Crash in Bryant Park With Bumper Cars on Ice
- Savvy Single Mama
- May 27
- 10 min read
Is it too soon to get excited about the Winter Wonderland Event that has everyone looking forward to January? Bryant Park has hosted Bumper Cars on Ice for the past several seasons, and it's quickly become a NYC favorite.
The Bank of America Winter Village is known for free admission ice skating, holiday shops with food vendors, fun gifts and souvenirs, home made goods, and all the holiday decor for creating the mood. The crowd here is vibrant and upbeat with an array of activities here not entirely unique to NYC. Then they added the igloos. Great touch. Next to be added to the fun, a Curling Cafe and Bar. Even better. And once the bumper cars on ice debuted, the word spread like wildfire, or maybe it's freezing cold equivalent. But the jury is out: This is the best of the Winter Wonderland options.
Here's everything you need to know to make this event a successful part of your NYC experience.
I am not affiliated with any of these businesses, these are my personal opinions, and as a New York Native and part time resident I make it my business to try out the options.
Location Location Location!
Bryant Park is centrally located half a mile from either the Empire State Building, or Rockefeller Center, and this Midtown Manhattan Park is easy to get to. The New York Public Library’s main branch is its own major attraction here. As a free landmark well-known for resilient marble lions outside welcoming, or perhaps guarding the premises. The lions are named Patience and Fortitude, and have been featured in many movies creating a bit of a pop culture connection.
The New York Public Library:
Inside, the building becomes surreal. I walk in and immediately think – who built this? Was this all really for holding books? I know about protecting paper from fire being a thing but WOW! Built from 1897 - 1911 and the largest marble building at the time, it's still impressive. The Beaux-Arts masterpiece is architecturally amazing. Walking in really feels more like entering a palace than a library. Aside from having free public restrooms (a commodity in NYC) the NYPL has books. Tons of books! Free Wi-Fi, lots of reading materials as well as events make this a great place to get out of the elements. Need air conditioning? Heat? A roof over head? Open to the public is a beautiful thing on this 5th Avenue hub.
If you’d like to check out some cool artifacts, Charles Dicken’s manuscripts, the handwritten Declaration of Independence and a Gutenberg Bible (only 49 are known to exist) are a few of the iconic pieces that can be seen on your visit. There’s lots of seating, good benches and places to gather your thoughts whether coming to read or just passing through. Detailed maps of NYC dating back to the 1600’s are here, as well as over 20,000 atlases if you’re into that. But the must see here is on the top floor, the Rose Room ceiling is just one of those things you have to see to believe.
The Rose Room: The size of a football field, this 300-foot long 52-foot-high room can comfortably seat 600 readers who may sit at the long oak tables. Spanning the entire length of the third floor, the ceiling is painted with cerulean skies and big puffy clouds which come to life. Large murals and bronze extravagant chandeliers glow warmly, inviting you in to stay a while.
Once you have your full of the Library, it’s time to venture into the Park outside… Bryant Park❄️
Located on the corners of 5th Ave and 43nd Street this massive park borders 40th Street and 6th Avenue as well. Always a great spot to watch the sun set as the magnificent colors of twilight dance upon the Chrysler Building and the lighting of NYC turns up.
Bryant Park any time of year is a hot spot. Local activities make this a constant. Not just any green space, Bryant offers lots of opportunities for culture and connection through food (vendors and kiosks), entertainment (movies under the stars and performances), and even fitness classes like yoga! Pretty landscaping and a striking contrast between nature and concrete are the norm, and this bubble of trees is much appreciated. Usable green space which hosts a variety of events year round, check out Bryant Park on your visit to see what's happening!
While the Winter Village occurs over several months from October - March, the Bumper Cars on Ice event typically opens from January - March. This means those post-holiday visitors have something unique to look forward to! Winter keeps chilling long after the lights, trees and menorahs come down. I love that there are different vibes to the Winter Village, and it adapts to the needs of the visitor, with changes in menus, and events.
The Winter Wonderland of Bryant Park is a special place for the holidays.
Let’s get into the mood for some bumper cars on ice!
We all know the Holidays season runs from Black Friday to the end of January in NYC right? In fact many store fronts are decorating for Christmas long before Thanksgiving even begins! That 5th Avenue Magic is a real sight to behold. Walking through it can be overwhelming, especially the week between Christmas and New Years. Trying to get into the Rockefeller Plaza for photos of the Tree and to explore all of the magnificent sights is jammed! No one does Xmas like NYC. I strongly recommend everyone do it at least once.
BUT… should you be visiting from October - March, and want to continue in the festivities, beyond the Rockefeller Tree, Bryant Park is ready to greet you with a smile. And to be honest, it’s waaaay more my speed and style. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still crowded, especially in that main week between Christmas and New Years, but it’s so nicely spaced and set up which makes it easier (in my opinion) to really enjoy the time.
Why the Bryant Park Winter Village? There’s a whole vibe for many to enjoy.
The Skating Rink: Who doesn’t love free? It’s free, if you have your own ice skates. If not, rent skates (prices vary by date and time) and you are still saving from some of the other rinks. I’m looking hard at you right now Rockefeller Plaza. Skating in Bryant Park’s 17,000 square foot rink under the skyscrapers still hits the spot. Skate aids are available, helmets free of charge, and lessons can be added for a cost.
Igloos – private, heated igloos are available by reservation which are super fun for small gatherings or sharing a unique dining experience. Is there a hot date in the neighborhood? A session is 90 minutes long and up to 8 can join.
The Curling Café + Bar - where else can you participate in an engaging curling session with some food and beverage? Do you know what curling is? Kind of like “chess on ice” mixed with “air hockey” this version is iceless, but is a competitive and fun winter sport. Players slide stones into a target in an outdoor setting, yet winter attire is recommended!
The Lodge – Is a food hall with diverse food choices and some seasonally fun drinks. Set up with open air tables and some enclosed spaces, watch the big screen or people watch from here.
Kiosks galore set up with every kind of hot cocoa, cookie, delight, decoration, gift, and souvenir imaginable. Prices range but are typically mid-level.
I had seen the 2023 - 2024 season Winter Village featured bumper cars on ice and couldn't find any information about it opening for the 2024 - 2025 season until the last week of December when they finally released the booking dates on their website. Every time I'd clicked the link it would say, "Sorry there are no dates secured for the 2025 season, please check again", until they finally updated the page and suddenly the ads were popping up everywhere. Suffice to say I was worried they may not offer it again. I was so glad they did!
But there’s one thing here that’s nowhere else: Bumper Cars on Ice.
Website, and tickets HERE: https://bryantpark.org/
Tickets do sell out in advance, when you know your dates, reserve your preferred times.
DETAILS: Riders must purchase a reservation online at the website above. Tickets come with a 45-minute booking window (for example your scheduled for 4:00 pm, arrive by 3:15 or 4:45) and...
*Must be 7 an up.
*Must be at least 42 “ tall
*Under 300 lbs.
*One person per car, no children on laps
*10-minute-long rides – this is time driving not time getting in and hearing the rules
*No one may be on the ice without a reservation
*No storage in your cart (I had a small pocketbook which was fine)
*Skaters are given a wrist band, and when you exit the rink, the band is cut off your wrist.
Review: We were a group of 3 ladies showing up to have some fun on March 1st, the very last day the Bumper Cars on Ice are open for the season. We booked online a week prior.
When we arrived we were ushered into one of two lines based on our ticket time. Our ticket time was 11:00 am, and we arrived at 11:05, (we walked to the wrong side of the park when we came out of the Library).
The people were very nice, just show your reservation or QR code at the booth and they confirm your name and time then give a wrist band and move you into the line. We watched another two groups ride prior to going in. So we did wait a little bit, which was fine as we arrived a few minutes late but were still with in our window.
We took photos and watched those who were in the bumper cars sliding all over, crashing, laughing, and got super excited. The rink right next to it was being cleared prior to skaters being permitted on the rink. We watched at the skaters entered and began to dance all around. Next it was our turn. We held on to the side of the rink sliding our shoes along the ice rather than lifting our feet. Slippery is an understatement. The cars line up here and you will park here at the end. About 15 cars drive at a time. We slipped into our cars by sitting and sliding in and right at this time I took off my coat and covered my bag in my lap to the side of where I was sitting. Note: there is no room for bigger items.
Cars have two gears, one for left to right the other for front to back. This was the most 10 minutes I’ve had since riding scooters through Key West and I strongly recommend everyone try this. At $30.00/ per person it does add up, but I will surely be bringing my whole family next season, and they will all be gifted with this ride experience. That’s how strongly I feel about this excursion. You know I like a free day or as many free activities in a day as I can get. This is 100% worth the cost.
I am not in any way affiliated with Bumper Cars on Ice, BOA or Bryant Park, this is just my honest review and I am telling you to add this to you NYC Christmas time bucket list!
Other things that are hopefully on your NYC Winter Wonderland list:
(Underlined links will open to the page shown)
~~ Hudson Yards
~~Walking down 5th Avenue
~~Saint Patrick's Cathedral
~~Columbus Circle/ Lincoln Plaza
Our March 1 Itinerary as New Yorkers and repeat visitors:
1. ❄️ Caught the LIRR to Grand Central
2. ❄️ Met our party at the Clock in the middle of the station
3. ❄️ Ate breakfast in the Grand Central Food hall, bacon egg and cheese please!
4. ❄️ Walked over to the NYPL on 5th Ave where we went up to the Rose Room to ooh and Aaah, used the clean restrooms, and head over to our 11:00 am reservation for the Bumper Cars.
5. ❄️ By 12:00 we were walking into the Morgan Museum & Library (siiigh, we LOVED this) had teatime in their café.
6. ❄️ Caught a bus over to Hudson Yards (admired décor)
7. ❄️ Walked around and went to the Vessel (admired view – too windy)
8. ❄️ Walked down the High Line to Chelea Market (walked, enjoyed the art exhibits, met a poet, and enjoyed the sunny moments)
9. ❄️ Went to Pier 57, and enjoyed rooftop views of Little Island (decided it was too windy to walk over or stay)
10.❄️ Walked over to Los Tacos No. 1 and ate! (Made a few stops along the way at some flea markets). Grabbed Margheritas from the place next to Los Taco No.1 while we were in line. Decided that was not a good deal. Don't recommend.
11.❄️ Caught the subway up to Maymont College to regroup and make the next plans.
I hope you have a wonderful time during your visit. I hope you take advantage of all the free fun things in NYC, but splurge on a few specific activities. Be intentional with your travel time and take care of your needs always ❤️
A note from the editor:
The information in this article was accurate when published but may change without notice. Confirm details when planning your trip. I hope this makes it easier for your planning process.
Thank you for stopping by today! Please share your thoughts and experiences, we are all on this journey to live and love together. I welcome your travel tips & tricks :-)
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If you just need a good Museum close by, check out the private collection of JP Morgan, at the Morgan Library & Museum.
Another Great NYC Day - Combine the Museum of Modern Art & Roosevelt Island
If you want to see the most recognizable art in the Western World, stop by the MoMA and check out Starry Night. Vincent Van Gogh's piece lives here along with MANY other amazing works by artists of the era such as Frida Kahlo, Monet, Pollock, and Matisse. This is an amazing collection and the 5th floor rivals NYC top museums, as the 3rd most visited in the city! After a great morning (budget at least 2 hours here) head over to the Roosevelt Tram to go get some amazing views of NYC!
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Happy Travels!
Savvy Mama
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