Other NYC Weekly Skates

The following are not Empire-sponsored events, but you're likely to meet some of our members if you attend them.

New Jersey Monday Night Skate

The "We Skate NJ" group rolls Monday evenings along the Jersey waterfront across the river from Manhattan. They travel a round-trip distance of about 12 miles up and down the shoreline, from West New York down to Jersey City and back, and do not mix it up (much) with alternative routes. Meet-up is at the Son Cubano Restaurant on Riverwalk Place in West New York (map) with roll-out at about 7 p.m.

The WSNJ MNS is seasonal, meeting from the start of May until whenever it gets too cold to skate in November or maybe December. We Skate NJ also occasionally organizes a weekend group skate. Check their Instagram page for more info.

NYC Wednesday Night Skate

The city's and probably USA's largest (often more than 200 skaters and sometimes 300) regular group skate rolls out on Wednesday nights from early April until the end of October. They meet up just before 8:00 p.m. at the steps on the south side of Union Square Park, corner of Broadway and East 14th St. (map).

WNS is a moderately paced skate, usually traveling about 12-15 miles over two hours, and finishing back at Union Square. Some skaters may then retire to a nearby skate-friendly establishment to socialize a bit longer with adult beverages. See WNS Facebook page for the latest updates.

Wednesday night skaters may meet outside the event's official season (i.e, from November through March) when the weather is skateable. Since the regular WNS got bigger after 2020, this Unofficial Wednesday Night Skate has happened more often. They meet at the same place and same time as the official event; just no regular leader and other staff in WNS garb, and probably rolling a longer distance.

More Night Skates

NYC-area group skates on other nights of the week are created every few years. Some last a couple years; others pass on without a whimper after a few months. Since 2015, we've been aware of night skates on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The more successful attempts were typically more reliable about their starting place and especially starting time, but even those have dropped away when or if the original creator was no longer available to organize things.

So if you're interested in group skates on other nights, keep your eyes and ears open when hanging out with other skaters, either in person or on social media.

Group Cycling (+ Skating) Events

There are numerous group cycling events around the city, some meeting weekly and some monthly, including such rides as the Central Park and Prospect Park Moonlight Rides. Fifteen (or 25!) years ago, when inline skating was more popular, skaters frequently participated in these events. A few still do.

Note that some organized rides have fairly strict rules and skating along would be next to impossible. Rides advertised as "social" should be more casual, slower-paced, and more accepting. Just do an Internet search for "nyc group rides" and you should find a ton of links and advice.