It's time for rinks to power up the Zamboni and sharpen the blades on the rental skates. The winter ice skating season gets under way at some new - and classic - indoor and outdoor rinks around Long Island.
If you're up for a wintertime activity that's slippery and fun, check out some of the recent arrivals and all the rest.
SUFFOLK COUNTY
The Arches at Tanger Outlet (New for 2008-09)
455 Commack Rd., Deer Park, 631-940-8167, tangeroutlet.com
Admission: $10, free under age 5; $4 skate rental
Hours: 2-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday; 2-7 p.m. Monday and Wednesday
Not only does the new retail outlet in Deer Park have great shopping, but it also offers such amenities as an outdoor oval skating rink that encircles a 50-foot Christmas tree in the complex's center court. "You're not going to find one like this at all," says general manager Robert Thornton. About 160 people took to the ice when the rink first opened after Thanksgiving, he says. "It was all people who didn't come down planning to skate. They saw it, and they wanted to just try it."
The Rinx at Harborfront Park
101A E. Broadway (at the Port Jefferson Village Center), Port Jefferson, 631-403-4357, portjeffrink.com
Admission: $9.50-$10.50; $7-$8 ages 11 and younger; $4.50-$5.50 seniors; $11 for the 8-10 p.m. Friday session; $5 skate rental
Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday
Starting this year, The Rinx is managing this outdoor rink, which opened four years ago and is perched on the Harbor. "What's great about this place is the view. You can't beat it," says Tom Palamara, director of operations. "It's really just a great family place to come and hang out, whether you want to skate or not. You can see the Port Jeff ferry coming in and out while you're skating."
Dix Hills Ice Skating Arena
575 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills, 631-462-5883.
Admission: Town of Huntington residents pay $6.50 for adults and $5 for kids 13 and under; Non-residents pay $10 for adults and $8 for kids.
Skate rental: $3.50
This indoor rink offers public skating sessions on Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Special holiday sessions on Christmas Eve from 10 a.m.-noon and 12:15-2 p.m.; then two-hour sessions Dec. 26, 29-31 at 10 a.m., 12:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Also 8:15 p.m. Friday only.
Superior Ice Rink
270 Indian Head Road, Kings Park, 631-269-3900, superioricerink.com.
Admission: $9 for adults ($10 on Fridays); $7 for children 11 and younger.
Skate rental: $4
This indoor rink offers two-hour public skating sessions Tuesday at 10 a.m., Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.; and skating with a DJ Friday at 8:30 p.m. Weekend skates at 1 p.m. Call for special holiday hours.
The Rinx
660 Terry Road, Hauppauge, 631-232-3222, therinx.com
Skate rental: $5
Admission: $9.50-$11 for adults, $7-$8 for kids 11 and under. Islip residents receive $1 off adult admission with a valid recreation card.
Two indoor skating rinks offer public sessions weekdays, from 12:30-2:30 p.m. and 4-5:45 p.m. Weekend super sessions are 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday teen night skating from 8:15 p.m.-10:15 p.m. Special holiday super sessions from noon to 5:45 p.m. Dec. 26, 29-Jan. 2, noon until 5:45 p.m.
Tuesday, December 9
Stony Brook Village Center
Stony Brook
Held in the Robinson's Tea Room
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church
Islip
"Lessons and Carols" Combined choirs share traditional Advent hymns and scripture readings; Free will offering accepted
7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex
Manhattan
Lionel Electrical model train layout with trains running through a holiday scene featuring famous New York City landmarks, vintage trains also on display
8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Wednesday, December 10
Stony Brook Village Center
Stony Brook
Held in the Robinson's Tea Room
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex
Manhattan
Lionel Electrical model train layout with trains running through a holiday scene featuring famous New York City landmarks, vintage trains also on display
8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Lindenhurst Historical Society
Old Village Hall Museum
Lindenhurst
The museum presents its Christmas exhibit that includes toys, decorations and doll houses from Christmases past
Thursday, December 11
Stony Brook Village Center
Stony Brook
Held in the Robinson's Tea Room
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex
Manhattan
Lionel Electrical model train layout with trains running through a holiday scene featuring famous New York City landmarks, vintage trains also on display
8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday, December 12
Stony Brook Village Center
Stony Brook
Held in the Robinson's Tea Room
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex
Manhattan
Lionel Electrical model train layout with trains running through a holiday scene featuring famous New York City landmarks, vintage trains also on display
8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Lindenhurst Historical Society
Old Village Hall Museum
Lindenhurst
The museum presents its Christmas exhibit that includes toys, decorations and doll houses from Christmases past
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Weather it's for two, or your whole family. We here at Coldwell Banker Matherson provided a list of our favorite resturants in the area. Some of them may be your favorite too, if not why not try something new for dinner.
In West Islip, Nonnina Italian Bistro, 999 Montauk Hwy, West Islip, 631-321- 8717, makes for a worthy destination. Here, you'll find a vibrant Italian menu featuring such dishes as whole roasted branzino and a Berkshire Farms pork chop with cherry peppers and sweet apple.
If you're out with the kids, a diner is always a safe bet. The Delphi Diner, 350 Montauk Hwy, West Islip, 631-587-2003, offers the whole spectrum of standards, from burgers to omelets to sandwiches to salads to such Greek specialties as chicken and pork souvlaki.
On one side of West Islip is Babylon, a village densely packed with places to eat. Shiki Japanese Restaurant, 233 Main St., Babylon, 631-669-5404, serves a colorful array of sushi rolls as well as such classics as chicken teriyaki and beef negimaki.
For fine Maryland-style crab cakes and spicy steamed shrimp, head over to Tricia's Cafe, 26 E. Main St., Babylon, 631-422-7879, an informal spot also known for burgers and sandwiches.
If it's something Italian you crave, consider Ristorante Gemelli, 175 E. Main St., Babylon, 631-321-6392, which does well virtually everything from spaghetti with garlic and olive oil to a husky veal chop.
To the east of West Babylon, in nearby Brightwaters, is Sea Levels, 391 N. Windsor Ave., 631-665-8300, a cozy dining spot with an appealing New American menu that features such dishes as chicken and corn chowder and Parmesan crusted swordfish.
Heading toward Bay Shore, you'll find The Lake House, a gracious pond-side restaurant at 240 W. Main St., Bay Shore, 631-666-0995. Here, chef co-owner Matthew Connors and sous chef Charles Treadwell offer a seasonal menu that might include house made pappardelle with braised duck or roasted rack of lamb.
For a taste of the Far East, Peninsuila FS, 55 W. Main St., 631-666-8811, has it all, from sushi to steamed sea bass. Kids will get a kick out of the koi pond at the entryway.
And then, there's the justly renowned Smokin Al's Famous BBQ, 19 West Main St., Bay Shore, 631-206-3000, where pit master Al Horowitz puts out an impressive array of slow-smoked meats -- ribs, chicken, pulled pork and brisket -- as well as commendable sides. Finish with a slice of warm pecan pie.
Looking for a Great Place to view Fall's Foliage on Long Island?
Look No Further
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park, 1395 Planting Fields Rd., Oyster Bay
PHONE 516-922-8600
WEB plantingfields.org
COST $6 per vehicle until Oct. 31; free Nov. 1-April 30
Baxter's Pond, Barbara Johnson Park and Preserve, Shore Road and Central Drive, Port Washington
WHEN Dawn until dusk
PHONE 516-572-0200
WEB nassaucountyny.gov
COST Free
"Bridge Hidden in Plain Sight," Grangebel Park, Peconic Avenue, Riverhead
PHONE 631-727-3200
WEB riverheadli.com
COST Free
Heckscher Park Pond, Huntington, off Rte. 25A/Main Street at Prime Avenue
WHEN Sunrise to 11 p.m.
PHONE 631-351-3089
WEB town.huntington.ny.us
Morgan Park in the Fall, Glen Cove, Germaine Street between Landing Road and McLoughlin Street
WHEN Dawn-dusk
PHONE 516-676-3766
COST Free
Bayard Cutting Arboretum, 440 Montauk Hwy., Great River
WHEN 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday; closes at 4 p.m. starting Nov. 2
PHONE 631-581-1002
COST $6 per car weekends only until Nov. 2. Then free until April 1.
Cedarmere, 225 Bryant Ave., Roslyn Harbor
WHEN Grounds open year-round
PHONE 516-571-8130
WEB nassaucountyny.gov
COST Donation
Open House's Sunday September 21st , 2008 12:00-2:00 pm 4 Rosemary Place, East Islip NY 11730 3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath Ranch, S. of Montauk $398,000
12:30-2:30 pm 612 Nimrod Ct, North Babylon, NY 11703 4 Bedroom, 1.5 Bath Splanch, Sunset City! $354,999
1:00-3:00 pm 10 Hart Place, Dix Hills NY 11746 5 Bedroom, 3.5 Bath Post Modern Colonial, $1,999,995
1:00-4:00 pm 760 Pat Drive, West Islip NY 11795
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath Hi-Ranch, $469,000
8 Colonial Court, Bay Shore NY 11706
5 Bedroom, 3.5 Bath Farm Ranch, S. of Montauk $659,000
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