Skaters take to the ice at night at Bryant Park rink (photo by twi-ny/mdr)
Citi Pond at Bryant Park is open for the fall/winter season, which runs through February 26. It’s free to skate, with rentals $14, locks $9, and bag check $7-$10, Sunday through Thursday from 8:00 in the morning to 10:00 at night, extended to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Before or after hitting the ice, you can grab a drink at the Celsius club and do some early holiday shopping at the dozens of booths that circle the rink, selling hats, gloves, scarves, and sweaters, warmers, handmade jewelry, chocolate, hot apple cider, and many other items. Among the upcoming special events are caroling on November 23 at noon and the tree-lighting ceremony on November 29 at 7:00. In addition, Bryant Park is participating in the New York Cares Coat Drive, so be sure to go through your closet and donate a new or gently used winter jacket for someone who doesn’t have that kind of choice to make.