Roller skating is a blast with your friends; it’s also a pretty awesome date night out with your significant other. Most cities have a roller skating facility as it was once a super popular activity in and before the early 2000s. However, since then, the sport has faded, and many facilities have had to close down due to the significant decrease in popularity.
Although recently there has been a small surge in roller skating sales, people are showing off their skills on TikTok, which has certainly increased in popularity once again.
However, what if there are no roller skating rinks/facilities to go to with your friends? Well, you can always take them outside if you want to, head to a quiet parking lot, walkway, or anywhere safe if you have the itch to roller skate. But if you can’t or want a more immersive experience, you can try some of these activities like roller skating you and your friends can do together:
1. Inline Skating (Rollerblading)
Inline skating is very similar to roller skating; instead, you typically ride your inline skates outside on the road, sidewalks, trails, and paths. The design of the skates is different, too; roller skates have four wheels in a rectangular pattern like car wheels, and inline skates have a single line of wheels, similar to the blade on a pair of ice skates. There is a toe stop on roller skates, while inline skate brakes are found on the heel.
Inline skating is commonly referred to as “rollerblading” after the popular brand. You can choose to take you roller skates outside; however, rollerblades are often a better option for outdoor skating.
For the best outdoor skating experience, you want to make sure you choose wheels that are designed for the rugged terrain. Wheels are measured by a durometer rating; the higher the number, the harder the wheel. For outdoors, you want a softer wheel to reduce the feeling of the bumpy surfaces, plus to give you better traction. Try outdoor skating with 74a to an 80a durometer rating.
Inline skating is the closest related activity to roller skating; it’s pretty much the same sport, just a different type of skate designed for a better outdoor skating experience. You and your friends should try skating on a nice waterfront path near the beach during sunset, it is a lot of fun!
2. Ice Skating
Ice skating and roller skating is a really similar experience. For both, you head to a facility with a wide open area to skate around with your friends, usually with music playing in the background. However, the actual skating experience is different as you are on ice instead of a wood/polished concrete floor.
I played hockey my whole life, I love getting out to a free skate with a group of friends. Just gliding around the ice is relaxing, plus it’s great exercise. The glide on ice is similar to the rolling on roller skates. The main difference is the way you stop; you don’t get any brakes on ice skates. As a beginner, stopping is the hardest part as you don’t really understand the mechanics and how the blade glides on the ice in different ways.
The classic hockey stop is when you turn sideways and dig both skate blades into the ice at a slight angle. The harder you dig in, the faster you stop, so you can glide sideways on your blades for a little bit for a slower stop.
All cities have ice skating rinks, some more than others, the ice will often be removed during the summer months so ice skating will not be an option. Check with your local rinks and see when open/free ice skates are available. If you live in a cold location, you can possibly go ice skating outdoors on frozen lakes, ponds, rivers, and even the ocean. Just be extra cautious as ice needs to be very thick to safely skate on it.
You can also enjoy some hot cocoa after as you laugh with your pals as you count how many times you all fell down!
3. Electric Scooter Riding/Rentals
Electric scooters have been popping up everywhere in cities over the last few years. You can rent them almost anywhere, and you can even buy one for yourself. Either way, you and your friends can hop on these and explore the city as you would on a pair of rollerblades.
The riding experience is easy; if you have ever been on a Razor scooter as a kid, then you should be able to get on one of these. The balance is similar to riding a bike; I personally think it’s much easier! Many businesses offer high-tech scooters you can rent that are fast and fun, or you can jump on the city-offered rentals that are a bit more affordable and still provide a great experience.
Think of an electric scooter as the modern-day equivalent of roller skating – zippy, fun, and perfect for group outings. Grab a few friends, rent some scooters, and set off on a mini adventure, exploring local landmarks or parks. It’s my favorite way of sightseeing, and you will also get a small adrenaline rush as these things can rip!
4. Trampoline Parks
If you want to increase your physical activity with your friends, choosing a trampoline park may be the best option for you on this list. these parks are exhilarating, full of laughter, and you will get a good workout. Expect to find trampolines everywhere, along with foam pits, giant obstacle courses, dodgeball zones, and even some basketball nets you can practice your dunks on.
It is quite thrilling jumping on trampolines, especially if its been a few years since you have been on them. Just like reaching high speeds on your blades, you will reach high altitudes at a trampoline park. These feelings are quite similar, and the more you push yourself the harder work it is.
Spending a few hours at a trampoline park will leave you and your buddies with plenty of hilarious memories and possibly a few impressive new moves to show off! Just be careful, these trampolines are known to cause injuries to the ones who surpass their own limitations.
5. Mini Golf
Roller skating can be pretty chill as there’s no competition; you just skate around socializing, stopping for breaks, having snacks, and maybe a casual beverage. However, if you want to up your inner competitive attributes, you can always try mini golf. It is a great activity that anyone can do, you do not need any special golf skills, just show up and enjoy.
The simple goal of hitting a ball into a hole in as little putts makes for some great friendly competition. As you hit the ball over and through obstacles, you and your friends will be focusing hard to see who has what it takes to be the winner.
I know, it’s a lighthearted game, but who doesn’t love some competition with your pals? Whether you’re serious about sinking that hole-in-one or just in it for the laughs, mini golf is one of the best friend group activities you can do with your friend group. Today, many mini golf courses are themed, like Glow in the Dark, which creates a great immersive experience, keeping the game very interesting.
If you like some friendly golf-like competition, you should see my related post 19 Activities Like Mini Golf to Do With Your Friends here.
6. Biking
Instead of 4 wheels on your feet, you can try 2 wheels on a bike. There are many types of biking you can do with your friends; mountain biking, BMX biking, casual bike rides, road cycling, electric bikes, and more. The most related to roller skating would have to be a casual bike ride around town.
Jump on a bike you own, or rent one locally, feel the wind blow through your hair as you explore places you didn’t even know existed. Biking is a great way to get around quickly, plus it is an amazing exercise for you and your pals. I love exploring and setting off on a biking adventure, especially in a place I have never been before.
When I was visiting Toronto, we got a water taxi over to Centre Island, rented bikes and explored the island. Looking back at the huge buildings, especially the CN tower, was a one-of-a-kind experience.
Heading to a skatepark on a BMX bike is also a fun friend-group activity. Like roller skating, you get to hang out at a specific location, socialize, and just chill. Skateparks allow you to try tricks you can’t do anywhere else!
7. Skateboarding
Since I mentioned BMX biking, I think skateboarding is a great activity to add to the list of activities like roller skating. It is a similar wheel sport you can ride around on with your good friends, and its a great way to make new friends. I grew up hanging out at skateparks riding skateboards and scooters, you meet a lot of people, and its a lot of fun.
The skatepark is very similar to the roller skating facility, it’s the location everyone goes to ride. Your friends show up, other friend groups show up, and you just ride. There are areas to sit and relax as skateboarding is tiring, and you wipe out a bit more than you do roller skating, so breaks are much needed.
You don’t have to head to a skatepark either, you can ride a skateboard just like you rollerblade around town. There are numerous types of skateboards designed for this, the longboard is a great option too for zooming around town with friends.
8. Dance Classes
If the music and dancing on wheels is why you love roller skating, maybe your friend group should head to some dance classes. You can let the rhythm take over and dance your heart out. There are many different types of dance that you can choose from, but it doesn’t matter, choose whatever suits your style most and get down with it.
These classes help you learn a bunch of new dance moves, and it may be a good laugh if some of your friends are poor dancers. Either way, it doesn’t matter because dance classes are good exercise and by the end of it you will all be happy to have a sip of water.
Dancing releases stress, but dancing with friends does much more than that. Enjoy the rewarding feeling of finishing a dance class together!
9. Escape Rooms
If you love a good immersive experience, then escape rooms are the perfect activity you can do with your friends. These puzzles, challenges, and mysteries make for a wild, adrenaline adventure. As you step into an escape room, you step into an alternate universe. You must work together to escape, the time is ticking, and the clues begin!
It truly tests you and your friend’s ability to work together as a team; how creative are you? Whether the escape room is a spooky haunted house, a murder mystery, going back in time, or a jail cell, you will be tested to the extreme.
Every escape room offers a unique challenge and story, ensuring every visit is a fresh experience. All cities today have an escape room; most have a bunch you can choose from. I promise, if you do one, you and your friends will be looking for more!
Like an immersive experience? See our 25 Activities Like Escape Rooms to Do With Your Friends here.
10. Bowling
I find bowling alleys, and roller skating facilities have a similar atmosphere. The wooden floors, along with the openness in the space, make it feel pretty similar. Also, bowling alleys are famous for themed nights, neon lights, and music playing, which is exactly what indoor roller skating spots are like.
They are both timeless activities that have been around for many years; each is great for getting your friends together to have a fun night out. The difference with bowling is that some friendly competition is added to the mix. Whether you make teams or play solo, you compete to see who can get the best score by hitting pins down.
Between your turn or games, enjoy some snacks and beverages as you socialize, engage in playful banter, or simply cheer each other on. Bowling together is a great bonding activity; nights together like these make memories and keep your friendships growing stronger.
If you like bowling, you should see 19 related activities to bowling here.
Looking for more activities to do with your friends? Read our related post “99 Adventurous Things to Do With Your Friends” here.
Jamie is the founder of Action Sporter. He is the chief zipline writer and the lead editor. He has 5 years of zipline experience being a tour guide in Newfoundland. Most of the time you can find Jamie adventure traveling, hiking, skiing, skateboarding, or anything action related!