Why let Michelle Kwan have all the fun? It’s the season for frosted festivities at area ice rinks. Take a break from the holiday bustle to work on your triple axle, bundle up with a date, or bring the whole family to these indoor and outdoor ice-skating facilitates. Before you tie on your skates, make sure to call ahead because the hours are subject to change—at indoor rinks especially. We promise you don’t have to wear the sparkly Spandex skirt unless you really want to.

OUTDOOR SKATING RINKS:

DC

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden (Seventh St. and Constitution Ave., NW; 202-289-3360). Open November 14 through mid-March, depending on the weather. Monday through Thursday 10 to 9, Friday and Saturday 10 to 11, Sunday 11 to 9. Two-hour session is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors ages 50 and older, children 12 and younger, and students with an ID; skate rental $3.


MARYLAND

Herbert Wells Ice Rink (5211 Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park; 301-277-3717). Open October 27 through March 31. Monday through Thursday noon to 3:30, Friday noon to 2, 2:30 to 5:15, DJ night from 8 to 10, Saturday 2:30 to 4:30, 8 to 10, and Sunday 1 to 3. Admission for adults is $5 ($4 on “super saver” days, which includes skate rental); skate rental $2.

Quiet Waters Park (600 Quiet Waters Park Rd., Annapolis; 410-222-1711). Open now through March. Monday and Wednesday through Friday 10 to 9, Saturday and Sunday 9 to 9. Adults skate for $6, seniors 60 and older, kids, and adults in groups of 10 or more are $5 per person. Skate rental is $3. Seniors skate for $4 on Wednesdays, and Thursdays are “Cheap Skate” days with $4 admission for all ages.

VIRGINIA

Pentagon Row (1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington; 703-418-6666). Open now through mid-March. Monday through Wednesday noon to 10, Thursday noon to 7 or 10 (depending on ice rentals), Friday noon to 11, Saturday 10 to 11, and Sunday 10 to 7 or 10. The rink has extended hours on holidays and when school is closed. Two-hour admission for adults is $8, children ages 12 and younger and seniors 55 and older $7; figure- or hockey-skate rental $3.

Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion (1818 Discovery St., Reston; 703-709-6300). Open now through the second week of March. Monday and Tuesday 11 to 7, Wednesday and Thursday 11 to 10, Friday and Saturday 11 to 11, Sunday 11 to 7. Two-hour admission is $9 for adults, children ages 12 and younger and seniors 55 and older $7; figure- and hockey-skate rental $4.

INDOOR SKATING RINKS:

DC

Fort Dupont Ice Arena (3779 Ely Pl., SE; 202-584-5007). Open year-round. Friday noon to 1:50, Saturday 4:30 to 5:50, and Sunday 2:20 to 3:20. Admission for adults is $5, ages 12 and younger and seniors 65 and older $4; skate rental $3.

MARYLAND

Cabin John Ice Rink (10610 Westlake Dr., Rockville; 301-765-8620). Open year-round. Daily hours vary; check the Web site for up-to-date information. Weekday admission $6.25, ages five to ten and seniors 60 and older $5.25, ages three and four $3.50; weekend and holiday admission (ages five and older) $6.25, “Cheap Skate” sessions (check schedule) include the skate rental in the ticket price; skate rental $3.25.

The Gardens Ice House (13800 Old Gunpowder Rd., Laurel; 301-953-0100) Open year-round. Monday through Friday 11:20 to 1:10, Monday 8:10 PM to 9:30 PM, Friday 7:50 to 9:50, Saturday 1 to 3, 8:10 to 10:10, and Sunday 1:50 to 3:50. Admission is $6 on weekdays and $7 on weekends; skate rental $3.75.

Rockville Ice Arena (50 Southlawn Ct., Rockville; 301-315-5650). Open year-round. Monday through Wednesday and Saturday 12:30 to 2:30, Friday 8 PM to 10 PM, and Sunday 1 to 2:50. Admission is $7.70 on weekdays, including skates, $8.25 on weekends; skate rental $2.75.

Wheaton Skating Ice Arena (11717 Orebaugh Ave., Wheaton; 301-649-3640). Open year-round. Public skating hours change daily—check online schedule for updated hours. Adults only on Saturday nights from 6:15 to 8 for $6.25. Weekday admission for adults is $6.25, ages five to ten and seniors 60 and older $5.25, ages three to four $3.50. Weekend and holiday admission is $6.25 plus $3.25 skate rental for all ages.

VIRGINIA

Ashburn Ice House (21595 Smiths Switch Rd., Ashburn; 7030858-0300) Open year-round. Monday 9 to 10, 12:30 to 2, 3 to 4:15, Tuesday 9 to 10:30, 12:30 to 2, 3:30 to 5, Wednesday 9 to 10:30, 12:30 to 2, Thursday 12:30 to 2, 6 to 7:30, Friday 11 to 1, 8 to 9:30, Saturday 12 to 2, and Sunday 2:30 to 4:30. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for kids 12 and under, and $5 for seniors 65 and older; skate rental is $3.

Fairfax Ice Arena (3779 Pickett Rd., Fairfax; 703-323-1132). Open year-round. Hours for November through March: Monday 11:30 to 1:30, Tuesday 11:30 to 1:30, 4:30 to 5:45, 8:30 to 10 for ages 16 and older, Wednesday and Thursday 11:30 to 1:30, 4:30 to 5:45, 8:30 to 10, Friday 11:30 to 1:30, 4:30 to 5:45, 8:30 to 10:30, Saturday noon to 3:45, 8:30 to 10:30, and Sunday noon to 3:45. Weekday admission for adults is $7.25, children ages 12 and younger $6.50, children five and younger $5.75. Weekend and holiday admission is $7.75 for adults, $7 for 12 and younger, $6 for ages five and younger; skate rental $2.75 for figure skates, $3.50 for hockey skates.

Kettler Capitals Iceplex (627 N. Glebe Rd., Arlington; 703-243-8855). Open year-round. Monday through Friday 11 to 12:30, Monday 4:30 to 5:30, Wednesday 5:15 to 6:15, adults only 7:45 to 8:45, Friday 6:45 to 8:15, Saturday 12:15 to 1:45, 8 to 9, and Sunday 2:15 to 3:45. Admission is $8, children ages 12 and younger $7, seniors 55 and older $6; skate rental $3.

Mount Vernon Ice Arena (2017 Belle View Blvd., Alexandria; 703-768-3224). Open year-round. Public-skating hours change daily—check the online calendar for an updated schedule. Admission $7, with discounts for Fairfax residents; skate rental $3.

Prince William Ice Arena (5180 Dale Blvd., Woodbridge; 703-730-8423) Open year-round. Public skating hours vary monthly, but the rink is always available Tuesday and Thursday 11 to 1, Friday 11 to 1 and “Cosmic Skate” with a DJ and theme nights from 7:30 to 9:30, Saturday 12:10 to 2:10 and 6:30 to 8:30, Sunday 2:10 to 4:10. General admission $6, “Cheap Skate” sessions (Tuesday and Thursday from 11 to 1) and seniors age 55 and older $4; skate rental $2.50.

SkateQuest Reston (1800 Michael Faraday Ct., Reston; 703-709-1010). Open year-round. Wednesday 11:10 to 12:40, Friday 11:10 to 12:40 and 7:30 to 9:30, Saturday 1:10 to 3, and Sunday 3:10 to 5:10. Admission is $7 for adults, children 12 and under $6; skate rental $3.  

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