Lace up some skates at Americas Ice Garden and get discount admission on select days. Beginning in September, family-night skating will be Wednesdays and Fridays, and college students will get a price break on Monday evenings. For adults only, early Friday morning sessions with free coffee and doughnuts are already under way.

FILE 2004/Staff photographer

Children skate through a shaft of light at Americas Ice Garden, inside the Plaza of the Americas.

Fast-food vendors and a few shops and restaurants skirt the perimeter of the indoor ice rink at the Plaza of the Americas atrium.

The space might be similar in scope to a cavernous shopping mall food court, but it's a bit less hectic than a crowded mall scene.

The Plaza of the Americas complex, made up of the Westin City Center hotel, an office building and the atrium, bustles on weekdays during lunch. Many of the restaurants and shops, though, close by 5 p.m. After that, the ice rink stays open and becomes the main attraction.

Some options are available for later dining. J. Pepe's Mexican restaurant stays open on weekdays until 7 p.m. The menu features Tex-Mex favorites, and it has a cute cantina in one corner where you can watch TV and order a margarita ($4.25 to $6) or a beer ($3 to $3.50).

On a recent visit, we tried a combo plate that came with piping-hot cheese enchiladas, a beef taco, a dab of guacamole, and beans and rice, all for $8.89.

For kid-friendly fare, a few of the fast-food counters stay open until about 7 p.m., including McDonald's and China Dragon.

A family (up to four people) can skate Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. and Fridays from 5:30 to 8 p.m. for $10 (including skate rental).

College students with a student I.D. can skate on Monday nights from 6:30 to 9 for $5, including skate rental.

One very nice amenity: The skating rink will validate patrons' tickets for up to three hours in the Plaza of the Americas parking garage.PULLING IT ALL TOGETHER

AMERICAS ICE GARDEN: In the Plaza of the Americas complex, 700 N. Pearl. 214-720-8080. For additional times and prices, visit the Web site. www.americasicegarden.com.

• Student special (starting in September): Mondays from 6:30 to 9 p.m. $5, including skate rental. (Open Labor Day.)

• Family special (starting in September): Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m., Fridays 5:30 to

8 p.m. $10 for up to four people, including skate rental.

• Adults only (already under way): Fridays from 9 to 10 a.m. $5, including skate rental, coffee and doughnuts.

J. PEPE'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT: Open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Plaza of the Americas complex, 700 N. Pearl. 214-880-7460.

MUSICAL OPTIONS

Hey, college students. Don't have an early class on Tuesdays? Or maybe you do but don't care? Several live-music venues that have entertainment on Monday nights (with some exceptions for Labor Day) are just a short drive from the rink.

• Songwriter Becky Middleton hosts a songwriters in-the-round show most Mondays from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Opening Bell Coffee. The urban pub, in the South Side on Lamar lofts building, is casual and cozy. (No show this Monday, Labor Day.) 1409 S. Lamar. Free admission. 214-565-0383.

• Bluesy torch singer Miss Marcy and her Texas Sugar Daddies band play an early set most Mondays at Pearl. Miss Marcy's done by 8 p.m.,

so hit this saloon, just west of Deep Ellum, before skating. (No show on Labor Day.) 2038 Commerce. Free admission. 214-655-8824. www.pearlatcommerce.com.

• Pat Peterson's jazz-piano set gets jumping Mondays at 7:30 p.m. at Sambuca restaurant on McKinney Avenue. The menu features small plates such as chicken samosas, sea bass skewers and pork tamales, as well as entrees such as pizza, steak and fish. (Closed Labor Day.) 2120 McKinney. Free admission; menu prices vary. 214-744-0820.

• Way down past Deep Ellum, in Exposition Park, some of Dallas' more experimental jazz musicians make fusion magic at the Amsterdam Bar on Mondays starting at 9 p.m. (Open Labor Day.)

831 Exposition. Free admission. 214-827-3433.