Ice skating at an indoor arena can offer families an inexpensive escape from the winter doldrums, regardless of the conditions outside.
Even the very young can skate. Some rinks have walkers, which are placed in front of toddlers and nursery school-age children. They hold on for support and balance as they glide over the ice. It gives children a little independence and offers parents a break from guarding their offspring against perpetual falls.
Group rates are available at some rinks; some also rent their facilities for skating parties. Several area indoor rinks are open for public ice skating, costing from $2 to $6 a person. Skate rentals range from $2 to $3. However, they are not available at all rinks, and some do not carry all sizes, including those for very small children.
Public skating hours occasionally change, so be sure to call ahead. Public sessions are sometimes canceled because of special events, and hours may be added during the holidays and school vacations.
The Bolton Ice Palace
145 Hop River Road, Bolton
(860) 646-7851
Champions Skating Center
6 Progress Drive, Cromwell
(860) 632-0323
Connecticut Ice Arena, UConn
2095 Hillside Road, Storrs
860-486-2018
Darien Ice Rink
55 Old Kings Highway North, Darien
(203) 655-8251
Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink
101 Field Point Road, Greenwich
(203) 351-8560
East Haven Veterans Memorial Ice Rink
Hudson Street, East Haven
(203) 468-3367
Enfield Twin Rinks
1 Prior Rd, Enfield
(860) 745-2461
Hamden Memorial Ice Rink
Mix Avenue, Hamden
(203) 287-2610
Ingalls Rink at Yale University
Sachem Street, New Haven
(203) 432-2489
Milford Ice Pavilion
291 Bic Drive, Milford
(203) 878-6516
Northford Ice Pavilion
24-30 Clintonville Road, North Branford
(203) 484-4054
Norwich Municipal Ice Rink
641 New London Turnpike, Norwich
(860) 892-2555
International Skating Center of Connecticut
1375 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury
(860) 651-5400
South Windsor Arena
585 John Fitch Blvd. (Route 5), South Windsor
(860) 289-3401
Stamford Twin Rinks
1063 Hope Street, Stamford
(203) 968-9000
Taft School Mays Rink
Guerseytown Road, Watertown
(203) 274-2516
Terry Connors Ice Rink
Cove Island Park, Stamford
(203) 977-4513
Veterans Memorial Ice Skating Rink
56 Buena Vista Road, West Hartford
(860) 521-1573
Wonderland of Ice
123 Glenwood Avenue, Bridgeport
(203) 576-8118
To make additions or changes to this list, email shanahan@courant.com