Chicago Ice Skating

Chicago Ice Skating Rinks abound

Ice rinks, both outdoor and indoor, for skaters of all types and abilities, abound in the Chicago area. 

Chicago Ice Skating locations are very accessible so don’t stay inside this winter - get your exercise by lacing up your ice skates and visiting one of the many Chicago Ice skating locations.  Most places in the list rent skates if you don't have your own.

We compiled the table below of indoor Chicago ice skating options for the Chicago suburbs.  It include a list of Outdoor Chicago ice skating options for the Northwest suburbs and downtown Chicago just below the table. 

You will find Chicago ice skating available in Addison, Hoffman Estates, Crystal Lake, Glen Ellyn, Darien, and many locations throughout the Chicago area including Wilmette, Evanston, and Vernon Hills.

Get ready for a winter of active ice skating fun.  So, don't stay inside, instead,  visit some of the best ice skating rinks in the Chicago area and get your ice skating on.

 

Indoor Ice Skating rinks in the Chicago Suburbs

City:	Place to Skate:	Address:	Phone #:
Addison	Addison Ice Arena	475 S Grace St, Addison, IL 60101	(630) 543-9200
Bensenville	Edge Ice Arena	735 E Jefferson St, Bensenville, IL 60106	(630) 766-8888
Bolingbrook	Rocket Ice Skating Rink	180 Canterbury Ln, Bolingbrook, IL 60440	(630) 679-1700
Buffalo Grove	Twin Rinks Ice Pavilion	1500 Abbott Ct, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089	(847) 821-7465
Carol Stream	Carol Stream Ice Rink	540 Gundersen Dr, Carol Stream, IL 60188	(630) 682-4480
Crystal Lake	Crystal Ice House	320 Prairie St, Crystal Lake, IL 60014	(815) 356-8500
Darien	Darien Sportsplex	451 Plainfield Rd, Darien, IL 60561	(630) 789-6666
Evanston	Robert Crown Community Center	1801 Main St, Evanston, IL 60202	(847) 448-8258
Geneva	Fox Valley Ice Arena	1996 S Kirk Rd, Geneva, IL 60134	(630) 262-0690
Glen Ellyn	Center Ice of Dupage	1N450 Highland Ave, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137	(630) 790-9696
Glenview	Glenview Community Ice Center	1851 Landwehr Rd, Glenview, IL 60026	(847) 724-2800
Gurnee	Top Shelf Ice Arena	6152 W Grand Ave, Gurnee, IL 60031	(847) 224-7171
Hoffman Estates	Triphahn Ice Arena	1685 W Higgins Rd, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169	(847) 885-7500
Joliet	Inwood Ice Arena	3000 W Jefferson St, Joliet, IL 60435	(815) 741-7275
Mt. Prospect	Nicholas Sportsplex	1501 Feehanville Dr, Mt Prospect, IL 60056	(224) 443-4370
Naperville	All Seasons Ice Rink	31W330 N Aurora Rd, Naperville, IL 60563	(630) 851-0755
Northbrook	Northbrook Sports Center	1730 Pfingsten Rd, Northbrook, IL 60062	(847) 291-2993
Oak Lawn	Oak Lawn Ice Arena	9320 S Kenton Ave, Oak Lawn, IL 60453	(708) 857-5173
Oak Park	Paul Hruby Ice Arena	415 Lake St, Oak Park, IL 60302	(708) 725-2000
Orland Park	Arctic Ice Arena	10700 160th St, Orland Park, IL 60467	(708) 403-4231
Park Ridge	Oakton Ice Arena	2800 Oakton St, Park Ridge, IL 60068	(847) 692-3359
Rolling Meadows 1	Nelson Sports Complex	3900 Owl Dr, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008	(847) 818-3210
Rolling Meadows 2	West Meadows Ice Arena	3939 Winnetka Avenue, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008	(847) 398-2700
Skokie	Skatium Ice Arena	9340 Weber Park Pl, Skokie, IL 60077	(847) 674-1500 ext. 2900
Vernon Hills	Glacier Ice Arena	670 Lakeview Pkwy, Vernon Hills, IL 60061	(847) 362-1222
Wilmette	Centennial Ice Rink	2300 Old Glenview Rd, Wilmette, IL 60091	(847) 256-9666
Woodridge	Seven Bridges Ice Arena	6690 IL-53, Woodridge, IL 60517	(630) 271-4400

 

Chicago Ice Skating Outdoor Rinks in the Northwest Suburbs

• Hoffman Estates - for conditions click here
• North Ridge Park Pond – 1370 West Sturbridge Dr
• Fabbrini Park Pond – 1704 Glen Lake Rd
• Evergreen Park Pond – 600 Washington Blvd

• Schaumburg - for conditions click here
• Volkening Lake - 900 W. Schaumburg Road
• Timbercrest Park Ice Rinks - 120 W. Beech Drive

• Arlington Heights - for conditions click here
• Arlington Ridge Center - Legacy Park - 660 N Ridge Ave.
• Camelot Park - 1005 E Suffield Drive
• Frontier Park - 1933 N Kennicott Drive
• Heritage Park - 506 W Victoria Lane
• Hickory Meadows - 1324 N. Hickory Avenue
• Pioneer Park - 500 S. Fernandez
• Recreation Park - 500 East Miner

 

Chicago Ice Skating Rinks in the City of Chicago

Several Outdoor and Indoor ice skating rinks exist in downtown Chicago including:

MillenniumPark Ice skating rink - Admission to the ice rink is free but online tickets are required

• Dates:  November 18, 2022 - March 5, 2023 (weather permitting)

 

MaggieDaley Park ice skating ribbon — online reservation is needed

• Dates:  Nov. 18, 2022 - Mar. 5, 2023 (weather permitting)

 

MidwayPlaisance in Hyde Park -  1130 Midway Plaisance North, Chicago, IL 60637

 

GallagherWay rink in Wrigleyville - 3635 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613

 

NavyPier indoor Alpine ice rink - 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 6061

Final Thoughts

Enjoy your winter this year by taking advantage of the many places to ice skate in the Chicago suburbs and the city.  

Plenty of options exist.  So, skate in the comfort of one of the indoor ice skating arenas or venture outdoors to skate at Millennium Park or the Maggie Daley Park ice rink and soak in some rays of sun. 

Have fun and get some ice skating exercise this winter!!

(C) 2022-23 jspublishing.blogspot.com

Chicago Pumpkin Patches

Chicago Area Pumpkin Patches

💀 Halloween 💀 is right around the corner and it is time for Pumpkins.  We are fortunate in the Chicago area to have a variety of pumpkin patches and farms to choose from.  To make it easy to get the perfect pumpkin for Halloween here is a list of pumpkin patches and farms in the Chicagoland area.

Happy Halloween!

Chicago Pumpkin Patches & Farms

Abbey Farms

2855 Hart Road

Aurora, IL

All Seasons Apple Orchard

14510 IL Route 176

Woodstock, IL

Apple Holler

5006 S. Sylvania Avenue

Sturevant, WI

Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm

13341 W. 151st St.

Homer Glen, IL

County Line Orchard

200 S. County Line Rd.

Hobart, IN

Dave’s Pumpkins

9112 Algonquin Road

Huntley, IL

Didier Farms

16678 W. Aptakisic Road

Lincolnshire, IL

Dollinger Family Farm

7420 E. Hansel Road

Channahon, IL

Edwards Apple Orchard

7061 Centerville Road

Poplar Grove, IL

Goebbert’s Pumpkin Farm

40 W. Higgins Road

South Barrington, IL

Johansen’s Farm

710 W. Boughton Road 

Bolingbrook, IL

Jonamac Orchard

19412 Shabbona Road

Malta, IL

Kregel’s Pumpkin Patch

7705 W. 159th Avenue

Lowell, IN

Kroll’s Fall Harvest Farm

13236 Townline Road

Waukegan, IL

Kuiper’s Family Farm

For GPS:  1N318 Watson Road (Pumpkins & Tulips)

Maple Park, IL

Odyssey Fun Farm

18900 Oak Park Avenue

Tinley Park, IL

Prairie Sky Orchard

4914 N. Union Road

Union, IL

Royal Oak Farm Orchard

15908 Hebron Road

Harvard, IL

Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm

17250 Weber Road

Lockport, IL

Sonny Acres

29W310 North Avenue

West Chicago, IL

Stade’s Farm and Market

3709 Miller Road

McHenry, IL

Woody’s Orchard & Family Fun Farm

3223 Creek Road

Plano, IL

For a list of Apple Orchards in the Chicago area check out Apple Picking Chicago!

(C) 2022 jspublishing.blogspot.com

Apple Picking Chicago!

Fall is apple picking season.  September to early October is the prime picking season.  So, grab your boots, your flannel shirt, and a sturdy basket—it’s time to plan you apple picking adventure.  

A guide for Apple Picking and Apple Orchards near Chicago so you can have an Apple Picking Good time!

Apple Picking Chicago!

Apple Picking Tips!

There are a few apple picking tips to pick the best tasting apples:

• Avoid Bruising - Store and stow your apples with care. Gently place apples in the carrying container and don’t throw the apple container in the car once you are done picking.  Bruised apples will rot faster and causes the other apples to rot as well. 

• Pick, Don’t Shake – Never shake the branches and don’t pull the apple straight off the tree.  Give a little twist and roll the apple upward off the branch. 

• Work from the Outside in – The apples on outer branches ripen first so it is best to pick from the outside of the tree, first.   Work your way in as the season progresses.  Once you pick an apple the ripening process stops— so make sure the fruit is ready to be picked for the best taste.  An apple is ripe if the stem is easily removed from the spur of the branch.  

Pick, Don't Shake

Apple Picking Near Chicago

All Seasons Orchard

Apple Picking! Good Time

• Address:  14510 IL-176, Woodstock, IL 60098
• Cost: $15/child for 1/4 peck apple bag, $20/adult for 1/4 peck apple bag
• Distance from Chicago:  60 miles
• Phone:  815-338-5637
• E-mail:  info@allseasonsorchard.com 
• Website:  http://allseasonsorchard.com/

About:  All Seasons Orchard is an apple orchard, pumpkin patch and corn maze located in Woodstock, IL in McHenry County.  According to Chicago Parents, the “orchard boasts more than 15,000 apple and pear trees. (All Seasons has one of the largest Honeycrisp orchards around.) . . . At the on-site bakery you can watch the making of extremely delicious apple cider doughnuts along with other amazing fall treats.”

Credit:  Apple Holler Website

• Address:  5006 S Sylvania Ave, Sturtevant, WI 53177
• Cost: $20/per person (1/4 peck bag)
• Distance from Chicago:  66 miles
• Phone:  262-884-7100
• Website:  https://www.appleholler.com/

About: Voted one of “Top 10 Best Orchards” in the country in the September, 2015 USA Today “Top Best” contest.  78-acre family farm.  Besides picking peaches, pears, and apples, you can stroll the picturesque rolling hills of the orchards and explore a breathtaking forest of 150-year-old oak trees.  According to Chicago Parents, the apple picking package includes “your picking bag, tractor-drawn tour of the orchard and all access to the Kids Korral Play Area. The play area includes straw mountain, the Amish built train, Rainbow Play Structure and more.”

Photo Credit:  Boggio's Website

• Address:  12087 IL-71, Granville, IL 61326
• Cost:  Call for Pricing
• Distance from Chicago:  108 miles
• Phone: 815-339-2245
• E-mail: boggiosorchard@hotmail.com
• Website:  http://www.boggiosorchardandproduce.com/ 

About:  Family-oriented owned orchard and produce. Orchard includes freshly picked produce, bakery, livestock farm and local craft shows. There is also a petting zoo and corn mazes.  According to Chicago Parents, “Choose from over 1,800 apple trees.  You have the option of purchasing a peck, 1/2 bushel or bushel bag to fill. Clippers are not provided.”

Source: Christ Orchard Website

• Address:  4317 Texas Rd, Elmwood, IL 61529
• Cost:  $30/half bushel, $18/one peck, $10/half peck
• Distance from Chicago:  185 miles
• Phone: 309-446-3324
• Website:  https://www.christorchardonline.com/

About:   Located near Elmwood, Illinois, Christ Orchard has been committed to growing high-quality farm fresh items since 1977. The orchard includes apples, apple picking, pure honey, apple cider, pumpkins, squirrel corn, squash, gourds, Indian corn, mums, straw bales, corn stalks, fruit butters and preserves, soy candles and much more.  According to Chicago Parents, “Customers can pick their own apples at this location from September to mid-October. Take a wagon ride to the orchard and make sure to hit up the Apple Shed for cider and other fall favorites afterwards. Also, offers u-pick pumpkins.”

Cody’s Farm & Orchard

Photo Credit:  Cody's Website

• Address:  19502 River Rd. Marengo, IL 60152
• Cost:  Call for Pricing
• Distance from Chicago:  62 miles
• Phone:  815-568-7976
• Email:  codysfarmfreshvegetables@yahoo.com
• Website:  https://www.codysfarm.com/

About:  Provide high quality, fresh home grown fruit and vegetables.  Cody’s is a family business that values health, happiness of children, education and making family memories.  According to Chicago Parents, “The orchard is filled with fun things to do, including picking apples and pumpkins.”

• Address:  200 S. COUNTY LINE RD, HOBART, IN
• Cost:  U-pick: $2 admission, $2.00 per pound
• Distance from Chicago:  41 miles
• Phone: 219-947-4477
• E-mail:  barn@countylineorchard.com
• Website:  https://www.countylineorchard.com/ 

About:  County Line Orchard has Bee Yurts, Corn Maze, a kid’s petting zoo, U-pick Apples, Pumpkins, and Sunflowers.  According to Chicago Parent, “The Indiana orchard has more than 30 varieties of apples to be picked from. Meet the bees, check out a kid’s farm and leave with a few dozen donuts.”

• Address:  3902 S Duncan Rd, Champaign, IL 61822
• Cost:  $8/person (1/4 peck bag), $7/5-plus admissions, free/kids under 36” with paid parent or guardian (no bag included)
• Distance from Chicago:  140 miles
• Phone:  217-359-5565
• Website:  https://curtisorchard.com/ 

About:  Family owned since 1977.  Pick apples & pumpkins, feed goats, celebrate birthdays, and much more.  Fresh country air and plenty of memories are waiting for you at Curtis Orchard.  Free activities include a petting zoo and playground.  Additional fees for corn maze, pony rides, putt-putt golf and rope maze.

Heinz Orchard

Photo Credit:  Heinz Orchard Website

• Address:  1050 Crest Road (corner Atkinson & Crest), Green Oaks, IL 60048
• Cost:  $10 for a 1/2 peck bag (holds 5-6lbs); $20 for a 1 peck bag (holds 10-12lbs)
• Distance from Chicago:  38 miles
• Phone:  847.770.3449
• E-mail:  heinz.orchard@yahoo.com
• Website:  https://www.heinzorchard.com/ 

About:  This is a small, family-run orchard and Chicagoland's closest orchard located in Green Oaks, IL (next to Libertyville).  Heinz Orchard specializes in PURE APPLE PICKING FUN in a beautiful surrounding!  Hayrides, food/drink, corn mazes are not available. 

• Address:  19412 Shabbona Rd, Malta, IL 60150
• Cost:  U-PICK BAGS – $15 FOR 1/2 PECK OF APPLES (ABOUT 5 1/2 LBS)
• Distance from Chicago:  69 miles
• Phone:  (815) 825-2158
• Website:  https://jonamacorchard.com/ 

About:  Jonamac Orchard is a three generational family farm owned and operated by the McArtor Family since 1984. The apple orchard is part of the 105 acre farm in Northern Illinois, with over 20,000 apple trees.  Jonamac grows over 30 different varieties of red, yellow, and pink apples.   Also, there is a Cider House on the grounds with taps of hard ciders and apple wines!  

• Address:  2500 Johnson Rd, Oswego, IL 60543
• Cost:  $9/person for ¼ peck bag (about 3 lbs), $18/person for ½ peck bag (about 5–6 lbs), $36/person for 1 peck bag (about 10–12 lbs) plus tax
• Distance from Chicago:  50 miles
• Phone:  (630) 219-8194
• Website:  https://kellersfarmstand.com/

About:  The apple orchard houses 16,000 apple trees.  You can pick your own apples and there are over 20 apple varieties to choose from.  

Orchard fresh Apples

Final Thoughts

Quite a few Apple Orchards exist near Chicago so if you are looking to purchase orchard fresh apples September and October are the ideal months for apple picking.  Many of the Orchards listed are within an hours drive from downtown Chicago.  

Happy Apple Picking and Apple Pie Making!!

For a list of Chicago area pumpkin patches check out Chicago Pumpkin Patches.

Source Articles:  

• Best Places to Pick Apples Chicago
• Chicago Parents - Apple Picking Near Chicago

(C) 2022-23 jspublishing.blogspot.com