Outdoor Iceskating in the DC Area This Winter

The Sculpture Garden Ice Rink
7th Street & Constitution Avenue

Perhaps the most picturesque rink for outdoor skating in the DC area returns this year to the National Mall’s Sculpture Garden. This rink has a romantic feel to it, surrounded by art in the Sculpture Garden. Tickets are sold in 45 minute sessions, beginning on the hour. If you have to wait, get a ticket and then visit the art in the surrounding Scuplture Garden.

Check out the Pavilion Café, where you can grab an Asian chicken salad, toasted Reuben sandwich, or double espresso, among other offerings. Ice skates will be sanitized after every use. You can book lessons through the Washington Elite Skating School, and season passes are available for $225.

Dates: Through March 5.
Hours: Sunday through 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. (Yes, prices have gone up this year!)

Once you find the perfect ice rink, then you should call the Lise Howe Group to find the perfect home near that perfect rink!  Lets talk about where you want to live in the DC metro area!

More than 500 pairs of skates are available at this pavilion, ranging from a toddler’s size 8 to a men’s size 15. Beginners can opt for double-bladed, flat-edge skates that help you walk across the ice until you feel ready to glide. Too cold for comfort? No problem: Socks and gloves are available for $4, and handwarmers cost $2.1818 Discovery Street, Reston

Dates: Through mid-March.
Hours: Monday to Thursday 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Cost: $10 for adults; $9 for kids 12 and under, seniors, and military. Skate rental is $7.

The Wharf Ice Rink
Transit Pier, 970 Wharf Street SW

This is the only rink in D.C. where you skate directly over the water — while enjoying panoramic views of the city. If you work up an appetite, stop by one of The Wharf’s 20 plus restaurants and bars, like 12 Stories or Camp Wharf at the Firepit (which serves s’mores).  The Wharf has changed the country’s longest continually operating open-air fish market into a destination for visitors of all ages.  In addition to the restaurants and bars, shops from local artisans and global brands keep the location popular!  Imagine skating here with a concert at any one of the three music venues!

Dates: Nov. 24 through late February.
Hours: Monday and Tuesday closed; Wednesday to Friday 4 p.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday 12 p.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m.-8 p.m.
Cost: $12 for adults and $9 for children (12 and younger). Skate rental is $6. Active military, seniors, first responders, and health care workers get a $2 discount on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating
1201 South Joyce Street, Arlington

Reservations are required for this outdoor Pentagon City rink; you can book two weeks out. The rink is large, and there’s a stone fireplace that looks awfully inviting after all that ice time. Always wanted to learn a triple — er, single — axle? Kids can book five weeks of group lessons for $95; adults can do the same for $105.

Dates: Through mid-March.
Hours: Sunday and 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 $5.

The Washington Harbour Ice Rink

If you are looking for the perfect place to take lots of selfies, this is it! Pictures of you skating alongside the Potomac, while Rosslyn glitters in the background and dozens of twinkling white snowflakes light up the rink are made for holiday cards. Kids who aren’t yet skilled enough to skate on their own can hold on to cute (and useful) rental penguins. The rink will be closed for half an hour after each 90-minute skating session to clean the ice.  This is a great location for children to learn to ice skate but it is also perfect as a date night destination since there are so many restaurants around.

Dates: Through March 12.
Hours: Sunday through Thursday 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
Cost: $10 for adults; $9 for children 12 and under, seniors, and military. Skate rental is $7. Penguin rental $10.

Rockville Outdoor Ice Skating Rink
131 Gibbs St, Rockville

Make your ice-skating reservations within two weeks of the date you want to skate, and make sure to arrive to this outdoor rink about 10 minutes early. You can get up to two hours of parking validated when you call it a night.

Dates: Through mid-March.
Hours: Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Monday noon-10 p.m. Tuesday-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.

Medstar Capitals Iceplex
627 North Glebe Road, Suite 800, Arlington

This is not an outdoor ice rink but we included it anyway because it is home to the Washington Capitals, who practice here. Public skates are held on NHL-sized ice rinks. The staff suggests wearing layers and comfortable athletic clothes; it’s cold inside. No cameras, phones, headphones, backpacks, or purses are allowed on the ice.

Dates: Open year round.
Hours: Various times; check the calendar.
Cost: $15 (includes skate rental).

Gaylord National Ice Skating
201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor

This outdoor rink is located at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, which puts on an extravagant holiday display. After your “yuletide glide” around the rink, pop inside the hotel to catch one of its free nightly light shows — or hop on the ice bumper cars with your family.

Dates: Nov. 26 through end of year.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Cost: $16.99 for unlimited skating (includes skate rental)

Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run
4001 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria

This Alexandria park is transforming into a winter wonderland, with dazzling lights, a giant wreath, a 3-D sleigh, an interactive orb field, and more. Timed ice-skating sessions will also be available; the staff recommends arriving 15 minutes early. After you skate, dig into Dippin’ Dots and other concessions.

Dates: Through Feb. 26.
Hours: 5 p.m.-10 p.m. daily through Jan. 2; Saturdays and Sunday from Jan. 8-Feb. 27, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Village admission with skating is $22.03; just ice skating (from Jan. 8-Feb. 27) is $14.07.

Silver Spring Ice Skating at Veterans Plaza
8523 Fenton Street, Silver Spring

There are more than 400 pairs of ice hockey and figure skates for rent at this outdoor Silver Spring rink. Expect a festive scene with a rainbow of lights flashing overhead. If you want to master a few new tricks, consider signing up for skating school: There are group lessons for kids and adults, plus an intro to ice hockey course. You can also reserve private lessons.

Dates: Through March.
Hours: Friday noon-10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Monday through Thursday noon-10 p.m.
Cost: $10 for adults; $9 for children and seniors. Skate rental $5.