Each year, beginning in mid-November, eight ice rinks in Chicago open their doors to visitors. The city park district oversees the operation of these rinks, which close in mid-March to make room for warm-weather activities.
If you’re planning a trip to the Windy City, don’t miss the opportunity to visit one of the following rinks:
Rink at Wrigley
Cubs fans, take note: The Rink at Wrigley is actually next to the Cubs’ stadium, not in it. But it may be about as close as you can get to Cubs baseball in the winter. While the views from this outdoor rink aren’t necessarily Chicago’s finest, the free parking available at Clark Street and Waveland Avenue might make up for the lack of aesthetic appeal.
Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children; skate rental is $5 per person. The rink can also be rented for private functions.
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park would put even the most stubborn Scrooge in a holiday mood. In the evening, tiny white lights sparkle in the trees surrounding the rink, and on Fridays between Thanksgiving and Christmas, carolers sing at Millennium Park’s Cloud Gate.
You can enjoy a magnificent view of Michigan Avenue from the ice, and easily walk to the Art Institute of Chicago or the Lakeshore. More than 100,000 visitors skate here every season. Admission is free, and skate rental is $10 per person.
Aside from the rink, Millennium Park has a lot to offer visitors. Architect Frank Gehry designed the park’s outdoor concert venue, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. And the outdoor Boeing Galleries showcase modern and contemporary art.
McFetridge Sports Center
Not the outdoorsy type? Try indoor ice skating at McFetridge Sports Center, north of the Loop, in Irving Park. The parks department just finished an extensive renovation of this multi-purpose facility in September. The state-of-the-art fitness center and indoor tennis courts offer an alternative for members of your family who prefer not to ice skate.
Hockey clinics and skating lessons are popular at the sports center, and registration is generally in late August. If you’re a Chicago resident who’s interested in these activities, act quickly – spots are snatched up immediately. Admission and skate rental are each less than $10 per person, and a party room is available for private rentals.
Midway Plaisance Ice Rink
The Olympic-size Midway Plaisance Ice Rink is in Hyde Park, on the University of Chicago grounds and adjacent to Washington Park. Children enjoy the rooftop observation deck, and the rink offers a warming center, to fend off that Windy City chill.
Admission is free, and skate rental is $6. Stroll through the winter gardens after your visit, or stop by the DuSable Museum of African American History. There’s a lot to see near this rink, including some impressive architecture.
The total experience
Chicago is one of the most exciting destinations in the Midwest. With its world-class museums, scenic lakeshore and many cultural festivals, you can always find something fun to do in Chicago.
No trip to the city would be complete without sampling a slice of its famous deep dish pizza, or taking a ride on the “L” (the city’s light-rail transportation system). And no winter trip would be complete without skating at one of the city’s ice rinks.
