Where to go ice skating in Chicago: 16 best rinks

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.

Admission to the Skating Ribbon is free Monday through Thursday and for 11am sessions Friday through Sunday (and $5 for other time slots Friday through Sunday, as well as holidays) if you bring your own skates. No skates? Entry is $17–$23 if you need to rent a pair. The Ribbon stays open through March (weather permitting) and even offers hours on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

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, 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, and if it seems too warm to skate, call ahead—this rink is open through February 2, weather permitting.

Located on the terrace of The Peninsula Chicago, the 2,100-square-foot Sky Rink offers ice skating in the shadows of the city's tallest buildings, all while overlooking Michigan Avenue. Show off your skills in a winter wonderland featuring snowflake lighting and festive music, and when you need to warm up, grab a hot drink and snack at the Chalet.

If you’ve ever wanted to skate on the same ice as the Chicago Blackhawks, you’re in luck. Fifth Third Arena, which is just a few blocks from the United Center, serves as the NHL team’s practice space, and also offers up public skating times nearly every day. The arena also hosts its own adult and youth hockey leagues, and can be rented out for birthday parties or special events.

Admission: $12
Skate rentals: $5

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 seven days a week. Pre-registration is required for open skate, and available here.

Admission: Free
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. Pre-registration is required for open skate, and available here.

Admission: Free
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. Pre-registration is required for open skate, and available here.

Admission: Free
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. Pre-registration is required for open skate, and available here.

Admission: Free
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. Pre-registration is required for open skate, and available here.

Admission: Free
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 weekends), a gymnastics center and a fitness center with cardio and yoga classes.

Admission: $5 adults/teens, $4 kids, $2 seniors
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.

Admission: $5 adults/teens, $4 kids
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 most days through the end of January. Check the official website for hours. Admission is free, and skate rentals are $8

Some people can go ice skating once, or just a few times, and that’s enough for them, but for avid ice skaters in the Chicago area, the Franklin Park Ice Arena in nearby suburban Franklin Park offers season passes ($50 resident/$95 non-resident) to its ice rink, which allows passholders the opportunity to visit as much as they want. The ice arena, which is operated by the Park District of Franklin Park, offers public skating times every day (twice a day on Wednesdays and Saturdays) for $7.

Admission: $7
Skate rentals: $3

Lincolnwood’s American Heartland Ice Arena might not be within the city limits of Chicago, but it’s still easily accessible by CTA and Pace. The arena has public skating times available just about every day, as well as ice skating and hockey lessons.

Admission: $11 adults, $9 kids
Skate rentals: $5

Outdoor ice rinks can only operate during the winter, because they need cold weather to keep the ice frozen. Indoor ice rinks, like Skokie’s Skatium Ice Arena, are open all year long, and Skatium offers public ice skating times most days. The ice arena also hosts figure skating competitions, and is home to the Mammoth Amateur Hockey Association, a youth ice hockey league.

Admission: $7
Skate rentals: $3