Grab Your Ice Skates
While it may seem strange with the mild Fall weather we’ve been having, sometime during the middle of this month (hopefully the 17th)…weather permitting applies, the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden will be transformed from this…
To this…
The ice skating rink at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden opens for it’s 9th year of winter family fun. The ice rink accommodates a couple hundred skaters and is surrounded by sculptures created by many of the world’s greatest 20th-
century artists such as Joan Miró, Ellsworth Kelly, Alexander Calder and Roy Lichtenstein.
The rink is illuminated at night, which is probably the most fun time to skate. And there’s always music playing over the 24-speaker sound system to add to your winter wonderland experience.
On warmer days, you’ll usually see a few people in short sleeves, but that concept is probably best left to the lovers of the cold (and pneumonia).
The Pavilion Café serves hot drinks like hot chocolate and coffee, as well as beer, wine and a selection sandwiches, salads and wraps. The Café however, closes for the evening a couple hours before the rink does.
Sculpture Garden Ice-Skating Rink
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
Constitution Avenue, NW at 7th Street NW
Washington, DC (map it)
Dates and Times - mid-November - mid-March, Monday - Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday -10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m., and Sunday - 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Closed Christmas and New Years Day.
Admission - The fee covers two-hours of skating. Adults - $7.00, Seniors, students with ID and kids under 13 - $6.00. Sessions begin on the hour.
In the evening, use the Constitution Avenue and Madison Drive entrance at 9th Street entrance.
Skate Rentals - $3.00 (ID required), rental locker $.50 ($5.00 deposit).
The National Gallery of Art is open Monday - Saturday, 10:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. and 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. on Sundays.
Images - Sculptures from personal collection, Mother & daughter - Dean Beasom © 2000 Board of Trustees, National Gallery of Art, all others Flickr. ___________________________________________
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POSTED IN: Art, Family Fun, Great Activities for a Date, Great Places to Unwind, Lunch Hour Fun, Museums, Nightlife, People Watching
3 opinions for Grab Your Ice Skates
Ice Skate Your Heart Out
Dec 13, 2007 at 9:22 pm
[…] been ice skating much as an adult, and although the idea of skating at Rockefeller Center or at the Sculpture Gardens has always had great appeal, it’s just never worked out for me to give it a […]
Holiday Skating Fun in Northern Virginia
Dec 20, 2007 at 5:55 am
[…] getting down to the Mall and the National Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery of Art for some outdoor ice skating, is difficult. Residents of Northern […]
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Jun 16, 2008 at 6:37 am
[…] aren’t paying attention, you might think you were transported to the National Gallery of Art sculpture garden or the Hirshorne sculpture […]
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