New Hampshire Winter Fun | Puddle Dock Pond Ice Skating
Photo Credit : Taylor Thomas
Please note that many establishments throughout New England have modified their hours and/or operations in response to COVID-19. Always check for the latest information before making travel plans.
Winter is here, and with it the frigid temperatures that turn local ponds into frozen wonderlands ready for ice skating. When a natural pond isn’t handy, there are plenty of man-made outdoor ice skating rinks all throughout New England. Grab your skates and bundle up! Here are some of the many fantastic New England outdoor ice skating rinks to visit this season.
Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Duck Pond at the Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, New Hampshire | Guide to New England Ice Skating Rinks Photo Credit : Taylor Thomas
Guide to New England Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks
Connecticut Ice Skating Rinks
Simsbury Farms
Spend an afternoon or evening skating across the covered ice rink at Simsbury Farms. Bring your own skates or rent. There is a small entrance fee.
100 Old Farms Road, West Simsbury, CT 06092. 860-658-3836; simsburyrec.com
Westport Pal Rink at Longshore
Skaters at the Westport Pal Rink enjoy a smooth, clean surface. Flood lights allow for night skating. Check site for details on open skate hours.
260 Compo Road South, Westport, CT 06880. 203-226-7465; wpalrink.com
Eastbury Pond
If weather permits, experience the thrill of skating on a naturally frozen pond. This is one of the few New England outdoor ice skating rinks that doesn’t offer rentals, so make sure to pack your own skates!
39 Fisher Hill Road, Glastonbury, CT 06033. 860-652-7710; glastonbury-ct.gov
Bushnell Park
The ice skating rink in Bushnell Park, in the heart of downtown Hartford, is open from November 25, 2016 to January 8th, 2017. Free “learn to skate” lessons are offered on various Saturdays throughout the season.
Trinity Street, Hartford, CT 06106. 860-232-6710; bushnellpark.org
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Maine Ice Skating Rinks
Orland H. Blake Skating Pond & Village Improvement Society Warming Hut
Blake Skating Pond located on Main Street in Yarmouth, Maine, is a great place to skate. Loop in circles across the pond and when your toes go numb, head into the small warming hut.
200 Main Street, Yarmouth, ME 04096. 207-846-2406; yarmouthcommunityservices.org
The Waterhouse Center
This sleek ice rink is located in the center of Kennebunk, Maine. It is a covered, outdoor rink that is professionally maintained.
1 Summer Street, Kennebunk, ME 04043. 207-985-2102; kennebunkmaine.us
Goddards Pond
One of our favorite New England outdoor ice skating rinks, Goddards Pond has it all! Enjoy the Maine outdoors. Take advantage of the Warming Hut (see site for hours) and the concession stand. When night falls, visitors can continue to skate under the lights.
High and Marshall Streets, Bath, ME 04530. cityofbath.com
Scarborough Maine Ice Rink
Put on your mittens and hats and skate to your heart’s content at the Scarborough Maine Ice Rink. Make sure to call in advance, as operating hours are subject to the weather.
295 U.S. Route 1 Scarborough, ME 04070. 207-730-4150; scarboroughmaine.org
Brunswick Mall Rink
The town of Brunswick offers three distinct ice skating opportunities: The Brunswick Mall Rink is in the center of town and it is open for public use depending on the weather. Lishness Hockey Rink is open for public skating and hockey practice. Lined by evergreen trees, Coffin Pond makes for a romantic skating experience, weather permitting.
220 Neptune Drive, Brunswick, ME 04011. 207-725-6656; brunswickme.org
Jalbert Park Skating Rink
Open on the weekends for public skating, Jalbert Park offers skates to rent and skate sharpening services for your own skates. The concession stand sells various snacks. You can also rent snow shoes for a diverse day of winter fun!
416 West Main Street, Fort Kent, ME 04743. 207-834–5773; fortkent.org
Sugarloaf Outdoor Rink
Some New England outdoor ice skating rinks come with a side of skiing. The Sugarloaf Outdoor Rink is tucked away in the woods near the Sugarloaf skiing resort. If you’re tired of skiing or snowshoeing, rent some skates and stretch your legs on the NHL sized skating rink. When you’re too cold to continue, stop into the Outdoor Center Lodge for a bowl of homemade soup and fresh baked goods.
3001 Touring Center Road, Carrabassett Valley, ME, 04947. 207-237-6830; sugarloaf.com
Massachusetts Ice Skating Rinks
Frog Pond
Frog Pond in Boston Common park is one of the most famous New England outdoor ice skating rinks, and is a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Without leaving the city, you can have an authentic outdoor skating experience. Rental skates are available as well as lockers, skate sharpening services, and skating seals (skating aides for beginners).
38 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108. bostonfrogpond.com
Kelly Outdoor Ice Skating
Set in a family-oriented neighborhood in Jamaica Plain, the Kelly Outdoor Ice Skating rink offers visitors a lively atmosphere and music to dance across the ice to.
1 Marbury Terrace, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130. 617-727-7000; mass.gov
Kendall Square Community Outdoor Ice Skating
Visit Kendall Square for a fun winter outing! The twinkle-light-covered trees give the rink a holiday vibe as you skate, and the snack bar serves hot drinks and various snacks to keep you warm and energized.
300 Athenaeum Street, Cambridge, MA 02142. 781-891-6575; skatekendall.com
Kirrane Ice Skating Rink
This outdoor rink offers figure and hockey skating rentals as well as skate sharpening services. During public skate hours, the concession stand is open.
23 Newton Street, Brookline, MA 02445; 617-879-4998; brooklinerec.com
Winter Skate at Patriot Place
This is an ideal outdoor rink for families with skaters and non-skaters, families with young kids, and couples. If you don’t like skating, you can watch your family and friends circle the rink from the observation area. When you’re finished with skating, shop or dine at one of the many establishments at Patriot’s Place.
2 Patriot Place, Foxborough, MA 02035. 508-203-2100; patriot-place.com
The Worcester Common Oval
The town of Worcester sponsors an annual outdoor ice skating rink downtown. The round rink is open on the weekends, during school winter holidays, and for special occasions. As with many outdoor ice skating rinks, rentals are available.
455 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608. 508-929-0777; worcesterma.gov
New Hampshire Ice Skating Rinks
Bretton Woods
The Bretton Woods skating rink provides skaters with breathtaking views of the Presidential Mountain Range. Open daily and with the option to rent skates, you could easily spend hours gliding across the ice.
9 Ski Area Road, Bretton Woods, NH 03575. 603-278 – 3320; brettonwoods.com
Nestlenook Farm Winter Wonderland
If you’re looking for the traditional, seen-in-a-movie ice skating experience, you should pack your skates and head to Nesltenook Farm. The three acre Victorian Skating park is picture-perfect. After skating from one end to the other and under the arching, white bridge, relax by the fire with hot chocolate in the Warming Center.
66 Dinsmore Road, Jackson, NH 03846. 603-383-7101; nestlenookfarm.com
King Pine Ice Rink
King Pine Purity Spring Resort has it all: Downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snow-tubing, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, and, of course, skating! The covered outdoor rink is well lit, allowing for night skating. Rentals are available.
1251 Eaton Road, Route 153, Madison, NH 03849. 603-367-8896; kingpine.com
Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond at the Strawbery Banke Museum
Puddle Dock Pond is one of the most quaint outdoor New England outdoor ice skating rinks. It is open daily for your skating pleasures and rentals are available. Close to downtown Portsmouth, you can make a day of it with skating, shopping, and cafe-hopping.
14 Hancock Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801. 603-433-1100; strawberybanke.orgSEE MORE:Puddle Dock Pond | Ice Skating at Strawbery Banke
Churchill Rink at Jackson’s Landing
Though not as picturesque as some of the other New England ice skating rinks on this list, the Churchill Rink in Durham is a fine option for an outing. The rink is covered with open sides and includes locker rooms and a snack bar. Skate rentals are available.
9 Old Piscataqua Road, Durham, NH 03824. 603-868-3907; churchillrink.org
Schouler Park
This outdoor public skating rink in North Conway sits just in front of the train station in the center of the village. Like many outdoor ice skating rinks, a warming hut offers shelter when skaters grow too cold.
2806 White Mountain Highway, North Conway, NH 03860. 603-447-5680; conwayrec.com
The Rink at RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain
Transformed from a 167,000 gallon swimming lagoon in the summer, the ice skating rink at the RiverWalk Resort uses the latest technology to achieve a smooth skating surface, with a center fire cauldron to keep your fingers toasty warm. The rink is open November 30 through March 31, Tuesday-Friday evenings 6pm-9pm and Saturday/Sundays from 1pm-9pm, (closed Mondays), with extended hours for school vacation weeks. Admission is free for RiverWalk guests and $10 for non-guests. Skate rentals available.
22 South Mountain Drive, Lincoln, NH 03251. 603-745-7500; riverwalkresortatloon.com
Rhode Island Ice Skating Rinks
Alex and Ani City Center
Glide carefree through the crisp winter air and glow of city lights in the middle of downtown Providence at the Alex and Ani City Center rink. Rentals are available on a first come first serve basis.
2 Kennedy Plaza, Providence, RI 02903. 401-331-5544; alexandanicitycenter.com
Newport Skating Center
Located in the historic downtown shopping district of Newport, the Newport Skating Center offers visitors the unique experience of skating with beautiful views of the ocean. After circling across the ice, do a little shopping or dine at one of Newport’s many charming restaurants.
4 Commercial Wharf, Newport, RI 02840. 401-846-3018; newportskatingcenter.com
Washington Trust Ice Rink
Unlike other outdoor ice skating rinks, the Washington Trust Ice Rink offers group and private skating lessons as well as hockey and curling opportunities.
61 Main Street, Westerly, RI 02891. 401-637-7902; oceancommunityymca.org
Vermont Ice Skating Rinks
Okemo Mountain Resort Skate Pavilion
The Okemo Mountain Resort Skate Pavilion is a covered, regulation-sized rink. Rentals are available and when you’re too cold to continue, head into the warming area and cozy up by the fireplace.
77 Okemo Ridge Road, Ludlow, VT 05149. 802-228-1600; okemo.com
Skatium: Outdoor Ice Skating Rink
Savor the fresh Vermont air as you twirl across the ice. The rink is divided in half so that figure skaters and hockey players can have their own space. Milk crates are available for beginning skaters.
40 Slow Road, Waitsfield, VT 05673. 802-496-8845; madrivervalley.com
SmuggsCentral Ice Skating Rink
Are you ready for a full day of outdoor winter adventures? Visit Smugglers’ Notch Vermont for ice skating on a natural rink, and if you get tired of skating, mix it up with some skiing, snowshoeing, or snow-tubing.
4323 Vermont Route, 108 South, Smugglers’ Notch, VT 05464. 802-332-6854; smuggs.com
Did we miss one of your favorite outdoor New England ice skating rinks? Let us know in the comments below!
