If you do a Google search for stories about America’s best outdoor ice skating rinks, you’re bound to find several results. While these noteworthy lists are from reputable sources, some seasonal rinks are closed or closing soon. Some popular ice rinks, like the dazzling outdoor rink at San Francisco’s Union Square, are days away from closing for the season. Moreover, popular rinks like Pershing Square in Los Angeles and Hotel Coronado closed just days ago. Fortunately, there are many others you can enjoy before the winter ice skating season is over. Nevertheless, weather conditions may affect regular operating hours at each outdoor rink. Look at some of America’s best outdoor skating rinks that you can still visit this winter or early spring.
Best Outdoor Skating Rinks in America
Boston Common Frog Pond
38 Beacon St.
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 635-2120
www.bostonfrogpond.com
Dates: Daily through February 2024
You can’t compare Frog Pond to any other outdoor ice skating rink in America. After all, it’s in Boston Common, the oldest public park in the country. Moreover, its amphibian name connects to the early days of the Revolutionary War. Surprisingly, the ice skating rink hasn’t operated too long since 1996. However, the ice rink has been a marquee attraction and a top draw for residents and visitors alike since then.
Curry Village Ice Skating Rink
Southside Dr.
Yosemite Valley, CA 95389
(209) 372-8323
www.travelyosemite.com
Dates: Through March 5, 2024
What better place to ice skating in America than in one of the world’s most beautiful national parks? Ice skating has been a popular outdoor activity in Yosemite since 1928. Of your two choices in Yosemite National Park, Curry Village is the more popular spot for ice skating. After all, you’ll have a stunning view of Half Dome and the natural beauty that is uniquely Yosemite. The Curry Village rink is open daily; admission is $16 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. Aside from Curry Village, your other ice skating option is at Tenaya Lodge, 35 miles south of Yosemite Valley.
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Evergreen Lake
29612 Upper Bear Creek Road
Evergreen, CO 80439
(720) 880-1300
www.evergreenrecreation.com
Dates: Through February 2024
You have several options for outdoor ice skating in Colorado, including ski resorts like Snowmass and Vail. That’s not to mention the incredible ice rinks at Keystone Resort, including the 5-acre Lakeside Village Ice Rink. Despite this, don’t overlook the captivating Evergreen Lake ice rink southwest of Denver. In some detail, you’ll have 8.5 acres to skate upon and no time limit. In other words, you can skate on the largest Zamboni-groomed outdoor rink in the world. On the other hand, weekday hours are just from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. while there are longer hours on weekends. Regular admission is $15, and skate rentals are $20, with discounts for season passes and 10-day punch cards.
Guidant John Rose Minnesota OVAL
2661 Civic Center Dr.
Roseville, MN 55113
(651) 792-7007
Dates: Through February 2024
Covering 110,000 square feet, the Guidant John Rose Minnesota Oval is said to be North America’s largest artificial outdoor skate rink. It’s also widely considered to be on a short list of the best outdoor rinks in the country. The rink has a 400-meter track and additional interior space and can accommodate up to 2,000 visitors at a time. If you visit, admission is just $9, and skate rentals are just $5. In addition to the Oval, you can also skate at the Roseville Skating Center’s indoor arena. However, public sessions are limited as the arena is mainly for hockey and exercise classes.
Lake Placid Olympic Center
2634 Main St.
Lake Placid, NY
(518) 523-1655
www.lakeplacid.com
Dates: Through March 4, 2024
As the location for two Winter Olympics, there are plenty of ice skating rinks in Lake Placid. The Lake Placid Olympic Center has four rinks, including the famous 7700-seat Herb Brooks Arena. As for public ice skating, the place for you to go is the 400-meter James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval. However, this rink operates with limited evening hours on weekdays and extended hours on weekends. Nevertheless, the oval is just one of a few Olympic outdoor rinks still operating and is home to several historic moments.
Mirror Lake Ice Skating
Yet another option in Lake Placid for outdoor ice skating is just a short distance away. Mirror Lake is even more significant and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with no admission fee. A two-mile-long track extending around the lake, it’s open in winter while offering breathtaking countryside views. Wherever you go in Lake Placid, you’ll agree that these outdoor rinks are among the best in America.
Millennium Park Ice Skating Rink
11 Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 742-1412
www.millenniumparkfoundation.org
Through March 3, 2024
The McCormick Tribune ice rink isn’t huge at 15,910 square feet or about double that of Rockefeller Center. However, admission is free, and you can skate for up to 90 minutes at a time. If that’s not enough, you will have the pleasure of skating in one of Chicago’s most beautiful public parks. On the other hand, you must register online for a skating session and, if necessary, pay for rental skates. In addition, reservations for free skate lessons can be made online but often sell out.
More Outdoor Ice Rinks in Chicago
The ice rink in Millennium Park isn’t your only option in the great city of Chicago. Indeed, you may like the rink in front of Wrigley Park or Hyde Park. That’s not to mention the Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon across from Millennium Park. Moreover, the Skating Ribbon extends a quarter mile along an ice track and can accommodate up to 700 skaters. To skate on this scenic ribbon, you can reserve online for $16, including the skate rental.
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Northstar Village Ice Skating Rink
100 Northstar Dr.
Truckee, CA 96161
(530) 562-3689
www.northstarcalifornia.com
Dates: Through March 2024
By mid-January, many popular ice rinks, like San Francisco’s Union Square and Coronado, were closed in California. Fortunately, you have other options, particularly at some resorts in Lake Tahoe. For instance, you have picturesque outdoor ice skating rinks in South Lake Tahoe, like Heavenly Village or Edgewood Resort. While either rink has its own special merits, the rink at Northstar Village in North Lake Tahoe is also genuinely magical. Moreover, there is no charge to ice skate at Northstar, although skate and helmet rentals require a small fee. The 9,000-square foot ice skating rink at Northstar is open daily from 1 pm to 9 p.m. Above all, any outdoor ice rinks in Tahoe rank among the best in America.
Sun Valley Outdoor Ice Rink
1 Sun Valley Road
Sun Valley, ID 83353
(208) 622-2194
www.sunvalley.com
While it’s common for most outdoor ice skating rinks to close in late winter or early spring, Sun Valley is an exception. In other words, Sun Valley’s outdoor ice rink is one of just a few that stay open year-round. First opened in 1936, the outdoor rink is open daily, although you are asked to call ahead regarding session times. Adult session admission is $14 and $12 for children 6-12, with optional skate rentals for $6. If you have children ages five and under, they get free admission with a paid adult.
Christine Potters Outdoor Ice Rink
Aside from the year-round outdoor rink at Sun Valley, you have another option in neighboring Ketchum. In case you go, the Christine Potters Outdoor Ice Rink is amazing, covering nearly two acres. It’s said to be the largest outdoor rink in the Pacific Northwest, and admission is free. But then again, it’s only open for about two months, so call ahead before you go.
The Rink at Rockefeller Center
600 Fifth Ave.
New York, NY 10020
(212) 771-7200
Closing Date: Early April 2024
One of the world’s most famous ice rinks is the Rink at Rockefeller Center in midtown Manhattan. It’s also one of the world’s most photographed attractions in America’s largest city. In operation since 1936, the Rink is a wintertime tradition in New York and averages about a quarter million skaters. You can purchase tickets online and select the time and date you wish to visit. You can skate for up to one hour, although a VIP skate allows you to skate for up to 90 minutes. General admission tickets start at $21 for adults and children ages 6-12 and $11 for ages five and under. Please note that Friday and weekend prices are higher for adults.
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Wollman Rink
830 Fifth Ave.
New York, NY 10065
(833) 615-3500
www.wollmanrinknyc.com
Dates: Daily through March 15, 2024.
While the Rink at Rockefeller Center gets most of the attention in New York, it’s certainly not your only option for ice skating. Indeed, the Wollman Rink in Central Park is more than four times the size of the Rink at Rockefeller Center and is more affordable. Located in the southern section of Central Park, the rink covers nearly 31,000 square feet and offers breathtaking views. You can book reservations and skate rentals online, with GA tickets starting at $15 for adults and $10 for older adults and children.
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About the Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com, and Radio.com. He earned a Media Fellowship from Stanford University.
