The DMV has no shortage of places to glide, spin and laugh your way through the winter season. From festive outdoor rinks with twinkling lights to dependable indoor ice houses with options for skating lessons, each spot offers a fun outing for your family. Here are some of the best ice skating rinks in the region for families to enjoy this year.
Key Takeaways
- The bigger picture: The DMV offers plenty of ice skating options this winter, spanning festive outdoor rinks and dependable year-round indoor ice houses across Virginia, DC and Maryland.
- More details: Outdoor highlights include Northern Virginia’s largest rink at Westpost and scenic spots like the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden and The Wharf, while indoor venues like Fairfax Ice Arena and Fort Dupont Ice Arena offer year-round skating with lessons and hockey programs.
- Why this helps: With admission prices ranging from about $9 to $24 and some rinks offering discounts for advance online booking, residents or groups, families can compare pricing and hours to pick a rink that fits their schedule and budget.
Virginia
Outdoor Options
Westpost Outdoor Ice Rink
At 7,200 square feet, the Westpost Outdoor Ice Rink is the largest outdoor ice skating rink in Northern Virginia. It is located in the Plaza at Pentagon Row with shops, restaurants and coffee shops flanking the rink for a fantastic family outing. Reservations open two weeks in advance and are highly recommended.
- Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Monday; noon-10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; noon-11 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday
- Location: 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington
- Pricing: Admission is $12 for skaters 12 and under and $13 for adults. The rink offers a $1 discount for reservations made online in advance. Skate rentals are available for an additional $6.
Reston Town Center Ice Rink
Families can skate under the twinkling pavilion at Reston Town Center all through the winter season. The rink also offers private and semi-private lessons for skaters of all ages. The rink’s skate shop stocks over 500 pairs of skates from toddler to adult sizes so you’re sure to find your perfect fit!
- Hours: 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday
- Location: 1818 Discovery St., Reston
- Pricing: Admission is $9 for kids under 12, $11 for adults and skate rentals are available for an additional $8. The rink also offers special pricing for groups, seniors and military families.
Indoor Ice Houses
Ashburn Ice House
The Ashburn Ice House has two full-size skating rinks open year-round for figure skaters, hockey players, and of course, families looking for a fun outing. They host a public skate session daily plus a fun Friday night skate every week. Registration is required for all skating events.
- Hours: 6 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; 6 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
- Location: 21595 Smith Switch Road, Ashburn
- Pricing: Public skate admission is $15 per person and skate rentals are available at an additional cost.
Fairfax Ice Arena
Open for over 50 years, the Fairfax Ice Arena was Virginia’s first year-round ice rink. Still a beloved skating location, the Fairfax Ice Arena offers beginner lessons, hockey and figure skating clinics and camps for kids. They have a themed public skate the first Wednesday of the month from 8:30-9:45 p.m. and daily general public skate sessions.
- Hours: Fall schedule hours have varying public skating sessions from 11:15 a.m.- 9:45 p.m. during the week.
- Location: 3779 Pickett Road, Fairfax
- Pricing: Weekday public skate admission is $10.25 per person and weekend prices are $11.25 per person. Skate rentals are available for an additional $4.
Washington, DC
Outdoor Options
The Wharf Ice Rink
Sitting along The Wharf — a mile-long stretch of DC’s waterfront filled with shops and restaurants, The Wharf Ice Rink is a great place to soak riverside views while gliding on ice. The rink opens in November for the winter season.
- Hours: 4-10 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday
- Location: 970 Wharf St. SW, Washington, DC
- Pricing: Admission for children 12 and under is $15, adult admission is $20 and skate rentals are available for $5. Special pricing for seniors and military families available.
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink
Located in the heart of DC, the National Gallery of Art is a stunning place to be a patron of culture as well as shred up the ice. Go with a group of friends, the family or take part in a skating class to take in the views and history of this unique skating location.
- Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday
- Location: Constitution Avenue NW and 7th Street NW, Washington, DC
- Pricing: Admission for children 12 and under, military service members or students with their school ID is $12, adult admission is $15 and skate rentals are available for $7.
Fort Dupont Ice Arena
Skate the day away at Washington, DC’s only indoor ice skating rink. From their renowned Kids on Ice skating and hockey program to open skating around the clock, this destination will have you lacing up your skates all year round.
- Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday
- Location: 3779 Ely Place SE, Washington, DC
- Pricing: Kids 5-17 are $18, adults 18-54 are $24 and seniors 55 and older pay $14. Discounts are available for DC residents.
Maryland
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Outdoor Options
Rockville Town Square
One of the largest outdoor skating rinks in the region, Rockville’s town square boasts an impressive ice rink open from October to March each year. With weekend group lessons, it’s a great spot to learn to skate or just try lacing up some skates for fun during their opening hours.
- Hours: noon-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday
- Location: 131 Gibbs St., Rockville
- Pricing: Admission for children 12 and under is $11, adult admission is $12 and skate rentals are available for $6. Discounts available for tickets booked in advance online.
Merriweather District Ice Rink
Just inside Color Burst Park in Columbia, you can bring the whole family for a fun day of skating, shopping and dining at Merriweather District. They regularly host themed celebrations and events and have a season pass option for folks who just can’t get enough time on the ice.
- Hours: 4-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 4-10 p.m. Fridays; noon-10 p.m. Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday
- Location: 6100 Merriweather Drive, Columbia
- Pricing: Admission is $12 per person and skate rentals are an additional $3 per person.
Indoor Ice Houses
Bowie Ice Arena
The city of Bowie’s Ice Arena is open July through April each year, offering ice skating for all levels. With lessons, camps and clinics, it’s a great place for kids to try something new. On Tuesdays, they also have a great two-for-one admission deal.
- Hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday
- Location: 3330 Northview Drive, Bowie
- Pricing: Admission is $10 per person for public skate and $3 per person for skate rentals. Discounts available for city of Bowie residents.
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