by Jaz Bowens
Ice Skating is just one of many advantages of winter in the city and there are two locations that always brings out a crowd, Blue Cross River Rink and Skate at the Piazza (at Schmidt’s). These two locations offer hours of outdoor skating and festive winter fun. Learn about the two skating rinks and how they fit into your schedule.
Ice Skate at The Piazza at Schmidt’s
1001 N. 2ND STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19123 in the Northern Liberties section of the City. The 5,000 square foot pop up skating rink, holiday market, and much more opened Nov. 30 and will be open until Feb 23.
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 4-10 p.m.
Friday: 4-11 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Admission is $5 for adults and $ for children. A season pass for adults is $75 and $40 for children.
Skate rentals: $1
For more information about skating at the Piazza check them out online.
Blue Cross River Rink
The Blue Cross Rink has been in operation for 20 years at Penn’s Landing, over looking the Delaware river. There is always something going on depending the day of the week and time. A live DJ is featured every Friday and Saturday night from 9 p.m. to 12 midnight and every evening between 5-11 p.m., visitors can enjoy Bright Lights, Big Santa, a 3-D light show accompanied by holiday music. There will be fire pits, a heated pop-up restaurant, craft market and other activities between 5-11pm, too
Hours: November 29, 2013–January 5, 2014 (Monday-Sunday: 11 a.m.-12:30 a.m.), Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 1-8 p.m. and New Year’s Eve: 11 a.m. – 1 a.m. (New Year’s Eve Party on Ice at 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.). The hours change from January 6, 2014–March 2, 2014 with Monday-Thursday: 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Friday: 1 p.m.-12:30 a.m., Saturday: 11 a.m. – 12:30 a.m., and Sunday: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (sled skating and lessons only – reservations required); 1 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Admission to the Blue Cross RiverRink is $3; skate rental is available for $10. Admission is FREE Monday-Thursday before 5 p.m. (December 2-19). For more information go to their website and see what else they have in store.
