The ice skating ribbon at Maggie Daley Park is without a doubt one of Chicago’s best winter-time activities. The quarter-mile rink curves up and down around a 40-foot climbing wall with the city’s iconic skyline standing beautifully in the backdrop.
Integrated into the heart of downtown Chicago, Maggie Daley Park’s ice ribbon offers skaters a track twice the length of your average rink with the addition of several hot chocolate stands to warm up before and after a good skating session.
There really is no winter experience quite like a day gliding through one of Chicago’s best parks and luckily for us all, it has now reopened for winter.
Chicagoans have been enjoying winter afternoons at Maggie Daley Park ever since its opening in 2014. The park was named after the former first lady of the city who died in 2011 and was known for her love and advocacy for Chicago children.
In honor of Maggie, the park is now one of the best playgrounds in the city and the ice ribbon is one of its most popular attractions.
Opening every November, crowds flood to enjoy the treasured winter activity. This year once again reservations are advised as, though walk sales are possible, they are based on availability, and given that the rink operates with a limited capacity tickets could sell out in advance.
Tickets for opening day Friday, November 17 through December 3 were released on Monday, November 6, and can be found at maggiedaleypark.com.
If you’re a tried and tested skater and own your own pair of skates you can skate for free at all time slots Monday through Thursday and during the 11 a.m. sessions on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. All other slots Friday through Sunday costs just $5.
Renting a pair of skates to take to the ice costs $16 Monday through Thursday and $20 Friday through Sunday when booked online. Otherwise, it costs $18 for walkups Monday through Thursday and $22 for walkups Friday through Sunday.
The ice rink is open 7 days a week during the following time slots with ice resurfacing taking place between sessions:
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Maggie Daley Ice Rink is open from Friday, November 17, 2023, through Sunday, March 10, 2024.
More information can be found at maggiedaleypark.com/things-to-do-see/skating-ribbon.
[Featured image from Instagram / @borntoseephoto]