There is a chill in the air and that means the area ice skating rinks are opening for the season. Two of our favorite rinks are conveniently located in one of the city’s hottest shopping districts and right downtown among the Smithsonian Museums. Strap on your rented skates and let the kids burn off some energy or people watch with a cup of hot chocolate.

Washington Harbor

New this year is the ice skating rink at Washington Harbor in Georgetown. This beautiful rink is located on the banks of the Potomac River and steps away from some of the city’s best shopping and restaurants. What a perfect way to spend an afternoon and finish the day with a yummy dinner. The rink opens this Monday, November 19th and will be open daily and on Thanksgiving Day.

Hours and Tickets: The rink is open Monday – Thursday: 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Friday: 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Saturday: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm and Sunday: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. Tickets for adults are $9.00 and children are $7.00

Getting there: The rink is located at 3050 K Street, NW in Georgetown. There is no metro stop in Georgetown, but you won’t have any trouble finding a taxi that will take you there or try the Circulator Bus which makes regular stops in Georgetown.

Dining: There are lots of kid friendly restaurants in Georgetown to choose from. Click here for a list of our favorites, but for a quick delicious snack stop by Paul for a French treat and a delicious cup of coffee or hot chocolate. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

National Gallery Sculpture Garden

This is my go to spot when friends come to visit in the winter. It is a beautiful location in the middle of the National Gallery’s Sculpture Garden and right on the National Mall, home to the Smithsonian Museums. This year the rink will open Sunday, November 18th.

It is a popular spot so if it’s a nice day you may have to wait for your turn to skate, but look at the great art you can exposure your children to while you wait.

Hours and Tickets:  The rink is open Monday – Thursday 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, Friday and Saturday 10:00 am to 11:00 pm and Sunday 11:00 am to 9:00 pm. Tickets for adults are $8.00 and children are $7.00.

Getting There: The rink is located on Constitution Avenue, NW between 3rd and 9th Streets, NW. The closest metro station is the Archives/Navy Memorial Metro Stop on the yellow and green line. Click here for metro tips.

Dining: Lucky for you there is also a Paul located within walking distance of this ice skating rink as well. Additionally there is a small cafe at the rink and plenty of other dining options close by. Click here to find our recommendations in the area.

So whether you’re just learning…

…or an old pro, enjoy the winter season in Washington and take your kids out for a spin on the ice.

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