The weather is getting colder, the holiday lights are glimmering all around, and what better way to take it all in than with a favorite winter pastime: ice skating! Luckily, there are many easily accessible ice rinks around Washington, D.C., and the surrounding area. So before you lace up your skates and hit the ice, Secret D.C. has rounded up seven of the best ice skating rinks you’ll want to check out this holiday season!
1. National Gallery and Sculpture Garden Rink
Just beyond the National Gallery, among the art of its Sculpture Garden, and near the National Mall, you can glide across the ice of its seasonal skating rink and take it all in!
From November 20th until March 3rd, 2024, it will be open every day (weather permitting) and you will be able to rent skates, partake in skating lessons, or show off your skills in two 45-minute back-to-back skate sessions!
Price: Admission for adults is $12, Children (12 & under) are $10, and skate rentals are $6.
Where: 7th St. and Constitution Ave. NW
2. Washington Harbour Ice Rink
One of the largest outdoor ice skating rinks in D.C., this Georgetown rink is open from November 27th until February 23rd, 2025. Here you can enjoy the views of the Georgetown Waterfront, rent ice skates, sign up for skating lessons, and join in on the open skating (in 90-minute increments).
Price: Admission for adults is $11, Children (12 & under) are $9, and skate rentals are $7.
Where: 3050 K St. NW
3. The Wharf Ice Rink
Opening for the winter season until February 2025, the Wharf Ice Rink lets you hit the ice while taking in the beautiful waterfront sights of the Washington Channel. When you’re done, you can warm up with some hot cider and s’mores from the Camp Wharf airstream as you sit beside a fire pit!
Prices: Admission for adults is $25 with skates and $19 without, children under 12 years old are $20 with skates and $15 without, and skate rentals are $9.
Where: 970 Wharf Street SW
4. Canal Park Ice Rink
Opening for the season has been delayed, but they are expecting to update the public this week with some good news! Located near the Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro, Canal Park Ice Rink offers a full service of skate rentals, skate lessons, and free public skating! Included with admission is a 90-minute skate session that is broken into two 45-minute segments to allow the ice to be resurfaced.
Price: Admission for adults is and children TBA.
Where: 200 M St. SE
5. Westpost Outdoor Ice Skating at National Landing
Just a short drive away in Arlington, Westpost Outdoor Ice Skating at National Landing (formerly known as Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating) has the largest outdoor rink in Northern Virginia. The facility offers a variety of resources for anyone looking to learn how to skate (youth, adult, and private classes!) and the opportunity to hit the nearby shops when you’re done. Win-win! Plus, you can skate for 2 hours with your admission!
Price: Admission for adults is $13, Children (12 & under) are $12, and skate rentals are $6 (Registering and paying online offers a discounted price).
Where: 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington, Va.
6. National Harbor Ice Skating
Located just outside of the Gaylord National Hotel in National Harbor, and will open for the season on November 19th until December 31st. With payment of admission you can skate for as long as you want from 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.—just don’t forget you need to register for tickets ahead of time online!
Price: Admission for all ages is $22.99 and includes skate rentals (Must register tickets online).
Where: 201 Waterfront St., Oxon Hill, Md.
7. Merriweather District
The Color Burst Ice Rink has returned to the Merriweather District! Get out on the ice, take in the space’s spirited Christas Tree, and once you’ve worked up on appetite, grab a bite to eat at one of their nearby restaurant like Medium Rare or Banditos Tacos. You’ll get 75 minutes starting the moment you hit the ice. It’s highly recommended that you reserve a ticket in advance (you can buy single-day tickets or season passes!)
Hours:
Sunday: 12PM – 8PM
Monday – Thursday: 4PM – 9PM
Friday: 4PM – 10PM
Saturday: 12PM – 10PM
Price: $12 per person + tax, rentals, and reservation fee and $3 for ice skate rentals
Where: Color Burst Ice Rink is located at Color Burst Park in Merriweather District