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A group of kids go ice-skating at an outdoor rink.
Children ice-skate outside of the Hirshhorn
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The D.C. area’s best ice-skating rinks, mapped

These venues offer classes, competitions, and kid-friendly fun

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Children ice-skate outside of the Hirshhorn
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Temperatures are starting to drop below freezing in D.C., so what better time to scope out the best ice-skating venues in the area?

We’ve mapped two dozen rinks, from Haymarket, Virginia, to Laurel, Maryland. Some of these are open year-round, while others only seasonally, usually beginning in November and ending in March.

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Haymarket Iceplex

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In historic Haymarket, Virginia, you can take weekly skating classes, free hockey lessons, or have your child attend a holiday skating camp at the Haymarket Iceplex. The venue's calendar can be seen here.

A child and an adult are ice-skating at a rink. Shutterstock

Ashburn Ice House

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For public skating, the Ashburn Ice House is open daily. You can check out the hours here; note that all sessions have a capacity limit and the rink’s schedule may change.

A child is ice-skating in a rink. He has a blue jacket and a striped hat. Shutterstock

Prince William Ice Center

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At Prince William Ice Center, skaters are able to play hockey, free-style, and even join a synchronized skating program. The center also has a cafe. Its schedule is here.

Reston Town Center Pavilion

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From November to March, the pavilion floor of Reston Town Center turns into an skating venue.

On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, this venue offers skate events, including “Rock the Rink,” “Cartoon Skate," and "College Night.”

SkateQuest

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This Reston venue is perfect for figure skaters, hockey players, and recreational skaters. Open all year round with ongoing classes, it features both an Olympic-sized rink and an NHL-sized rink.

A young child sits on an ice-skating rink, wearing skates. Shutterstock

Fairfax Ice Arena

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This Fairfax spot offers a location for hockey, freestyle skating, and skating camps. There are hours for public skating every day. The rink closes annually in March.

Rockville Town Square Ice Rink

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Spanning 7,200 square feet, this is the largest outdoor ice-skating rink between Baltimore and Washington and the largest in all of Montgomery County. The rink is open daily with extended hours on holidays.

Cabin John Regional Park Ice Rink

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This ice rink offers three total rinks as well as a shop with skating equipment, apparel, and repair services. It’s one of two indoor skating facilities in the Montgomery Parks system.

A person’s legs are shown ice skating on an ice rink. Shutterstock

Kettler Capitals Iceplex

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Located on top of the Ballston Common Mall parking garage, this facility is known for being the official home of the Washington Capitals. Throughout the year, the venue offers public skating, figure skating, and hockey programs.

Mount Vernon Recreation Center

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Along with an indoor heated pool and spa, you can also find a rink at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center. Check out the Ice Skating Calendar to find out the hours as they vary daily.

Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating

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Need some extra help staying balanced while ice-skating? This skating venue offers "Penguin Skating aids" on a first come, first served basis. The rink is open every day including all holidays.

Washington Harbour Ice Rink

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This 11,800-square-foot rink is Washington’s largest outdoor ice-skating spot. Prices vary from $9 for children, seniors, and military members to $10 for adults. Every week, it also hosts skating events like two-for-one admissions on Tuesday afternoons and "Rock the Rink" on Saturday evenings.

Wheaton Ice Arena

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For big-time skaters, the Wheaton Ice Arena is open all year round. Public skating sessions are offered throughout the week, and two party rooms are also available for rent.

A person’s legs are shown ice skating. Shutterstock

The Wharf

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The Wharf will offers the city's first rink on a pier. The venue is be open every day from December to February, pending weather conditions. The price ranges from $10 for adults to $8 for those under 12. Skate rentals cost $6.

Silver Spring Ice Skating

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The price to skate at this venue is $8 for a child, $8 for a senior, and $9 for an adult. Skate rentals are $5. The venue is open daily with varying hours.

A pair of ice skates shown on ice. Shutterstock

National Gallery and Sculpture Garden Rink

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The ice-skating season doesn't end at this rink until March (weather permitting). While open daily, the hours of operation vary from around 10 a.m. to around 11 p.m.

Canal Park Ice Rink

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This outdoor rink is open daily from November through February, including holidays. Adult admission is $9, child and senior admission is $8, and skate rentals are $5. Skate along the Anacostia Riverfront!

Fort Dupont Ice Arena

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Lessons with all equipment are provided to children ages five to 18 years old through the “Kids on Ice” community program. Be sure to check the calendar on their website to know when the rink is open to the public.

A child is seen skating on an ice rink from the waist down. Shutterstock

Herbert Wells Ice Rink

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This location features a regulation size standard NHL ice rank. The Herbert Wells Ice Rink is open from fall through spring.

The Gardens Ice House

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The Gardens Ice House is a great location for hockey, figure-skating, and public sessions. The calendar is

available here.

Bowie Ice Arena

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Open from July through April of each year, the Bowie Ice Arena offers a facility for all ages with discounts to Bowie residents, groups, and families.

A pair of ice skates on an ice rink. Shutterstock

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Haymarket Iceplex

In historic Haymarket, Virginia, you can take weekly skating classes, free hockey lessons, or have your child attend a holiday skating camp at the Haymarket Iceplex. The venue's calendar can be seen here.

A child and an adult are ice-skating at a rink. Shutterstock

Ashburn Ice House

For public skating, the Ashburn Ice House is open daily. You can check out the hours here; note that all sessions have a capacity limit and the rink’s schedule may change.

A child is ice-skating in a rink. He has a blue jacket and a striped hat. Shutterstock

Prince William Ice Center

At Prince William Ice Center, skaters are able to play hockey, free-style, and even join a synchronized skating program. The center also has a cafe. Its schedule is here.

Reston Town Center Pavilion

From November to March, the pavilion floor of Reston Town Center turns into an skating venue.

On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, this venue offers skate events, including “Rock the Rink,” “Cartoon Skate," and "College Night.”

SkateQuest

This Reston venue is perfect for figure skaters, hockey players, and recreational skaters. Open all year round with ongoing classes, it features both an Olympic-sized rink and an NHL-sized rink.

A young child sits on an ice-skating rink, wearing skates. Shutterstock

Fairfax Ice Arena

This Fairfax spot offers a location for hockey, freestyle skating, and skating camps. There are hours for public skating every day. The rink closes annually in March.

Rockville Town Square Ice Rink

Spanning 7,200 square feet, this is the largest outdoor ice-skating rink between Baltimore and Washington and the largest in all of Montgomery County. The rink is open daily with extended hours on holidays.

Cabin John Regional Park Ice Rink

This ice rink offers three total rinks as well as a shop with skating equipment, apparel, and repair services. It’s one of two indoor skating facilities in the Montgomery Parks system.

A person’s legs are shown ice skating on an ice rink. Shutterstock

Kettler Capitals Iceplex

Located on top of the Ballston Common Mall parking garage, this facility is known for being the official home of the Washington Capitals. Throughout the year, the venue offers public skating, figure skating, and hockey programs.

Mount Vernon Recreation Center

Along with an indoor heated pool and spa, you can also find a rink at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center. Check out the Ice Skating Calendar to find out the hours as they vary daily.

Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating

Need some extra help staying balanced while ice-skating? This skating venue offers "Penguin Skating aids" on a first come, first served basis. The rink is open every day including all holidays.

Washington Harbour Ice Rink

This 11,800-square-foot rink is Washington’s largest outdoor ice-skating spot. Prices vary from $9 for children, seniors, and military members to $10 for adults. Every week, it also hosts skating events like two-for-one admissions on Tuesday afternoons and "Rock the Rink" on Saturday evenings.

Wheaton Ice Arena

For big-time skaters, the Wheaton Ice Arena is open all year round. Public skating sessions are offered throughout the week, and two party rooms are also available for rent.

A person’s legs are shown ice skating. Shutterstock

The Wharf

The Wharf will offers the city's first rink on a pier. The venue is be open every day from December to February, pending weather conditions. The price ranges from $10 for adults to $8 for those under 12. Skate rentals cost $6.

Silver Spring Ice Skating

The price to skate at this venue is $8 for a child, $8 for a senior, and $9 for an adult. Skate rentals are $5. The venue is open daily with varying hours.

A pair of ice skates shown on ice. Shutterstock

National Gallery and Sculpture Garden Rink

The ice-skating season doesn't end at this rink until March (weather permitting). While open daily, the hours of operation vary from around 10 a.m. to around 11 p.m.

Canal Park Ice Rink

This outdoor rink is open daily from November through February, including holidays. Adult admission is $9, child and senior admission is $8, and skate rentals are $5. Skate along the Anacostia Riverfront!

Fort Dupont Ice Arena

Lessons with all equipment are provided to children ages five to 18 years old through the “Kids on Ice” community program. Be sure to check the calendar on their website to know when the rink is open to the public.

A child is seen skating on an ice rink from the waist down. Shutterstock

Herbert Wells Ice Rink

This location features a regulation size standard NHL ice rank. The Herbert Wells Ice Rink is open from fall through spring.

The Gardens Ice House

The Gardens Ice House is a great location for hockey, figure-skating, and public sessions. The calendar is

available here.

Bowie Ice Arena

Open from July through April of each year, the Bowie Ice Arena offers a facility for all ages with discounts to Bowie residents, groups, and families.

A pair of ice skates on an ice rink. Shutterstock