Play it Cool at these Local Ice Skating Rinks

With colder weather comes some cool outdoor recreation! Ice skating is a fun and active way to take advantage of the dropping temps, especially under a clear blue or star-filled sky in the fresh air. We’ve got our pick of places in the area where we can get out there and glide. Here are details on all of them, including indoor ice rinks for when you want to take shelter.

Outdoor

DC

Canal Park Ice Rink
Where: 220 M Street SE
Cost: $9/adult, $8/child, $4/rental
Hours: Mon-Tues: 12-7pm, Weds-Fri 12-9pm, Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-7pm
Open: November 8 through March 1
Bonus: The Park Tavern restaurant, located adjacent to the rink, offers a great menu, including hot chocolate if your crew needs a quick warm-up. There are also several eateries and a Starbucks across the street and even more restaurants at the nearby Yards Park.

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink
Where: 7th St. & Constitution Ave. NW
Cost: $8/adult, $7/child, $3/skate rental (ID required)
Hours: Mon–Thurs 10am–9pm, Fri-Sat 10am-11pm, Sunday 11am–9pm
Open: November 14 – March 16, except December 25 and January 1
Bonus: You can check out some art on your outing — the rink is literally in the middle of the Sculpture Garden that showcases many big, bold works of art. You can also plan to visit a museum before or after your skating session; it’s easy enough to pop in to one of the free Smithsonian galleries. For some fuel, the Pavilion Cafe is also located within the Sculpture Garden and offers light fare, including warm beverages.

Washington Harbour Ice Rink
Where: 3050 K Street NW
Cost: $10/adult, $9/child, seniors, military, $5/skate rental
Hours: Mon–Tues 12-7pm, Weds-Thurs 12-9pm, Fri 12-10pm, Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-7pm
Open: November 14 – mid-March
Bonus: Location, location, location. Not only do you get a lovely view of the Potomac, you’re right in Georgetown, where there’s great shopping and places to eat, so you can really make a day and/or night of it. Also, with push penguins available, it’s a good rink for newbie skaters.

Maryland

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: Now – March 25
Bonus: The rink is right in downtown Silver Spring, surrounded by restaurants, shops, and plenty of parking. It’s also an easy walk from the Metro.

Rockville Town Square Ice Rink
Where: 131 Gibbs Street, Rockville
Cost: $9/age 13 and up, $8/age 12 and under, $3/skate rentals
Hours: Mon-Thur 12-10pm, Fri 12-11pm, Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 10am-10pm
Open: November 8 through mid-March
Bonus: Skate in the largest outdoor ice skating rink — 7,200 square feet! — between Baltimore and Washington DC. While you’re at the Town Square, take advantage of the selection of restaurants and shops, or spend some downtime at the Rockville Library or VisArts Center.

Virginia

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 mid-March
Bonus: Recently renovated and expanded, it’s a good choice for kiddos learning to skate — Penguin Skating aids are available at the rink kiosk. Also located amid many shopping and dining options.

Reston Town Center Ice Skating
Where: 11900 Market Street, Reston
Cost: $10/adults, $9/children, $5/skate rentals
Hours: Sun-Tues 11am-7pm, Weds-Thurs 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm
Open: November 1 through mid-March
Bonus: The Town Center is like a mini downtown, so you can do some shopping, have a bite to eat, check off some errands, even see a movie along with your skating excursion.

Tysons Corner Center Ice Rink
Where: 1961 Chain Bridge Road, McLean
Cost: $10/adults, $9/children, $6/skate rentals (Mention DC KIDS to get half-price admission!)
Hours: Sun 11am-7pm, Mon-Thurs 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm
Open: November 28 through March 11
Bonus: Tack on a skating session to some shopping at the mall — or vice versa.

Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets
Where: 241 Fort Evans Road NE, Leesburg
Cost: $6/adults, $5/ages 6-12, $4/ages 5 and under, $3/skate rentals
Hours: Daily
Open: December 15 – January 15
Bonus: Shopping! Hit the outlet stores then chill out at the small, temporary rink. Penguin helpers are also available to help steady little skaters ($4 rental).

 

Indoor

DC

Fort Dupont Ice Arena
Where: 3779 Ely Place, SE
Cost: $5/adults, $4/children, $3/skate rental
Hours: Fri 12-1:50 pm, Sat 11:45am-12:45 pm

Maryland

Herbert Wells Ice Rink
Where: 5211 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, Md
Cost: $6/adult, $5/children ($1 off for PG County Residents)
Hours: Vary by day
Open: Through mid-March

Cabin John Ice Rink
Where: 10610 Westlake Drive, Cabin John Regional Park
Cost: $6.50/adult, $5.50/ages 5-10, $3.50/ages 3-4 $3.25/skate rental
Hours: Vary by day, view the current 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

Virginia

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, view the current public skate schedule here.