Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis standing steady on her skates at the Rockefeller Center ice rink in New York City, 1970

Though New York City might be known for being a constant fight to reach the top of the heap, there’s one place where everyone is always on an even – or at least perfectly level – field of play: the Rockefeller Center ice rink.

Located in the heart of Manhattan, the roughly 7,000 square-foot patch of ice has been carved up by New Yorkers from across its boroughs, tourists from every corner of the world, and alongside them scores of celebrities, the occasional statesmen, and professional athletes alike. 

Among those of the upper echelon who often took to the ice in New York City were the Kennedy family – Jackie O included – who made appearances over the years at The Rink at Rockefeller Center, along with the Bedford Stuyvesant ice rink in Brooklyn where Robert Kennedy’s family threw an annual skating party in memory of him after his assignation.

The Rink at Rockefeller Center was built in 1936 as a temporary installation, but after its soaring popularity it immediately became a permanent fixture. 

Another popular spot for New Yorkers to skate is on the frozen ponds of Central Park by wintertime, which people have been carving up since the park was completed in the late 1800s.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis standing steady on her skates at the Rockefeller Center ice rink in New York City, 1970

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis standing steady on her skates at the Rockefeller Center ice rink in New York City, 1970

Ethel Kennedy, wife of Robert Kennedy, takes a pass around the Rockefeller Ice rink hand-in-hand with a group of children in 1960

Ethel Kennedy, wife of Robert Kennedy, takes a pass around the Rockefeller Ice rink hand-in-hand with a group of children in 1960

Kerry Kennedy (left), Ethel Kennedy (center), and Courtney Kennedy (right) skate a Brooklyn rink at the Bedford Styvesant Restoration Center during a party for the center

Kerry Kennedy (left), Ethel Kennedy (center), and Courtney Kennedy (right) skate a Brooklyn rink at the Bedford Styvesant Restoration Center during a party for the center

The whole Robert Kennedy clan skates The Rink at Rockefeller Center while he was New York senator-elect just before Christmas in 1964. From left, are son Michael, 6; daughter Courtney, 8; his wife Ethel; daughter Kathleen, 13; son David, 9; and son Joe, 12; and Robert

The whole Robert Kennedy clan skates The Rink at Rockefeller Center while he was New York senator-elect just before Christmas in 1964. From left, are son Michael, 6; daughter Courtney, 8; his wife Ethel; daughter Kathleen, 13; son David, 9; and son Joe, 12; and Robert

Robert Kennedy takes his wife Ethel around the ice rink at Rockefeller Center in January 1968. Both are dressed to impress per usual, with Ethel sporting a matching fur coat and hat, leather gloves, and white skates

Robert Kennedy and wife Ethel at The Rink at Rockefeller Center in January 1968

Robert Kennedy takes his wife Ethel around The Rink at Rockefeller Center in January 1968. Both are dressed to impress per usual, with Ethel sporting a matching fur coat and hat, leather gloves, and white skates

Ethel Kennedy spins a young girl around the ice at a rink in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, in 1974, during the annual skating party the family threw in memory of Robert, who was assassinated in 1968

 Ethel Kennedy spins a young girl around the ice at a rink in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, in 1974, during the annual skating party the family threw in memory of Robert, who was assassinated in 1968

Not quite ice skates, but close enough: Robert Kennedy Jr. skates with Shaquanna Chriswell, 5, of Brooklyn, NY (left) and her cousin Natania Pilgrim, 8, at the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation in Brooklyn in December 1989 at the 24th Annual R.F. Kennedy Memorial Skating Party

Not quite ice skates, but close enough: Robert Kennedy Jr. skates with Shaquanna Chriswell, 5, of Brooklyn, NY (left) and her cousin Natania Pilgrim, 8, at the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation in Brooklyn in December 1989 at the 24th Annual R.F. Kennedy Memorial Skating Party

A girl falls to the ice and asks her friends for help, but they are more interested in the camera. The trio is skating in Central Park in 1960

A girl falls to the ice and asks her friends for help, but they are more interested in the camera. The trio is skating in Central Park in 1960

View of the Rockefeller Center ice rink filled with visitors skating during the Christmas season in December, 1969. A line of people waiting their turn can be seen flowing up the stairs to Fifth Avenue. Spectators can also be seen lining The Rink

View of the Rockefeller Center ice rink filled with visitors skating during the Christmas season in December, 1969. A line of people waiting their turn can be seen flowing up the stairs to Fifth Avenue. Spectators can also be seen lining The Rink

A quiet day on The Rink at Rockefeller Center in December 1969. Santa Clause himself can be seen helping a girl along

A quiet day on The Rink at Rockefeller Center in December 1969. Santa Clause himself can be seen helping a girl along

Peggy Fleming, 20, carves up the ice at the Rockefeller Center ice rink. Fleming was a three-time World Figure Skating Champion, and the only US skater to earn a Gold Medal in the 1968 Olympics

Peggy Fleming, 20, carves up the ice at the Rockefeller Center ice rink. Fleming was a three-time World Figure Skating Champion, and the only US skater to earn a Gold Medal in the 1968 Olympics

Skaters carve up the melting ice late on a warm day at a rink in Center Park in 1961

Skaters carve up the melting ice late on a warm day at a rink in Center Park in 1961

Skaters flock to the Rockefeller Center rink as the traditional massive Christmas tree is installed

Skaters flock to the Rockefeller Center rink as the traditional massive Christmas tree is installed

Skaters clad in all colors at the Wollman Rink in Central Park in 1989

Skaters clad in all colors at the Wollman Rink in Central Park in 1989

A man stands on his hands as fellow skaters look on at a rink in Brooklyn in 1923

A man stands on his hands as fellow skaters look on at a rink in Brooklyn in 1923

Four figure skaters strut their stuff on the ice in Central Park in 1952

Four figure skaters strut their stuff on the ice in Central Park in 1952

Competitors in a 220 yard race take off at a rink in Central Park in 1931

Competitors in a 220 yard race take off at a rink in Central Park in 1931

A mother, father, and daughter link hands as they skate across a frozen pond in Central Park in 1938

 A mother, father, and daughter link hands as they skate across a frozen pond in Central Park in 1938

A group of girls help each other along a skating rink in Central Park in 1955

A group of girls help each other along a skating rink in Central Park in 1955

A girl takes a spill in the first turn of the intermediate class of the Silver Skates Derby in Central Park, year unknown

A girl takes a spill in the first turn of the intermediate class of the Silver Skates Derby in Central Park, year unknown 

Two skaters get down to business during a race through a Central Park rink in 1900, as spectators in skates watch on

Two skaters get down to business during a race through a Central Park rink in 1900, as spectators in skates watch on

A group of warmly clad New Yorkers adjust their skates on a bench alongside a frozen pond in Central Park in 1895

A group of warmly clad New Yorkers adjust their skates on a bench alongside a frozen pond in Central Park in 1895

A couple works together on the ice at a frozen pond in Central Park in the 1880s, shortly after the park opened

A couple works together on the ice at a frozen pond in Central Park in the 1880s, shortly after the park opened

New Yorkers decked out in suits and dresses on the ice in Central Park in January 1981

New Yorkers decked out in suits and dresses on the ice in Central Park in January 1981

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