Roller skating is a fairly accessible activity, especially in Philadelphia. With indoor rinks, seasonal waterfront skating, family sessions, adult nights, and beginner lessons, there's something for everyone. Want to learn on a budget, enjoy a different kind of night out, or skate while enjoying city views? Philly's got you covered.
Key Takeaways
- Philadelphia has both indoor roller skating rinks and seasonal outdoor places to skate.
- Indoor rinks are the more reliable year-round option because sessions are not dependent on the weather.
- Outdoor skating is best suited to warmer months, with some venues operating only seasonally.
- Weekday public sessions can be cheaper than weekend skating, particularly at indoor rinks.⁵
- Family sessions, adult skate nights, parties, and general public skating are available at different venues across the city.
- Beginners should compare lesson availability, skate rentals, and session types before choosing a rink.
- Public skating schedules, prices, and seasonal opening times can change, so check the latest information before visiting.
Best Places for Roller Skating in Philadelphia
Philadelphia is home to classic indoor venues and outdoor spaces for roller skating. Across the US, indoor rinks are popular for offering reliable conditions, regular public sessions, and options for families and adults. Outdoor venues tend to be more relaxed. It's worthwhile looking into the atmosphere, location, rentals, lessons, and session types before choosing where to skate. Different people prefer different experiences, after all.
| Roller Skating Rink | Location | Indoor or Outdoor | Skate Rentals | Lessons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest | Penn's Landing | Outdoor, seasonal | Yes | Not confirmed | Waterfront skating, families, visitors |
| Philly SkatePlex | Northeast Philadelphia | Indoor | Yes | Yes | Beginners, families, adult sessions |
| Rolling Thunder Skating Center | Northeast Philadelphia | Indoor | Yes | No | Affordable sessions, parties, groups |
| Shepard Recreation Center Roller Rink | Haddington | Outdoor | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Community skating and outdoor practice |
Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest
101 South Columbus Boulevard, Penn's Landing.⁴
Outdoor and seasonal.
Thursday, 5 p.m.–10 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m.–11 p.m.; Saturday, 1 p.m.–11 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.–10 p.m. Closed Monday through Wednesday.³
$5 for roller skating.⁴
$12.⁴
Waterfront skating, families, visitors, friends, and date nights.
RiverRink Summerfest is an outdoor event that combines roller skating with one of Philadelphia's most scenic waterfront settings, which you couldn't get while skating around Las Vegas. There's more than just skating, though. You can spend far more time there thanks to the fairground rides, games, food, and other seasonal attractions at Penn's Landing.⁴
Philly SkatePlex
11586 Roosevelt Boulevard, Northeast Philadelphia.⁵
Indoor.
Public, family, and adult sessions run throughout the week; check the current schedule before visiting.⁵
From $2 during selected weekday sessions, while many open and family sessions cost $6.⁵
$6 for guests aged 2–17 who do not bring their own skates.⁵
Beginner and advanced lessons resume in September 2026 and currently cost $14 per person.⁶
Beginners, families, adult skate nights, lessons, and all-weather skating.
Philly SkatePlex has a good indoor schedule with different sessions. Similar to Houston's indoor rinks, there's skating for families, adults, and the general public. This is a good option if you're looking for structured beginner lessons rather than just learning completely on your own.⁵
Wear comfortable clothes that let you move freely and bring socks if you plan to rent skates. A small water bottle can also be useful, particularly for longer sessions. If you own skates, check the wheels, bearings, toe stops, and laces before leaving home.
Rolling Thunder Skating Center
7017 Roosevelt Boulevard, Northeast Philadelphia.⁸
Indoor.
Public, family, glow, and special sessions run throughout the week; check the latest schedule before visiting.⁸
From $1 on Mondays and $2 on Tuesdays, with prices varying by session.⁸
$6 for guests aged 3–20 who do not bring their own skates.⁸
The rink does not currently offer skating lessons.⁷
Affordable sessions, families, glow skating, birthday parties, and groups.
Rolling Thunder is a classic indoor rink experience that you'd find in NYC's top rinks. Music, glow sessions, arcade, parties, you know the kind of place. With cheap weekday promotions, it's a good choice for families or regular skaters looking to keep admission costs manageable.⁸
square feet of rink space and seating.⁹
Shepard Recreation Center Roller Rink
5700 Haverford Avenue, Haddington.²
Outdoor municipal roller rink.
No dedicated public roller-skating schedule is published; confirm access before visiting.
Local outdoor practice and community recreation. The site is currently listed as under or preparing for construction.²
Shephard Recreation Center offers an outdoor spot to skate. It's part of a wider recreation facility. Online information is sparse, so only consider it if you can confirm access or won't have a long trip to get there.
.
Public skating schedules can change for private parties, special events, holidays, or seasonal programming. Check the rink's latest calendar before traveling, especially if you need a particular family, adult, or beginner-friendly session. Outdoor skating can also be affected by the weather.
Which type of roller skating rink do you prefer?
The Best Times to Go Roller Skating in Philly
When you should go skating depends on what you're looking for. Climate is a key consideration, too, as you wouldn't go skating in Los Angeles the same times as Philly. Do you prefer outdoor scenery or do you want to go skating on a budget? Families need family-friendly sessions, while you may consider adult events if you're learning or don't want to avoid small children on wheels.
Indoor rinks are better for winter, and outdoor rinks are better for the warmer months. Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest operates seasonally at Penn's Landing, with regular skating from Thursday through Sunday during its summer schedule.³ You may only be able to make weekend afternoons if you're skating with your family, whereas Friday and Saturday evenings provide a livelier waterfront atmosphere for groups of friends or a date night.⁴
Weekday sessions are typically cheaper at indoor skating rinks. For example, Rolling Thunder has $1 and $2 sessions during the week, but it does depend on the session.⁸ Philly SkatePlex has low-cost weekday sessions as well as a regular open-skate program. If you want to skate more regularly without paying the premium weekend prices, both are good options.⁵ Just remember that promotions are subject to change; check the current promotions before you go.
Weekend skating isn't out of the question, though. Whether you're skating in Portland or Philly, for family outings, birthday parties, or large groups, you may have to go on the weekend wherever you are in the country. The major indoor rinks offer family and public skating sessions, with RiverRink open into the evening on Saturdays and Sundays.³
Indoor venues also mean you don't have to worry about the weather (other than for getting there) since you can still skate if it's hot, rainy, or cold. Even skaters in Miami have to think about the weather. Similarly, indoor venues offer a better surface for beginners as it's typically more consistent and predictable.
Adults should consider evening schedules. Philly SkatePlex has adult sessions with 18+ skating and R&B-focused events, which are great for social and experienced skaters. Rolling Thunder also offers themed sessions, so take a look at its calendar.⁸
Start with a comfortable skating pace and give yourself plenty of room around other skaters. Practice stopping, balancing, and controlled turns before trying to skate faster. Protective equipment such as wrist guards, knee pads, elbow pads, and a helmet can give beginners extra confidence while learning.
When you skate is non-negotiable if you're learning. With lessons occurring at certain times, you can only skate when they're on. Of course, you can still attend open sessions to practice, but you'll make much better progress with structured sessions.
If you can't make the lessons, consider a roller skating or rollerblading tutor on Superprof. There are tutors all over the country and around Philly. They'll be able to help you with skating and with the best places to skate in and around the city. With most offering the first session for free, you can even try a few out, which can't always be said for the city's various skating venues, since many require payment even during their public skating sessions.
References
- Center City District. “Spring and Summer Happenings in Dilworth Park.” Center City District, 31 Mar. 2026, https://centercityphila.org/press-release/spring-and-summer-happenings-in-dilworth-park/. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.
- City of Philadelphia. “Shepard Recreation Center.” City of Philadelphia, https://www.phila.gov/programs/rebuild/project-sites/shepard-recreation-center/. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.
- Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. “Hours of Operation.” Delaware River Waterfront, https://www.delawareriverwaterfront.com/where-to-go/independence-blue-cross-riverrink-summerfest/hours-of-operation. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.
- Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. “Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest.” Delaware River Waterfront, https://www.delawareriverwaterfront.com/where-to-go/independence-blue-cross-riverrink-summerfest. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.
- Philly SkatePlex. “Public Skate Times & Hours.” Philly SkatePlex, https://phillyskateplex.com/schedule/. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.
- Philly SkatePlex. “Roller Skating Lessons in Philadelphia.” Philly SkatePlex, https://phillyskateplex.com/lessons/. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.
- Rolling Thunder Skating. “FAQ.” Rolling Thunder Skating, https://rollingthunderskating.com/faq/. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.
- Rolling Thunder Skating. “Public Skate Schedule & Hours.” Rolling Thunder Skating, https://rollingthunderskating.com/schedule/. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.
- Rolling Thunder Skating. “Roller Skating Activities in Philadelphia.” Rolling Thunder Skating, https://rollingthunderskating.com/activities1/. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.
- Visit Philadelphia. “Penn’s Landing.” Visit Philadelphia, https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/penns-landing/. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.
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