‘Tis the Season to Skate on the North Shore and Chicago area

January is the perfect month to dust off your skates, bundle up and hit the outdoor skating rinks. Here are some of our favorite outdoor ice rinks on the North Shore and surrounding Chicago area

Wilmette Park outdoor rinks

Mallinckrodt Park (location: 1960 Elmwood Avenue) and Gillson Park (location: area west of tennis courts) can be used for recreational skating only (NO HOCKEY). When usable, Mallinckrodt and Gillson Park outdoor ice rinks are lighted until 10:30 p.m.

Thornwood Park (location: 2400 Thornwood Avenue) is available for pond hockey as well as recreational skating Sunday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Friday & Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Schedules listed on website

Winnetka Park District outdoor rinks

Gullen’s Pond (Location: 460 Hibbard) is an outdoor refrigerated rink at the Winnetka Ice Arena. Skate rentals are available for $6 at the ice arena front desk. Check the website to confirm rink is open – weather permitting! You can rent the rink for broomball parties and hockey and skating

Indian Hill Park (Location: 31 Wilson Street) has rink hours from Dawn to Dusk December 15 through February 17

Northfield Park (Location: 240 Lockwood Avenue, Northfield) has rink hours from Dawn to Dusk December 15 through February 17

Glencoe Park district outdoor rinks

Watts Center (Location: 305 Randolph Street) has two lighted outdoor ice rinks and is located on more than three acres of land at Watts Park

Chicago area outdoor rinks

Maggie Daley Skating Ribbon (Location: 337 East Randolph) is in the heart of downtown Chicago, with the City’s skyline as a backdrop, a ribbon of ice winds through a rolling landscape providing an ice skating experience unlike any other. Complementing the ribbon are places to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and rent skates.

Rink at Gallagher Way ( Location: 3635 N. Clark) the new 8000 square foot ice rink right near Wrigley field

Skate Millennium Park ( Location: Michigan Ave between Washington & Madison Streets) Skating is free and open to the public