We know, we know, you don’t want to think about winter just yet.
But hey, it’s best to be prepared, right?
Ice skating at Millennium Park’s McCormick Tribune Ice Rink and the still-new Maggie Daley Park skating ribbon both have their perks. The two are the clear-cut frontrunners for ice skating in Chicago, but which one is for you? Here’s a breakdown of each.
Millennium Park’s McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
Located on Michigan Avenue between Washington & Madison St.
Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St. Chicago, IL 60601)
Millennium Park’s ice rink will open on November 13th, and the masses are sure to follow. Nothing really compares to skating under the skyline, and there’s really no better place for it. Skate rental is only $12, though you’re always allowed to bring your own for free instead. The downside? With over 100,000 visitors each winter, you might find open ice hard to come by. Still, you could always dip inside the Park Grill Café for some much needed hot chocolate or snacks.
Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon
The quarter-mile long skating ribbon is one of the newest additions to the Grant Park area, along with the rest of Maggie Daley Park. The ribbon blends with its surroundings, creating an alpine kind of feel right in the middle of the city. The skyline views here aren’t all that different than Millennium Park’s ice rink, but one lap around the ribbon equates to two ice rink laps. The ice skating ribbon opens in late November and closes in March, depending on the weather. During the summertime, this area can also be used as a place to observe the nearby rock-climbing wall.
Take note that there are plenty of other skating options out there. Ice Skating at Lincoln Park Zoo is becoming increasingly popular, and the Chicago Park District has nine more rinks to choose from. You can get more info on them here, but this is the complete list.
- McFetridge Ice Rink (Indoor)
- McKinley Ice Rink
- Midway Ice Skating
- Morgan Park Sports Center Ice Rink
- Greenwood Ice Rink
- Riis Ice Rink
- Rowan Ice Skating
- Warren Ice Rink
- Wentworth Ice Rink
Photo Credit: Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel