Ice Ice Skating

First, take a moment to get “all right stop, collaborate, and listen” out of your head, then read on…

Ice skating might be a year-round activity considering you can glide indoors even during the hottest months. But there’s nothing like skimming over a frozen surface in the open air — the sun shining down on your double axel, snow falling as you complete a half loop, or a glowing moon lighting up a perfect triple lutz. Okay, maybe that’s aiming a tad high, but a cool wind rushing by your face as you circle the rink, falling occasionally, but smiling the entire time, is nothing short of exhilarating.  And the best part about the outdoor rinks, there’s no limit on public skate time, like most indoor venues. You can pop in anytime during open hours, lace up your skates, and glide off into the sunset.

As we welcome the chilly seasons, and our options for outdoor recreation begin to narrow, here’s a list of ice rinks in the area for a cool cool-weather activity.  And I’ve gone ahead and included both outdoor and indoor venues — because nobody likes rain on their quadruple Salchow.

Outdoor

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink
7th St. and Constitution Ave. NW
Cost: $7/adult, $6/child, $3/skate rental (ID required)
Hours: Mon–Thurs 10am–9pm, Fri-Sat 10am-11pm, Sunday 11am–9pm (5pm close November 24)
Open daily November 19 – mid-March, except December 25 and January 1

Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating Rink
1201 South Joyce Street, Arlington
Cost: $8/adult, $7/children, $3/skate rental
Hours: Mon–Thurs 12–10pm, Fri 12–11pm, Sat 10am–11pm, Sun 10am–10pm
Open daily through March 13

Silver Spring Veteran’s Plaza Ice Rink
8523 Fenton Street, Silver Spring
Cost: $8/adult, $7/child, $3/skate rental
Hours: Mon–Thurs 12–10pm, Fri 12–11pm, Sat 10am–11pm, Sun 10am–10pm
Open daily through March 13

National Zoo
ZooLights Skating Rink in the Picnic Pavilion
Cost: $5/30-minute session, $2/skate rental
Hours: 5-9pm
Open nightly November 25 – December 11 & December 16-31 (except 12/24,25,& 31)

Reston Town Center Ice Skating
11900 Market Street, Reston
Cost: $9/adults, $7/children, $5/skate rentals
Hours: Sun-Tues 11am-7pm, Weds-Thurs 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm
Open daily late October through mid-March

Indoor

Fort Dupont Ice Arena
3779 Ely Place, SE
Cost: $5/adults, $4/children, $3/skate rental
Hours: Fri 12-1:50 pm, Sat 11:15am-12:15 pm (11/19 & 12/3 12:00-1:00p)
Hours reflect the Autumn 2011 public skating schedule

Kettler Capitals Iceplex
627 N. Glebe Road, Arlington – 8th Level of Ballston Public Parking Garage
Cost: $8/adults, $7/children, $4/skate rental
Hours: Mon 11am-1pm, 4:30-5:30pm; Weds 11am—1pm, 5:40—6:40pm, 8—9pm (adult only); Thurs 1:10pm—3:10pm; Fri 11am—1pm, 8:40—9:40pm; Sat 12:15—1:45pm, 6pm—7pm, Sun 2:30—4:00pm
Hours reflect public skate schedule for October 1 – February 26

Herbert Wells Ice Rink
5211 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park
Cost: $6/adult, $5/children ($1 off for PG County Residents)
Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 3pm-12am, Weds 12pm-12am, Sat-Sun 7am-12am
Open year-round

Rockville Town Center Ice Rink
131 Gibbs Street, Rockville, MD
Cost: $8/age 13 and up, $7/age 12 and under, $3/skate rentals
Hours: Mon-Thur 12-10pm, Fri 12-11pm, Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 10am-10pm, extended hours on holidays

Cabin John Ice Rink
10610 Westlake Drive, Cabin John Regional Park
Cost: $6.50/adult, $5.50/ages 5-10, $4.50/ages 3-4 $3.25/skate rental
Hours: Vary by day, see the schedule here
Open daily, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas

The Gardens Ice House
13800 Old Gunpowder Road, Laurel
Cost: $7.70/adult, $6.60/student, $4.15/skate rental
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:20am-1:10pm, Fri 7:30-9:30pm, Sat 1-3pm & 8:10-10:10pm, Sun 2-4pm
Hours reflect the fall/winter public skate schedule