4 Ice Skating Alternatives to Millennium Park

While the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park offers some gorgeous views of the city skyline, Chicago has many options that provide great winter experiences outside the box. Since the weather this season been far from consistent, it’s important to take advantage of the nicer winter days, so get outside to explore this year and create a new tradition. Here are four of our favorite spots to hit the ice:

Lincoln Park Zoo

Now that Zoolights is over, the crowds in Lincoln Park have thinned out. It’s the perfect time to visit the family-friendly rink located in the Farm-in-the-Zoo section, open on select dates until February 15th. Concessions are available in the Main Barn and skate rental is only $5.

Parson’s Chicken & Fish

Chicago’s high and low winter temperatures can’t stop the synthetic rink  installed on Parson’s patio. Take a skating break for some delicious fried chicken or a beverage to warm up. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own skates, plus skates will be available to rent.

Maggie Daley Park 

The unique ice ribbon at Maggie Daley Park winds around a 40-foot climbing wall and measures in at a quarter mile long. Just east of the legendary Millennium Park, this rink has also become very popular since it opened last winter. With a max capacity of 700 guests, the skate rental line can get pretty long, so it’s always a good idea to BYO skates and skip the lines. The Ice Ribbon is open 7 days a week, from 12-8pm, with extra hours on the weekends.

Wicker Park

Officially opening on Sunday, January 17th, this neighborhood rink will be Chicago’s only community-funded and maintained ice rink. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon, the rink will be open until 8pm. The regular hours will include all ages skating from 9am-7pm, with adults-only skating hour from 7-8pm. This unconventional ice rink will be maintained by a golf cart Zamboni adorned with Blackhawk stickers. In addition, puck-and-stick hockey games will be held in Wicker Park four days a week, either in the early morning or evening.

Did we miss your favorite local ice rink? Please share it in the comments below!