Connecticut offers many indoor rinks that can be enjoyed year-round, but there's something special about skating outdoors in the winter months. To help you cure cabin fever this winter, we’ve rounded up a list of our favorite outdoor skating rinks and skating PONDS in CT!
Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks:
WPAL Rink at Longshore, Westport:
If you’re looking for a massive outdoor rink, look no further. From mid-November to mid-March, Mill River Park in Stamford transforms its water fountain into a 9,000 square foot ice skating rink! Check out their website for pricing and hours.
Bushnell Park, Hartford:
Winterfest Hartford returns to Bushnell Park for its 11th year of free ice skating, free skate rentals, free learn-to-skate classes, and more. The rink is open daily from 11 am - 8 pm. Head to their website for all the details!
Redding Community Center Rink, Redding-
This seasonal rink can be found in the parking lot of the Redding Community Center. According to their website, this rink is only available to Redding residents and their guests. Head to their website for details on hours of operation.
Outdoor Skating Ponds:
It's no secret that during the winter months skating rinks can be flooded with crowds, making outdoor ponds an extra special alternative. Ice skating on outdoor ponds is a New England tradition that most people don’t get to do every season!
**Skating on ponds is not always safe and we ONLY recommend trying the below skating ponds they are deemed safe by the official town or park that they are located in on the DAY you want to skate. Be sure to check safety requirements for each of the below locations before ice skating!
Gorham’s Pond, Darien:
If you’re looking for the ultimate, picture-perfect pond skating experience, look no further. This idealic skating pond is a Darien tradition and has become a not-so-well-kept-secret. Growing up, when the weather dipped low enough for outdoor pond skating, Gorham's pond was a go-to! Huge high-fives to ‘The Friends of Gorham’s Pond’ for their continued work restoring, preserving, and protecting the Gorham’s Pond Watershed.
Whalen Pond, Brookfield:
With 2.9 acres of ice, it's safe to say you could spend an entire day at Whalen Pond. Make sure to look out for the official “Skating Signs” at this location to make sure that the ice is thick enough to skate safely on this pond!
Eastbury Pond, Glastonbury:
Used for skating in the winter, this pond attracts families and young kids for a fun winter day
Owen Fish Park & Gould Manor Park, Fairfield:
While the town of Fairfield doesn't offer an outdoor skating rink, they make up for it with two ice skating ponds! These picturesque, outdoor skating ponds will make your wintery New England dreams come true. We love that The Parks Department measures the thickness of the ice daily when the temperature dips and will post when it is safe to skate!
Osbornedale State Park (Picketts Pond), Derby:
Located in one of our state parks, Picketts Pond offers ice skating when the temps allow. We love that this location offers night lighting and a warm up hut! Be sure to check the signs (or with the Park Rangers) to make sure that the ice is safe for skating.