Given Chicago's cold winters, it's no wonder ice skating is a popular winter activity here. There are several ice rinks set up in the seasonal months near downtown for Chicago travelers. All rinks listed provide skate rental.
1. Ice Skating at Navy Pier's Winter Wonderfest
© Prescott Carlson
Navy Pier's Winter Wonderfest, an annual event that takes place from the beginning of December until the first weekend after New Years, not only features an indoor ice skating rink, but also hundreds of Christmas trees, thousands of lights, and other attractions such as an indoor ferris wheel, the Reindeer Express Train Ride, the Pepsi Create-a-Cookie Cottage, and more.
- Navy Pier, 600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL
- Beginning of December through first weekend of January
2. Millennium Park Ice Skating Rink
Millennium Park ice skating is one of the more popular activities during winter in Chicago -- more than 100,000 people lace up their skates each season and hit the ice in this picturesque environment next to Chicago's Cloud Gate (a.k.a. The Bean).
- Millennium Park, Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street, Chicago, IL
- Thanksgiving through March, weather permitting
3. Daley Bicentennial Plaza
Photo via City of Chicago
Just to the east of Millennium Park is a more subdued, no frills ice rink in the Daley Bicentennial Plaza in Grant Park.
- Daley Bicentennial Plaza, Grant Park, 337 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL
- November through February, weather permitting
4. Ice Rink at Wrigley Field
Historic Wrigley Field sets up an ice skating rink from December through February for those that want to strap on some skates in the shadow of the Friendly Confines.
- Wrigley Field, Clark Street and Waveland Avenue, Chicago, IL
- December through February