Top Roller Skating Venues in and near Seattle, Washington, alongside Puget Sound
Discovering Family-Friendly Roller-Skating Spots in Seattle
Roller-skating is a fun and exciting activity that the whole family can enjoy. Seattle, with its vibrant community and beautiful parks, offers numerous roller-skating spots for families to have a great time. Here are some of the best family-friendly roller-skating spots around Seattle.
Bitter Lake Community Center Family Skate Night
Located at 13040 Greenwood Ave. N., Seattle, the Bitter Lake Community Center hosts a weekly family skate night. This event offers no video games and fun games led by an emcee, plus lessons before skating. It is considered the best skating deal in town since it's community-run and very affordable. Although the exact days and times may vary, checking the current schedule is recommended.
Southgate Roller Rink
Southgate Roller Rink, located at 9646 17th Ave. S.W., Seattle (White Center), is the original home of Rat City Roller Derby. This rink offers family skate sessions, school holiday specials, birthday party packages, snacks, and a welcoming family environment. It is open for general family-friendly skating and special events including some 21+ night events.
Both Bitter Lake Community Center Family Skate Night and Southgate Roller Rink are well-established local rinks with a strong focus on family fun and community, making them ideal places for families to go roller-skating around Seattle.
Other Notable Roller-Skating Spots
- Jefferson Park, located at 3801 Beacon Ave. S., Seattle, has skating paths available around the playground and at the skate dot.
- The skate plaza in McKinley Park, located at 907 Upper Park St., Tacoma, is a great spot for kids to skate.
- The Rock and Roll Rink, located at 1730 10th Ave. N.W., Issaquah, offers skating after shopping at the Issaquah Farmers Market on Saturdays.
- El Centro Skate Rink, located at 34222 Pacific Highway S., Federal Way, is undergoing renovations from July 21, 2022 through August 2025.
- The skate dot in Maple Leaf Reservoir Park, located at 1020 N.E. 82nd St., Seattle, is great for beginner skaters, with a circular paved path.
- The Rock and Roll Rink will also be open on farmers market Saturdays through September, and plans to offer more skate sessions in the fall.
- The skate plaza in McKinley Park, located at 907 Upper Park St., Tacoma, is a great spot for kids to skate.
- The Bitter Lake Community Center Annex in north Seattle offers a smaller room for beginners to learn to skate.
- Magnuson Park Beach Walk, located at 7400 Sandpoint Way N.E., Seattle, has a paved path that extends from Magnuson's boat launch to the northwest gate of the off-leash dog beach.
Safety and Equipment
It's essential to prioritize safety when roller-skating. Safety gear, including helmets, knee pads, and wrist guards, is recommended for skating. Both quad and in-line skates should fit snugly. Quad skates have four wheels and a toe break, offering more stability than in-lines, which are lighter, offer more rigid foot and ankle support, and have a heel break.
Learning to Skate
The prevailing wisdom is that if you can walk like a duck (around ages 3-5), you can learn to skate. Many local rinks have beginner lessons before skate sessions, and some offer tot skate times for little ones and caregivers. Mastering the smooth right-left-right-left rhythm is more important than speed in learning to roller-skate.
Skating Around Seattle
Skating paths are abundant in the Seattle area, with Rat City Rollergirls founder Jennifer Warnick recommending safety gear and outdoor wheels for trail skating. Alki Beach Park Trail, located at 1702 Alki Ave. S.W., Seattle, can be busy on sunny days, so it may be best to wait for clouds and lighter traffic.
Other Entertainment Options
Some roller-skating spots, like Lynnwood Bowl & Skate, located at 6210 200 St. S.W., Lynnwood, offer bowling, video games, and refreshments in addition to skating. Skateland Skate Center, located at 2725 12th Ave. N.E., Olympia, is another option that provides a more traditional roller-skating experience with larger rinks offering a super-smooth wheel-feel and amenities like disco lights, arcade games, and gumball machines.
For the most accurate and current information on costs and hours, calling or visiting the official websites of these rinks is advised. Enjoy your family roller-skating adventures in Seattle!
[1] https://seattle.cbslocal.com/2019/06/20/best-roller-skating-spots-seattle/ [2] https://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/article/Top-5-roller-skating-spots-in-Seattle-14472521.php [3] https://www.seattlemag.com/arts-and-culture/roller-skating-seattle-15936588 [4] https://www.seattlemet.com/arts-and-entertainment/roller-skating-seattle-2021/ [5] https://www.seattleweekly.com/arts/roller-skating-seattle/Content?oid=27666889
- Tween kids can enhance their learning experience by participating in family-friendly roller-skating events at places like Bitter Lake Community Center and Southgate Roller Rink, where they offer fun games, lessons, and a community-focused environment.
- During the school holidays, families can enjoy special skate sessions at Southgate Roller Rink, making it a perfect addition to their lifestyle.
- Fashion-conscious families may find that shopping at Issaquah Farmers Market on Saturdays and then skating at The Rock and Roll Rink adds an extra element to their shopping experience.
- Food lovers can grab a bite to eat before or after skating at any of the nearby cafes or restaurants, transforming their roller-skating adventure into a food-and-drink excursion.
- After a long day of roller-skating, families can unwind and enjoy some quality time together in the comfort of their home-and-garden, sharing stories and creating new memories.
- Those who have pets may find that including their furry friends as part of the family roller-skating adventure would strengthen their relationships with their pets.
- For families who enjoy traveling, discovering family-friendly roller-skating spots in cities like Tacoma (McKinley Park) and Lynnwood (Lynnwood Bowl & Skate) can add a fun twist to their vacation itinerary, while car enthusiasts may find that road trips to these destinations offer an exciting bonding experience.
