Starting November 6, New York‘s Bryant Park will be kicking it into high gear for the holidays with two great annual attractions.

The Pond at Bryant Park: The Pond is the first and only free ice skating rink in Manhattan, which takes the sting out of $12 skate rentals. Those packing their own blades skate for free. While lockers are free, bag checks and lock rentals cost $9. The Pond at Bryant Park will be open seven days a week between November 6 and January 24, 2010, Sunday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to midnight.

The Shops at Bryant Park: Visitors to Midtown will also find plenty of shopping with more than 100 pop-up boutiques and food merchants from around the world scattered throughout the park. The shops are open from November 6 until January 3, 2010. Hours are Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

After ice skating and holiday shopping are done, the Bryant Park Hotel is right across the street. The hotel’s ever-hip Cellar Bar is a great place to warm up with something a little more stiff than apple cider.

– Andrew Hickey, of The Brooklyn Nomad.