There are 8 outdoor ice skating rinks in the Washington DC area that I recommend if you're a looking for a winter activity.
- National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink
- Canal Park Ice Rink
- Washington Harbour Ice Rink
- The Wharf Ice Rink
- Pentagon Row Outdoor Skating Rink
- Silver Spring Veterans Plaza
- National Building Museum
- National Harbor
I listed them below and included hours, ticket prices, and suggestions to make your experience great for the 2025-2026 season.
All these are outdoor rinks and offer private lessons for a fee and public hours. Generally its 1.5-2 hours per skate session.
Though I list a new rink for 2026 at the National Building Museum which is indoors!
One of the exception to this is the Wharf which does not offer lessons and has all day access (which is why it's my personal favorite, that and the nearby fire pits for smores!)
National Building Museum Indoor Rink
For the first time, the National Building Museum will be transformed into an indoor, synthetic ice rink. For those of you, like me, who don't do cold, this is going to be a great option. I am excited to check it out.
TBD for 2025-2026 season. Last year dates were December 16 - January 4 this has a much shorter skate season than the other rinks listed below.
The rink is free to skate, though there is a $5 rental fee if you are not bringing your own skates.
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART SCULPTURE GARDEN ICE RINK
The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink is a great place to skate downtown.
Located on the National Mall, with this skating rink you'll be surrounded by incredible artwork. If you're familiar with the sculpture garden in the summer time, the ice rink is where the fountain is usually located.
There are also a number of holiday-related activities at the National Gallery just next door including concerts, gallery talks, and caroling.
Open: November 23 – March 02, 2025 (weather permitting).
Location: 7th and Constitution, NW just across the street from the National Archives on the National Mall.
Public Skating Hours:
- Sunday–Thursday, 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
- Friday– Saturday, 11:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.
Tickets:
- $12: Ages 13+
- $10: Ages 12 and under, 60+, military service members with ID, students with school ID
- $250: Season pass
Tickets are good for 2 hours (this is two 45-minute increments with the last 15 minutes of each hour the rink is closed for maintenance). This is a great time to stop at the Pavilion Café nearby. In total, you get 1.5 hours of ice time.
Skate Rentals: $6.
Lockers are first come, first serve.
Great for: Post Museum reward. This rink is a quick walk from any number of downtown and National Mall museums.
This is not the best rink for new skaters as they do not allow assistive devices like penguins (those waist height sculptures with handles you can lean on!) Though the rink does offer private and group ice skating lessons!
This rink is probably the most conveniently located for tourists since its near so many attractions, though if you're looking for evening ice skating, some of the other rinks located in neighborhoods might be closer to your hotel!
CANAL PARK ICE RINK
Canal Park Ice Rink includes both public skates and lessons, making it perfect for newcomers and seasoned experts alike.
Open: Opens Thanksgiving Week 2025
Location: 2nd and M Street, SE, it is just one block from the Navy Yard Metro.
Hours:
- Monday - Thursday: 2pm-10pm
- Friday: 12pm-11pm
- Saturday: 10am-11pm
- Sunday 12pm-10pm
Public Skating Admission:
Adults (13+): $13.00
Children (up to 12): $10.00
There are discounts for seniors, miliary and student and it is more expensive if you walk up to pay at the rink. Reservations are not required but they do get you the cheaper prices.
Anyone can skate for $10 by arriving 2pm-6pm on Weekdays.
You can skate for 90 minutes, with a short break to resurface the ice halfway.
Skate Aid Rental: $10.00
Skate Rentals: $6
Great for: Introverts. This is a local neighborhood rink so you'll find fewer crowds and more families.
If you're staying on Capitol Hill or the Navy Yard area, this is a great local rink.
WASHINGTON HARBOR ICE RINK (Georgetown)
From the Washington Harbor Ice Rink, you can enjoy a scenic view of the Potomac River and historic Georgetown is the largest outdoor ice rink in DC (even bigger than Rockefeller Center in New York!).
Open: Opening date TBD in Mid November - February 2025
Location: 3000 K Street in Georgetown.
REGULAR HOURS
Hours Vary based on the day, but generally open 11am-830pm.
Sessions are for 1.5 hours from the top of the hour. The rink is closed for 30 minutes at the end of each session.
Prices:
- Adults: $11
- Kids/Seniors/Military: $9
Skate Rentals: $7 (Push penguins are $10!)
Great For: Date night! This rink is surrounded by bars and restaurants, making it perfect for date night.
The historic setting is illuminated with rows of lights above the rink for a true winter wonderland feeling.
Personally, I'm not a huge fan of ice skating, but I love watching others at this rink. With restaurants surrounding the rink, and decorative lights it is a great for people watching.
WHARF ICE RINK
The Ice Rink at The Wharf is located in DC's newest hot spot. The Wharf was recently renovated offering new restaurants, a concert venue, and an ice rink on the pier.
What I like most about the Wharf Ice Rink is that admission is for the whole day, so you can leave and come back. You're given a wristband so you can come back. If you're renting skates you do have to do a new rental, though. They do not offer private lessons or reservations, it is first come first serve.
Open: Starting November 27 till Feb 2025 (note that there are some dates that the rink is closed for special events)
Location: Transit Pier, 960 Wharf Street SW. This is the only ice rink that is over the river!
REGULAR HOURS
Monday-Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday-Friday: 4pm-10pm
Saturday: 12pm-10pm
Sunday: 12pm-8pm
They have special hours during Thanksgiving, Boat Parade, Christmas Break and a few other select special dates.
Prices:
Note: This is a cash-free business so bring a credit card!
- Adult $13 ($2 discount for Active Military and Seniors)
- Child $10 (12 years and younger).
Skate Rentals and Skate Aids: $8.
If you don't come prepared you can also rent gloves, socks, and even hand warmers!
Great For: Everyone! This is one of our favorite places in the city - great places to eat, live music, and the hot chocolate from Dolcezza makes you forget how cold being in the winter!
PENTAGON ROW OUTDOOR ICE SKATING RINK
At the Pentagon Row Outdoor Skating Rink, snow falls every night on the rink in December!
Open: Late October- mid-March.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED - each ticket is valid for 2 hours of skating.
Location: 1201 S Joyce Street - just behind Pentagon City Mall and easily accessible by Pentagon City Metro station in Arlington in Northern Virginia.
REGULAR HOURS (there are special hours for holiday dates as well!)
- Sunday 10am - 10pm
- Monday 10am- 10pm
- Tuesday Noon - 10pm
- Wednesday Noon - 10pm
- Thursday Noon - 10pm
- Friday Noon - 11pm
- Saturday 10am - 11pm
Prices:
- Adults (13 & up): $11
- Kids/Seniors (55+): $10
Skate Rentals: $6
Great for: Families! There are always lots of kids at this rink. With restaurants and cafes surrounding it, there is plenty for adults to do while their kids skate.
They also offer special double bladed skates for young kids.
With so many of our guests staying at the hotels nearby at Pentagon City, Crystal City and Rosslyn, this is a great option - a short drive (and there is a parking garage at the Mall) or a short Metro ride.
SILVER SPRING VETERANS PLAZA
Located outside DC in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland you can easily get to this rink on the Red Line.
Being a suburban city, you'll find a lot more families at this rink (including my own! There is a Cold stone Creamery across the street and for some reason ice cream and ice skating go hand in hand!)
Prices:
- Adults (13 & up): $11
- Kids/Seniors (55+): $10
Skate Rentals: $6
Hours
- Sunday 10am - 10pm
- Monday-Thursdays Noon - 10pm
- Friday Noon - 11pm
- Saturday 10am - 11pm
This is a good option if you're already staying on the red line or in one of the Maryland suburbs like Silver Spring, Bethesda, or Rockville. I would suggest travelling just to get to this rink but it is something to do if you're nearby already.
National Harbor
I don't consider National Harbor part of things to do in DC due to its distance from the city, but over the December holidays it is a great excursion. The Gaylord National is a great place to visit over Christmas in DC.
Skating sessions are for all day and include skate rentals.
Tickets are $22.99 for all ages.
2025 schedule is yet to be released. Last year schedule was as below:
• Sunday, November 19 - 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
• Monday, November 20 to Saturday, December 30 - 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• Sunday, December 31 - 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
While you're at National Harbor, you should also check out light show, ICE! sculpture walk through, snowball throws and more!
