
Where to Take Your Kids Ice Skating in Chicago
Here's a list of all the outdoor ice skating rinks in Chicago that local families love! You can use our interactive map to find the one closest to you. Just be sure to verify open skate hours before you head out, since ice skating outside will be temperature dependent. When you get home you can warm up with hot chocolate and holiday cookies!
Are we missing your family’s favorite outdoor rink? Help us crowdsource winter fun by recommending it for us to add below! Share any tips with fellow Chicagoland parents in the comments, too, and help us make this the ultimate parent-to-parent online resource!
Deep River Water Park - Skate the Plaza
Lisa R said: This well-loved summer waterpark transforms during the winter months into a 14,500 sf ice skating plaza complete with food service and heated indoor bathrooms. Families love the affordable pricing and visiting during the holidays when the plaza is lit with festive, seasonal lighting.
Open late-Nov to late-Jan
Chicago Park District Ice Rinks
Kristy Pepping said: The Chicago Park District operates 5 outdoor ice-skating rinks, in addition to Maggie Daley Ice Skating Ribbon, throughout the city. With so many rinks throughout Chicago, you are never far from some fun ice skating! Pre-registration is required for all programs, including open skate sessions, at the outdoor rinks.
Rinks are located at McKinley Park, Midway Plaisance Park, Mt. Greenwood Park, Warren Park, and Wentworth Park.
Chicago, ILOpen late Nov-Feb
Maggie Daley Park - Skating Ribbon
Kristy Pepping said: The Ribbon is located in the heart of downtown Chicago and aptly-named as the ice winds through a rolling landscape providing an ice skating experience unlike any other. A visit to Maggie Daley is a great addition to a Chicago staycation! Walkup sales are based on availability – reservations strongly encouraged.
Chicago, ILOpen Nov-March
Millennium Park Ice Skating Rink
Kristy Pepping said: The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park is a classic place to bring your family to go ice skating. They have locker rentals and a restaurant on-site where you can grab some hot cocoa to warm up with after you are done skating!
Chicago, ILOpen Nov-March
Gallagher Way
Lisa R said: This outdoor rink, just across from Wrigley Field, offers affordable ice skating in one of Chicago's most iconic locations. Set amidst an entire Winter Wonderland, skaters can catch Santa and Clark the Cub cruising the ice or watch youth performances by Figure Skate Chicago at select times leading up to Christmas. Rent your skates here or bring your own.
Chicago, ILOpen mid-Nov to mid-Feb
Wilmette Park District Outdoor Ice Rinks
Erin P. said: The Wilmette Park District operates three outdoor ice skating rinks. Mallinckrodt Park and Gillson Park can be used for recreational skating only (not hockey). If you are looking for a place to both play pond hockey and enjoy recreational skating, head to Thornwood Park. The outdoor ice rinks will be maintained until temperatures rise high enough for them to thaw.
Wilmette, ILBobby Hull Community Ice Rink
Kristy Pepping said: The Bobby Hull Community Ice Rink is a regulation-sized outdoor rink named after the famous Chicago Blackhawks player, who lived in neighboring Berwyn.
Cicero, ILCentennial Park Winter Wonderland
Lisa R said: Located in the midst of beautiful Centennial Park, Orland Park District's skating arena is worth a visit. Skating attendants on the ice ensure that everyone stays safe, with beginners in the center of the rink and more advanced skaters only practicing turns when the ice isn't crowded. Parents and kids love taking breaks together in the small warming hut (bring your own snacks!) and exploring.
Orland Park, ILOpen late-Nov to late-Feb
Watts Ice Center
Kristy Pepping said: Watts Center, run by the Glencoe Park District, has not one, but two lighted outdoor ice rinks! There is also a nearby sled hill if your kids are looking for even more winter activities to round out the day. This unique refrigerated skating facility provides figure skating lessons, ice hockey and of course recreational skating.
Glencoe, ILOpen late-Nov to late-Feb
River Forest Park District - Constitution Park Ice Rink
Sarah D. said: Constitution Park in River Forest offers a beautifully-maintained ice rink in the winter months. Constitution Park is located in a peaceful, quiet, family-friendly neighborhood. When operational, the rink use has both free skate hours and hockey use hours. Please note that the ice rink open/closed status will be posted on site by a colored flag system: green indicates that the rink is open and red indicates that the rink is closed. The ice rink is unsupervised. Skate at your own risk.
River Forest, ILOpen Dec-Feb
Skating in the Park - Parkway Bank Park
Kristy Pepping said: Parkway Bank Park is a 200,000 square-foot entertaining and restaurant complex. All the businesses face inward in what becomes a climate-controlled NHL-sized ice rink during the winter months. Convenient onsite parking is available and is validated if you go to one of the onsite restaurants before or after your skate.
Rosemont, ILOpen late Nov-Feb
Sunset Woods Park, Park District of Highland Park
Sarah D. said: At the start of every season, when weather permits (20 or colder for 5 straight days), the staff at Sunset Woods Park flood an ice rink and the outdoor skate fun begins! The rink has separate sections for hockey and recreational skating. For the safety of all patrons, helmets are required in the hockey rink. Skating is free, and the rink is well lit by existing park lights.
Highland Park, ILDes Plaines Park District Skating
Lisa R said: For low-key open air ice skating and hockey, The Des Plaines Park District maintains four simple rinks, which also have one or two ice hockey goals set up at each location. These rinks are unsupervised and skaters are responsible for ensuring their own safety. Families who are unsure about the current rink conditions can visit the Des Plaines Park District website or call for updated information before heading out. Bathrooms not available at all parks.
Des Plaines, ILThe Forge: Lemont Quarries
Shila said: Lace-up your skates (or use a pair of ours) and glide across The Forge's ice skating rink. Teleport yourself to childhood memories and create new moments to cherish with loved ones this winter season. Private group and open skate sessions are available. Skate rentals are included with all reservations.
Lemont, ILEldridge Park Lagoon
Katie G. said: The lagoon located at Eldridge Park is open (weather permitting) during the winter months for ice skating. The lagoon has been a popular ice skating destination for locals since the early 1970s. For safety reasons, the Elmhurst Park District monitors the ice and requires that there be a consistent, 3-day, ice thickness of 8 inches in order for guests to skate. A green flag at the pond will notify guests if it's safe to skate.
Elmhurst, ILLake Bluff Artesian Ice Rink
Sarah D. said: The North Shore knows outdoor ice skating, and the Lake Bluff Ice Rink located at Artesian Park is a prime example of a family-friendly outdoor rink! The rink is maintained as long as the weather permits and is thoroughly lighted for evening skating. The grounds boast a warming house facility along with washrooms located at Artesian Park.
Lake Bluff, ILArlington Heights Park District Ice Skating Rinks
Yoli B said: The Arlington Heights Park District has your outdoor skating needs covered with several outdoor rinks that the kids (and you) will love. The rinks are unattended and you will need your own skates, but the winter air on your face will make the skate purchase all worth it!
Arlington Heights, ILRinks are open mid-Dec to mid-Feb, weather permitting
Check the conditions report online to confirm that rinks are open
Glen Ellyn Outdoor Skating Rinks
Erin P. said: Glen Ellyn is the home to three outdoor ice skating parks. They are typically open from mid-December through February, weather permitting. Lake Ellyn and Newton Park both offer natural ice surfaces. The Polar Plaza has a synthetic (plastic) surface which replicates a regular ice surface. A unique new element will also come to the Polar Plaza this season – two iceless curling lanes. Equipment will be available to borrow (it’s free!) for this fun winter activity on select dates. Ice skate rentals are not available, so please bring your own.
Glen Ellyn, ILOpen late-Nov to late-Feb
Crystal Lake Main Beach and West Beach Ice Rinks
Sarah D. said: Ice Skating outdoors can be more than just rink skating! In Crystal Lake, the Park District carefully monitors the conditions of Crystal Lake and - when the ice is thick enough - opens skating for public use! There are two access points to skate the Lake, but I recommend skating at Main Beach for it's access to restrooms and other amenities! Benches and skate mats are available at Main Beach once the rink is cleared. Hockey goals are set up at both Main and West. The skating areas are lighted in the evening, too.
Crystal Lake, ILPrimary photo: Upparent
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