It’s the time of year for holiday cheer, gift guides, and of course, ice skating.
Here are our picks for the three best ice skating rinks in and around the Washington, D.C., area.
Washington Harbour (Georgetown) Ice Rink 3050 K St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
Hours: Open now till March 2018 | Mon.–Tues., 12–7 p.m. | Wed.–Thur., 12–9 p.m. | Fri., 12–10 p.m. | Sat., 10 a.m.–10 p.m. | Sun., 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Cost: $10 for adults | $9 for children/seniors/military | $6 for rentals
This is probably the most classic -- and most well-known -- skating rink in D.C. Located on the waterfront in the historic Georgetown neighborhood, you can take in the sights of the Potomac River and The Kennedy Center across the way as you skate. Everything about the waterfront is elegant and charming during any season of the year, but it’s especially magical during the holidays. The rink is the perfect romantic date spot, either for a day of skating or an impromptu spin after dinner.
While it’s romantic, it’s also great for kids and families. The rink offers lessons for both children and adults, so the ice gets a lot of traffic throughout the day, especially on weekends. Its Georgetown locale makes it a great for people-watching, as tons of people from all over the world visit the area every day.
You’ll love how iconic it is in Washington, D.C., and the fact that it’s open for your skating pleasure all winter long. It’s also the largest one in the city, giving you plenty of room to show off all your tricks.
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink
Constitution Ave. NW & 7th Street, Washington, D.C. 20408
Hours: Open now till March 2018 | Mon.–Thur., 10 a.m.–9 p.m. | Fri., 10 a.m.–11 p.m. | Sat., 11 a.m.–11 p.m. | Sun., 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Cost: $9 for adults | $8 for children age 12 and under, students with ID, seniors 50+ | $3.50 for skate rental (ID required) | $0.50 for locker rental ($5 deposit required) | $195 for season tickets
The Sculpture Garden at The National Gallery of Art is cool in its own right, featuring tons of events in the summer and year-round sculptures that make you both appreciate and question art. But in the winter, the fountain pool in the middle of the garden turns into a beautiful ice skating rink, open to the public.
The feel of this ice rink is cozier than the one in Georgetown -- not only because it’s a bit smaller, but also because you’re surrounded by art and twinkling lights. It’s also a great place to bring a date, but would be equally as cute on a Saturday with your family. Because of the rink's central location, you’ll find a sprinkling of locals, tourists, and everyone in between. The rink is also open from mid-November to March, so you’ll have tons of time to try out the ice.
The Wharf Ice Rink
960 Wharf Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20024
Hours: Mon.–Tues., 12–7 p.m. | Wed.–Thur., 12–9 p.m. | Fri., 12–11 p.m. | Sat., 11 a.m.–11 p.m. | Sun., 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Cost: $10 for adults | $8 for children age 12 and under | $2 discount for seniors (65+) with valid ID | $6 for rentals | $3 for lockers
The Wharf is the new "it" place to be, and your Instagram feed is going to look adorable with the backdrop of the new modern structures against the wharf skating rink. There’s tons to see, do, eat, and drink, and now you can add ice skating to your list of activities.
You come to this rink for the views. As you skate, you get breathtaking sights of the water on one side and the quaint boardwalk on the other. The rink is also less touristy, as The Wharf, despite its restaurant scene, is a residential area. On Mondays, the rink honors a Southwest night, where local residents (with a valid zip code on their ID) receive $2 off. Fridays are Rock N Skate nights; a live DJ hosts a night of music and fun. And on any night, once you’re done skating, you can enjoy a hearty glass of red wine and a delicious meal at one of the many award-winning restaurants The Wharf has to offer. Whether you’re a local or not, you’ll enjoy coming here with your friends, on a date, or even for a quick skate by yourself.
What D.C. skating rinks have you visited, and which are you excited to check out this year? Let us know in the comments below!
