Haygood Skating Center (Virginia Beach)

Get ready for a blast from the past! Anouk's Girl Scout troop recently went on an outing to Haygood Skating Center in Virginia Beach and I jumped into a time machine back to my own childhood. Not much at Haygood has changed since I was going there as a kid except maybe the music: the music that plays as the skaters take the floor are people I don't recognize instead of Mariah Carey and TLC. But the whirling sense of fun and excitement is still the same.

Anouk had literally never skated before this night and did a lot of wall hugging (as did many of her friends) for the first hour or so and a lot of practicing on the carpet outside the rink, But by the time we left she was fairly confident on her feet and managed to do a few turns without holding on. In between bouts of skating we played arcade games (skee ball!), duckpin bowling, and A. used some of her allowance to buy the $2 pass into the super big soft-play/maze area (I never know what to call these things). This one had swings in it, so it was extra awesome.

The night we went (Thursday) was also Family Night, which meant that $7 got you admission, skate rental, and all-you-can-eat pizza (if you weren't skating, it was $3). There are many other specials at Haygood throughout the week, including Saturday night Twilight skates and Sunday evening Cheap Skate night.

Some disclaimers: the rental skates are old and sometimes not in the best condition. Bring your own pair if you can or make sure to wear socks if you can't. There is a height limit to be able to skate out on the rink, so it might be best to call ahead if you're planning to take littler ones. EVERYTHING IS CASH ONLY (there is an ATM on the premises). And there seems to be a lot of rules. Dress code, what direction you skate and when, where to wear shoes and when to take them off! But once they turn on that disco ball and some slow jams... it's all good.