National Gallery of Art’s Ice Rink Opens Monday, Navy Yard’s Rink Opens Today!!

Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

From the National Gallery of Art:

“The 2018-2019 ice-skating season at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink will begin November 17 Monday the 19th and continue through March 10, weather permitting. Located on the National Mall between 7th and 9th Streets along Constitution Avenue NW, the ice rink remains a favorite DC destination, attracting thousands of visitors each year.

courtesy NGA

Surrounded national museums and monuments and large-scale sculptures by modern and contemporary artists including Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Tony Smith, Roy Lichtenstein, Roxy Paine, and others, skating in the Sculpture Garden is a favorite winter activity. The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink is managed by Guest Services Inc.

To celebrate the beginning of the skating season, visitors who purchase skating time from Saturday November 17 through Sunday November 18 will receive a coupon from Guest Services Inc. for a complimentary cup of hot chocolate from the Pavilion Café on those dates. See below for exciting seasonal menu items and promotions.

Ice Rink Hours and Fees

Monday-Thursday, 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Friday, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
Saturday, 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. (open to the general public); 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (open for Learn to Skate USA lessons only)
Sunday, 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.

Skating fees for two 45-minute sessions (beginning on the hour):
$9 for adults and children age 13 and over
$8 for skaters age 50 and over, children 12 and under, and students with a valid school ID

The skate rental fee is $4; lockers are available for $0.50 ($5 deposit required). Season passes are available for $195. Visit pavilioncafe.com/ice-skating or call the ice rink office after November 15 at (202) 216-9397 for additional information. The Gallery and Sculpture Garden are closed on December 25 and January 1. During the evening, when the Gallery and Sculpture Garden are closed to the public, access to the ice rink is restricted to the entrances at Constitution Avenue near 7th Street and on Madison Drive near 9th Street.”

From the Capital Riverfront BID:

“The Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District is pleased to announce the opening of Canal Park Ice Rink for the 2018-2019 winter season. Located in the southern block of Canal Park, the ice rink officially opens to the public beginning Friday, November 16 with a community Grand Opening celebration hosted by the BID on Sunday, November 18 from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm.

The community event will feature a special skating and photo opportunity with Washington Capitals mascot Slapshot from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm, a DJ, and a free chocolate chip cookie from Wiseguy Pizza for the first 50 guests. Patrons will have the opportunity to buy hot chocolate and coffee for a little extra warmth. While the celebration is free and open to the public, normal entry fees will apply for those who choose to skate.

Canal Park Ice Rink remains the only ice rink in the District with a unique figure-eight skate path and a location literally steps from a Metro station. The rink is operated by Tri-State Ice Management, which manages notable rinks in the region at Pentagon Row, Glen Burnie Town Center, and Rockville Town Center.
The Holiday Tree Lighting celebration at the Canal Park Ice Rink will take place on Friday, November 30 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm with festive music, activities for all ages, a photo booth and hot chocolate provided by new residential building Novel, and of course skating. More details to be announced.

This season, the Capitol Riverfront BID has also partnered with Children’s National Hospital as part of their “Light up Dr. Bear” campaign to feature several illuminated bears throughout Canal Park. Each time that a donation is made to Children’s Hospital, all 316 bears placed across the city will light up purple and teal–truly a sight to see at Canal Park.”