The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink. (Photo: Courtesy Destination DC)
Just because the temps are dropping, that doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself and the kids to activities indoors. In fact, some of the season’s best recreation happens outside under the sky, the crisp, cool air rushing by as you glide over a frozen surface. Yes, it’s time for ice skating!
Sure, you can enjoy the pursuit year-round at indoor rinks, but there’s something about skating al fresco that makes it extra delightful — the sun shining overhead or snow flurries swirling around, the limited time to enjoy it, the chance to show the world those double axels (or maybe not). And this year, there’s one more locale where we can experience it all — Canal Park is about to open, and with it a brand new ice skating rink.
As for the rest, some local rinks are already welcoming skaters and the others will open within the next couple of weeks. Here’s info for all of them listed by opening date, and I’ve included indoor rinks, too — for when you have the itch to glide on a foul-weather day.
Outdoor
Silver Spring Veteran’s Plaza Ice Rink
Where: 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: October 19 through March 13
Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating Rink
Where: 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: November 1 through March 13
Reston Town Center Ice Skating
Where: 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: November 1 through mid-March
Canal Park Ice Rink
Where: 220 M Street SE
Cost: $8/adult, $7/child, $3/rental
Hours: Mon-Fri: 12-9pm, Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-7pm
Open: November 16 through mid-March
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink
Where: 7th St. & 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
Open: November 17 – mid-March, except December 25 and January 1
Washington Harbour Ice Rink
Where: 3050 K Street NW
Cost: $9/adult, $7/child,seniors, military, $5/skate rental
Hours: Mon–Thurs 12-9pm, Fri 12-10pm, Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-7pm
Open: November 19 – March
Indoor
Fort Dupont Ice Arena
Where: 3779 Ely Place, SE
Cost: $5/adults, $4/children, $3/skate rental
Hours: Fri 12-1:50 pm, Sat 11:15am-12:15 pm
Kettler Capitals Iceplex
Where: 627 N. Glebe Road, Arlington – 8th Level of Ballston Parking Garage
Cost: $8/adults, $7/children, $4/skate rental
Hours: Vary by day, find a PDF of the schedule here
Herbert Wells Ice Rink
Where: 5211 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park
Cost: $6/adult, $5/children ($1 off for PG County Residents)
Hours: Vary by day, view the schedule here
Open: October 20 – mid-March
Rockville Town Square Ice Rink
Where: 131 Gibbs Street, Rockville
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
Open: November 9 through mid-March
Cabin John Ice Rink
Where: 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, find a PDF of the schedule here
Open: Daily, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas
The Gardens Ice House
Where: 13800 Old Gunpowder Road, Laurel
Cost: $7.70/adult, $6.60/student, $4.15/skate rental
Hours: Vary by day, see the schedule here
Wheaton Ice Arena
Where: 11717 Orebaugh Avenue, Wheaton
Cost: $6.50/age 11+, $5.50/age 5-10, $3.50/age 3-4, $3.25/skate rental
Hours: Vary, see the schedule here
There is another indoor ice rink – Wheaton.
Ginger
http://www.montgomeryparks.org/enterprise/ice/wheaton/index.shtm