NYC Meatpacking District: The Standard, High Line Opens Its Plaza Ice Rink for the Season

The ice rink at The Standard, High Line is open for skating this season, set on the hotel's street-side plaza in the Meatpacking District. It sits at 848 Washington Street, at the corner of 13th and Washington, right beside the High Line, which makes it an easy add-on to a winter walk through the neighborhood.

This is a plaza rink rather than a large skating complex, and the appeal is its casual, on-the-street feel. The ice is kept smooth by the hotel's own little Zamboni, and the sidelines are lined with heaters so that anyone not skating can stay warm while watching friends or kids glide by.

Food and drink are part of the draw. The kid-friendly winter menu covers soups, sandwiches, burgers, fries and sweet treats. Adults can order the hot chocolate with a shot of rum, which the hotel bills as world famous, or go for a hot toddy, mulled wine or a glass of champagne.

The rink works equally well for a family outing, a date or a quick stop with friends on a cold evening. With the hotel's bars and plenty of restaurants nearby, it is simple to slide from the ice into dinner or a walk. For visitors from Japan, it is a compact, very New York way to spend a winter afternoon, and it pairs naturally with a stroll along the High Line, a visit to Chelsea Market or a trip to the Whitney.

Even if you never lace up skates, a warm drink beside the heaters is a pleasant way to take in the Meatpacking District in winter.