Winter in the city is one of the best times of the year, and what better way to witness the flourishing surroundings first hand than to visit some of the most well-known ice rinks. Here’s six of the best, and most unusual ice-skating rinks that should definitely be on everyone's list of tourist attractions.

  • 1

    Rockefeller Center Ice Rink

    New York, NY

    The Rockefeller Center Ice Rink is a true American icon. Located in Midtown Manhattan, the rink has been featured in countless movies, and is perhaps one of the most famous ice-skating rinks in the world. You can carve out your figure eights beneath 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the home of GE and NBC, and the crowds of tourists who’ve come to snap a few thousand photos.

    Mario Tama, Getty Images
    Mario Tama, Getty Images
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  • 2

    Pershing Square

    Los Angeles, CA

    On America’s West Coast, you’ll find Pershing Square, another urban ice-skating rink surrounded by tall buildings. What sets it apart from Rockefeller Center are the palm trees that encircle the square. LA’s largest ice rink is especially fun to visit at night, with the city is all lit up and glowing around you.

    Ray from LA, Flickr
    Ray from LA, Flickr
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  • 3

    Common Frog Pond

    Boston, MA

    The Common Frog Pond is a Boston gem, with great skating available in one of the country’s oldest public parks. You can skate by day or skate by night, thanks to the abundance of street lamps covering the area. When your toes grow cold, warm up in the Frog Pond Café and chow down on some tasty Belgian Waffles.

    lumierefl, Flickr
    lumierefl, Flickr
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  • 4

    Art Sculpture Garden Rink

    Washington DC

    In the nation’s capital, you can skate, listen to music, and take in huge sculptures all at the same time. The Art Sculpture Garden Rink is located in the National Mall, and offers views of some America’s most emblematic monuments and museums, as well as lots of space on the ice to strut your stuff.

    Erman Akdogan, Flickr
    Erman Akdogan, Flickr
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  • 5

    Polar Ice Galleria

    Houston, TX

    The biggest shopping mall in Texas offers one of the biggest indoor skating rinks around. The Polar Ice Galleria is open all year long. So even if the sun is cooking outside, you can still escape onto the ice and cool down. In addition to cutting leisurely loops across the rink, you can also sign up for skating lessons, or take part in an invigorating game of broomball (it’s a bit like hockey). With 20,000 square feet of ice, you’ll find plenty of room to keep you happy.

    a rancid amoeba, Flickr
    a rancid amoeba, Flickr
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  • 6

    Leon Black Family Ice Rink

    Beaver Creek, CO

    When you skate here, you'll be surrounded by ski chalets and hotels, and some dramatic mountain scenery. In the summer, most come simply to skate, but the winter offering both skating and skiing. When the stars come out at night, you’ll be enthralled by the heavenly spectacle.

    Andy Peters, Flickr
    Andy Peters, Flickr
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