Ice Skating Around DC, Maryland & Northern Virginia

Liv standing in front of Canal Park Ice Skating Rink.
Liv with friends at Canal Park Ice Rink in SE DC

Ice Skating for the first time is kind of scary! Especially when there’s little to no help on the ice… This list includes tips for skating and where around the DMV to find aids that’ll help those first time skaters. We’re experts by no means but we’ve visited a couple in the area and will update this list as we visit more!

Notes: Follow the links to explore more information about ice skating rinks in the DMV area. No affiliate links are included in this blog.

Check back for updates! As previously stated, the more rinks we visit; the more tips we’ll be able to share. Happy skating! 

In this Article

Liv being helped around the rink by staff at Canal Park Ice Skating rink
Assistance around the Ice at Canal Park Ice Rink in SE DC

Ice Skating Tips

While visiting Wheaton Ice Arena, we chatted with one of the instructors who happened to be enjoying open skate. She mentioned a couple of tips when learning how to skate:

  1. Make sure your ice skates are tied tight. They should hug your leg but not pinch. 
  2. Wear gloves in case of falls!
  3. When standing up on and off the ice, point your feet slightly towards each other so you make a small triangle. 
  4. Bend your knees slightly and march in smalls steps as though you’re in a marching band! ~ Marching helps on and off the ice.
  5. If you feel yourself falling, try falling on your side rather than your backside.

As we skate more and pick up tips, I’ll add them here!

Canal Park Ice Rink with a photo of Sarah standing in front of a Christmas tree to the right.
Outdoor Ice Skating at Canal Park in SE DC

Washington, DC Rinks

Canal Park Ice Rink

One of our favorite outdoor ice skating rinks! Conveniently located next to an eatery with pizza and gelato, this space is perfect for parties and get togethers. It’s very beginner friendly and also offers lessons and other amenities.

Here are the general details for Canal Park Ice Rink:

  • It’s located at 200 M St. SE DC.
    • The closest metro station is Navy Yard-Ballpark on the green line.
  • Public Skate Hours:
    • Monday – Thursday: 2:00 pm – 5:45 pm & 6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
    • Friday: 4:00 pm – 7:45 pm & 8:00 pm – 9:45 pm
    • Saturday: 12:00 pm – 9:45 pm
    • Sunday: 12:00 pm – 7:45pm
    • Note: After 6:00 pm, skaters younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult!
  • General Admission: $13.00
    • $2 discount for youth, college students w/ID, and seniors (age 60+)
    • Skate Rental: $7
    • Skate Helper Rental: $10
    • 10 Admission Pass: $100 ~ does not include skate rental & is valid through March 2, 2025!
    • Early Bird Rate on weekdays between 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm is $10/person.
    • Read about FREE Skate Fridays for all DC Students below! 

Read more about Canal Park Ice Rink through their website.

Free Skate Fridays! at Canal Park Ice Rink
Free Skate Fridays at Canal Park

Check out Free Skate Fridays for all DC students at Canal Park Ice Rink. Pre-register online for free admission and skate rentals between 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm on Fridays through March. Adults accompanying children are required to stay in the rink area and are also welcome (but not required) to skate. Tap the image above to register your child!

National Gallery of Art Sculpture garden price list and rink
Skate Season at National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden Ice Rink

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink

Another outdoor gem but this one is more for the intermediate skaters, in my opinion! No skate helpers at this rink located across the street from the West Building of the National Gallery of Art. This rink is open through March 2, 2025.

Here are the general details for the Sculpture Garden Ice Rink:

  • It’s located at 7th St. NW & Constitution Ave. NW
    • Enter or exit from 7th Street, Constitution Avenue, or Madison Drive on the National Mall.
    • The closest metro station is Archives/Navy Memorial on the yellow and green lines.
  • Public Skate Hours:
    • Sunday – Thursday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
    • Friday – Saturday: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
    • General Admission:
      • Ages 13+: $12
      • Ages 12 & under, 60+, military service members with ID, students with school ID: $10
      • Season pass: $250
      • Skate rental: $6
      • Free lockers are available first come, first served!
    • Food: Pavilion Café located on-site
      • Monday – Thursday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
      • Friday – Sunday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Note that fees cover two back-to-back skating sessions. Sessions begin on the hour and last 45 minutes, leaving a 15 minute break for ice maintenance.

Read more about the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden Ice Rink through their website.

More Ice Skating Rinks in DC 

Outdoor Ice Rinks:

Wheaton Ice Arena with photos of Liv ice skating and the entire rink to the bottom
Indoor Ice Skating in Wheaton, MD

Maryland Rinks

Wheaton Ice Arena 

This indoor ice skating rink is one of two year-round skating rinks in Montgomery County, MD. Here are the general details for this ice rink:

  • It’s located at 11717 Orebaugh Ave. Wheaton, MD 20902.
    •  The closest metro station is Wheaton on the red line.
  • 2025 Public Skate Hours:
    • Sunday: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
    • Monday: 10:45 am – 11:45 am (Parent & Tot Skate) & 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
    • Tuesday: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
    • Wednesday: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
    • Thursday: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm & 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
    • Friday: 10:45 am – 11:45 am (Parent and Tot Skate), 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
    • Saturday: 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm & 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
  • General Admission: $8
    • Ages 3 & 4: $5
    • Skate Rental: $4
    • Skate Helper Rental: $5
    • Parent & Tot Skate: $5 for admission and skate rental for one adult and one tot (age 3-4). Older siblings and additional adults pay regular admission.
    • During Cheapskate hours (Wednesdays from 6:45 – 7:45 pm) skate admission + rental: $8/person
  • Food: There’s a decently priced snack bar on-site. The pretzel we had was a bit overcooked and the soda was watered down! I recommend going with all bottled and prepackaged items. 
  • Additional offerings include birthday party packages, summer camps and lessons!

This rink is for more intermediate skaters in my opinion. There are only 5 skate helpers allowed on the ice at a time and it’s first come, first served! The ledge going around the rink is really small so it’s kind of difficult to hold on.

Read more about Wheaton Ice Arena through the Montgomery Parks’ website. 

Silver Spring Ice Rink
A look at Silver Spring Ice Skating Rink

More Ice Skating Rinks in Maryland: 

Outdoor Ice Rinks:

Indoor Ice Rinks: 

Northern Virginia Rinks

More Ice Skating Rinks in Northern Virginia

Outdoor Ice Rinks:

Indoor Ice Rinks:

Thank you for checking out this listing of Ice Skating rinks in DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia. As we visit more rinks, I’ll update this blog with tips for visiting & other need-to-know info!

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