Did you know that our own little Rye, NH is home to New England’s premier indoor skate park? Yup, it’s true. Rye Airfield (RAF) has been base camp to both skaters and bikers for more than seven years. And this place is legit. The 50,000 square foot indoor park was originally designed and built by Jack Murphy Productions (designers of The Gravity Games, Vans Skateparks and the Dew Tour) with the consultation of former Pro Skater, Dave Duncan. If you’re into skating or riding, this will definitely mean something to you.
Ready to try it out? Every Saturday, Rye Airfield invites all family members to skate or ride for just $20 for the whole lot of ya! Grandma doesn’t want to hit the half-pipe today? Adults can relax comfortably in the upstairs lounge while viewing all the action with a nice hot beverage and a brand new magazine/newspaper/book—oh, and there’s internet access, too! Forgot your Starbucks? No worries, RAF offers a mini-concession stand with light snacks and drinks.
Visitors are welcome to bring their own equipment, but if you’re short on something, RAF has you covered. You can rent everything on-site including bikes, skateboards, inline skates, helmets and all other safety equipment. Everyone must wear helmets and knee/elbow pads—safety first!
Looking for a super cool birthday party venue? Rye Airfield can host parties of any size and offers all kinds of activities including skating, biking, dodgeball, lazertag or Capture the Flag. RAF also offers awesome summer and winter vacation Ramp Camps ($139 for 3 days of riding, instruction and specialized training), as well as overnight “lock-ins” where you stay up all night and RIDE! No sleeping allowed, but yes, plenty of Mountain Dew or other sustenance is available.
The skate park is set up to accommodate any experience level from beginner to expert. Still feeling intimidated? It costs nothing to watch and RAF encourages people to visit the complex and check things out from the sidelines. Many times during the week, you can see pro-skaters and riders practicing tricks—it’s like being at the X-Games, for free!
Each session costs $12 for non-members ($14 on weekends and during holiday/vacation periods) and $10 for members. You can also buy a day pass on weekends for $30 for non-members ($33 on weekends and during holiday/vacation periods) and $25 for members. Again, it’s free to watch. All skaters and riders must sign a one-time waiver that is kept on file (those under 18 must have a waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian in front of RAF staff).
Rye Airfield sports a very welcoming and casual atmosphere. Whether you want to just hang out, ride the ramps or get some instruction, they are there to accommodate your needs. As they say, Rye Airfield is “more than just a camp, it’s a whole new experience.” Count us in.
Rye Airfield
170 Lafayette Road, Rye NH (603) 964-2800
