Ice skating is a popular activity for family fun in the winter, and for this we have a few choices in Northern Virginia that also offer lessons and special events. The following local outdoor ice rinks are open during the winter months only (see the next list for year-round indoor rinks).
Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion
1818 Discovery St., Reston, VA 20190 (phone 703-709-6300)
Features: Skate rentals, lessons, party options, Rock ‘n’ Skate on Friday nights and Cartoon Skate Saturday mornings, college discounts, and lots of shopping and dining nearby.
Tysons Corner Ice Rink
Tysons Corner Center Plaza, between Lord & Taylor and the Hyatt Regency, McLean, VA 22102 (phone 703-356-1240)
Features: Skate rentals, lessons, party options, Rock ‘n’ Skate on Saturday nights and Cartoon Skate Saturday mornings, college discounts, and lots of shopping and dining nearby.
Pentagon Row Ice Rink
1201 South Joyce St., Arlington, VA 22202 (phone 703-418-6666)
Features: Skate rentals, special events, and skating and youth hockey lessons, plus lots of shopping and dining nearby. NOTE: This seems to be the only rink around here (outdoors or indoors) that has the Penguin Skating Aid, a device that your kid holds onto for balance (available first-come, first-served) to help them learn.
The Harris Pavilion Ice Rink
9201 Center St., Manassas, VA 20110 (phone 703-361-9800)
Features: Skate rentals, special events, and lots of shopping and dining nearby.
Looking for ice-skating year-round? Try the following indoor rinks, all in Northern Virginia:
SkateQuest, Reston
Fairfax Ice Arena, Fairfax
Mount Vernon RECenter Ice Arena, Alexandria
Kettler Capitals IcePlex, Arlington
Prince William Ice Center, Woodbridge
Ashburn Ice House, Ashburn
Haymarket IcePlex, Haymarket