Area Ice Skating Rinks Open for the Season
‘Tis the season to strap on the skates and glide. Although the temperatures in the DMV haven’t fallen below freezing yet, and we haven’t seen a single snow flake, area ice skating rinks will all be open by this weekend. They all offer lessons if you don’t know how to skate. Most are also available for birthday, corporate or private parties.
The Canal Park Ice Rink is in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood. (Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)
Canal Park
The Canal Park Ice Rink, 200 M St. SE, is open Nov. 11 through Feb. 26 and offers a winding track set against an alluring cityscape in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood.
The rink is open from noon-7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, noon-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, noon-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. It is also open holidays, but times vary. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for children, military or senior citizens and $5 skate rental.
The ice rink at the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden attracts thousands of skaters to the Mall each year.
(Photo: Washington Times)
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink, Constitution Avenue and Seventh Street NW, is open Nov. 18 through Mar. 12. A long-time favorite destination that attracts thousands of visitors to skate on the National Mall, it is surround by sculptures by renowned contemporary artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Roy Lichentstein, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. Enjoy a bite to eat or a hot drink at The Pavilion Café while you take a break.
The rink is open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $8.50 for adults, $7.50 for children 12 and under, senior citizens 50 and old and students with a valid ID. Stake rental is $3 and locker rental is 50 cents. Classes are offered Nov. 19-Dec. 17, Jan. 3-Feb. 4 and Feb. 7-Mar. 11.
The ice rink at Pentagon Row is the largest in Northern Virginia and second largest in the state. (Photo: Pentagon Row)
Pentagon Row
The Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating Rink, 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington, was doubled in 2013 and is now the largest outdoor rink in Northern Virginia and the second largest in the state. It features a dual-sided stone fireplace to warm yourself by during breaks. It is open Oct. 25 through March.
The rink is open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on Sunday, noon-10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, noon-11 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-11 a.m. on Saturday. It is open every day including holidays when the hours are 10 a.m.-11 p.m., except New Year’s Eve, when it will be open from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Admission is $9 for people 13 and older, $8 for children 12 and under and for senior citizens 55 and older. Skate rental is $4.
The Reston Town Center ice rink is in the center’s pavilion. (Photo: Modern Reston)
Reston Town Center
The Reston Town Center Ice Rink transforms the center’s pavilion floor into a gleaming ice skating rink. Special events include Rock ‘n Skate from 8-10 p.m. on Fridays, Cartoon Skate from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays and College Skate Night from 6-9 p.m. Thursday with $2 off admission with a valid college ID.
The rink is open from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. There are extended holiday hours. Adult admission is $10 and children under 12, seniors 55 and older and military are $9. Skate rental is $6.
Rockville Town Square’s ice rink is the largest in Montgomery County. (Photo: Bethesda Magazine)
Rockville Town Square
The Rockville Town Square Ice Rink, 13 Gibbs St., Rockville, is the largest outdoor rink in Montgomery County. It opened Oct. 31.
The rink is open from noon-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. It has extended hours on holidays. Admission is $9 for adults 13 and older and $8 for children 12 and under. Skate rental is $4.
Silver Sping converts Veterans Plaza to an ice skaing rink. (Photo: Silver Spirng Ice Skating Rink)
Silver Spring
The Silver Spring Outdoor Ice Rink at Veterans Plaza, 8523 Fenton St., Silver Spring, is surrounded by restaurants, shops and plenty of parking that is free after 8 p.m. weekends and all day on weekends. It opened Oct. 12.
The rink is open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, noon-10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, noon-midnight Friday and 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday. Hours are 10 a.m.-midnight whenever Montgomery County Schools are closed. Admission is $9 for adults 13 and older and $8 for children 12 and under and senior citizens. Skate rental is $4.
The Tysons Corner Center ice rink is on the second floor plaza between Lord & Taylor and the Hyatt Regency. (Photo: Modern Reston)
Tysons Corner Center
The Tysons Corner Center Ice Rink, 1061 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, is on the shopping center’s new plaza between Lord & Taylor and the Hyatt Regency accessible from the Tysons Corner Metro station. It opens Nov. 18. Special events include weekly cartoon skates, Saturday night Rock ‘n Skate.
The rink is open from 3-7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 3-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 3-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. It is open holidays and there are extended hours during the holidays. Admission is $10 for adults and $9 for children, senior citizens and military personnel. Skate rental is $6.
Skate along the Potomac River at the Washington Harbour Ice Rink. (Photo: Washington Harbour)
Washington Harbour
Rejoice in riverfront views at the Washington Harbour Ice Rink, 3050 K. St. NW, which opened Nov. 11 in Georgetown. Skate alongside the Potomac River and enjoy a hot beverage from one of the rink-side restaurants. Specials include Two for Tuesday with two for one admission from 4-6 p.m., College Night Skate with $2 off with a college ID on Thursdays, Cartoon Skate from 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays and Rock ‘N Skate from 8-10 pm. Saturday.
The rink is open from noon-7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, noon-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, noon-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday including holidays. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for children, military and senior citizens, and $6 for skate rentals.
Editor-in-Chief Mark Heckathorn is a journalist, movie buff and foodie. He oversees DC on Heels editorial operations as well as strategic planning and staff development. Reach him with story ideas or suggestions at dcoheditor (at) gmail (dot) com.
