About Winter Fun
This article is a part of Washingtonian’s feature: Winter Fun Indoors & Out. Our editors and staff pulled together the best things to do this winter, including snowball fights, cozy places to get a drink, ice skating, and more.
Colorful leaves have yet to fall, but a beloved Washington winter tradition is just around the corner. The ice rink at the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden is reopening on Monday, November 23. It’s a chance to experience a cold weather pastime surrounded by the works of contemporary and modern artists, including Louise Bourgeois, Joan Miró, and Roy Lichtenstein. Skating will run through March 7.
The rink is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 AM to 9 PM and Friday through Saturday from 11 AM to 11 PM. Skating sessions are 45 minutes, and the fee covers two back-to-back sessions. Prices are $15 for skaters 13 and older, $12 for those 12 and under, over 60, military, and students with school ID. If you’re anticipating multiple visits, a season pass is $265. Skate rentals are $7, and lockers are free.
For those looking to learn to glide or hone their skills, Washington Elite Skating School offers lessons. Whether you’re hitting the ice or just taking in the scene, the Pavilion Café is a destination for hot drinks to clutch between your mittens.
Daniella Byck joined Washingtonian in 2022. She was previously with Outside Magazine and lives in Takoma.
