Recent plunging temperatures served to remind us that, yes, it is winter. And those frigid temps also meant that many local ponds and lakes opened for ice skating. (Check local sites before heading out to make sure the ice is safe!) We've also got a few other icy suggestions for winter fun when the thermometer starts to drop, but some are going to involve a road trip!
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Check out ice castles
Check out the life-size frozen playground includes ice-carved slides, tunnels, fountains, crawl spaces, caverns, and intricately carved ice thrones at Ice Castles at Lake George. At night, color-changing LED lights embedded in the ice create a beautiful glow.
Tickets, which range from $15-$27 per person are on sale atwww.icecastles.com/new-york.Hours are weather dependent so check website. Ice Castles is closed on Tuesdays. It will remain open at least through Feb. 21, but may extend into March, depending on the weather. Go:Charles R. Wood Park, 19 W. Brook Road, Lake George. Parking is located on W. Brook Road. There are several parking spots located along the street directly in front of Festival Commons, where Ice Castles is located. Additional parking lots are located to the north of Ice Castles and across Brook Road. For tickets and more info, go toicecastles.com/new-york
Or ice racing
Greenwood Lake's annual Winter Carnival will take place Feb. 18-20.There's lots to do outdoors including food trucks, music, snow tubing, fireworks and ice racing. It's held at Thomas P. Morahan Waterfront Park.5-11 p.m. Friday;11-11 Saturday, Sunday. Admission is $10. Go: 7 Windermere Ave., Greenwood Lake. For more info, go to GWLWinterCarnival on Facebook.
Kick back at an ice bar
Lake George has several ice bars, which are literally made out of ice. Any would be a great place to enjoy a hot toddy during Ice Castles, or during Lake's George's Winter Carnival which takes place every Saturday and Sunday through February. The Glacier Ice Bar is located at the Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing; The Funky Ice Fest is at the Adirondack Brewery in Lake George Village, there's the Forest Ice Bar at the Holiday Inn. Find a complete list at visitlakegeorge.com/blog/coolest-ice-bars.
Go ice skating
With the recent frigid temperatures, many local lakes and ponds have opened for skating. Before heading out onto any ice, check with your town to see if skating is allowed. These skatingrinks are another options:
Westchester
Ebersole Ice Rink at Delfino Park, White Plains:Public skate sessions with some set aside for White Plains residents only with proof of ID. Masks are required on and off the ice and social distancing will be in effect.104 Lake St., White Plains; 914-422-1390;cityofwhiteplains.com/358/Ebersole-Ice-Rink
Edward J. Murray MemorialSkatingCenter, Yonkers:Public skating sessions at this renovated rink are offered throughout the week. 348 Tuckahoe Road.
Yonkers, 914-377-6469;yonkersny.gov
Hommocks Park Ice Rink, Mamaroneck:Public skating sessions daily except Wednesday. Boston Post Road andWeaver St., Mamaroneck,914-834-1069. Go totownofmamaroneckny.org/296/Public-Skatingfor more info.
Putnam
Brewster Ice Arena, Brewster: This is a bustling place with leagues, lessons and more. There are many public skate sessions available, but the schedule and skate surfaceis subject to change, so for up-to-date information, call 845-279-2229, ext. 10 before heading out. 63 Fields Lane, Brewster; 845-279-2229; For more info go to brewstericearena.com.
Rockland/Orange
Bear Mountain Ice Rink, Tomkins Cove:This is the next best think to skating on a frozen pond: It's an open air rink open for public skate sessions Friday through Sunday through March. Masks and social distancing are required upon entering the building. Lockers are not available, bring a bag for belongings. Skate rentals are available. Parking fee and admission fee enforced. Sessions are 90 minutes each session.3020 Seven Lakes Drive, Tomkins Cove; 845-786-2701, bearmountainicerink.org
Ole Savannah, Kingston: Have dinner, then go for a spin. Ole Savannah Southern Table and Bar at 100 Rondout Landing in Kingston added the Rondout Ice Rink to its menu. It is open to thepublic and dining in at the restaurant is not required to skate.The rink is located outside the restaurant where the outdoor dining tent was throughout the spring, summer and fall. Open thruFebruary,Monday-Friday 4-9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. 100 Roundout Landing, Kingston,olesavannah.com/rondout-ice-rink-at-ole-savannah/
Dutchess
McCann Arena, Poughkeepsie:Each public session's capacity is limited so be sure to check the website before heading out. Registration for skating is required. 14 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie; 845-454-5800;midhudsonciviccenter.org/public-skating.
Bowdoin Park, Wappingers Falls:The park's ice rink is open when conditions are right. Reach out to the park's Winter Hotline for rink updates.Go:85 Sheafe Road, Wappingers Falls; 845-298-4607;facebook.com/DutchessCoGov/posts/the-ice-skating-rink
Manhattan
Winter Village at Bryant Park:Contactless online booking is required for rink reservations as capacity is limited. Masks are required. The rink is open daily. For all skate times, visitbryantpark.org. Admission is free; rentals are extra. Go:Bryant Park, New York;bryantpark.org
Karen Croke is the features editor for lohud.com and poughkeepsiejournal.com. Find my stories here.Reach me at kcroke1@lohud.com
