Now that it’s December and winter is really here, it’s time to make the most of the chill in the air. Here are 11 ice skating rinks to visit this season, so bundle up and spend some time spinning around the ice and showing off your skills – or lack thereof!
The Rink at Rockefeller Center – New York, NY
Skating under the golden statue of Prometheus on The Rink at Rockefeller Center is something that should be on any ice skater’s bucket list. Although it may be crowded at times due to its immense popularity, there is just something special about gliding along the ice in such an iconic location.
Rink info: The Rink at Rockefeller Center is open through April 2017. You can find admission and schedule info here.
How to get there: Booking a trip to NYC is easy from Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and just about anywhere else! Then just take the subway (B, D, F, or M lines) to Rockefeller Center.
Boston Common Frog Pond – Boston, MA
In the middle of the Boston Common is a fantastic place to skate – the Frog Pond! The Common is the oldest public park in the United States, and it makes a lovely backdrop as you glide around the rink. Plus, every Tuesday from 6pm-9pm is College Night, where students from a select Boston university or college will skate for free!
Rink info: The Boston Common Frog Pond opens for ice skating in December and stays open until mid-March (weather permitting). You can find admission and schedule info here.
How to get there: Get on your way to Boston by booking a ticket from New York City, Providence, RI, Hanover, NH, and lots of towns along the East Coast and beyond! Once you’re there, hop on the T (Green or Red Line) to Park Street.
Millennium Park McCormick Tribune Ice Rink – Chicago, IL
Right on Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago is the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park. Here you can glide around under The Bean, a metal sculpture that reflects the city around it. Also, to double your skating fun, check out the Skating Ribbon just across the pedestrian bridge in Maggie Daley Park.
Rink info: The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink is open until early March 5, 2017 (weather permitting). Admission is free, and you can find skate rental and schedule info here.
How to get there: Make your way to Chicago from Milwaukee, Madison, WI, Indianapolis, Grand Rapids, MI and many more places around the Midwest and the country. After you get into town, take the ‘L’ to Randolph/Wabash, Monroe, or Washington stations.
Holiday Rink in Pershing Square – Los Angeles, CA
If cold weather isn’t for you, but you still want to hit the ice, the Holiday Rink in Pershing Square is where you want to be! Located right in downtown LA and easily accessible by subway (yes, LA does have a subway system!), this rink is perfect if you don’t want to bundle up.
Rink info: The Holiday Rink in Pershing Square is open through January 16, 2017. You can find admission and schedule info here.
How to get there: Get to Los Angeles with a ticket from San Diego, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and around the country! When you arrive, take the Metro Red Line to Pershing Square.
Skating by the Sea at Hotel del Coronado – San Diego, CA
You can find another warm weather rink at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego. It’s located right on the beach with a beautiful view of the ocean, so you can skate by the sea!
Rink info: Skating by the Sea runs until January 2, 2017, and you can find admission and schedule info here.
How to get there: Book a trip to San Diego from Los Angeles, Phoenix, Las Vegas and many other places!
Nathan Phillips Square – Toronto, ON
Canada is known for all things cold, and that obviously includes ice skating. The rink at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto is located downtown near the beautiful Old City Hall, and when everything lights up at night, it makes for a magical atmosphere!
Rink info: Nathan Phillips Square will feature skating until mid-March 2017 (weather permitting). Admission is free, and you can find skate rental and schedule info here.
How to get there: Take a trip to Toronto from Buffalo, New York City, Philadelphia, and lots of other cities! Then jump on the subway (1 Yonge-University line) to Queen, Dundas, Osgoode, or St. Patrick stations.
Old Port Skating Rink – Montréal, QC
The Old Port in Montréal is a truly special place to skate. There is a small artificial rink to glide around, but the real fun is skating on the natural surface of the frozen Bonsecours Basin that surrounds the rink. Not only does it give you plenty of room to skate, but the backdrop of the architecture of Old Montréal is simply spectacular. This is a place where you’ll want to skate for hours!
Rink info: The Old Port skating rink is open until mid-March 2017 (weather permitting), although the status of the natural surface depends on weather conditions. You can check the conditions and get admission and schedule info here.
How to get there: Book a ride to Montréal from New York, Boston and beyond! Once in Montréal, take the Metro Orange Line to Champ-de-Mars station.
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink – Washington, DC
Skate while surrounded by sculptures at the National Gallery of Art ice rink on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Take it slow as you circle the rink to view the contemporary art on display in the Garden, featuring works by artists including Alexander Calder and Roy Lichtenstein.
Rink info: The National Gallery of Art ice rink is open through March 12, 2017 (weather permitting). You can find admission and schedule info here.
How to get there: Make your way to Washington, DC from Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, and across the country. When you get there, take the Metrorail to the Judiciary Square, Archives–Penn Quarter–Navy Memorial, or Smithsonian stop.
Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square – San Francisco, CA
If you’re looking for festive cheer, head to the Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square in the heart of San Francisco, where the giant glittering Christmas tree lights up the night right next to the rink.
Rink info: The Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square will be open until January 16, 2017 (weather permitting). You can find admission and schedule info here.
How to get there: Get a ticket to San Francisco from Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, and many other locations. It’s easy to get to Union Square once you’re there on Muni, BART or even a cable car!
The Depot Rink – Minneapolis, MN
Located inside a historic train shed, The Depot Rink may be indoors, but the floor-to-ceiling windows give you a clear view of the Minneapolis skyline while protecting you from the wintry Minnesota weather. And you can enjoy a glass of wine or a local beer when you’re done skating!
Rink info: The Depot Rink is open until early March 2017, and you can find admission info here and schedule info here.
How to get there: Head to Minneapolis from Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago, and more! You can then get to The Depot by light rail (Blue or Green line) to the Government Plaza station or via several bus lines.
Blue Cross RiverRink – Philadelphia, PA
Sitting at the edge of the Delaware River, the Blue Cross RiverRink is the highlight of the Winterfest celebration, and the rink’s location on Penn’s Landing leads to a stunning view of the river and Benjamin Franklin Bridge. To warm up after your skate with a view, duck into The Lodge, a restaurant styled after a ski chalet that’s the perfect place to relax.
Rink info: The RiverRink will be open until March 5, 2017 (weather permitting). You can find admission and schedule info here.
How to get there: Book a trip to Philadelphia from New York City, Washington, DC, Boston, and beyond! Once you’re in Philly, you can take the SEPTA Blue line to the Second Street stop.
Celebrate the winter weather by booking a ticket to glide at one of these amazing rinks! And share your skating adventures by tagging #wanderu on Instagram and Twitter!
