15 Best Ice Skating Rinks in the Chicago Area (2024)
One of the best parts of the winter season in Chicago is enjoying the available cold weather activities. Ice skating is a great family winter tradition, and the beauty is that you can find an indoor ice rink that is open year-round if it’s something you enjoy! Here are some of the best places to go ice skating around the Chicago area, so you can find the perfect spot for your family.
Outdoor Rinks
Weather permitting, outdoor ice rinks can be magical. During the holiday season, there is often festive music and holiday lights, and it can be a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Even after Christmas, outdoor ice skating is not something you can do everywhere, so it’s a particular activity unique to colder climates.
Winterland Ice Rink
3635 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613 | Website | November 17-January 7, 2024
Open in mid-November, Gallagher Way at Wrigley Field turns into a Winter Wonderland. This year, the inside of Wrigley Field is turned into a 1200 sq ft skating rink so you can ice skate on the iconic baseball field! People of all abilities are welcome, and there are some cute specialty sleds to assist beginning skaters. Skate rentals are available or you can bring your own pair of skates. There are ice bumper cars too if some family members prefer to not sport some ice skates! There are shops and a selection of hot beverages in the Christkindlemarket as well. It really is a fun place for the whole family.
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
1 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60602 | Website | November 17-March 3, 2024
The McCormick Tribune ice skating rink is located in Millennium Park on Michigan Avenue and E. Randolph St., so it’s a great place to go ice skating after some holiday shopping or checking out the Christkindlemarket in Daley Plaza. It is FREE to ice skate, and they even have free lessons thanks to the McDonald’s Active Lifestyles Endowment managed by the Millennium Park Foundation. Online Reservation Tickets are required and skate sessions are 90 minutes long. Free skating lessons are available from 9-10am on most Saturday and Sunday mornings for beginner and intermediate ice skating and hockey skills, and just like open skate, advanced reservations are required. You may bring your own skates, or skate rentals are available with prices varying depending on the day. Millennium Park is a must-see site of Chicago, and it’s particularly magical during winter. Don’t be surprised if you see some marriage proposals happen while you’re there!
Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon
337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601 | Website | November 17-March 10, 2024
Maggie Daley Park is a super unique ice skating rink in the shape of a ribbon for breast cancer awareness. It is twice the length of a lap of a traditional skating rink, and you can enjoy the city skyline as you make your way around the ribbon. Sled-assisted skating is available for people with disabilities are their companions. Tickets are released on a rolling basis on the following dates:
- Wednesday, January 11 for tickets dated – January 23 – February 5
- Monday, January 23 for tickets dated – February 6 – February 20
- Monday, February 6 for tickets dated – February 20 – March 5
You must select a specific date and session time. Refunds are only given if there are session cancellations due to severe weather, so make sure you are pretty sure about your reservation time.
Prices depend on the date and time and whether you need to rent skates.
Peninsula Sky Rink
108 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611 | Website | November 18-March 3, 2024
Open for its tenth season, the Peninsula Hotel Sky Rink is the only hotel skating rink in Chicago. There’s a synthetic ice rink nestled amongst Chicago’s skyscrapers on the rooftop of this hotel. Complete with snowflake lighting and festive music, this is a truly special place to take your family. Another perk is that all proceeds benefit Chicago children’s charities, including the Hephzibah Children’s Association and the Ann & Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
Chicago Park District Ice Rinks (excluding Maggie Daley Ice Ribbon)
Various Locations |Website| November 18-February 20, 2024
Sponsored by the Chicago Blackhawks, The Chicago Park District ice rinks open mid-November and are open until February 20, 2023. The ice rinks feature free admission, but advanced registration is required. A select number of reservation types are available, so pay attention to when the registration opens if you want to secure your spot!
Some special programming includes Stick and Puck Pond Hockey Games, Drop-In Learn to Skate Lessons, and Rat Hockey. For private events, please call the specific rink. Sleds for people with disabilities are available free of charge, but they must be reserved in advance. Please call (312) 442-2194 24 hour hours before your reservation. Skate Trainers are available for beginning skaters on a first-come, first-serve basis, so inquire when you get there!
The Outdoor Park District Ice Rinks Include:
- Midway Plaisance Park in Hyde Park
- McKinley Park Ice Rink
- Mt. Greenwood Park Ice Rink
- Warren Park Ice Rink
- Wentworth Ice Rink
Chicago Wolves Ice Rink
5501 Park Pl, Rosemont, IL 60018 | Website| November 22-January 28, 2024
The Rosemont Parkway Bank Ice Rink returns this year! Rink access is free if you bring your own skates, or skate rentals are available for $8. There is also free parking available with validation. This is one of our favorite outdoor ice rinks because there’s easy parking, and there’s plenty of restaurants in the area to have a full day of fun!
Indoor Ice Rinks
An indoor rink is a great option because Chicago’s weather can be super unpredictable. From sub zero wind chills to rain, the winter months can be a total wild card, so indoor ice rinks make it a bit easier to plan. Some of these rinks are even open throughout the whole year!
Navy Pier
600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 | Website | November 25-January 7, 2024
Navy Pier turns into a frozen wonderland, light display and ice rink during the holiday season! It’s indoors, so weather will never be a issue. You can see santa, ice skate through the Winter Wonder Forest to get you in the holiday spirit.
Center Ice of DuPage
Open Year Round
Center Ice of DuPage is located in Glen Ellyn, just a bit outside of Chicago It’s open year-round, and it’s a great place to take hockey lessons, have birthday parties, and open skate!
Morgan Park Sports Center
Open Year-Round
Morgan Park Sports Center is located in the Beverly neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. They have a super helpful staff, skating lessons, hockey, and a bunch of other wellness activities in the sports center.
Center Ice of DuPage is located in Glen Ellyn, just a bit outside of Chicago It’s open year-round, and it’s a great place to take hockey lessons, have birthday parties, and open skate!
Morgan Park Sports Center
Open Year-Round
Morgan Park Sports Center is an indoor arena that is part of the Chicago Park District, and it’s located in the Beverly neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. They have a super helpful staff, skating lessons, hockey, and a bunch of other wellness activities in the sports center. Register in advance for open skate.
McFetridge Sports Center
Open Year-Round
McFetridge Sports Center is another Chicago Park District indoor arena, but it’s located in the Avondale neighborhood on the north side of Chicago. We recommend you register in advance for open skate, but they do have some drop-in openings. They even have some special events, like ugly sweater skating!
Fifth Third Arena
Open Year-Round
Fifth Third Arena is the practice home for the Chicago Blackhawks, and it features two NHL size ice rinks. They have hockey lessons, hockey leagues, and public skate, and you can even watch the Blackhawks practice!. Reservations are not taken in advance, and it’s first come first serve for open skate!
Happy Skating! Any tips or other places you recommend? Let us know in the comments!
