What is winter without a trip to an ice skating rink? In DC, there are countless places to lace up those skates and get out on the ice, but lucky for you, I’ve narrowed it down to the best.
Washington Harbour Ice Rink – 8/10
Located in Georgetown, the Washington Harbour Ice Rink provides one of the most scenic ice skating experiences. Bordered by the Potomac River, it makes for a breathtaking spot to skate for all hours of the day. However, the popularity of the location also means overwhelming crowds. If you want to avoid the rush, I’d go anytime before 7:00 pm or after 8:30 pm, but be prepared to still share the rink with lots of people. The ticket price of $11 per person (and that’s before the $7 skate rental) isn’t ideal, but the experience is worth it. So check out the stores in Georgetown, grab a bite to eat at the restaurants by the rink, and take a spin on the ice!
The Wharf Ice Rink – 6/10
The Wharf’s ice skating rink is another scenic location, situated right above the water with a clear view of the monuments. It’s surrounded by shops, restaurants, and other entertainment like The Anthem. But I wouldn’t call it the best location for ice skating in DC. The price of one ticket is a whopping $19, and with the rental skates it’s $25. So with that in mind, if you decide to take a trip to the Wharf for ice skating, be prepared to make the most of the experience because it sure isn’t cheap.
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink – 8/10
A step up from the Wharf, the ice rink at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden was a surprisingly good location. If you bring your student ID, the cost of the ticket goes down from $13 to $10, and a total of $16 if you rent skates. The rink is on the smaller side but it makes up for it with considerably smaller crowds, so you’re not bumping into everyone like at Washington Harbour. The rink is surrounded by art, monuments, and bustling city life. Overall, it’s a great option to enjoy a day of ice skating.
Canal Park Ice Rink – 7/10
The Canal Park Ice Rink is one of the more underrated ice skating rinks in DC. The figure-eight-shaped rink is situated in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood with plenty of restaurants located conveniently in the park, perfect for grabbing a bite. The ticket prices aren’t as bad as the Wharf, but they aren’t cheap either: $15 without rental skates, $21 with them. All in all, it’s still a location worth checking out!
As the winter season comes to an end, don’t forget to plan a trip to an ice skating rink and be sure to keep these ratings in mind! •