Experience Skating in Chicago: Your Complete Guide to Millennium Park Ice Rink

When visiting any city, it’s nice to have an experience that exposes you to everyday culture and involves a unique activity. For me, this could be a Gondola ride in Venice, making pasta in Tuscany or skating at the McCormick Tribune Plaza & Ice Rink in Chicago. With the fabulous icons around Millennium Park surrounding you!

Location

The skating rink is located just off Michigan Avenue inside Millennium Park. Millennium Park is a beautiful area to visit while you’re in the city. It’s only a few blocks from the Chicago River and faces the city’s most awe-inspiring architectural masterpieces. The rink is sandwiched between Michigan Avenue’s architectural skyline and the infamous Chicago Cloud Gate or “The Bean.”

History

Millennium Park was built to celebrate the millennium (hence the name), but the construction didn’t finish until 2004. Nonetheless, despite its late bloom, the park’s beauty and almost perfect urban landscaping won over everyone.

Price

As it was New Year’s Eve, the lineup for Skate Rentals was a bit long, but we were lucky enough to get there right before the rush. Admission to the rink is free, and you can rent skates for $13–$20. You can also grab a locker to skate about on the rink without carrying all your travel gear.

The rink was amazing. The Zamboni was there just before we arrived, so the ice was nice and smooth. Although many people were there, they did a good job of staggering admission inside. So, the rink never feels too crowded. For the most part, it was an incredibly relaxing, romantic and all-around beautiful experience. Getting to hold the hand of someone you love while whizzing around on the ice is almost like flying. There’s nothing like it, especially when you take in all those gorgeous Chicago sites!

Cloud Gate

As you skate about the rink, you can gaze at you at the Cloud Gate. Take a snap to capture yourself skating around below. It’s quite a magical thing. Cloud Gate is a three-storey tall sculpture by artist Anish Kapoor. The steel shell is made out of more than 160 steel plates. Each plate is welded together and polished to give it a seamless appearance. It’s so shiny that it reflects the city around it like a mirror. And all those who step up to see it.

Streetwall

On the opposite side ofof the Bean, you can gaze at the “Streetwall” along Michigan Avenue. The streetwall comprises some of Chicago’s most interesting and historical architectural buildings. When I’m in Chicago, I am always taken aback by the Gothic, Baroque and Romanesque styles of architecture throughout the city. You can see a bit of each style along the ‘Streetwall.’

After skating up a storm, take a break and enjoy delicious dining at the Park and Grill Cafe. It is one of the greatest people-watching spots in the city, and it is perfect for relaxing while watching the skaters fly by.