Ice It at These Skating Rinks Around the DC Area

 

As the weather cools down, ice skating rinks throughout the DC area open up! A few start welcoming skaters in October, and the rest will follow suit by mid-November. Going for a glide on ice is a quintessential way to enjoy some active fun outdoors during the cold months. Of course, it can be a great activity indoors, too! So, lace up your skates and get out there — this list has the scoop on where and when to ice skate in and around DC. Happy gliding!

Outdoor

DC 

Canal Park Ice Rink 
Where: 220 M Street SE | Capitol Riverfront, DC
Open: November 14 – Early March
Hours: Sun-Thurs: 12-10pm, Fri-Sat, 12-11pm
Cost: $12/adult, $10/child, $5/rental
Bonus: They offer skating aids for beginners to push around the rink. And after you work up an appetite from all the skating, enjoy pizza from Wise Guys right there, or you’ve got your pick of eateries in the Navy Yard neighborhood where you can grab a bite and warm up.

Washington Harbour Ice Rink 
Where: 3050 K Street NW | Georgetown, DC
Open: November 18 – March 12
Hours: Sun–Thurs 11:30am – 9pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am – 11pm
Cost: $10/adult, $9/child, seniors, military, $7/skate rental
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. Be sure to check the website for specials on certain days/times!

District Wharf Ice Rink 
Where: Transit Pier at The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: November 23 – late February
Hours: Wed-Fri 4-10pm, Sat 12-10pm, Sun 12-8pm
Cost: $13/adult, $10/12 & under, $7/skate rental
Bonus: The rink at The Wharf is located on the Transit Pier, so you’re practically skating over the river. When you’re done zipping around on blades, warm up by the cozy fire pit, grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants, browse the shops, or hang out and enjoy the waterfront views.

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink 
Where: 7th St. & Constitution Ave. NW | National Mall, DC
Open: November 26– March 5
Hours: Sun–Thurs 11am–9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm
Cost: $12/adult, $9/child, $6/skate rental (ID required)
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.

 

Maryland

Silver Spring Veteran’s Plaza Ice Rink
Where: 8523 Fenton Street | Silver Spring, MD
When:  October 27 – Mid-March
Hours: Mon–Fri 12am–10pm, Sat-Sun 10am–10pm
Cost: $11/adult, $10/child, $5/skate rental for one hour
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, MD
When: November – Mid-March
Hours: Mon-Thur 12-10pm, Fri 12-11pm, Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 10am-10pm
Cost: $11/age 13+, $10/12 & under, $5/skate rentals
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.

Color Burst Ice Rink
Where: Merriweather District | Columbia, MD
When: November 18 – Mid-March
Hours: Mon-Thurs 4-9pm, Fri 4-10pm, Sat 12-10pm, Sun 12-8pm
Cost: $14/skate & rental
Bonus: You can pair an ice skating outing with a visit to Symphony of Lights during the holiday season. Plus, there are eateries and arts offerings to take advantage of in safe ways.

 

Virginia

Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating Rink
Where: 1201 South Joyce Street | Arlington,VA
When: November – Mid-March
Cost: $11/age 13+, $10/$12 & under, $6/skate rental
Hours: Tues-Fri, 12-10pm Sat-Mon 10am–10pm
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, VA
Open:  November 11 – March 12
Cost: $10/age 12+, $9/11 & under, $7/skate rentals
Hours: Mon-Tues 11am – 8pm, Wed-Thurs 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am – 11pm, Sun 10:30am – 8pm
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.

Ice & Lights
Where: Cameron Run Park | Alexandria, VA
When: November 18 – Late February 
Cost: $20 (includes winter village), $14/starting Jan. 8, free/under 2
Bonus: Ice & Lights is part of the The Winter Village at Cameron Run, so you can experience a winter wonderland along with skating, including beautifully lit photo ops, music, and more. Grab a slice of pizza, roast a marshmallow over the fire pits, and enjoy the whole winter village.

 

Indoor

DC

Fort Dupont Ice Arena
Where: 3779 Ely Place SE | Anacostia, DC
Cost: $5/adults, $4/children, $3/skate rental
Hours: Fri 12-2pm, Sat 1-3pm, Sun 2:30-4:30pm

 

Maryland

Herbert Wells Ice Rink
Where: 5211 Paint Branch Parkway | College Park, MD
Cost: $5-7/adult, $4-6/child, $2/skate rental
Hours: Sun 2:30-4:30pm, Wed 12-2pm, Fri 3:15-5:15pm, Sat 2-4pm & 9:30-11:30pm
Open:  October to April

Cabin John Ice Rink 
Where: 10610 Westlake Drive | Rockville, MD
Cost: $8/age 11+, $5/age 3-4, $7/age 5-10 $4/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, MD
Cost: $7.70/adult, $4.75/skate rental
Hours: Vary by day, see the schedule here

Wheaton Ice Arena
Where: 11717 Orebaugh Avenue | Wheaton, MD
Cost: $8/age 11+, $5/age 3-4, $7/age 5-10 $4/skate rental
Hours: Vary, see calendars here

 

Virginia

MedStar Capitals Iceplex 
Where: 627 N. Glebe Road | Arlington, VA (8th Level of Ballston Parking Garage)
Cost: $15
Hours: Vary by day, view the current public skate schedule here.

Mount Vernon RECenter Ice Arena (closed for renovations)
Where: 2017 Belle View Blvd.| Alexandria, VA
When: Year-round
Cost: $5.50/youth, $7/adult, $22/family,
Hours: Vary by day, so view online here.

Fairfax Ice Arena
Where: 3779 Pickett Road | Fairfax, VA
When: Daily, Year-Round
Cost: $8.25/weekday, $9.50/weekends, $4/rentals
Hours: Vary by day, so view online and see special holiday hours here.

The St. James Ice House 
Where: 6805 Industrial Road | Springfield, VA
When: Saturdays & Sundays
Cost: $10/members, $12/non-members, $5-6/rentals
Hours: Public skating offered on Friday evenings

Prince William Ice Center
Where: 5180 Dale Blvd. | Woodbridge, VA
When: Daily, year-round
Cost: $10/session, $3/rentals
Hours: Vary by day, so view online here.

SkateQuest
Where: 1800 Michael Faraday Court | Reston, VA
When: Year-round
Cost: $9/session, $4/rentals
Hours: Wed 11:40am-1pm, Fri 11:40am-1pm & 7:30-9:30pm, Sat 1:10-3pm, Sun 3:10-5:10pm (hours could change, so call to confirm)