Ice skating. City skyline glowing behind you. Hot cocoa in your hands. This is what winter in Austin should feel like.
The Long Center’s ice rink is back, and it’s already selling out. This is your reminder to go—and to reserve your spot NOW because walk-ups are almost impossible to get.
The Scene You Need to Experience
Stand on smooth ice under twinkling lights, downtown Austin lighting up across Lady Bird Lake. The air is cool. The skates are sharp. The view is honestly unmatched—you’re not skating at some suburban strip mall rink. You’re skating in the middle of the city with the best backdrop in Austin.
This is Rockefeller Center energy. Except it’s Texas.
How to Actually Get Skates (Reserve Now)
Tickets are $22. That gets you one hour on the ice plus skate rental in all sizes.
Here’s the critical part: reservations are mandatory. Walk-ups exist but are first-come, first-serve and nearly always sold out.
To reserve:
- Comment on the Long Center’s social media (@longcenter on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
- DM them and they’ll send you the reservation link
- Tickets drop through their online system
- Book your time slot in advance
Hours:
- Monday-Thursday: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Friday: 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Saturday-Sunday: 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Best time to go: Weekdays from 5-7 p.m. are less crowded than weekend afternoons. Evenings (after 7 p.m.) are magical but packed with couples. Go on a Friday afternoon if you want a sweet spot between crowds and daylight.
Location: 701 West Riverside Drive, Austin, TX 78704
What You Get for $22
The ticket includes:
- One hour on the ice
- Skate rental (all sizes available)
- The experience of skating with the city skyline behind you
They also serve hot cocoa, hot toddies, popcorn, and holiday cookies on-site. Bring cash or card for extras.
Parking: Street parking available around the venue, plus paid garage parking nearby. Don’t stress about it—parking isn’t the challenge. Getting a reservation is.
The Food Scene You Can Walk To
After you skate, hungry? You’re minutes from some of Austin’s best restaurants.
Close by (walking distance, 5-10 minutes):
Barton Springs Saloon at 1025 Barton Springs Road. Mexican food, casual vibe, less than a quarter mile away. Perfect for post-skate nachos and margaritas.
For Something More Upscale (10-15 minute walk):
Franklin Barbecue – 401 West 2nd Street. Legendary Texas BBQ. Come early or expect a wait. Worth it.
Uchiba – Japanese izakaya with yakitori grill items, cocktails, and Japanese whisky. Reservations encouraged but walk-in bar seating available. About 0.4 miles from the rink.
Perla’s Seafood & Oyster Bar – Consistently exceptional seafood, fresh oysters, elegant atmosphere. About half mile away (doable walk, or quick drive).
The Peacock Mediterranean Grill – At Austin Proper Hotel, 1211 W Riverside (basically next to you). Mediterranean shareable plates, bright, fresh, modern. Perfect for a light post-skate meal.
ATX Cocina – MICHELIN-Recommended Mexican. Two-time James Beard-nominated. Elevated traditional Mexican with house-made everything. Worth the walk or short drive.
Red Ash Italia – Fine dining Italian. Splurge-worthy if you want to make the evening special.
The Pro Strategy
Go on a Friday afternoon. Fewer people than weekends, but early enough to catch daylight and have evening energy.
Grab skates for 4-5 p.m., finish by 5 p.m., walk directly to Barton Springs Saloon for happy hour and dinner. You’re done by 6:30 p.m., happy, and the whole night is still ahead of you.
Or skate 7-8 p.m., walk to something nearby for a nightcap. The rink is lit beautifully after dark. The city lights are better. The vibe is more adult.
The Bottom Line
Austin’s Rockefeller Center is open now through January 4. Reservations are already tight because people finally realized this is one of the best winter experiences in the city. It’s affordable ($22), it’s genuinely beautiful, and you get an hour of pure Austin magic with the skyline as your backdrop.
Reserve right now. Pick a time. Go skate. Walk to dinner. Tell us you did it.
