Ice skating opens in Chicago at 9 public ice skating rinks on Friday, Nov 28th, 2009. Most rinks are free (all you pay for is skate rental), and this low cost family activity is a highlight of the Chicago winter and a great thing to do here in the Windy City. The 9 ice skating rinks will be open through February 28th, 2009 – weather permitting. Skate rentals are available at all Chicago ice skating rinks, as well as food and drinks at most locations. McFetridge Skating Rink in Chicago’s California Park is the only indoor ice skating location in Chicago, remaining open all year except for the month of August.
Millenium Park Ice Skating
The rink, now in its ninth season and drawing more than 100,000 skaters annually, is free and open to the public. Skate rental is available for $10. The ice rink is located on Michigan Avenue between Washington and Madison Streets.The Millenium Park Ice Skating Rink runs on a schedule separate from the rest of Chicago’s Ice Skating Rinks. The Millenium Park Ice Skating Rink opens on November 18, 2009 and will remain open until March 14, 2009. The Millenium Park Ice Skating Rink is open:
2009 Millenium Park Ice Skating
Sun, 10:00am – 9:00pm
Mon, 12:00pm – 8:00pm
Tues, 12:00pm – 8:00pm
Wed, 12:00pm – 8:00pm
Thu, 12:00pm – 8:00pm
Fri, 12:00pm – 10:00pm
Sat, 10:00am – 10:00pm
If you make the trip to the Millenium Park Ice Skating Rink and find it overflowing with tourists, you may want to head 1 block East (across the Serpent Bridge) to the ice rink located at Daley Bicentennial Park (Grant Park, 337 E. Randolph St.) You’ll get away from the crowds and still enjoy some ice skating in Chicago.
Below is a list of Chicago ice skating rinks as provided by the Chicago Park District. Prices and times are subject to change so please contact the Chicago Park District to confirm. You can contact the Chicago Park District at 312-742-PLAY or at their website.
Millenium Park Ice Skating Rink, 100 N. Michigan Ave – Chicago
312-742-5222
Open 11/18/2009 – 3/14/2010
Mon-Thur: Noon-8pm; Fri: Noon-10pm; Sat: 10am-10pm; Sun: 10am-9pm;
The rink is free and open to the public and skate rentals are available for $10.
Thur, November 26: 10am-4pm
Thur, December 24: 10am-6pm
Fri, December 25: 10am-4pm
Thur, December 31: 10am-8pm
Fri, January 1: 12pm-10pm
Daley Bicentennial Park Ice Skating, Grant Park, 337 E. Randolph St. – Chicago
312-742-7650
Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri: 11:30am-5pm and 7:30-9pm
Tues: 2-5pm and 7:30-9pm
Sat: 11:30am-1:30pm and 5-9 pm
Sun: 11:30am-1:30pm and 8-9 pm
$6 skate rental; admission free.
There is no concession stand, but hot chocolate is offered in a vending machine.
McFetridge Sports Center Ice Skating, California Park, 3843 N. California Ave. – Chicago
773-478-2609
Indoor Rink, Open all year except August
All ages: Wed and Fri, 3:30-5pm; Sat and Sun, 4:30-6pm
Adults: Wed 9:15-10:30pm
Teens & Adults: Fri 9:15-10:45pm
$3 skate rental; admission is $4 for children 12 and younger, $5 for ages 13 and older, and $2 for seniors 60 and older.
Food concessions are available.
McKinley Park Ice Skating, 2210 W. Pershing Road – Chicago
312-747-5992
Wed – Sun 12:30-7:30pm
$5 skate rental; admission free.
No food concessions are available.
Midway Plaisance Park Ice Skating, 1130 Midway Plaisance North – Chicago
(East 59th Street at Woodlawn)
312-745-2470
Mon-Thur, Noon-7pm; Fri: Noon-4:30pm, 5-7pm; Sat 1-9pm; Sun Noon-7pm;
$5 skate rental; admission free
Food concessions are available.
Mt. Greenwood Park Ice Skating, 3721 W. 111 St. – Chicago
312-747-3690
Wed–Sun, 12:30–7:30pm;
$5 skate rental; admission free. No food concessions are available.
Riis Park Ice Skating, 6100 W. Fullerton Ave. – Chicago
312-746-5735
Wed–Sun, 12:30–7:30pm;
Open Christmas and New Year’s Day from 12-4 p.m.
$5 skate rental; admission free. No food concessions are available.
Rowan Park Ice Skating, 11546 S. Avenue L – Chicago
773-646-1967
Wed–Sun, 12:30–7:30pm;
$5 skate rental; admission free. Food concessions are available.
Warren Park Ice Skating, 6601 N. Western Ave. – Chicago
773-761-8663
Wed–Fri: 3–5pm, 5:30–7:30pm;
Sat–Sun: 12:30–2:30pm, 3–5pm, 5:30–7:30pm;
$5 skate rental; admission is free. No food concessions are available.
West Lawn Park Ice Skating, 4233 W. 65th St. – Chicago
773-284-6078
Wed–Sun, 12:30–7:30pm
$5 skate rental; admission free.
No food concessions are available.
