One of our favorite winter time activities is ice skating. If you’re like us, and are itching to strap on some skates this season, head over to one of these Charlotte ice skating rinks to get your fix.
Whitewater Center
5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy
The Whitewater Center is largest ice skating rink in the Charlotte area, and it’s full of fun. The ice rink consists of over 24,000 sq. ft of skating space, broken up into two ice trails and two free skating zones. To skate, you can purchase an ice-skating only pass for $25. Or, you can purchase an all-access day pass to the Whitewater Center that includes other winter activities like the nighttime zip lines and canyon trail. Skates are included in both passes.
Camp North End
300 Camp Rd
Camp North End, or better known as Camp North Pole during this time of year, has an ice skating rink to enjoy. Have fun ice skating around the rink, then explore the rest of the camp which includes fire pits, seasonal beverages, shopping, and food. General ice skating admission is $15, or $10 for children five and younger.
Carowinds
14523 Carowinds Blvd
Ice skate on Snow Flake Lake at Carowinds Winterfest this season. The rink is located below the intimidator, one of Carowinds biggest roller coasters, making for a memorable skating experience. The rink is family friendly and even has skate guides for beginners. Ice skating costs $15 (on top of park admission) and includes your skate rental. Other fun, winter-exclusive activities at Carowinds include holiday shopping at local vendors, Christmas crafts, North Pole post office, and fake snow.
Light the Knights
324 S Mint St
Ice skate at the annual Light the Knights festival, located on Truist Field in Uptown. A ticket for access to the festival, plus ice skating and snow tubing costs $40. After you skate, get some Christmas shopping done at the local vendors, or grab a holiday themed snack and drink.
Founders Holiday Ice Rink
205 Saluda St, Rock Hill, SC
Get your ice skating fix at Founders Holiday ice rink, located in Rock Hill, South Carolina. A $15 ticket will get you a skate rental, plus 90 minutes of time on the ice. The rink is outdoors, but is covered by a tent making it open, rain or shine, every day until January 16th.
Birkdale on Ice
The Plaza at Birkdale Village
Lace up your skates and get into the holiday spirit at Birkdale on Ice. To ensure you’ll be able to skate at this Huntersville ice rink, book a time slot in advance here. General admission tickets are $18 per person, or $14 for children under 12 years old, and include skates plus 75 minutes of ice time.
Extreme Ice Center
4705 Indian Trail Fairview Rd, Indian Trail, NC
Extreme Ice Center is open year round for ice skating. Here, you can free skate (plus enjoy their fake snow!) for $17 per skating session, or $25 for a day pass that includes all skating session times for the day. If you like it, you can buy a monthly membership, or join an ice hockey or figure skating program. And, if you visit on December 21st, you can take part in their Christmas pajama-palooza, where you can skate in your pajamas, donate teddy bears and blankets, and enjoy hot cocoa.
Pineville Ice House
400 Towne Centre Blvd, Pineville, NC
Another skating rink open year round is the Pineville Ice House, which is a great option to get some skating in this winter. They have public skating at various times each day for $15. Plus, if you like it, you can sign up for figure skating or ice hockey leagues.
Bonus: THE RINK
500 South McDowell Street Raleigh, NC
If you feel like taking a drive with the family for some ice skating and winter fun, head to Raleigh for THE RINK and winter festival. Not only can you skate while looking at the Raleigh skyline, but the event also has a private igloo lounge to enjoy food and drinks, cozy stations with outdoor furniture and warmers, fire pits, holiday photo ops, festive snacks and drinks, giant jenga and cornhole, and a 20 foot decorated Christmas tree. Two hour skating sessions cost $15 and include skate rentals.
Bonus: Piedmont Winterfest
208 N. Davie St, Greensboro, NC
Another option to make your skating trip a full day family outing is to head over to Greensboro, NC, for Piedmont Winterfest. The festival has an outdoor ice skating rink that costs $15 per person and $5 for skate trainers. On top of that, there’s curling, photo opportunities, curling, and holiday fun! The festival runs through January 28th.
