The Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon offers a unique ice skating experience in the heart of downtown Chicago! It’s pretty special to skate with the skyline as a backdrop.
But what about parking? Is it crowded? Do we need to bring our own skates? When is the best time to go? We have tips for the Skating Ribbon to answer these questions and more!
An Overview
The Skating Ribbon is a winding path with slight inclines and declines and is equal to two laps around a traditional ice rink. Admission is free Monday – Thursday (except for holidays), so if you have your own skates, all you would have to pay for is parking and the extras: penguin/polar bear/snowman skate assists (don’t worry, we’ll explain), a locker, hot chocolate, and snacks. With lights around the Skating Ribbon, it would also make a great date night or perfect stop after dinner in the city!
Maggie Daley Park is part of the Chicago Park District and the skating ribbon is managed by Rink Management.
Tips for the Skating Ribbon at Maggie Daley Park
Best Place to Park
The Chicago Park District recommends parking at the Millennium Lakeside Garage, and that is definitely the closest spot. Depending on the time and date you go, Spot Hero options may be more expensive. We reserved a space through the Millennium Garages website for four hours (2:00 – 6:00 pm) and it was $16 plus tax.
When you drive into the Millennium Parking Garage, turn towards the Lakeside garage and park near the Randolph side, which will get you closest to the skating rink. If you are like me and get turned around underground, make sure you remember what signs to follow once you are in the garage!
Tip:
If you want to park in the most convenient location, head over to the Millennium Park Garages website and choose the Millennium Lakeside Garage. It’s the cheapest option while being steps away from the Skating Ribbon.
Locker Rental
We recommend using the locker rental kiosks to rent a locker for your belongings. Lockers are located in the Fieldhouse (the building right next to the Skating Ribbon) and the cost per locker is $3/small or $5/large. The lockers are a great place to put your shoes and whatever else you don’t want to take out on the ice so you can enjoy yourself. The rental period lasts for 3 hours.
Skate Rentals & Pricing
You can rent figure skates or hockey skates in one of two walk-up trailers that are located near the Fieldhouse Building and the Rink Cafe. The cost for skate rental (not including tax) is $17 on-line or $19 walk-up from Monday – Thursday. On Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and holidays (November 28 and December 13, 2024 – January 5, 2025), skate rentals are $21 on-line or $23 walk-up.
If you bring your own skates, you can skate for free, with the exception of the holiday season and weekends (the 11:00 am session on weekends is free with your own skates). Otherwise, it is $5/person to skate, even with your own skates.
Skate rentals are available in children’s size 8 through men’s size 15, with no half sizes. My family went on a Saturday afternoon in November and it was not too crowded; while there was a line to rent skates, we moved through it in under 10 minutes.
Making a reservation to skate is highly recommended; walk-up tickets are based on availability. You will also save money if you register on-line ahead of time! Regardless of whether you bring your own skates or not, you do need to check in to receive a wristband. Employees will check to make sure you are wearing a wristband as you enter the rink. The online reservation website opens up new dates approximately two weeks out.
Tip:
Bring your own skates to save money! If you don’t have your own, Play It Again Sports is a great place to look before you go. You’ll be glad you have them, especially if you plan on going skating at one of the free, outdoor neighborhood rinks another day.
Skating Assistance
There are railings on both sides of the Skating Ribbon, but the rink also offers gliding penguin, polar bear, and snowman sleds for $11 each to assist in skating. A variety of people were using the penguins on the ice rink when we were there, including little ones and adults. So if you have someone with you who is new to ice skating or has special needs, rent a penguin! Penguin rental is a one time fee for the day. We rented a polar bear for my 5-year-old and it definitely helped, although I ended up pushing it around as he gained confidence and didn’t want it any longer. The sleds are all pretty darn cute!
Tip:
For your little ones, bring extra pants, socks, and underwear in case they fall and get wet. Have them wear waterproof gloves, or pack an extra pair. This was the one thing I wasn’t prepared for!
Where to Warm Up
The Fieldhouse has benches both in the main area and between the banks of lockers. The benches are mostly used for putting on and taking off skates, but you are welcome to warm up there.
Hot Chocolate is served at the Rink Cafe, accessible from the skating ribbon about halfway around the ribbon from the main entrance. You can also follow the path around to the opposite side from the main building, but not with your skates on because it will damage the blades. There are plenty of picnic tables to sit and relax while you enjoy treats.
Bathrooms
There are bathrooms inside the Fieldhouse. We found them to be clean, and there are even rubber mats on the floor so you can keep your skates on. There are also porta potties near both rink entrances.
Tip:
There are changing tables in both the men’s and women’s bathrooms! So all the moms out there don’t have to be solely responsible for taking care of your baby’s diapers.
Regular Hours
The rink is open seven days a week, from November 15, 2024 – March 9, 2025. Rentals occur in two-hour sessions; between each session, the ice is resurfaced. The time sessions are: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, 2:00 – 4:00 pm, 5:00 – 7:00 pm, and 8:00 – 10:00 pm.
Please note that skate rental stops thirty minutes before close.
Holiday Hours
On Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day, skating sessions are from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm and 2:00 – 4:00 pm.
On New Year’s Eve, sessions are from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, 2:00 – 4:00 pm, and 5:00 – 7:00 pm.
Please note that skate rental stops thirty minutes before close.
The Best Time to Go to the Skating Ribbon at Maggie Daley Park
We went on a Saturday afternoon and I was expecting it to be really crowded, but it wasn’t! There were people skating, but plenty of room on the ice and in the rental building. Typically, the busiest time to go is during the 5:00 – 7:00 pm session on both weekends and weeknights. After school is out for the holidays, it is busier overall. The least crowded time to go is during the 11:00 am – 1:00 pm session.
Tip:
My kids loved watching the Zamboni resurface the ice when we were finished skating! It was bonus entertainment for them.
We hope you found our tips for the Skating Ribbon at Maggie Daley Park helpful! If you have more tips to share, comment below!
Looking for more opportunities to ice skate? We have the details on every indoor and outdoor skating experience in and around the west and northwest suburbs of Chicago! If you’re looking for more Chicagoland winter fun, we’ve got you covered!
