Looking for someplace to gracefully glide across the ice or maybe to take a tumble or two while you find your skating feet? Check out these awesome ice skating rinks across the DMV region, from seasonal outdoor rinks to indoor arenas that offer lessons year-round.
The Best Skating Rinks in Maryland
If you’re searching for some of the best skating rinks in Maryland, look no further! Whether you want to take advantage of year-round lessons or seasonal outdoor skating, you can find it all from Columbia, Glen Burnie, Rockville, and more. Lace up your skates or rent a pair onsite while you work on your technique.
Color Burst Ice Rink at Merriweather
Where? 6000 Merriweather Drive, Columbia
The Color Burst Ice Rink at Merriweather District is a seasonal ice rink that features a range of celebrations and themed events throughout the winter season, as well as music and pop-up food and beverage options. If you’ve found yourself skating up an appetite, head to one of the nearby restaurants to satisfy your cravings. Guests are encouraged to reserve a spot in advance by purchasing their tickets online. Entry is not guaranteed for walk-ups, especially during busy times. Skaters will have a 75-minute skate period beginning from when they enter the rink. Area residents can buy season passes if they plan to skate frequently! Free parking is available at the Symphony Woods Garage. For the 2024-2025 season, tickets are priced at $12 per person + tax, and skate rentals are set at $3. Children’s skate-aids are available to rent for $5 for the duration of your skate period.
Glen Burnie Outdoor Ice Skating
Where? 103 Crain Highway, Glen Burnie
Whether you’re an avid skater or you want to learn the basics, the Glen Burnie Outdoor Ice Skating Rink is the perfect spot to visit. With skating school options for beginner and intermediate skaters, as well as private lessons, everybody is welcome here! Online reservations are highly recommended, as Glen Burnie does sell out. Skating tickets are for up to 2 hours of skating and tickets can be purchased up to two weeks in advance. Admission is priced at $9 for skaters under 12 and $10 for ages 12 and older. Seniors receive a discounted rate of $9 and skate rentals are priced at $4. Bringing your own skates? No problem! There are also skate-sharpening services for $10. Buy single-day passes or season passes for the family and skate all winter long. The rink is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas and the standard hours are posted via the website, which are applicable from early November until the end of February.
Cabin John Regional Park Ice Rink
Where? 10610 Westlake Drive, Rockville
The Cabin John Ice Rink is one of two indoor skating facilities in Montgomery Parks, which offer a wide range of ice skating and ice hockey classes and camps for all ages and levels throughout the year. Open year-round, the facility features three rinks (NHL, Olympic, and Studio), a pro shop with skating equipment, apparel, and sharpening services, and the Cabin John Café with refreshments, snacks, and free Wi-Fi. There is even a dance studio and three party rooms, which are all available to rent for special events. Members of the public must purchase admission in person for all public skating lessons. Public skating sessions are offered every day, along with special sessions including freestyle, family skates, teen skates, stick ‘n puck, and pickup hockey. Group lesson cards must be presented in person to obtain admission. Everyone is welcome at Cabin John, including individuals with disabilities. Contact the Program Access Office to request disability modifications.
Quiet Waters Park Ice Rink
Where? 600 Quiet Waters Park Road, Annapolis
The Quiet Waters Park ice rink offers both a pleasant and safe family-friendly environment for those looking to enjoy the fresh air while they skate. For the 2024-2025 season, the rink opened on November 23rd. The rink is located in front of the Visitor Center and has skates, helmets, and skate-sharpening services onsite. All skate sessions are two hours long and start every hour on the hour. The rink is typically closed on Tuesdays, except on holiday school breaks. Admission to Quiet Waters Park can be paid via cash, check, or credit card and season passes are available. Adult tickets are set at $7, children ages 12 and under at $6, seniors at $6, and rentals at $3. Season passes begin at $110 for individuals and go up to $275 for immediate family. Ice skating lessons are available throughout the season for all levels.
Silver Spring Outdoor Ice Skating Rink
Where? 8523 Fenton Street, Silver Spring
Reservations to the Silver Spring Outdoor Ice Skating Rink open two weeks in advance. Admission tickets are valid for up to 2 hours of skating and skaters are encouraged to arrive within 10 minutes of their reservation to keep the schedule running smoothly. The rink has access to over 400 pairs of ice hockey and figure skates, with sizes ranging from toddler 7 to adult 14. Double blades are also available for toddlers in sizes 8 to 13. Admission prices range from $10 for children and seniors to $11 for adults. Rentals are priced at $6. There are adult group lessons from 9:00 AM to 9:50 AM on Sundays and private lessons are available at your convenience based on instructor availability.
The Best Skating Rinks in Washington, D.C.
Washington arguably has some of the coolest rinks around, with some of the best views! Soak in the sights of the National Mall and the waterfront while you skate with your loved ones. Bring your own skates or rent a pair at the rink!
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink
Where? 7th Street and Constitution Avenue NW
The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden’s rink is iconic for a reason. Skaters are surrounded by sculptures and the beautiful National Mall, making this a truly one-of-a-kind spot to skate with family and friends. The ice rink is open from Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM and on Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM. There is a Pavilion Café nearby for when you’ve worked up an appetite! Skating passes can be purchased in person. Fees cover two back-to-back, 45-minute skating sessions that each begin on the hour. Ice maintenance happens in the last 15 minutes of each hour. Prices are set at $12 for ages 13+, $10 for ages 12 and under, 60+, military service members with ID and students with a school ID, and $250 for season passes. Skate rentals are $6. Free lockers are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Private and group lessons are offered throughout the winter, such as Snowplow Sam, Freeskate, Adult, Basic, and Mom/Dad & Me. The outdoor rink will close for rain or extreme temps.
The Wharf Ice Rink
Where? 760 Maine Avenue SW
The Wharf Ice Rink is DC’s only over-water ice skating rink. From November through February, the rink is open for those looking to glide over the ice and soak in the amazing views of the water and the monuments. While you’re there, you should go ahead and treat yourself to some hot beverages and seasonal specialties at nearby restaurants and shops! The rink is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and Wednesdays are closed to public skating due to curling events. On Thursdays and Fridays, the rink is open from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Saturday from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Last admissions are sold 15 minutes prior to closing. Rink admission is priced at $25 for adults ages 12+ with skate rentals or $19 if you’re bringing your own skates and $20 for youth ages 12 and under with rentals ($15 without). Admission is valid for the entire business day. Seniors ages 65+ and military members receive a discounted rate. Additional offerings at the rink include skate aid rentals, locker rentals, gloves/socks, hand warmers, and The Wharf Ice Rink hats and scarves!
Canal Park Ice Skating Rink
Where? 200 M Street SE
The Canal Park Ice Skating Rink is partnered with Kids on Ice to provide a wide range of skating programs and high-quality ice sports instruction for youth. In addition to Learn to Skate USA Basic Skills classes, there are also lessons on advanced figure skating, introductory synchronized skating, and learning to play hockey. Canal Park offers public skating sessions seven days a week from late November until early March, with general admission set at $13. Skate rentals are available for $7 per person, with a limited number of figure skates available on a first-come, first-served basis. Skating sessions are 90 minutes long, with a break at the halfway point to resurface the ice. Youth, college students, and seniors age 60+ receive a $2 discount. If you plan to skate various times throughout the season, consider a 10-admission punch card for $100!
Washington Harbour Ice Rink
Where? 3050 K Street NW
The Washington Harbour Ice Rink re-opens in mid-November, allowing skaters to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Georgetown Waterfront. This is the largest ice skating rink in the entire city — even larger than the Rockefeller Center in NYC! Visitors will be able to soak in the scenic views of the Potomac River, the Kennedy Center, Key Bridge, and the historic Georgetown surroundings while skating the night away. Whether you’re planning a date night or you want to treat the family to one of the area restaurants after you finish skating, this is the perfect spot! Skate rentals are available and open skating is in 90-minute increments. Admission is $11 for adults, $9 for children ages 12 and under, seniors and military, and $14 for groups of 10 or more (includes skate rentals).
The Best Skating Rinks in Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia has its fair share of ice skating rinks, from the year-round Fairfax Ice Arena to the Westpost Outdoor Rink – which is the largest in the area!
Fairfax Ice Arena
Where? 3779 Pickett Road, Fairfax
Skate all winter long at the indoor Fairfax Ice Arena. The arena offers daily public skating sessions throughout the year, with special holiday hours. Public ice skating session hours are designated times open to the general public and admission and skate rentals can be purchased in person at the ticket office. The arena also offers group ice skating lessons at the Fairfax Ice Arena Skating School, where attendees will learn the fundamentals of ice skating to progress into more specific skating disciplines. Other programs and events throughout the year include the Spring Break Ice Skating Camp for ages 4 through 13, going into beginner to Delta levels. This annual camp includes on-ice skating instruction, show practice, supervised practice skating, and off-ice fitness and games.
Westpost Outdoor Ice Skating Rink
Where? 1201 South Joyce Street, Arlington
Formerly Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating, the Westpost Outdoor Ice Skating Rink takes reservations up to two weeks in advance. Admission tickets are valid for up to 2 hours of skating. Online pricing is set at $11 for ages 13 and older, $10 for ages 12 and under, and $10 for seniors. Prices increase by $2 for walk-up pricing, with the exception of seniors. Skate rentals are priced at $6. The Westpost rink is the largest in Northern Virginia. With an impressive 7,200 square feet of space, it’s also the 2nd largest in the entire state! There are youth group lessons on Saturday mornings at the rink, as well as adult lessons on Sunday mornings for ages 16 and up.
Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run
Where? 4001 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria
Glide across the ice at Northern Virginia’s Ice & Lights in Alexandria. Cameron Run Regional Park is transformed from mid-November through February into a winter wonderland featuring an ice rink, beautifully lit photo ops, music, and more. If you get hungry, grab a slice of pizza or roast a marshmallow over one of the fire pits while you enjoy the ambiance of the winter village. Daytime ice skating is offered on select dates in December and January, as well as on weekends and holidays throughout January and February. Tickets are priced at $13.03 online and include one and a half hours of skating. Skate rentals are available in a variety of sizes, from toddler 11 to men’s 13.
Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion
Where? 1818 Discovery Street, Reston
The Reston Town Center offers public skating daily, with extended hours for the holidays. The skate shop is well-stocked with over 500 pairs of skates, starting in size from toddler sizes 7J in figure skates and 8J in hockey and double bladed skates. For beginner skaters, try the double-bladed, flat-edge skates that can be used to walk across the ice until you’re ready to glide on the single blades. Admission is priced at $11 for adults, $9 for youth ages 12 and under, seniors, and military and rentals are set at $7. Penguin and snowman skate aids are available to rent for $10 each. Tickets included 1.5 hours of ice time. Group rates are priced at $14 per person for groups of 10 and include skate rentals.
Stay Warm on the Ice in the DMV!
Whether you consider yourself a pro ice skater or you’re just looking to have fun for a couple of hours with your friends, these are the best ice rinks across the DMV! Lace-up your rental skates or get your personal ones sharpened and have a blast this winter.