Hotels near Wollman Rink in Central Park

There is no permanent Christmas market inside Central Park itself, but if you search for a Central Park Christmas market, the experience you want is here: the Columbus Circle Holiday Market at the park's south-west gate and Wollman Rink a short walk inside. Wollman Rink sits in the southern part of Central Park, with the hotels of Central Park South and the towers of Billionaires' Row rising behind the ice.

Unlike the free rink at Bryant Park's Winter Village, Wollman Rink is ticketed, and prices rise at weekends and on holidays. Timed entry tickets and skate rental can be booked online, and the rink usually opens in late October and runs until March.

After skating, walk north along The Mall, the elm-lined promenade, or take a horse-drawn carriage ride for a classic winter view of the park.

Pro Tip: Book a weekday morning session, when tickets are cheaper and the ice is far less crowded. Combine it with the Columbus Circle Holiday Market in December for a half-day around the south end of Central Park.