Rotary Rink

A great place to skate. It's very affordable, free, even, if you have your own skates. It's well maintained and in a great location for a lunch time skate if you're in there downtown area.

$2/$3 skate rental, or free of you bring your own. It's so pretty when it's all lit up! I prefer this one over Canalside. I like that it's smaller with less people. The backdrop and the subway feel nostalgic.

What a fabulous thing to have downtown! Sure the canalside rink is newer, and bigger, and has ice bikes, but I love the charm of this one where you can skate among the buildings right in the heart of main street.

For being a free rink, I was really impressed with the setup. They have cheap skate rentals (as of Dec 2016 it was still $3 for adults and $2 for kids) and there is no time limit. They just keep your shoes as a deposit so you bring the skates back. They arent awesome skates, and mine were so dull I could barely glide, but we are talking $3 here, I cant even dock them a star for that price. If you have your own skates, you honestly couldn't ask for more. They even have music playing, and a seating area if you would rather watch from a non slippery surface.

There are restrooms and a snack bar and even lockers inside. You can borrow a lock from the attendant for a $5 deposit, or bring your own. I will say that the lockers are located around the corner in a mostly deserted portion of the building, so leaving your valuables in there is definitely an 'at your own risk' endeavor, but they are there if you need them.

Happy skating!!

Nice to have this little rink downtown. There is music, lights, atmosphere, lockers and it is free. What more can you want? Skate during your lunch break or after work, or just come down to enjoy a little exercise.
Inside, right next to the rink are restrooms and a snack bar.
Come on down (town) for some nice skating.

You really can't beat $3 for adults and $2 for kiddies. And during the holidays they have extended hours! I'm also a sucker for great customer service. Thanks to Shondrell (forgive my spelling if I'm wrong) for allowing me to use your charger when my crappy battery died.

I highly recommend!!

Rotary Rink is the place for all levels of skaters who want a low-key and free option for skating. If you are a complete skating newb such as myself and want to try out some ice with no pressure it's great!
If you have your own skates you can get right on the ice. For those that don't the rentals are cheeeeeap, only $3 for adults, and they're the broken in leather kind which, I find way more comfortable than hard plastic skates. Rotary Rink regularly uses a zamboni so the ice stays pretty smooth. For skating newbs like me they have a hand rail all around the edge and children can use a kind skating "walker".
There's a little concession stand inside with various coffee, cocoa, candy, and the like to warm up with, though there are lots of great places nearby should you want a post skating treat.

I haven't been to the rotary rink in a few years. I was disappointed by the service- the woman working was unfriendly toward my group and watching a video on a phone with a guy (who was on the customer side of the area you rent skates with). She didn't acknowledge us or stop being extremely/awkwardly close to him leaning over the counter until you spoke to her. HOWEVER, the actual skating was great. It's a bit small for the amount of people who were there, but the rent prices are so cheap and there are food options, some places to sit for those who are tired or not skating, and cool views of tall buildings in Buffalo. Worth an hour or 2 for a few bucks.

A large crowd is skating and even more are watching the skaters. We are all here waiting for the Mayor and other dignitaries to light the Christmas tree and then see the fireworks. It is great to see the Rotary rink being used by so many. It's free to skate here, open Tuesday- Sunday.

The skating season of 2014 is free! You still have to pay if you need to rent, but it's super cheap -- $3 for adults and $2 for children.

Skating here is a fantastic way to enjoy downtown Buffalo -- just gotta dress warm if you plan on braving it out on the ice during the polar vortexes second coming! If the weather is dicey, call ahead and check if they're open: 716-854-RINK.

Happy skating!

I love that this place is downtown and outside. Maybe it has just been the times that I have gone but there is just something special about skating downtown with a little snowfall, and with these huge buildings all around you. I honestly could see this setting in a romantic movie. I also like that it is cheap, if you have your own skates you can go for free, or you can rent for $3 for adults, or $2 for kids. I took my family skating and it only cost $10, how awesome is that! The employees were super laid back and nice!
The downside is that the inside is a little small, cramped, and dirty. It is nice that they have a snack bar but they were out of everything we wanted hot chocolate and a hot pretzel.
I'd choose an outside skating rink over an inside one any day!