BankNewport City Center Public Ice Skating & Ice Bumper Cars

About this adventure

Located in the beating heart of downtown Providence at Kennedy Plaza, the BankNewport City Center is Greater Providence's premier outdoor winter ice arena, spanning twice the size of New York's Rockefeller Center rink. Each winter, families glide across refrigerated ice surrounded by the historic Biltmore Hotel, illuminated civic towers, and holiday greenery. In addition to daily open public skating sessions with penguin balance aids for novice children, the center features Rhode Island's famous Ice Bumper Cars—joyful, motorized round bumper vehicles that spin, glide, and gently bump across the ice. Skaters can warm up inside the climate-controlled skate pavilion or grab steaming hot cocoa, warm Belgian waffles, and fresh soft pretzels from rinkside concessions. Family Experience & Accessibility: • Stroller Accessibility: Ground-level paved plaza surrounding the rink with wide ramps and ample stroller parking near the skate rental pavilion. • Nursing & Rest Spots: Heated indoor skate pavilion with benches, lockers, and clean accessible family restrooms with changing stations. • Age Suitability: All ages welcome; double-bladed strap-on skates and penguin skate aids for toddlers; bumper cars open to ages 3+ with parent. • Sensory Tips: Upbeat pop music and downtown traffic sounds during peak sessions; weekday daytime sessions offer calmer ice conditions and shorter queues.