Icing down throughout winter brings you great enjoyment, excellent exercise, and urban skyline perspectives. Students at Illinois Tech should visit the downtown panoramic ice rinks and local neighborhood ice skating spaces to experience Chicago throughout the winter season. The following guide (which may lack professionalism) explains how to reach different outstanding locations alongside ticket costs with additional essential details that students should understand while also presenting helpful ice-skating pointers for better appreciation of the experience.
Midway Plaisance Ice Rink
Students can have free access to the Midway Plaisance Ice Rink located at Hyde Park. You can reach the skating rink in less than 25 minutes on the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) or 10 minutes by car from campus since it lies only three miles away. Free admission will be available for all pre-registered visitors at the skating facility between February 17, 2025 until the closing date. Guests can rent skates at the facility for $10 as its simplest skating option.
Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon
The Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon offers an active skating trail with its unique architectural design that winds through the park grounds, according to Choose Chicago. The rink situates four miles away from the IIT which makes a regular travel time under 15 minutes by driving, with public transit taking up to thirty minutes. The skating ribbon remains active until March 9, 2025 while both Tuesday and Thursday admission is free for visitors. Pairs of rental skates can be obtained at the price of $16 each.
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
Chicagoans and visitors frequently visit the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink because it overlooks Millennium Park and “The Bean” sculpture in a picturesque setting according to an official City of Chicago website. The location stands four miles distant from Illinois Tech and it takes 15 minutes by car and 30 minutes using public transit. Visitors can experience the free admission at the open facility until February 2, 2025. Reservations can be made online. Individual skate rentals are $16.
The Sky Rink at The Peninsula Chicago
Skaters who want an exclusive ice skating experience may find the Sky Rink at The Peninsula Chicago rooftop along Michigan Avenue to be a suitable option. The skating rink is situated five miles from Illinois Tech, and takes 20 minutes by car or up to 35 minutes using public transit services. Unfortunately, it closed on February 2, 2025. You can access the ice facility with $20 for adults and $10 for children.
Chicago Wolves Ice Rink at Parkway Bank Park
The Rosemont entertainment district sets an National Hockey League (NHL)-size outdoor ice skating area where people can combine skating activities with general socialization, according to Parkway Bank Park. The distance from Illinois Tech is 18 miles, with a thirty-minute car journey serving as the best transport option. The outdoor site closed its open operations on January 26, 2025. Skating at the venue costs nothing but skate rental charges $8.
People who book reservations early will achieve success. The advance booking for Millennium Park and Maggie Daley Park reservations occurs at distant intervals. When visiting the skating rinks bring your own skates since it helps to save money by avoiding rental fees and eliminates the wait times associated with skates. Visiting the rinks outside of peak times will result in less stress since most people avoid weekdays in the morning hours.
The one-word summary of Chicago ice skating reveals its winter joy factor through joint activity options and physical exercise, and city exploration benefits. All offered privileges will be accessible to Illinois Tech students as skating rinks remain operational until their final date.
References
Chicago Park District https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/midway-plaisance-ice-rink
Choose Chicago https://www.choosechicago.com/articles/parks-outdoors/millennium-park-ice-skating/
City of Chicago https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park10.html
Parkway Bank Park https://www.rosemont.com/thepark/ice-skating-schedule
