Release Date: October 21, 2004
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
SCULPTURE GARDEN ICE RINK
OPENS MID-NOVEMBER FOR SIXTH STRAIGHT YEAR
Aerial view of the National Gallery of Art Sculpture
Garden Ice Rink with the Gallery's West Building and the Capitol in the background.
Photo by Rob Shelley, National Gallery of Art
Washington, DC--The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink will open for the sixth straight year from mid-November through mid-March, weather permitting. The ice rink has become a major affordable and recreational destination in Washington. Last season the rink attracted more than 40,000 visitors. Its sleek, modern design creates open vistas throughout the garden and offers skaters the added experience of viewing monumental works of contemporary sculpture in a park-like setting. The most recent installation is a 14-foot tall, 12-foot-wide cast iron Paris Métropolitain entrance, one of the few remaining among those removed from Paris between the 1930s and 1960s.
A state-of-the-art music system, with 24 speakers installed on light poles encircling the rink, provides uniform sound to skaters without distracting other visitors to the sculpture garden. Lights decorating the circumference of the rink further enhance the skating experience and contribute to the festive atmosphere.
Skating Rink Hours and Fees
The
hours for the ice rink are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and
Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to
9:00 p.m. Admission
for a two-hour session (beginning on the hour) is $7.00 for adults and $6.00
for seniors (age 50 and over), children (age 12 and under), and students with
ID. The skate rental fee is $3.00 (ID required as a deposit). The locker
rental fee is $.50 ($5.00 deposit required). Discounts on admission and fees
are available for groups of ten or more. For general information, opening
announcements, or to arrange a group visit, call (202) 289-3360. Season
tickets are available for $195.00.
Please note: During the evening, when the National Gallery and Sculpture Garden are closed to the public, access to the rink and Pavilion Café is restricted to the Constitution Avenue and Madison Drive entrances at 9th Street.
Pavilion Café
The
Pavilion Café offers a panoramic view of the garden and ice rink and
serves freshly made wraps, sandwiches, gourmet pizzas, and salads. Coffee,
tea, hot chocolate, wine, and beer are also available. Café hours during
the skating season are Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and
Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Visitors can access the skating rink and the
Pavilion Café
at 7th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW; 9th Street and Constitution Avenue,
NW; 7th Street and Madison Drive, NW; or 9th Street and Madison Drive, NW.
For current information, call (202) 289-3360 visit www.nga.gov/ginfo/cafes.htm.
# # #
