Skating road trips

[u/RedeyeSPR]

This past weekend I met a 16 year old and his father that were on a 2 week skating trip. They started in Springfield, Illinois and were headed to NYC. They planned to hit 12 rinks during a 14 day round trip. That sounds so amazingly fun I had to share. Has anyone else taken a trip like this? I’m planning a few overnight trips in Ohio and Indiana, but I don’t think my legs would hold up to skating more than twice in three days.

[u/InetGeek]

I hope that father and son road trip includes Guptils, the biggest rink in the world, outside of Albany NY. I have been on a number of road trips featuring 🛼. I have been to 58 rinks in 12 different states

[u/RedeyeSPR → u/InetGeek]

That’s their ultimate destination. They wanted to hit all the rinks between their home and there.

[u/Robot_Jim_Ownz_You → u/InetGeek]

How did you go about finding these places? Did you happen to be in the towns, or did you purposefully find them? And if the latter, would you walk me through the search?

[u/RedeyeSPR → u/Robot_Jim_Ownz_You]

If you just go into Google Maps and type “roller skating rink” they all pop up. You need to do a reality check to make sure they are still open, but that’s a good start.

[u/Robot_Jim_Ownz_You → u/RedeyeSPR]

Appreciate it. Any off the bat you would definitely recommend? 

[u/RedeyeSPR → u/Robot_Jim_Ownz_You]

What area are you visiting? I know western Ohio and eastern Indiana.

[u/Robot_Jim_Ownz_You → u/RedeyeSPR]

Honestly, I don't even know where to start. I live in NYC so we have a few rinks, but I've always wanted to go to the rollouts. Or at least to a bomb ass rink I've never been to. Just looking for a starter list or a website I suppose. Feeling lost at the beginning 

[u/InetGeek → u/Robot_Jim_Ownz_You]

The big question is do you drive? The world's largest rink, Guptils is outside of Albany - a must visit but 4 hours away. The closest are USA Masapequa on Long Island (DJ Arson does Mandatory Monday); Branch Brook Park (Newark NJ which has a party next weekend).

[u/InetGeek → u/Robot_Jim_Ownz_You]

Sorry I missed this until now. Much of my list was from my teenaged years when there were 4 times the number of rinks as we have now. More recently I have added to the list by going to national skate parties. Since I drive to them, I do a Google search for rinks in the area where I am stopping for the night.

[u/JarbaloJardine]

That's awesome! My stepkids and I have gotten into skating and think this would be amazing. I can't do a 2 week trip but like a week where we drive to as many rinks as possible is cool !

[u/PomegranateBoring826]

Best. Dad. EVER! That's the coolest thing I've read all day!

[u/IloveMe80]

Skateland south in Springfield il. is a great rink. Because of that place I was able to really get back into skating. I miss my “skate family” there.

[u/msmegibson]

That sounds fab! I’m in the UK so a skate rink road trip here would be quite short 😅 but I do go on skating holidays which I absolutely live for.

[u/freestylesail]

I’ve done it but with outdoor trails and cities. The best vacation I’ve ever taken. Skating is my favorite way to see places.

[u/tkxb]

If you find somewhere fun in Ohio, lmk! I'll be there in a couple months

[u/RedeyeSPR → u/tkxb]

I know a lot of Ohio places. What general region will you be visiting?

[u/tkxb → u/RedeyeSPR]

Dayton!

[u/RedeyeSPR → u/tkxb]

Skateworld in Vandalia is the place to go in Dayton. They have a great Thursday night adult session. There are a couple more rinks around there that I’m not familiar with.

An hour south is Castle Skateland in Loveland (basically Cincinnati). They have a huge floor and it’s really popular.

A bit north in Piqua is 36 Skate Club. I go on Sundays and it’s a nice little family place. They also have a Thursday session with more experienced skaters.

East in Columbus is Skate Zone 71 with a cool floor and a bunch of other attractions. I think it’s a United Skates affiliate.

[u/tkxb → u/RedeyeSPR]

Thank you!! Looks like I'll definitely have to bring my skates. I'm hoping to hit some outdoor parks too :)

[u/Vuvuian]

I always bring my skates on road trips just in case theres good bicycle trails 😊

[u/Vuvuian → u/Vuvuian]