Bryant Park Winter Village brings bumper cars to the ice

You can ride bumper cars on ice at Bryant Park Bank of America Winter Village until Feb. 27 this year.

The New York City event has taken place every year since 2018, except for 2021 due to the lockdown. The activity is right next to the park’s ice-skating rink. Instead of lacing up a pair of blades, guests get to glide around an ice rink on UFO-shaped bumper cars.

@watchintheknow
Ride, slide and crash in Bumper Cars on Ice at Bank of America’s Winter Village at Bryant Park in NYC #nyc #bryantparkwintervillage
♬ Orchestra Adventure 1 – Happy Spread Music

It’s pretty much the perfect outdoor winter activity. Riders safely strap into the inflatable bumper car, which they can control with two joysticks. Then, all that’s left to do is slide, spin and bump around with your fellow city-goers.

The bumper cars are great for the family, but riders have to be seven years old and at least 42 inches tall. Smaller children aren’t allowed to sit in their parents’ laps, either. Sessions begin at $20 for 10 minutes and slots can be booked in advance. The activity is available from 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

Bryant Park has other ongoing events this winter. Its 17,000-square-foot outdoor ice skating rink is an annual staple in the city. This year you can hang out in heated “igloos,” watch an ice choreography performance and go ice-less curling. The park has also added 170 gift shops and eateries to the space for winter.