Maggie Daley Skating Ribbon (winter)
A winding quarter-mile ice-skating path through Maggie Daley Park with the skyline overhead.
The call
Skip it unless this is central to the trip.
Short answer
Is Maggie Daley Skating Ribbon (winter) worth it?
Maggie Daley Skating Ribbon (winter) is easy to leave out.
The answer depends on your budget, time and travel style; the breakdown below shows who gets the most value.
Why
- 01
Far more fun than a standard rink — the ribbon winds and dips through the park beneath the downtown towers, making it the city's best winter activity.
- 02
The honest catch is the obvious one: it only runs in the cold months, it's busy on weekends, and you'll want to book a session and rent skates ahead.
Is it a fit?
Think twice if
You're watching the budget
Save the money. Maggie Daley Skating Ribbon (winter) does not return enough for the price.
You only have one day
Leave Maggie Daley Skating Ribbon (winter) for a longer trip.
You're traveling solo
Solo, skip Maggie Daley Skating Ribbon (winter).
You're traveling with kids
With kids, Maggie Daley Skating Ribbon (winter) needs the right timing and tolerance.
Plan it well
- Cost
- Free w/ own skates; ~$15 rental
- Timing
- Winter months; weekdays or early sessions to avoid the weekend rush.
- Booking
- Reserve a skating session online and pre-arrange rentals in peak weeks.
- Allow
- 1–1.5 hours
- Accessibility
- The park is accessible; skating itself requires standing balance.
- Getting there
- In Maggie Daley Park just east of Millennium Park; central Loop transit.