It may not be technically winter yet but for all intents and purposes winter is here and that means liquids become solids, snow falls from the sky, and many attach blades to their feet to try out their very own triple salchow. While we can only suggest leaving the jumps and tricks to the pros, you can still try your hand (well, feet) at ice skating this holiday season.
We have curated our favorite rinks that are worth a look. Most of these rinks are open well past the holidays so there is no immediate rush, but remember, ice does eventually melt.
New York City
Carving figure 8s under New York City’s iconic Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center has never seemed so simple with one of the most holiday-y things to do in Manhattan. Best of all, you can get some shopping done on 5th Avenue when your butt gets too sore from falling. Just beware of the added security around Trump Tower.
Los Angeles
Just because the temp might be above freezing the entire year, doesn’t mean Californians don’t enjoy a lap or two around the ice. Los Angeles hometown hockey team (L.A. Kings Holiday Ice) hosts a few different rinks around the area with LED light shows and singing performances to delight kids of all ages. Best of all, you won’t need to bundle up to brave the cold, a t-shirt and jeans might be perfect.
Chicago
This isn’t your boring circular ice rink. The Maggie Daley Ice Ribbon ice park, named after the late first lady of Chicago, is more of a wonderland of winter as the skating track winds through an alpine parkland just a few steps from Lake Shore Drive. The path is twice the size of a traditional rink, so you might need to limber up before you lace up.
Providence
Providence’s city center will turn into a winter dream as the The Bank Newport City Center will be the first outdoor rink to host a unique all-ages entertainment — bumper ice. Imagine sitting in a bumper car moving forwards, backward and sideways with a full 360-degree turn radius bumping opponents out of your way, but on ice!
Photos by Flickr users Atomische * Tom Giebel, Rev Stan, Guzzle Nosh and David Van Horn used under the Creative Commons Attribution license