December has arrived which means winter is just around the corner. Temperatures are dropping and the air is feeling crisp, but that doesn’t mean we have to stay indoors… Grab your coat and ice skates, because the rinks are opening up in New Jersey for the Winter 2022-23 season! There are plenty of indoor rinks throughout the state, but this blog post will cover the best outdoor ice skating rinks to visit this winter in New Jersey!
NOTE: these rinks are outdoors or open-air facilities, which means most of them operate weather permitting. Please visit the websites, or call, before planning to visit. All of these spots offer skate rental, or you can bring your own skates.
NORTH JERSEY
The Rink at Bergen County Winter Wonderland
Address: Van Saun Park, 216 Forest Avenue, Paramus, NJ
Bergen County’s Winter Wonderland is held annually at Van Saun Park which is set within Paramus and River Edge, NJ. The Winter Wonderland includes a variety of winter festivities including a hockey-sized ice rink, food vendors, train rides and more. Tickets to visit the Winter Wonderland Friday-Sunday, and more information, can be found here. Admission to the Winter Wonderland including ice skating and skate rental on weekends is $20 (+ $1.99 fee) per person ages 3+ and also includes one carousel ride. If you are only interested in ice skating, then you can visit The Rink at Winter Wonderland on open skate days which can be found here. Tickets for the open skate are $10 (+ $1.49 fee) per person ages 3+, and give you one skate session for 90 minutes plus skate rentals if needed.
The Town of Secaucus Ice Skating Rink
Address: Buchmuller Park, 150 Plaza Center, Secaucus, NJ
Secaucus Recreation hosts a public ice skating rink at Buchmuller Park open from October-March. The rink is open Thursday-Sunday, and exact times and more information can be found here.
Newport Skates
Address: 95 River Dr S, Jersey City, NJ
Newport Skates is now open for the 2022-23 skate season! Hours are Mon-Fri: 4 PM-9 PM, Sat: 11 AM-9 PM, and Sun: 11 AM-7 PM. Tickets must be purchased online before visiting the rink and cost $8 per person plus $7 for skate rentals. Newport Skates has extended holiday hours on select days, and all information can be found on their website.
Charlie Heger (Pershing Field) Ice Skating Rink
Address: 800 Summit Avenue, Jersey City, NJ
The Charlie Heger (Pershing Field) Ice Skating Rink has not announced on their website yet that they are open for the 2022-23 season, but they are usually open by December. You can call 201-547-6886 for more information on if they are open before visiting. After reading some Google reviews of this place, that were written for the 2021-22 season, it appears this rink may not always be open. Definitely try to call before visiting, especially if it’s a long drive for you! This rink has a roof over top, but open walls, so it gives a partially indoor/outdoor vibe. The Pershing Field Rink offers discounted admission for Jersey City residents, and more information can be found on their website. It looks like admission, including skate rentals, is around $10 per person.
CENTRAL JERSEY
Roosevelt Park Family Skating Rink
Address: 151 Parsonage Rd, Edison, NJ
The Roosevelt Park Family Skating Rink is now open through March 26, 2023, weather permitting. Visitors come to this outdoor rink, that overlooks the beautiful Roosevelt Park Lake, to enjoy open skating, lessons, and even rink rentals. Admission is $6 per adult, and $5 per child 17 & under or per senior. Skate rentals are $5 and they also offer skate sharpening for $8. The rink is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and for more information on their exact schedule, read here.
Ice at Pier Village
Address: Festival Plaza, Pier Village, Centennial Dr, Long Branch, NJ
Dine, shop and skate your way around Pier Village in Long Branch this December through February! The Ice at Pier Village rink is officially opening December 2, 2022, weather permitting. Local shops and eateries are open year-round so there is plenty to do during your visit to Pier Village. A waiver must be signed and submitted prior to visiting the rink! Tickets for a 90 minute skate session can be purchased online and the cost varies per day/time selected. Prices range from roughly $10-$20+ per person depending on if you need rentals, when you go, and the promotion they are running for that day, if any. They offer skate rentals, or you can bring your own.
Skating On The Square Princeton
Address: 3 Palmer Square, Princeton, NJ
Skating On The Square is back in downtown Princeton for the 2022-23 season! Open skate at Palmer Square runs now through February 26, 2023. Tickets are sold at the DOOR ONLY, and they accept cash or card. Tickets are $10 per person cash, or $12 +fees per person credit, and include skate rentals if needed. Skaters must sign this electronic waiver prior to visiting in order to use the rink. Visit their website for more information on the 2022-23 schedule and hours.
Mercer County Ice Skating Center
Address: Mercer County Park, West Windsor, NJ
The Mercer County Ice Skating Center is an open-air ice skating facility with a roof over it, that allows skaters to visit despite the weather. In addition to skating, this facility offers a lounge area, cozy fireplace, and snack bar. They are open now through March 12, 2023. The Mercer County Ice Skating Rink offers public skate, senior skate (62+), and adult skate (21+) time slots. Their December 2022 calendar can be found here, followed by January 2023, February 2023, and March 2023 calendars. Check the calendar prior to visiting to plan your visit!
SOUTH JERSEY
WinterFest Ice Skating at Cooper River Park
Address: Cooper River Park, Cuthbert Blvd and Park Blvd, Cherry Hill, NJ
WinterFest Ice Skating at Cooper River Park is back in Cherry Hill, NJ! Skating is running now through February 26, 2023, and available Thursday-Sunday plus President’s Day. Rink Admission is $7.50 per person or $5.50 per child ages 5-12, seniors, and veterans. Skate rentals are $6, and they offer skate sharpening for $6.50. Visitors also have the option to purchase an unlimited skate pass for the season for $125 (skate rental not included).
Vintner Wonderland at Renault Winery
Address: 72 North Bremen Avenue, Egg Harbor City, NJ
The Vintner Wonderland at Renault is back, taking over the 5-acre lawn of the famous winery in Egg Harbor, weather permitting. The Vintner Wonderland features a festive village, live entertainment, local artisans, heated huts, fire pits, a food truck, a tree made of wine barrels and an ice skating rink! This rink is hosted by Flight on Ice, the same people who run the Ice at Pier Village rink. With that being said, they have a similar pricing structure where the admission cost to the rink varies by day and/or time. A full calendar and online tickets can be viewed/purchased here. Visitors must sign a waiver prior to visiting!
[…] New Jersey has plenty of rinks throughout the state open for public skating! During the winter months, you can skate on New Jersey’s beautiful outdoor rinks as a fun way to get out of the house. Check out my guide to outdoor ice skating rinks in NJ. […]