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 11 – Early March
Hours: Sun-Thurs 12-10pm, Fri 2-11pm, Sat 12-11pm
Cost: $13/adult, $10/child, $6/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 17 – February 25
Hours: Sun–Thurs 11am – 8:30pm, Fri-Sat 11am – 10:30pm
Cost: $11/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 ($10), it’s a good rink for newbie skaters. Also, be sure to check the website for specials on certain days/times! [Note that admission is by timed session that are 1.5 hours.]
District Wharf Ice Rink
Where: Transit Pier at The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: November 22 – 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 20– March 3
Hours: Sun–Thurs 11am–9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm
Cost: $12/adult, $10/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 15 – Mid-March
Hours: Mon–Thurs 12am–10pm, Fri 12-11pm, Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 10am–10pm
Cost: $11/adult, $10/child, $6/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: $11-13/age 13+, $10-12/12 & 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 17 – 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-Thurs, 12-10pm, Fri 12-11pm Sat 10am-11pm, Sun-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 3 – March 10
Cost: $10/age 12+, $9/11 & under, $7/skate rentals
Hours: Sun-Thurs 11:30am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am – 11pm
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: December 1 – January 1
Cost: $20 (includes winter village)
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 (UNDER CONSTRUCTION 2023-24!!!)
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 on website
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 the schedule on the website
Virginia
MedStar Capitals Iceplex
Where: 627 N. Glebe Road | Arlington, VA (8th Level of Ballston Parking Garage)
Cost: $15
Hours: Vary by day, find public skate times 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: $9/weekday, $10/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: Times vary, check here to se when public skate sessions are held