New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [313]
Contact Information New York Giants (201/935–8222 for tickets | www.giants.com). New York Jets (800/469–5387 for tickets | www.newyorkjets.com).
ICE SKATING
The outdoor rink in Rockefeller Center, open from October through early April, is much smaller in real life than it appears on TV and in movies. It’s also busy, so be prepared to wait—there are no advance ticket sales. Although it’s also beautiful, especially when Rock Center’s enormous Christmas tree towers above it, you pay for the privilege: rates are $15.50–$19 and skate rentals are $12.
The city’s outdoor rinks, open from roughly November through March, all have their own character. Central Park’s beautifully situated Wollman Rink offers skating until long after dark beneath the lights of the city. Be prepared for daytime crowds on weekends. The Lasker Rink, at the north end of Central Park, is smaller and usually less crowded than Wollman. Chelsea Piers’ Sky Rink has two year-round indoor rinks overlooking the Hudson. Rentals are available at all rinks. The Pond at Bryant Park offers free skating, not including the cost of skate rental, from late October through February, from 8 am to 10 pm from Sunday through Thursday and from 8 am to midnight Friday and Saturday.
Contact Information Bryant Park (6th Ave. between 40th and 42nd Sts., Midtown West | 10036 | 212/768–4242 | www.thepondatbryantpark.com | Subway: B, D, F to 42nd St.). Lasker Rink (Midpark near E. 106th St., Central Park | 10026 | 917/492–3857 | www.wollmanskatingrink.com | Subway: B, C to 103rd St.). Rockefeller Center (50th St. at 5th Ave., lower plaza, Midtown West | 10020 | 212/332–7654 | www.therinkatrockcenter.com | Subway: B, D, F to 47th–50th Sts./Rockefeller Center; E, V to 5th Ave.–53rd St.). Sky Rink (Pier 61, W. 23rd St. at the Hudson River, Chelsea | 10011 | 212/336–6100 | www.chelseapiers.com | Subway: C, E to 23rd St.). Wollman Rink (North of 6th Ave. entrance, between 62nd and 63rd Sts., north of park entrance | 10025 | 212/439–6900 | www.wollmanskatingrink.com) | Subway: A, B, C, D, 1 to 59th St./Columbus Circle).
JOGGING
All kinds of New Yorkers jog, some with dogs or babies in tow, so you’ll always have company on the regular jogging routes. What’s not recommended is to set out on a lonely park path at dusk. Jog when and where everybody else does. On Manhattan streets, roughly 20 north–south blocks make a mile.
In Manhattan, Central Park is the busiest spot, specifically along the 1.6-mi path circling the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, where you jog in a counterclockwise direction. A runners’ lane has been designated along the park roads. A good 1.75-mi route starts at the former Tavern on the Green (now closed) along the West Drive, heads south around the bottom of the park to the East Drive, and circles back west on the 72nd Street park road to your starting point; the entire loop road is a hilly 6 mi. Riverside Park, along the Hudson River bank in Manhattan, is glorious at sunset. You can cover 4.5 mi by running from West 72nd to 116th Street and back, and the Greenbelt trail extends 4 more mi north to the George Washington Bridge at 181st Street. Other favorite Manhattan circuits are the Battery Park City esplanade (about 2 mi), which connects to the Hudson River Park (about 1.5 mi), and the East River Esplanade (just over 3 mi from East 63rd to East 125th streets).
STUDENTS IN NEW YORK
New York is home to such major schools as Columbia University, New York University, Fordham University, and the City College of New York. With other colleges scattered throughout the five boroughs, as well as a huge population of public and private high-schoolers, it’s no wonder the city is rife with student discounts. Wherever you go, especially museums, sightseeing attractions, and performances, identify yourself as a student up front and ask if a discount is available. However, be prepared to show your ID as proof of enrollment and/or age.
A great program made available to children between the ages