Chicago Hot Blog

Chicago Ice Skating Rinks
Ice skating opens in Chicago at 9 public ice skating rinks on Friday, November 23rd, 2007. The 9 ice skating rinks will be open thru February 29th, 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 California Park is the only indoor ice skating location in Chicago, remaining open all year except for the month of August.

Millennium Park Ice Skating Rink
Last year we went ice skating at Chicago’s Millennium Park, although apparently the Millennium Park Ice Skating Rink is not considered part of Chicago’s Ice Skating Rink System. The Millennium Park Ice Skating Rink is not included on this year’s official list of 9 Chicago Ice Skating Rinks.

After some further investigation, I found that the Millennium Park Ice Skating Rink is officially named the “McCormick Tribune Ice Rink”. The Millennium Park Ice Skating Rink was listed on last year’s list of ice skating rinks, but appears to follow a separate schedule this year. The Millennium Park Ice Skating Rink is already open for business (opened November 11th) and will remain open till March 16th - giving it about 4 extra weeks of action, compared to Chicago’s other outdoor ice skating rinks.

While it will be obvious to anyone that walks by that there is an ice skating rink in Millennium Park, and the ice skating rink is listed on the Millennium Park website, I find it a bit odd that it is not included on the official press release regarding Chicago’s Ice Skating Rinks. This reminds me a bit of the mystery surrounding The Park at Lakeshore East. Seems like there’s an effort to keep the it out of the public’s mind. Keep the taxpayers away and let the tourists enjoy it.

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
312-742-5222
Open 11/14/2007 - 3/16/2008
Mon-Sun, 10am-10pm;
The rink is free and open to the public and skate rentals are available for $9. On Christmas Day, December 25, and New Year’s Day, January 1, the rink will be open from Noon - 8pm. (Please note that the rink will close at 8pm on Thursday, December 27 and Monday, January 7).

Daley Bicentennial Park, Grant Park, 337 E. Randolph St.
312-742-7650
Mon–Fri, 8am–10pm, senior skate 9–10am; Sat–Sun, 9am–5pm;
$5 skate rental; admission free. There is no concession stand, but hot chocolate is offered in a vending machine.

McFetridge Sports Center, California Park, 3843 N. California Ave.
773-478-2609
Indoor Rink, Open all year except August
Wed & Fri, 3:30-5pm; Sat & Sun, 4:30-6pm for all ages;
Wed, 9:15-10:30pm for adults;
Fri, 9:15-10:45pm for teens and adults;
$3 skate rental; admission is $4 for children 12 and younger, $5 for teens & adults, and $2 for seniors 60 and older. Food concessions are available.

McKinley Park, 2210 W. Pershing Road
312-747-5992
Wed–Sun, 12:30–7:30pm;
$5 skate rental; admission free. No food concessions are available.

Midway Plaisance Park, 1130 Midway Plaisance North
(east 59th Street at Woodlawn)
312-745-2470
Mon–Thur, 12–7pm; Fri, 12–4:30pm, 5 – 7 p.m.; Sat, 1-9pm; Sun, 12–7pm;
$3 skate rental; admission is $4 for children, $5 for adults. Food concessions are available.

Mt. Greenwood Park, 3721 W. 111 St.
312-747-3690
Wed–Sun, 12:30–7:30pm;
$5 skate rental; admission free. No food concessions are available.

Riis Park, 6100 W. Fullerton Ave.
312-746-5735
Wed–Sun, 12:30–7:30pm;
$5 skate rental; admission free. No food concessions are available.

Rowan Park, 11546 S. Avenue L
773-646-1967
Wed–Sun, 12:30–7:30pm;
$5 skate rental; admission free. Food concessions are available.

Warren Park, 6601 N. Western Ave.
773-761-8663
Wed–Fri, 3–5pm, 5:30–7:30pm;
Sat–Sun, 12:30–2:30pm, 3–5pm, 5:30–7:30pm;
$3 skate rental; admission is $3 for children 17 and younger, $4 for adults, and $2 for seniors 60 and older. No food concessions are available.

West Lawn Park, 4233 W. 65th St.
773-284-6078
Wed–Sun, 12:30–7:30pm
$5 skate rental; admission free.
No food concessions are available.