Let’s hope the only thing falling at D.C.’s ice-skating rinks this year is the snow. That almost definitely won’t be the case, but still, as far as winter activities go, it’s hard to top gliding around while surrounded by glowing lights. Here’s a guide to where to hit the ice this year.
Ice Rink at the Sculpture Garden
7th St. & Constitution Avenue NW
If you’ve just started a D.C. ice-skating bucket list, hit the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden’s classic rink first — you can’t go wrong gliding around on the National Mall. The rink, which feels like it was plucked out of a Hallmark movie, is surrounded by glowing museums and monuments. The admission fee includes two 45-minute skating sessions, and you can also book private or group lessons.
Dates: Through March 5
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Cost: $12 for adults; $9 for seniors, children 12 and under, military, and students with a valid school ID. Skate rental is $6.
The Wharf Ice Rink
Transit Pier, 970 Wharf St. SW
Swap boating across the Potomac for skating on top of it at this rink, which is the only one in D.C. that’s actually on top of the water. Plus, your pretty view comes with a side of convenience: There are dozens of places on the Wharf to grab a snack and a drink or do some holiday shopping after exiting the ice.
Dates: Through late February
Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 4 p.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday, noon-10 p.m.; Sunday noon-8 p.m.
Cost: $13 for adults and $10 for children (12 and younger). Skate rental is $7. Active military and seniors get a $2 discount.
The Winter Village at Cameron Run
4001 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria
NOVA Parks is once again operating its outdoor, family-oriented display in Alexandria. Plan to wander through an interactive light display, including a giant tunnel, 20-foot walk-through tree, and photo ops involving reindeer and sleighs. Then take a turn on the ice; sessions are an hour long.
Dates: Through February
Hours: 5 p.m.-10 p.m. nightly
Cost: $20.00 (and a $2.03 online fee). Ice-skating in January and February, when the light display is closed, is $14.07 including fees.
National Harbor Ice Skating
201 Waterfront St., National Harbor
Every holiday season, National Harbor turns into a winter wonderland. This outdoor rink at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center is one of many activity options: You can also go snow tubing or check out ice bumper cars, and every night at 7:30, 8:45, and 9:15, there’s a synchronized light show in the hotel. There’s also Ice!, a massive ice sculpture display in the hotel’s atrium — this year it’s A Christmas Story-themed.
Dates: Through Dec. 31
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily
Cost: $20.99 for unlimited skating (includes skate rental).
Canal Park Ice Rink
200 M St. SE
This Capitol Riverfront rink is being operated by Friends of Fort Dupont Ice Arena, and proceeds will help provide ice sports instruction to D.C. youth. In addition to public skate sessions, choose among a variety of learn-to-skate options, including for kids and for adult beginners.
Dates: Through early March.
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, noon-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday noon-11 p.m.
Cost: $15 walk-up price for adults; $12 for kids 12 and under and those 60 and up; $12 for active military and students with ID. Skate rental $5. (Online discounts available.)
Herbert Wells Ice Rink
5211 Campus Drive, College Park
This semi-enclosed regulation-sized rink is a great spot for serious skaters to practice for much of the year (it’s open November through April). And since it has a roof, you’ll stay warmer than you would at fully outdoor rinks. Take advantage of locker rooms with showers, a vending room, and a party room that can be rented out.
Dates: Through April.
Hours: Wednesday, noon-2 p.m.; Friday, 3:15 p.m.-5:15 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Cost: $5 for adults who live in Prince George’s County, $7 for nonresidents; $4 for resident teens 17 and younger and seniors 60 and up, $6 for nonresidents. Skate rental is $2.
Color Burst Ice Rink
6000 Merriweather Drive, Columbia
You get 75 minutes to skate at this outdoor rink in downtown Columbia; advance reservations are highly recommended. The atmosphere is festive, with twinkling snowflake lights suspended over the rink, and there’s lots of music and pop-up food and drink stands.
Dates: Through Feb. 28.
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 4 p.m.-8 p.m.; Friday, 4 p.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, noon-9 p.m.; Sunday, noon-8 p.m.
Cost: $15, which includes skate rental.
The Washington Harbour Ice Rink
3050 K St. NW
This Georgetown waterfront ice rink glows in the evenings, lit up with twinkling lights and decorations. Skating sessions are 90 minutes, and parents can rent cute penguin skating assistants for their kids. If you work up an appetite showing off your skills, pop into a nearby restaurants such as Farmers Fishers Bakers or Guapo’s.
Dates: Through March 12
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Cost: $10 for adults; $9 for children 12 and under, seniors, and military. Skate rental is $7. Penguin rental $10.
Enchant
Nationals Park, 1500 S. Capitol St. SE
You may never take the field at Nationals Park, but you can hit the rink that’s installed there throughout the holiday season. Enchant is a holiday extravaganza, with a winding light maze, artisan village, and lots of treats and drinks. The ice rink, which requires an add-on ticket, is designed to mimic gliding through a forest of Christmas lights.
Dates: Through Jan. 1.
Hours: Varies by date, but generally daily from 4:30 p.m.- or 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. or 11:30 p.m.
Cost: Prices vary by date, but starts at $53 ($35 for Enchant admission plus $18 for skating) for adults, $41 ($23 Enchant admission plus skating fee) for children. Price includes skate rental.
Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating
1201 South Joyce St., Arlington
You’ll need to make a reservation to skate at what’s touted as the largest outdoor rink in Northern Virginia. (It’s 6,840 square feet.) After spinning across the ice, tuck in by the well-decorated plaza’s stone fireplace, or grab a warm drink from one of the many surrounding eateries. (Penguin helpers also available here.)
Dates: Through mid-March.
Hours: Sunday-Monday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday, noon-10 p.m.; Friday, noon-11 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Cost: $11 for ages 13 and up; $10 for those 12 and under; $10 for seniors. Skate rental is $6.
Reston Town Center Ice Skating
1818 Discovery St., Reston
This annual ice skating rink set up in the center of Reston Town Center is back with its twinkle-light-lit covered glass pavilion. Tickets get you a 1-hour session. Reservations are recommended; after working up a sweat, you can hit up plenty of other restaurants and retailers in the town center.
Dates: Through mid-March
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 11:30 a.m.– 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m.–11 a.m.; Sunday, 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m.
Cost: $10 for adults, $9 for children 12 and under, seniors, and military personnel. Skate rental is $10
Reservations are required for this annual winter ice rink in downtown Silver Spring, which is on the partially covered Veterans’ Plaza. Tickets cover an 80-minute session, and the rink is walkable to many restaurants and retailers in the downtown Silver Spring area.
Dates: Into February
Hours: Monday-Thursday, noon-10 p.m.; Friday, noon-11 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Cost: Adults $11, children and seniors $10. Skate rental is $5.
Rockville Town Square Outdoor Ice Skating Rink
131 Gibbs St., Rockville
Reservations are required to skate at this rink in Rockville Town Square, which features great proximity to the neighborhood’s Christmas tree. You can snag a spot online up to two weeks in advance, and skating passes are valid for up to an hour of admission.
Dates: Through mid-March.
Hours: Sunday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Monday-Thursday, noon-10 p.m.; Friday, noon-11 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Cost: $11 for adults; $10 for children and seniors. Skate rental $5.
Bowie Ice Arena
3330 Northview Drive, Bowie
If you consider ice-skating a four-season activity, get acquainted with this indoor rink in Bowie — it’s open from July through April every year. Mark your calendar for Dec. 4: It’s the Holiday Jingle Skate, which means free admission if you donate a new toy to the rink’s Toys for Tots drive.
Dates: Through April.
Hours: Vary; check monthly calendar.
Cost: Starting at $6 for Bowie residents. Skate rental $3.
