Let’s face it, as Chicagoans, we love to complain about winter all year round. But come snow season, we can’t help but embrace the chilly temps with all of the fun outdoor activities that the city is known for.
Perhaps the most popular winter activity is outdoor ice skating. We love dressing up in our warm coats and spinning around on ice rinks with the city skyline in the background. Kids love to join in on the ice skating fun, too!
Luckily, there’s no shortage of rinks to lace up your skates and hit the ice. Here are our favorite outdoor ice skating rinks in the city and suburbs.
City
The Peninsula Sky Rink
Through Dec. 31, 2023
- Address: The Peninsula Hotel, 108 E. Superior St., Chicago
- Admission: Free
- Skate rentals: $20, $10 for kids ages 12 and under
One of the best-kept winter secrets, the Peninsula Hotel offers an open-to-the-public fourth-floor rooftop ice skating rink overlooking the beauty of Michigan Avenue. All proceeds from the skate rentals benefit the following Chicago charities: Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Hephzibah Children’s Association.
The Rink at Gallagher Way
Through Jan. 7, 2024
- Address: 3637 N. Clark St., Chicago
- Admission: $5
- Skate rentals and access: $20
This year, head inside the historic Wrigley Field to spend a day skating and enjoy other holiday activities in the heart of the Wrigleyville neighborhood.
Skating Ribbon at Maggie Daley Park
Through March 10, 2024
- Address: 337 E. Randolph St., Chicago
- Admission: Free
- Skate rentals: $16-$22
At a quarter mile long, this unique venue looks like a lazy river of ice. Twice the length of a lap around a traditional skating rink, the ribbon — which also features changes in elevation — can hold up to 700 skaters at once.
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park
Through March 3, 2024
- Address: Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago
- Admission: Free
- Skate rentals: $16-20
A winter tradition for more than 10,000 skaters annually, ice skating at Millennium Park is about as beautiful as it gets. Free skating lessons (reservations required) will also be offered on most Saturdays and Sundays.
Chicago Park District Community Rinks
Through Feb. 20, 2024
- Admission: Free (Pre-registration required)
- Skate rentals: $7
Skate away at outdoor rinks that offer frozen fun throughout the city. Most rinks provide special programming (skating lessons, hockey clinics, sled-assisted skating) for an additional fee. Skate at one of the following community rinks:
- McKinley Ice Rink: 2210 W. Pershing Road, Chicago
- Midway Plaisance Ice Rink: 1130 Midway Plaisance North, Chicago
- Greenwood Ice Rink: 3721 W. 111th St., Chicago
- Warren Ice Rink: 6601 N. Western Ave., Chicago
- Wentworth Ice Rink: 5625 S. Mobile Ave., Chicago
Suburbs
Ice Skating in the Commons
Through Jan. 7, 2024
- Address: 1 Veterans Parkway, New Lennox
- Admission: Free
- Skate rentals: $5
Enjoy outdoor ice skating as part of the New Lennox annual “Christmas in the Commons” celebration, featuring a holiday market, lights display and one of the largest illuminated Santa Claus in the United States.
Parkway Bank Park
Through Jan. 8, 2024 (Select days)
- Address: 5501 Park Place, Rosemont
- Admission: Free
- Skate rentals: $8
The courtyard of this entertainment district is transformed into an NHL-sized rink adorned with hundreds of twinkling lights.
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