Show off those figure eights while sliding around the best ice skating rinks in Chicago.
Winters in Chicago are known to be particularly brutal, but that doesn’t mean that the city isn’t any fun throughout the season. Bundle up and head outside to go sledding or snowboarding, check out seasonally-themed activities, and, of course, hit the ice. Chicago, and its surrounding suburbs, are home to plenty of ice rinks to show off your skating skills, or work on them if you're still a novice. You don’t have to be an expert skater, or even own a pair of ice skates, to have a good time at one of the these spots around the city. The best skating rinks in Chicago offer skate rentals, for a fee, as well as lessons to help you skate circles around friends and family.
Chicago Park District ice rinks will open in late November. All outdoor rinks operate weather permitting, so call ahead to confirm availability.
If you’ve ever wanted to skate on the same ice as the Chicago Blackhawks, you’re in luck. Fifth Third Arena, which is just a few blocks from the United Center, serves as the NHL team’s practice space, and also offers up public skating times nearly every day. The arena also hosts its own adult and youth hockey leagues, and can be rented out for birthday parties or special events.
Admission: $12
Skate rentals: $5
If you’ve been waiting for a new spot to test your skating skills, Rosemont Village has your winter plans covered. The spectacular new 103,000-square-foot facility, located just north of Allstate Arena, features two full-size rinks—one for the pros and one for the rest of us. Youth hockey teams, figure skating clubs, adult leagues and the Chicago Mission girls’ hockey program all find a home here.
Admission: $12 adults, $10 youth
Skate rentals: $5
Not far from the Beverly Arts Center in the Mt. Greenwood neighborhood, this ice rink offers skating programs, open skate times and provides a limited number of walkers for those just learning to skate. Pre-registration is required for open skate, and available here.
Admission: Free
Skate rentals: $7
During the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, Midway Plaisance Park was filled with amusement park rides and attractions. Today, the park serves as a connector between Jackson and Washington Park, and makes way for a sizable ice rink. Pre-registration is required for open skate, and available here.
Admission: Free
Skate rentals: $7
Just off of South Western Avenue Boulevard, McKinley Park was built on a former horse racing track and has since become a popular green space for residents of Brighton Park and Back of the Yards. The park's ice rink is located near the intersection of Western Boulevard and West Pershing Road. Pre-registration is required for open skate, and available here.
Admission: Free
Skate rentals: $7
To the north of the delicious Indian restaurants that populate a lively section of Devon Avenue, you'll find Warren Park—it's the largest public park on the Far North Side of the city, and big enough to host its own ice rink. Pre-registration is required for open skate, and available here.
Admission: Free
Skate rentals: $7
This Chicago Park District facility on the far Southwest Side offers a year-round, NHL-sized indoor ice rink (with programs in hockey and figure skating as well as open skate on weekends), a gymnastics center and a fitness center with cardio and yoga classes.
Admission: $5 adults/teens, $4 kids, $2 seniors
Skate rentals: $3
McFetridge Sports Center, located in Irving Park, regularly hosts competitive and recreational ice skating, hockey and tennis programs, as well as special events. Open skate is available every day at specific hours, so be sure to check the rink's schedule before you drop in.
Admission: $6 adults/teens, $5 kids
Skate rentals: $4
Slide past an indoor skydiving center and Fogo de Chão on the Chicago Wolves Ice Rink at Rosemont's Parkway Bank Park, where you can hit the ice on most days through the end of January. Check the official website for hours.
Admission: Free
Skate rentals: $8
Some people can go ice skating once, or just a few times, and that’s enough for them, but for avid ice skaters in the Chicago area, the Franklin Park Ice Arena in nearby suburban Franklin Park offers season passes ($50 resident/$95 non-resident) to its ice rink, which allows passholders the opportunity to visit as much as they want. The ice arena, which is operated by the Park District of Franklin Park, offers public skating times every day (twice a day on Wednesdays and Saturdays).
Admission: $8
Skate rentals: $4
Lincolnwood’s American Heartland Ice Arena might not be within the city limits of Chicago, but it’s still easily accessible by CTA and Pace. The arena has public skating times available just about every day, as well as ice skating and hockey lessons.
Admission: $11 adults, $9 youth
Skate rentals: $5
Outdoor ice rinks can only operate during the winter, because they need cold weather to keep the ice frozen. Indoor ice rinks, like Skokie’s Skatium Ice Arena, are open all year long, and Skatium offers public ice skating times most days. The ice arena also hosts figure skating competitions, and is home to the Mammoth Amateur Hockey Association, a youth ice hockey league.
Admission: $7
Skate rentals: $4
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