Calvin Cheng

Very friendly neighbourhood outdoor skating rink.

I came here on a Sunday evening, and I had a terrific time on the ice. The rink was not crowded at all, so I had plenty of space to skate around without worrying about bumping into others. The quality of the ice wasn't perfect, but I certainly had no problem feeling comfortable and safe on the ice.

I particularly loved the atmosphere of this rink — given that it's a rink meant for residents of StuyTown, everyone on the rink was quite friendly. I was able to chat with some of the residents here, and I loved how this rink felt much more like a backyard casual rink compared to some of the larger outdoor ice rinks in the city.

One of the best ice skating rinks in the city — best to bring your own ice skates, if you can!

Of all the outdoor rinks in the city, this rink is probably the largest and best-maintained. Given that admission is free if you bring your own skates (but make sure to reserve early!), the price is unbeatable. Although the ice quality certainly depends on the weather/temperature, the rink staff generally do try their best to keep the ice in decent shape.

The only major warning is that this place gets VERY busy on weekends (especially evenings). Also, the rink staff often do not do the best job ensuring that everyone is skating safely, so make sure to be on the extra lookout for kids/beginners skating the wrong way. I have also seen many near-collisions due to more experienced skaters weaving through the crowds at dangerous speeds. This is the only reason I'm not comfortable rating this location 5 stars — I've seen many other rinks do a much better job fostering a safer skating atmosphere.

One of the better skate shops in the city.

I made a reservation for a skate fitting, and when I arrived one of the skate techs was happy to help size my feet and work with me to get me the right pair of skates for me.

I was generally quite happy with the service, and it seemed like everyone in the store was quite passionate about their job — I felt particularly comfortable trusting the staff here because they really focused on getting the right fit. I never felt that I was being upsold, and my skate fitter really worked to ensure that I was happy with my purchase. The skate sharpening was also done quite well.

I will certainly look to return here when I upgrade to another pair of skates!

I watched the New York Philharmonic perform here — this venue is spectacular.
The interior design is set up beautifully, and the acoustics of the hall allow the music to blend and project even to the back of the house.
The entrance to the venue is somewhat peculiar, but the staff did an amazing job guiding everyone to where they needed to be. The logistics of bag inspections, vaccine checks, and ticket scanning are one of the best I've encountered.
I would love to see another performance here!

Lovely intimate recital hall in a historic building.

I have been to many concerts at Carnegie Hall, but have always visited the large stage. This venue, on the other hand, is quite a bit smaller but just as elegant.

Walking into the hall feels like being transported into another atmosphere, and the acoustics of the room are also terrific.

I can't wait to see another performance here soon!