Ice Skating in Illinois

Ice skating in Illinois brings out all the magic and fun of winter.

Here you'll find fantastic outdoor ice skating rinks where you can skate under the crisp open sky, plus indoor spots if the weather gets a little too fierce.

You can glide across the ice at iconic spots like Millennium Park (a great choice for first timers), or in quieter community locations across the state. That crisp air and winter atmosphere make ice skating in Illinois a pretty special experience, so bundle up, strap on your skates, and explore some of Illinois' best ice skating.

Illinois' best outdoor ice skating rinks

The outdoor ice skating doesn't end at Chicago, of course. There are a whole lot of great outdoor ice skating rinks in Illinois—and just maybe there'll be one near you. Since these rinks often depend on cold weather, we recommend checking the conditions before you head out, and only skate on ice you know is safe.

In Northern Illinois, you'll find a great option in Galena. The Nordic Center at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa features a 40-by-80 foot rink, plus a fire pit to warm you up afterward. 

Further south near Morrison, Lake Carlton offers a more natural ice skating opportunity when it freezes over. For this, you'll need to bring your own skates, and double-check the conditions. It's a similar story at Riverside Park Lagoon in Moline, but here you'll also find a delightful warming house to keep spirits high.

Pontiac's Block 59 Ice Skating Rink has one of the best deals in the state: free admission, and free skate rentals. Right near the historic courthouse, it's easy to find, and its refrigeration system keeps it skateable right up to 50 degrees.

Each winter (weather permitting), Orland Park's Winter Wonderland Ice Rink serves up some joyous outdoor skating fun. Bring your skates or rent a pair, and if you'd like a little extra support, there are free skate aides/walkers available for use. There's a warming house, too, plus bon fires on weekends.

Springfield has two skating options for you. The LRS Ice Rink near the Old State Capitol is a spacious 4,000-square-foot rink with synthetic ice. But the skating is only one part of the appeal here. It's run by local high schoolers as part of an entrepreneurship program, giving you a great opportunity to support the community. For skating in a more natural setting, the Springfield Park District lagoons—Lincoln, Southwind, and Washington Park—open when the ice is just right.

Further south, The Loading Dock in Grafton has a rink that's not strictly-speaking outdoors... but its semi-outdoor experience includes views of the Mississippi River, so that's certainly a skate to remember.

As we get further south the conditions aren't as favorable for outdoor rinks, but you can still get your fix in Centralia, where locals constructed an outdoor ice pond at Foundation Park. In summer it's a field, in fall they flood it, and come winter it offers safe skating with a depth of only 12 to 18 inches. Clever! Marion also has you covered in the winter months with The Ice at Tower Square, a real ice rink constructed outdoors in the middle of town, complete with skate rental.

The Bloomington Ice Center offers a variety of skating programs throughout the year, with lessons ranging from all ages to freestyle practice sessions. The Skatium also offers lessons as well as a variety of themed skating events, such as their Ugly Sweater Skating Event.

Illinois hockey teams

Get some inspiration from the pros for your next ice skating adventure. These Illinois hockey teams show just what's possible on the ice.