The 12 best ice skating rinks in Chicago

Situated in the heart of downtown Chicago with the city's sweeping skyline as a backdrop, the Skating Ribbon at Maggie Daley Park is a winter attraction unlike any other. Skaters can lace up and wind around a winding ice-covered path that's twice the length of a lap around a traditional rink. Reservations for the popular ice rink should be made in advance, as they tend to fill up quickly.

Skate rentals: $16–$22

Skate under the Chicago skyline and within eyeshot of the Chicago Christmas Tree at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park. Plus, take advantage of free skating lessons on most Saturdays and Sundays from 9–10am, where you can learn both beginner- and intermediate-level skills. Note that you'll need to make a free online reservation for both regular skating and lessons this year, and if it seems too warm to skate, call ahead—this rink is open through March 5, weather permitting.

Skate rentals: $16–$20

Want to watch planes fly out of Midway while you glide across the ice? Wentworth Park is located just to the west of Chicago's South Side airport and houses a skating rink that's open to guests five days a week. 

Skate rentals: $7

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.

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.

Skate rentals: $7

Just off the 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. 

Skate rentals: $7

To the north of the delicious Indian restaurants that populate a 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.

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 Sundays), a gymnastics center and a fitness center with cardio and yoga classes.

Open skate: $5 teens/adults, $4 kids, $2 senior citizens

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 schedule before you drop in.

Open skate: $5 adults/teens, $4 children, $2 seniors

Skate rentals: $3

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 the weekends up until December 22, and then every day from December 22 through January (including holidays). The rink, which is free to access, will also be open on Sundays through the end of February.

Skate rentals: $8