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Family Health & Safety

Where To Ice Skate Around The DC Area

By January 4, 2022No Comments
Ice Skate DC area

Ice, ice, baby: It’s skating season, and Washington’s rinks — many of which went dark last year — are open once again. Here’s a guide to where to get your glide on.

The Sculpture Garden Ice Rink
7th Street & Constitution Avenue

Perhaps the most picturesque skating rink in Washington returns this year to the National Mall’s Sculpture Garden. While masks aren’t required outside, they must be worn inside the Pavilion Café, where you can grab an Asian chicken salad, toasted Reuben sandwich, or double espresso, among other offerings. Ice skates will be sanitized after every use. You can book lessons through the Washington Elite Skating School, and season passes are available for $225.

Dates: Through March 6.
Hours: Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Cost: $10 for adults; $9 for seniors, children 12 and under, military, and students with a valid school ID. Skate rental is $5 and lockers are $1.

The Wharf Ice Rink
Transit Pier, 970 Wharf Street SW

This is the only rink in D.C. where you skate directly over the water — while enjoying panoramic views of the city. If you work up an appetite, stop by one of The Wharf’s eateries, like 12 Stories or Camp Wharf at the Firepit (which serves s’mores).

Dates: Nov. 24 through late February.
Hours: Monday and Tuesday closed; Wednesday to Friday 4 p.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday 12 p.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m.-8 p.m.
Cost: $12 for adults and $9 for children (12 and younger). Skate rental is $6. Active military, seniors, first responders, and health care workers get a $2 discount on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Color Burst Ice Rink
6000 Merriweather Drive, Columbia

Keep an eye on the calendar for themed events at this Merriweather skate rink. Guests are encouraged to reserve tickets for their 75-minute skate ahead of time online. Plan to grab a sweet treat like hot chocolate with marshmallows at nearby The Charmery or some holiday cocktails at Busboys & Poets.

Dates: Through Feb. 28.
Hours: Monday through Thursday 4 p.m.-9 p.m.; Friday 4 p.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday noon-10 p.m.; Sunday noon-8 p.m.
Cost: $14, which includes skate rental. On Mondays first responders and their family skate for $7 each.

Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating
1201 South Joyce Street, Arlington

Reservations are required for this outdoor Pentagon City rink; you can book two weeks out. The rink is large, and there’s a stone fireplace that looks awfully inviting after all that ice time. Always wanted to learn a triple — er, single — axle? Kids can book five weeks of group lessons for $95; adults can do the same for $105.

Dates: Through mid-March.
Hours: Sunday and Monday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday noon-10 p.m.; Friday noon-11 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Cost: $11 for ages 13 and up; $10 for those 12 and under; $10 for seniors. Skate rental is $5.

Rockville Outdoor Ice Skating Rink
131 Gibbs St, Rockville

Make your ice-skating reservations within two weeks of the date you want to skate, and make sure to arrive to this outdoor rink about 10 minutes early. You can get up to two hours of parking validated when you call it a night.

Dates: Through mid-March.
Hours: Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Monday noon-10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday noon-10 p.m.; Friday noon-11 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Cost: $11 for adults; $10 for children and seniors. Skate rental $5.

Fort Dupont Ice Arena
3779 Ely Place SE.

This indoor ice rink has introduced skating to more than 20,000 kids over the past 20-some years. Next year, construction on a new rink will begin. For now, drop in for public skating (or a freestyle session, if you’ve got skills to show off).

Dates: Through February.
Hours: Various times; check the calendar.
Cost: $5 for adults. $4 for children (age 12 and under). Skate rental $3. Freestyle admission $10.

The Washington Harbour Ice Rink
3050 K Street NW

This is the kind of picturesque rink they sing about in Christmas carols. Prepare to take plenty of selfies as you whiz around alongside the Potomac, while Rosslyn glitters in the background. Kids who aren’t yet skilled enough to skate on their own can hold on to cute (and useful) rental penguins. The rink will be closed for half an hour after each 90-minute skating session to disinfect equipment.

Dates: Through March 13.
Hours: Sunday through Thursday 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
Cost: $10 for adults; $9 for children 12 and under, seniors, and military. Skate rental is $7. Penguin rental $10.

Medstar Capitals Iceplex
627 North Glebe Road, Suite 800, Arlington

Want to skate like #8 — that is, Alex Ovechkin? This indoor iceplex is home to the Washington Capitals, who practice here. Public skates are held on NHL-sized ice rinks. The staff suggests wearing layers and comfortable athletic clothes; it’s cold inside. No cameras, phones, headphones, backpacks, or purses are allowed on the ice.

Dates: Open year round.
Hours: Various times; check the calendar.
Cost: $15 (includes skate rental).

Gaylord National Ice Skating
201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor

This outdoor rink is located at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, which puts on an extravagant holiday display. After your “yuletide glide” around the rink, pop inside the hotel to catch one of its free nightly light shows — or hop on the ice bumper cars with your family.

Dates: Nov. 26 through end of year.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Cost: $16.99 for unlimited skating (includes skate rental).

Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion
1818 Discovery Street, Reston

More than 500 pairs of skates are available at this pavilion, ranging from a toddler’s size 8 to a men’s size 15. Beginners can opt for double-bladed, flat-edge skates that help you walk across the ice until you feel ready to glide. Too cold for comfort? No problem: Socks and gloves are available for $4, and handwarmers cost $2.

Dates: Through mid-March.
Hours: Monday to Thursday 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Cost: $10 for adults; $9 for kids 12 and under, seniors, and military. Skate rental is $7.

Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run
4001 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria

This Alexandria park is transforming into a winter wonderland, with dazzling lights, a giant wreath, a 3-D sleigh, an interactive orb field, and more. Timed ice-skating sessions will also be available; the staff recommends arriving 15 minutes early. After you skate, dig into Dippin’ Dots and other concessions.

Dates: Through Feb. 27.
Hours: 5 p.m.-10 p.m. daily through Jan. 2; Saturdays and Sunday from Jan. 8-Feb. 27, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Village admission with skating is $22.03; just ice skating (from Jan. 8-Feb. 27) is $14.07.

Silver Spring Ice Skating at Veterans Plaza
8523 Fenton Street, Silver Spring

There are more than 400 pairs of ice hockey and figure skates for rent at this outdoor Silver Spring rink. Expect a festive scene with a rainbow of lights flashing overhead. If you want to master a few new tricks, consider signing up for skating school: There are group lessons for kids and adults, plus an intro to ice hockey course. You can also reserve private lessons.

Dates: Through March.
Hours: Friday noon-10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Monday through Thursday noon-10 p.m.
Cost: $10 for adults; $9 for children and seniors. Skate rental $5.