3 Great Ice Skating Rinks Near Fort Worth, TX

Ice skating is a great way for you to get some exercise this winter while you spend time with friends and family members. It lets kids and adults have fun while increasing their skating skills and improving their balance. Here are some of the best skating rink options near Fort Worth.

The Galleria Dallas Ice Skating Center

Image via Flickr by kellyvv

The Galleria Dallas Ice Skating Center is about half an hour away from Fort Worth. Skate rentals are available, and they can provide brooms, nets, a ball, and a referee for a fun broomball game. Running or tennis shoes, long pants, knee pads, elbow pads, and a helmet are recommended. If you want to host a party or have the whole place to yourself, you can make a reservation for the entire ice skating rink.

Ice skating lessons for beginners or experienced skaters are available. These five-week courses come with free admission to public sessions so that you can practice, three free guest passes, free skate rental on the day of your lesson, and the ability to make up any lessons you miss. After each semester, participants get a certificate of achievement, and they participate in a short recital to show parents and friends what they learned.

Several levels of private or group lessons are available, and you can learn a variety of impressive, advanced jumps, spins, and other maneuvers. You can also take classes on building strength and endurance through intense exercise. An instructor will evaluate your skills and decide which class would be best for your needs.

Kids and adults are welcome. If you’re not sure if lessons are right for you or your child, you can try a 15-minute, private introductory class. Four synchronized skating teams meet at the Galleria Dallas Ice Skating Center as well. They’re open on most days, but their hours can change from week to week. You can get the latest schedule on their website.

The Panther Island Ice Skating Rink

The Panther Island Ice Skating Rink is the only outdoor rink in Fort Worth, and it’s at the Coyote Drive-In Complex. It’s made of real ice, and it’s mostly underneath a large pavilion. Even in light rain or warm weather, skating there is lots of fun.

Amenities include covered seating, free parking, restrooms, and gas heaters. Ice skates are usually required to go on the ice, and rentals are available. People in wheelchairs can go on the ice as long as they’re accompanied by an experienced skater. You can get double blade skates for children under three to help them keep their balance. However, people can’t carry children on the ice.

Online reservations are required, and more spaces are available on weekdays. Fortunately, there’s no charge to sit and watch the skaters while friends or family members enjoy the rink. Lockers are available, so you can store your bag or backpack while you skate.

You can visit the Coyote Drive-In Canteen for lunch, dinner, or a delicious snack. You can get thin crust pizza, dill pickles, chili cheese fries, pretzels, mozzarella sticks, hot dogs, chili cheese dogs, a footlong corn dog, or a Frito pie. Draft beers include Angry Orchard Rose, Sam Adams IPA, the Sam Adams seasonal brew, Shiner, and Blood & Honey Revolver. You can also choose a can of Blue Moon, Corona Extra, Modelo Especial, Guinness, or Cellerman’s IPA.

Cans of Blood Orange, Grapefruit, Texas Honey, Original Dry, and Pineapple cider are available, and some wines are on the menu as well. The Panther Island Ice Skating Rink is open Monday through Thursday from 3-10 p.m., Friday from 3-11 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m.-11 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

ICE at The Parks

This rink is in Arlington at The Parks Mall, about 20 minutes away from Fort Worth. It opened in 2002, and it’s the only rink in the town. It’s a full-sized, regulation NHL hockey rink, and it’s a great place to skate with friends, have a hockey game, improve your skating skills, enter a competition, or skate in a seasonal show. Kids who are five and under can skate for free, and skate rentals are available. They can also enjoy an indoor carousel.

The experienced coaches at Ice at the Parks have won multiple national and international skating awards, and you can enroll in a seven- or eight-week skating, hockey, or figure skating course. It comes with a 30-minute lesson once per week, free admission when class is in session, three guest admission passes, and a 10% discount for family members who sign up.

Adults can take a Coffee Club class from 11:30 a.m. to noon, and Brownie and Junior Girl Scout troops can take a special workshop that fulfills some of the requirements of the ice skating Girl Scout badge. Kids can attend summer skating camps or join a synchronized skating team, and you can take private lessons.

At the Pro Shop, you can get your skates sharpened and buy new skates, skating outfits, skate guards, or gloves. Beginners can get a great deal on all the equipment they need to enjoy skating. After you finish skating, have fun shopping at the nearby mall.

Ice skating is such a family-friendly activity — we recommend that everyone give it a try! Whether you’re a newbie or an old pro, you can share in the fun with all of your loved ones. And here in the Fort Worth area, there are plenty of great ice skating rinks to choose from. You can hone your skating skills, have fun, and get some exercise. Let us know if there are any good rinks around that we missed.