If you’re not coordinated enough for ice skating, there’s a new way to enjoy the rink at Bryant Park’s Winter Village: ice bumper cars.
For the first time, the Bank of America Winter Village has brought a dozen zoomy ice bumper cars to its Olympic-sized rink. Driven by joysticks, you don’t even need to be of age to drive an ice bumper car, just over 7 years old, at least 42 inches tall and under 300 lbs.
While skating at the rink remains free (if you BYO skates, otherwise it’s $20 to rent them), the bumper cars are $15 for 10 minutes of driving time — which should be just enough to rattle your teeth.
The bumper cars are available Mon-Wed from noon-5 p.m. Thurs-Sun from 2-8 p.m. through Feb. 24, and can be reserved online at wintervillage.org at least 24 hours in advance.
More to do at Winter Village at Bryant Park
The bumper cars arrived as part of Bryant Park’s week-long FrostFest, going on through Sunday, Feb. 3 with special events including the annual prom on skates known as Ice Ball (Jan. 30), a Skating Showcase (Feb. 1) headlined by Johnny Weir, and a Kilt Skate (Feb. 2) hosted by the American-Scottish Foundation.
While the marketplace of Christmas gifts and outdoor food vendors has been mostly packed up for the season, you can still relax rinkside at The Lodge, Urbanspace’s lux indoor food hall with a champagne bar and 11 vendors, including Mah-Ze-Dahr bakery and the Pierogi Boys.
Or have a wintry picnic in the park inside several new giant igloos, a plush version of the ones on the roof of 230 Fifth and the two Arlo hotels. It’ll cost you though: A 90-minute session including drinks and snacks for four is $250.
The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park and the ice rink will remain open through March 3.
