenings from 8pm - 10pm and weekend afternoons from 1:30pm - 2:45pm and 3pm - 4:15pm. Admission is $6.75/Session and $11/Double session on weekdays and weekend afternoons and skate rentals are $2.25. Friday and Saturday evenings are $9/Session and skate rentals are $3.

Hunterdon County

Aspen Ice (Flemington)
This center is a full-sized NHL ice rink offering lessons, hockey, parties and more. It is open year-round and includes a pro shop on-site. Public skating is offered daily and times changes weekly. Click here for the weekly schedule. Admission is $8/Adults and $6/Kids under 12. Skate rentals/walkers are $3. Friday night FunSkate is $8/Person.

Mercer County

Mercer County Skating Center (West Windsor)
This center spans five acres in Mercer County Park. It is an “open-air, sheltered skating facility.” Lessons, hockey, leagues and birthday parties are offered. The public schedule can be found here. Admission is $8/Adults 12 and over and $6/Kids 11 and under and seniors. Skate rentals are only $2.

Middlesex County

Roosevelt Park Family Ice Rink (Edison)
Enjoy the refreshing outdoors! This rink is open for public skating Wednesday through Friday from 5pm - 9pm. Saturdays offer three sessions: 11am - 1:30pm, 2pm - 5pm and 6pm - 9pm. There are two sessions available on Sundays: noon - 3pm and 4pm - 7pm. The rink runs on a Saturday schedule the week between Christmas and New Year’s, and has limited hours on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Admission is $6/Adults and $5/Kids 17 and under. Skate rentals are $5. Kids under 7 are required to wear a helmet. Open through March 31, 2013.

The Arenas at Woodbridge (Woodbridge)
This rink has it all – ice skating, in-line skating and roller skating! Remember to sign up for the email club for monthly coupons and specials. The Arenas hosts ice skating birthday parties with options like pizza, chicken nuggets and Carvel ice cream cakes. It also offers a Dynamic Party Package, which features both ice and roller skating. Figure skating, ice skating and roller skating lessons are offered. Public ice skating is offered Friday from 8:30pm - 10:30pm for $8/Kid, Saturday from 1:45pm - 3:15pm for $7/Kid and 8:30pm - 10:30pm for $8/Kid and Sunday from 1pm – 2:30pm for $7/Kid. Adult skating is $1 additional to the listed admission fees and skate rentals are $4. Children must be four years and up to ice skate.

Monmouth County

Red Bank Armory Ice Complex (Red Bank)
This ice complex offers public skating, open hockey times, lessons, leagues, training, parties and various activities through the winter months. There is also a pro shop available on-site. The early winter 2012 public skating schedule is Friday 8pm - 10pm and weekends 1:15pm - 2:45pm. Admission is $9/Adults and $8/Kids 12 and under. Skate rentals are $4.

Morris County

Mennan Sports Arena (Morristown)
This sports arena offers skating year-round. Group lessons, hockey clinics, figure skating clubs and parties are just some of what Mennan Sports Arena provides. On New Year’s Eve, don’t miss the seventh annual Snowball Classic. Public skating is available Monday through Sunday 10am - noon, Tuesday through Friday 3:30pm - 5:30pm, and weekends 2pm - 4pm. Admission is $6/All ages Monday through Friday (day) and weekends, evenings and holidays $7/All ages. Skate rentals are $3.50. Public skating is offered through June 16, 2013.

Ocean County

Ocean Ice Palace (Brick)
New Jersey film buffs may remember this ice rink from Kevin Smith’s 1997 film Chasing Amy. The Ice Palace offers clinics, lessons, leagues, summer camps, parties, tournaments and open stick time. Public skating sessions are Saturday from 2:10pm - 4:10pm and Sunday from 1pm – 2:30pm. Friday nights with DJ Mark are from 8:30pm to 10:30pm. Admission is $7/Person and skate rentals are $3. Holiday skating hours can be found here.

Passaic County

Floyd Hall Arena (Little Falls)
With public skating sessions, freestyle skating, open hockey, leagues, lessons, adult programs and group outings and birthday parties – this rink has it all. Public skating is offered throughout the week, with more sessions during the holidays and adult skating sessions at night. Click here for the current schedule. Admission is $7/Adults and $6/Kids. DJ skate is $9/Person. Skate rentals are $4. Open hockey is $13/Person.

Somerset County

Protec Hockey Ponds Ice Center (Somerset)
This state-of-the-art facility provides lessons and activities in hockey, ice skating and more. A full-service café is available, as well as a pro shop. They even offer a Girl Scout badge day, for those in need of a skating patch to fill out their vest. Public skating is offered Friday 8:45pm - 10:15pm and weekends noon - 2pm. Click here for a list of dates. Admission is $7/Adults and $6/Kids. Skate rentals are $4. For $45 you can purchase a family 4-pack, which includes four admission tickets, four skate rentals, four 20 oz. drinks and one eight slice pizza.

Sussex County

Skylands Ice World (Stockholm)
This family-friendly rink is the perfect place to beat the cold weather. Skating camps, hockey and parties are offered. Skating lessons are available for all levels from preschool to adults. In fact, the parent and tot classes are offered for children and their caregivers during weekday hours. Public skating is offered daily in the afternoons and two sessions are offered on the weekends. Click here for the current schedule. Admission is $9/Kids ages 13-and-up and $7/Kids 13-and-under. Skate rentals are $3, as are helmet rentals. The Jam is an evening skate on Fridays at 8:30pm boasting music, lights and a “safe, club-like atmosphere.” Admission to the Jam is $15/Person. Skylands also offers a pro shop, an arcade, a kids’ playzone, and a full snack bar (because what is skating without hot chocolate?).

Warren County

Chill Out Sports Arena (Hackettstown)
This rink, located in Hackettstown, offers public skating Monday, Wednesday and Friday from noon to 2pm. Saturday offers two sessions from noon to 2pm and 8pm to 10pm. Sunday has one session from 2:30pm to 3:45pm. There is no website, so call (908) 684-1161 for more information.