Starting at 4:30pm today Atlantians can have thier dreams of a white winter come true- the outdoor ice skating rink will open to the public Friday, November 19th. Going on now through Jan. 30th vistors and natives alike can delight in the duplication of some of New York City’s holiday magic.
Centennial Olympic Park Ice Skating Rink. Through Jan. 30. $7 admission, $2 skate rental, select $6 college nights. Centennial Olympic Park North Lawn, Atlanta. 404-222-7275, www.centennialpark.com.
New this year: Piedmont Park will be getting it’s own rink!
Called the Rink at Park Tavern, this 3,200-foot ice rink is located in the restaurant’s Garden Tent at 500 10th St. N.E. in Midtown. Open Nov. 22 through Valentine’s Day, the rink will be open seven days a week with special 21-and-up sessions each night at 9. To add to the festive feel, Park Tavern will serve specialty drinks and desserts both rinkside and in the lodgelike restaurant. Click here for a link to a free hot or frozen hot chocolate.
The Park Tavern rink is the third seasonal ice skating rink intown, joining the Astor Holiday Rink at the St. Regis Atlanta and the Centennial Olympic Park Ice Skating Rink, both of which have been open in previous years. However, the Park Tavern rink is one of the biggest, serving 150 people comfortably, while the Astor can handle 30 and Centennial Olympic holds 200. There is also an outdoor rink in Conyers, called Have an Ice Day, which can accommodate 100 people at a time.
Located in a heated tent with harvested rainwater used to make ice; Plexiglas sideboards, LED lighting and a state-of-the-art sound system; the Park Tavern rink offers brand-new Bauer skates for rent to ages 4 and up. Skating sessions at the rink last 31/2 hours and cost $10, plus $5 for skate rental. Skaters are strongly encouraged to buy tickets in advance online at www.xorbia.com/tickets/therink/, though Park Tavern will have a computer set up so impromptu skaters can purchase available tickets.
The Rink at Park Tavern. Nov. 22-Feb. 14. $10 admission, $5 skate rental. $300 season pass. Park Tavern Garden Tent, 500 10th St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-249-0001, www.parktavern.com. Purchase tickets at www.xorbia.com/tickets/therink/.
Other Seasonal outdoor ice skating rinks
Astor Holiday Rink. Nov. 24–Jan. 3. $30 per hour for adults, $18 per hour for children under 16. The St. Regis Atlanta, 88 W. Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta. 404-563-7951, www.stregisatlanta.com.
Have an Ice Day. Through Feb. 27. $7 admission, $2 skate rental, select free skate days. $79-$89 season pass. Olde Town Conyers Pavilion, 949 S. Main St., Conyers. 770-554-7506, www.icedays.com.
Indoor ice skating rinks
In addition to the seasonal, outdoor ice skating rinks, there are a number of permanent, indoor rinks across the metro area. These rinks are open year-round and used for everything from open skate to birthday parties and amateur hockey games. They may be less crowded than the open-air rinks, which are a novelty during the holiday season.
Atlanta Ice Forum. Duluth. www.iceforum.com.
Ice Forum at Town Center. Kennesaw. www.iceforum.com.
The Marietta Ice Center. Marietta. www.themicice.com.
SGAA Dual Arena Ice and Roller / Inline Skating Rink. Gwinnett. www.rinktime.com.