Now that winter has arrived, what better activity can you think of to make the most of the chilly weather than ice skating?
Ice skating is a much-loved activity in Houston, which means that there are plenty of places to go to do it, so it got me wondering, what they all have to offer, and which are the best ice skating rinks in Houston city.
Best Places to Go Ice Skating in Houston
Suppose you’re looking for a fun new activity to enjoy on the weekend, or you’re already a pro and wondering where to go to show off your skating skills. In that case, you’re in luck. I have been out and about in the city and trawled reviews online to see what some of the best ice skating rinks in Houston have to offer in terms of facilities, other activities, and more.
The ice skating rinks I will be telling you about are my personal favorite spots. However, I have also been checking out what other people have to say about them, so you can be sure you’ll have a fantastic skating experience.
As well as looking at what these locations have to offer in terms of ice skating facilities, I have also been finding out what other activities are available, such as festivals, performances, and other sports.
Lastly, I have made a note of how much it will cost you to glide onto the ice, so you’ll be loaded with all the information you need before you pick one for your next ice skating adventure. The price I have mentioned is the starting price for walk-in sessions or public skating, but if you require classes or other activities, check out their websites or contact them for a more specific cost.
Also, it’s worth double-checking the opening times, as some ice rinks are only open for public skating for certain hours of the day.
1. Sugar Land Ice Center
| Address | Sugar Land Ice Center, 16225 Lexington Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77479 |
| Website | www.sugarlandice.com |
| Starting Price | $12.00 for two hours |
| Opening Times | Monday - Sunday: 6:00 am - 11:00 pm |
Sugar Land Ice Skating Center is the ideal location to participate in public ice skating with the older kids, as it seems quite a trendy spot for teens.
However, don’t let this put you off, as people of all ages and abilities attend for fun and frolic on the ice.
If you’re new to skating and don’t yet feel comfortable being let loose on the ice without reins, there are plenty of classes to participate in, from advanced to intermediate. You can even attend some lessons off the ice to build your confidence before setting foot on the ice rink.
If you’re feeling all Torvill and Dean, head down for one of the figure skating sessions or learn how to with their figure skating classes.
There are plenty of live performances and other shows to watch if you’d rather watch other people gliding on the glass instead of taking part yourself. They have recently shown The Nutcracker, which got rave reviews.
The ice rink has a couple of downsides, as it is now somewhat outdated and needs some maintenance. For instance, the spectators’ area needs a good clean and some build-up of ice around the edges of the rink. However, this is still an excellent place, especially if you’re just starting out.
2. Ice Skate Memorial City
| Address | 303 Memorial City Way, Ste 902, Houston, TX 77024 |
| Website | www.iceskatememorialcity.com |
| Starting Price | $10.00 |
| Opening Times | Monday - Thursday: 10:00 am - 2:45 pm Friday: Closed Saturday: 1:30 pm - 6:00 pm Sunday: 12:30 - 4:00 pm |
If you love winter sports and are looking for a great spot to get on the ice in Houston, where better to start than one of the best ice skating rinks in Texas?
The skating rink is kept up-to-date and well-maintained, making it an excellent spot for skating and playing ice hockey.
I found it to have a nice mixture of people, from parents with young children to more mature skaters.
The location is one of the attributes of this ice skating rink being so popular because it is the most central, with other attractions such as the medical center and shopping malls.
The downside to this ice skating rink is mainly the parking citation, especially if you’re visiting over the weekend. If you are planning a trip here, I would advise arriving around 30 minutes early to allow yourself time to find a parking space.
One of the things I love about ice skating in Memorial City is the price, admission is $10.00, and for this, you can skate for as long as you like.
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3. Aerodrome Ice Skating Complex
| Address | 8220 Willow Place Drive, North Houston, TX 77070 |
| Website | www.aerodromes.com |
| Starting Price | $11.00 |
| Opening Times | Varied sessions between 11:30 am and 10:00 pm |
Before you head to the Aerodrome for your ice skating session, ensure that you check the website because the times for public skating change daily, which after speaking to other people, seems to be a common error people make.
However, if you get there at the right time, you’re in for an excellent ice skating experience, whether with family or friends, regardless of your skating abilities.
My favorite thing about this ice skating rink in Houston is the colored light show that takes place while you’re skating, making it feel like you’re at an old-school disco.
If you’re looking for somewhere to bring your small people, this is ideal; they have walkers for the younger children so they can take part in the ice skating too. There are also some sweet-looking seals that they can sit on to be pushed around.
I was impressed with the pricing and cheap admission, and if you don’t have your ice skates, it will only cost you $5.00 to rent a pair. However, be warned that the skates are pretty beaten and worn and certainly not comfortable. If you’re planning on renting a set, bring your thickest, fluffiest socks, your feet will thank you.
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4. Bellerive Ice Center
| Address | 7300 Bellerive Drive, Houston, TX 77036 |
| Website | www.belleriveice.com |
| Starting Price | $13.50 |
| Opening Times | Monday - Sunday: 6:00 am and 10:00 pm |
Bellerive Ice Center has just about everything you could possibly want or need from an Ice skating rink. Since undergoing a massive renovation a few years ago, it remains one of Houston’s most popular ice skating rinks.
If you’re looking to book a party or want a unique idea for an upcoming special occasion, this is your place; private parties are one of their best attributes. The staff is extremely friendly, helpful, and experienced, and they will do everything they can to make your experience memorable.
Before you can participate in freestyle skating, you will be asked to undergo a consultation, in which a professional skater will tell you the rules of the rink.
You can pay for a single session, or, if you’re a regular skater, then you can purchase more passes at one time which reduces the cost of your visits.
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5. Ice at the Galleria
| Address | 5015 Westheimer Road, Ste 1260, Houston, TX 77056 |
| Website | www.iceatthegalleria.com |
| Starting Price | $25.00, including skate rental |
| Opening Times | Monday - Sunday: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm |
If you’re looking for the most magical, festive skating experience, like the ones you picture from the movies, head to Ice at the Galleria, and you’ll get just that.
Centered inside the shopping mall and surrounding a spectacular Christmas tree, you can skate until your heart’s content. However, it’s not just a Christmas spectacular; the ice rink is open all year round. So if you’re fed up with melting in the Houston humidity during the summers, you can take yourself for an indoor winter experience.
The ice rink here is exceptionally well-maintained, and if you’re there for any length of time, you will see the staff cleaning the ice every 30 minutes or so, which is reassuring in the safety department, especially if you’re not an experienced skater.
Another bonus for me with this location is the fact that it’s set inside Houston’s biggest shopping mall, which means I can spend the rest of the day trawling the shops. However, I understand some people don’t like the thought of skating in front of a mall full of people. Therefore, if that’s you, probably best to try one of the more private ice rinks in Houston.
6. Discovery Green
| Address | 1500 McKinney Houston, TX 77010 |
| Website | www.discoverygreen.com |
| Starting Price | $8.00 |
| Opening Times |
Ice skating at Discovery Green Houston is just one of the many thrilling activities you can take part in, and you can do it for less than $10.00. During specific times of the week, they have offers where you can skate for as little as $8.00, which is the cheapest I found while putting this guide together.
One of the things that I love most about the ice rink in Discovery Green is the tranquil and relaxing atmosphere, especially when you visit during the week. Of course, the ice rink can get a little hectic on the weekends approaching the holiday season.
Before you arrive, you must ensure that you have booked your tickets in advance, which you can do via their website.
Although this is probably the best spot for ice skating regarding the beautiful location, it falls on a couple of points when it comes to the ice quality. It tends to be a little unkempt, and sometimes it appears that the ice is melting on top, which means it can get a little sloshy.
Also, I have heard a few complaints about the rental boots being in poor condition. As I have my own, this isn’t an issue, but worth bearing in mind if you’re considering renting a set.
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7. The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center
| Address | 1450 Lake Robbins Drive, Woodlands Town Center, Spring, TX 77380 |
| Website | www.thewoodlandsicerink.com |
| Starting Price | $12.50 |
| Opening Times | Monday - Thursday: 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm Friday: 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm Saturday: 10:00 am - 11:00 pm Sunday: 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm |
The Ice Rink at The Woodlands offers seasonal ice skating on their 21,000 square foot ice rink, accompanied by stylish lighting and a state-of-the-art sound system.
They have a private room available for hiring out, so if you’re looking to organize a party with a difference, this will be the place to look into.
The current price is just $12.50 for admission, and this includes your skate rental, which I thought is a pretty good deal.
In addition to the above, they have some lovely Christmas decorations up throughout the holiday season, which is adorable and especially festive. It really adds to the winter wonderland experience.
I recently learned that this place is open for public skating on Christmas Day, which I thought would be a beautifully festive way to spend the morning before tucking into your dinner.
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Let’s Wrap Up
As I have demonstrated, you’ll never be short of places to head for if you want to go ice skating in Houston, but the question remains, which one will you select for your next skating trip?
I hope that now you’ve read all the details on my top picks, it has helped narrow down your choices. Will you opt for the classic skate around a Christmas tree like you’re filming a festive movie in New York, or will you take it easy and head to Discovery Green for a more outdoorsy, peaceful day out? If you thought this guide was worthwhile, and you’re wondering what other activities you can enjoy in Houston, then you should look at my top picks for places to go rock climbing in Houston or these best spots to go kayaking in Houston.