After dodging gravel, twigs, and God knows what else on city sidewalks, skating at the Dome is like gliding on glass. The concrete floors encircling the stadium are so smooth that even first-time bladers lose their fear of falling. To further calm skaters' nerves, protective gear (including wrist, knee, and elbow pads) is available free of charge. For more advanced bladers ages 16 and up, "Rollerdome" has a separate, child-free skating floor. After spending time in the all-skate zone, however, you begin to wonder exactly who's being protected by this measure. Not only do the kids tend to skate faster, but when they fall, it takes them a lot less time to recover than it does the adults. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for kids, and $4 for preteens and seniors. You can bring your own rollerblades--or roller skates--or rent blades for $5 per six-hour session.