Ice skating season is here, and we’ve got you covered on the best rinks in the area.
Originally posted Philadelphia Magazine
by CIERRA WILLIAMS and MICAH ZIMMERMAN
Sure, the temps may be dropping, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to hibernate. And ice skating is a quintessential winter activity that’ll get your body moving — and see you having fun while you’re at it. We compiled a list of the best places to go ice skating in Philly, the ‘burbs, and beyond. Although you may not be the next Olympic figure skater, you can still perfect your moves (hopefully with minimal falling). Below, a complete guide to all your winter ice skating adventures.
Ice Skating in Philadelphia
Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
101 South Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Old City
Winterfest at the Blue Cross RiverRink provides the perfect landscape for skating as it overlooks the Delaware River, and is one of Philly’s premier skating destinations. The rink is open seven days a week (including all holidays) until March 5th. Your experience comes with warming cabins, physically-distanced fire pit stations and a Ferris wheel ride, for an additional $5. Skating admission is $5 and $12 for a skate rental. Get your tickets here.
Penn Ice Rink
3130 Walnut Street, University City
Enjoy 16,330 square feet of ice skating as you glide (or fall) on the ice of the University of Pennsylvania’s Class of 1923 Ice Rink. The rink is open for public skating from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays. General admission is $8 with $4 skate rental.
Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink at Dilworth Park
1 South 15th Street, City Hall
Want to skate with City Hall as your backdrop? Look no further than the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink at Dilworth Park, which runs through February 26th. This rink also offers late-night skate hours, making it perfect for date night. If it gets too cold under the city lights, head into the Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin for a seasonal beverage and some snacks by fire pits. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under, plus $10 for a skate rental. Bonus: Show your SEPTA Pass or Key for $1 off skating admission. Information on open skate hours can be found here.
Wissahickon Skating Club
550 West Willow Grove Avenue, Chestnut Hill
Since 1956, the Wissahickon Skating Club has been one of eight skating clubs in the United States to own their own skating rink. In 1998, this club hosted the US National Figure Skating Championship, making it a marquee destination for Philly skating. From now until May 2023, the rink offers public skating every Friday night from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. and every Saturday afternoon from 12:45 to 2:15 p.m. Admission costs $7-$9, plus $3 for skate rentals. Tickets can only be purchased at the door; no online sales.
Ice Skating in the ‘Burbs
Ice Line
700 Lawrence Drive, West Chester
Ice Line in West Chester primarily serves as a rink for hockey clinics and ice skating lessons. The rink is home to a pro shop, offering a variety of hockey and skating equipment, as well as The Grille, with food options to feed large groups. General public skate admission is $10 with an additional $3 for skates. Check their monthly schedule for available skate times.
Flight on Ice
Multiple locations
Flight on Ice has six locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including the Neshaminy Mall Rink in Bensalem, Delco River Rink at Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino in Chester, Energy Transfer Veterans Memorial Rink in Edgmont, Renault Winery’s Vintner Wonderland in Egg Harbor City, and rinks in Lancaster and Long Branch. All the outdoor rinks are like winter wonderlands — with skating, heated tents for light bites and drinks, and festive pop-ups. Hours and pricing vary across locations, so head to their respective websites for more info.
Neshaminy Creek
101 Swamp Road, Newtown
Skating on an actual body of water can be tough to come by in the Philly area. At Neshaminy Creek in Tyler State Park, when the weather is just right — and by just right, we mean really, really cold — ice skating is permitted on the creek near the boathouse warming area. This may be of interest to more seasoned skaters as ice thickness is not monitored, so definitely be safe if you venture out. Also, you’ll have to BYOS (bring your own skates).
Philadelphia Skating Club and Humane Society
220 Holland Avenue, Ardmore
Back in 2014, we named this rink as the best place to ice skate — and it’s still easy to see why. The Philadelphia Skating Club and Humane Society, which claims to be America’s first skating club, is a pristine rink that stays true to its ice-skating roots. You can become a member or check here for their public skate hours. Admission is $10 and $5 for the skate rental.
Premier Orthopaedics IceWorks
3100 Dutton Mill Road, Aston
This Aston-based rink, known for its detailed membership package and figure skating lessons, also offers public skating hours. The rink is massive and even features a beer pub with a pretty impressive draft list. Entry for adults is $12-$15, while children four and under can skate for free. Skate rentals are $3, but you might want to look into heading over on a Wednesday, because that’s when skates are free. Public skating hours vary by day and holiday, which you can consult here.
Skatium
1018 Darby Road, Havertown
This rink has built a loyal following of ice skating lovers since opening in 1974. They offer lessons, open skate times, and clinics. The rink posts their public skating hours weekly, so be sure to check the weekly schedule before heading over. Skating price is $8 for adults, $6 for children six and under, and there’s a skate rental fee of $2.
Springfield Ice Skating Rink
400 West Sproul Road, Springfield
This ice rink offers limited public skating hours from 8 to 9:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Sundays. Admission will cost you $8, with skate rentals an additional $2.
Tinseltown Spectacular Rudolph’s Rink
100 Station Avenue, Phoenixville
As part of the Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Rudolph’s Rink is a synthetic skating rink open through December 31st. Adult tickets are $20 with skates included and $10 without; while kid tickets are $15 with skates included and $5 without. As a note, your ticketed, 60-minute skating sesh is a separate purchase from Tinseltown Spectacular’s general admission ticket. Both can be purchased here.
Ice Skating in New Jersey
Flyers Training Center
601 Laurel Oak Road, Voorhees, New Jersey
If you’re a fan of the Philadelphia Flyers, this is the place for you to skate. This rink is surrounded by Flyers branding so you’ll feel like you’re on the ice at the Wells Fargo Center. Of course they offer hockey lessons, but they also host daily open skate. Public skating times are 1:30 to 3 p.m. Monday through Sunday, plus an additional night skate on Fridays, Saturdays, and Saturdays from 8:30 to 10 p.m. Admission is $10, plus an extra $5 if you need to rent skates.
Hollydell Ice Arena
601 Holly Dell Drive and 150 Holly Dell Drive, Sewell
Besides being home to the Hollydell Figure Skating Club, this ice arena offers a bunch of open skate times throughout the week at both of their locations. Admission is $10, plus $6 if you need skates.
Igloo Ice Rink
3033 Fostertown Road, Mount Laurel
Focused on the development of hockey players and figure skaters, the Igloo Ice Rink offers limited public skating hours from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays. No need to bring your own skates, as skate rentals are complimentary at the rink; just pay the admission fee of $16 for adults and $10 for children and seniors.
WinterFest Ice Skating at Cooper River
Cooper River Park at Cuthbert Boulevard and Park Drive, Cherry Hill
WinterFest Ice Skating at Cooper River transforms part of the New Jersey park into a winter wonderland. Open Thursday through Sunday until February 26th (plus Monday, February 20th), WinterFest features outdoor ice skating (obviously!), and seasonal treats and warming options inside their lodge. Rink admission costs $7.50, with discounts for children, seniors, and vets. Skate rental is $6.
Free Ice Skating Around Philadelphia
Laura Sims Skate House
210 South 63rd Street, West Philly
Not only is this skate house an icon in the Cobbs Creek community, but it also boasts free admission for skating (you’ll just pay $3 for the skate rental). The public skate hours are as follows: Monday and Wednesday, 7 to 9 p.m.; Fridays, 7:45 to 9:45 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 3 to 5 p.m. and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The facilities also offer skating lessons and an open hockey option.
Rizzo Ice Rink
1001 Front Street, South Philly
The self-proclaimed “Best Kept Secret in Philadelphia” has been serving the South Philly community for over 30 years. With a strong focus on getting youth into hockey, this rink brings the traditional Philly grit that your skating experience may have been missing. The best part: It’s free to skate with a $5 skate rental fee. Check here for their public skate hours.
Scanlon Ice Rink
1099 East Tioga Street, Kensington
Situated in the Kensington section of the city, this rink offers public skate hours from 7 to 9 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays until the end of March.
Simons Ice Rink
7200 Woolston Avenue, West Oak Lane
This West Oak Lane rink has no admission fee, but there is a $4 skate rental fee. They are still in the process of determining public-skate hours, so keep an eye on the website for updates.
Tarken Ice Rink
6250 Frontenac Street, Oxford Circle
A Philadelphia Parks and Recreation facility, Tarken Ice Rink hosts their year-round Snider Hockey After School Excellence Program, plus public skate hours. Admission is free and there’s a $3 skate rental fee. Check their Facebook page for the schedule and latest updates before heading over.
This guide has been updated since it first published, and contains additional research and reporting by Laura Brzyski.
