Glide & Slide: Your Guide to the 21 Best [Indoor & Outdoor] Michigan Ice Skating Rinks

Winters in Michigan come early and stay long. Ice skating is a favorite thing to do during the winter months for Michigan residents of all ages. Whether you prefer the grooming of an indoor ice rink or the natural aspects of outdoor ice rinks, you are sure to find plenty of Michigan ice skating rinks no matter which part of the state you look at.

Note: Some ice rinks will provide skate rentals and at others, you need to bring your own. Times for public ice skating and drop-in hockey may vary as many rinks host hockey and figure skating, too. Be sure to check before you arrive. 

Upper Peninsula Ice Skating Rinks

Royce Park in Escanaba

This outdoor rink has everything you could want in an outdoor skating rink. Music is piped out on a PA system, a warming station with a changing area is appreciated, restrooms are available, and you can skate for free. All this and the rink is supervised during scheduled hours. 

Lakeview Arena in Marquette

The arena is an indoor ice skating facility open for skating from October – April. Public skating is available at predetermined times. Specific times are set aside for pre-schoolers and seniors. Tournaments and hockey may affect the open drop-in skating schedule. Skate rental available. 

Big Bear Arena in Sault Ste. Marie

The arena is owned by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. It is one of northern Michigan’s largest recreation and fitness centers. Lessons are offered to learn to skate as well as designated times for seniors to skate. Opening skating and skate rentals are available. Tribal members skate free with ID. This is the ultimate place for family fun in the area. 

Ice Rinks Northern Michigan 

Howe Arena & Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City

The Grand Traverse County Civic Center is home to these indoor skating rinks. Whether you want to take part in the Detroit Red Wings Training Camp (at Centre Ice), take lessons, enjoy open skating or play youth hockey, this indoor rink has opportunities for you. Skate rentals and open-skating opportunities are offered. If you have always wanted to try curling, the club is looking for members. 

Petoskey Winter Sports Park in Petoskey

This park is typically open from late December through mid-March. This park offers a variety of outdoor winter activities, including ice skating. Two ice rinks, one for hockey and one for open skating, offer skate rental, a warming house with concessions and hot chocolate, and restrooms are available. Skate rental and sharpening are offered. On the weekends you can expect to find a bonfire. This is a family-friendly destination. 

Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls

Boyne Mountain is an all-season resort offering a well-maintained outdoor ice skating rink as soon as the weather gets cold enough to freeze the ice. Skating is free and figure and hockey skates are provided free to registered guests on a first come first serve basis.

West Michigan Ice Skating Rinks

Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park in Muskegon

The rink is built with natural ice, no refrigeration is provided. The rink is situated right near the lodge, and it provides family skating and also hockey. Nighttime skating is also available. The ice rink is open from 10 a.m.to 9:45 p.m. They also have a quarter-mile figure-eight loop through the woods. Imagine skating through the forest on a trail, day or night. It is unique and something very special. All the equipment you may need is for rent.

Rosa Parks Circle in Grand Rapids 

Located in downtown Grand Rapids, this is a magical place to spend time in the cold weather. Underneath the ice, fiber optic lights represent the winter sky in Michigan. Since the rink is outdoors, it is weather-dependent but when possible it is open seven days a week, well into the evening. With refrigeration, they are able to have ice even when the weather is questionable. Check their Facebook page for any notices of closures. Your admission fee includes rental skates. 

Griff’s Icehouse West in Holland

This skating venue has two rinks for public and private use. Take advantage of their learning to skate and learn to play programs. Skate rental is included in the skating fee and a pro shop is on site. Public open skating is available, as well as freestyle skating for skaters and their coaches. Register online and check the schedule. 

Ice Skating Rinks in Mid-Michigan 

I.C.E Arena in Mt. Pleasant

Located in the Isabella Sportsplex this ice rink serves the community in a variety of ways. Youth hockey, figure skating, ice hockey clubs for both college and high school teams, public skating and learn to skate programs. A one-hour open skate ticket is $7. To find out when the open skating times are, check the calendar on the website. Skate rental is offered for $3. 

Suburban Ice in East Lansing

Public skating is available for adults only and for skaters of all ages. Check the monthly schedule on their website. You must wear skates to be on the ice and skate rental is available if you don’t have your own. Clinics are offered for children under 12 to try skating for free to see what there is to love about it. Learn to skate is offered and then Aspire for children 5-9 as they move into figure skating. Youth, high school, and adult hockey opportunities are also available. 

Midland Civic Arena Ice Rinks in Midland

Two rinks are available to make sure, no matter what sort of fun you are looking for on the ice, they will be available for you. Plenty of open skating is offered for families. Check their website to see the themed skating opportunities they have as well as skating for teens and singles. Skate rental is offered. Learn to skate opportunities are available for all groups and all ages. Whether your interest lies in hockey, figure, or speed skating, you can find it here. 

East Michigan Ice Rinks

Kent Lake at Kensington Metro Park in Milford

It is a tradition in the area to enjoy hours of outdoor ice skating on Lake Kent. The rinks are well lit in the evening and families and hockey players have separate rinks to enjoy. When you need to warm up, the Boat Rental Building serves as a warming station. No skate rental is offered. Weather permitting, the rinks are open Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

Lake St Claire Metro Park in Harrison Township

Two skating rinks provide the outdoor skating space to allow for open family skating and hockey skating. The park includes a comfort station, picnic tables, and a warming station all close to the parking lot. Bring your own skates. No skate rentals are offered. 

Saginaw Bay Ice Arena in Saginaw

Hockey is king in this arena and a lot of ice time is devoted to the youth and adult hockey programs. However, the public does have options for open skating, but you need to check the schedule before making plans since the times are flexible. Stakes can be rented. Programs to learn to skate are offered on Monday evening and Saturday morning. 

Ice Skating Rinks in Southcentral Michigan 

Buhr Outdoor Ice Arena in Ann Arbor

This open-air ice skating rink is located in the 39-acre Buhr Park. Space is available indoors and outdoors to change into and out of your skates. The outdoor arena has a covering and a cool subfloor that allows skating even if the temperature rises to 60 degrees. Open skating and hockey both take place on this ice. There is a fee for skating and also for skate rental. Skating is offered from November through March. 

The Ice Rink at Millennium Park in Portage

In the summer and spring, this ice rink is a reflecting pond in the park, but as soon as possible, it becomes a winter wonderland that is family-friendly. This rink was the first and only outdoor refrigerated ice rink in southwestern Michigan. You can rent skates on-site or get your skates sharpened. Heated restrooms and a concession stand are also a plus. 

Optimist Ice Arena in Jackson

Public open skating is open here on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. You can rent skates or, if you need your own sharpened, that is also available. Learning to skate lessons are available for skaters of all levels and for figure skating as well as hockey. You can register for programs online. Hockey is offered for both children and adults. 

Metro Detroit Ice Skating Rinks

The Rink at Campus Martius Park in Detroit

Grab the family and head for downtown Detroit. Even better, make a reservation before you head downtown. This is a very popular place, and it is first come first serve. The rink opens in late November and remains open until March. With the Detroit skyline as a backdrop, it is stunning. The holidays make it magical, and you can find plenty of dining options in the area when you are finished skating. This is outdoor skating at its best. 

Blake’s Farms Skating Rink in Armada 

This popular family destination has been providing a great family winter wonderland for 75 years. Ice skating is offered on a 2000 square foot synthetic ice skating rink. It is open seven days a week until 7 p.m. Tickets should be pre-ordered online to make sure you have a spot.  

Hutton Ice Rink Patterson Park in Grosse Pointe 

The Hutton Ice Rink is open from around Thanksgiving through March. Skating is offered from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. A Zamboni keeps the ice in pristine condition. Skating classes are available. The rink has a few rules; no hockey, no speed skating, no roughhousing, and you must wear skates if you are on the ice. If you get cold, there is a warming station. 

FAQs About Ice Skating in Michigan

Is public skating open in Michigan?

Outdoor activities have fewer restrictions, but if there is any question about whether public skating is open, check their website or Facebook page for the latest information. 

Is skating open at Campus Martius?

It will be beginning later in November. This very popular family skating destination in Downtown Detroit is open seven days a week and will be until March. It is open seven days a week and on holidays. Night skating is available. Check their website for days and times. 

Can you ice skate on the Great Lakes? 

At St Ignace, MI, you can skate on Moran Bay, which is part of Lake Huron. An outdoor rink is maintained there. It is a beautiful location with the Mackinac Bridge in the background. It is a one-of-a-kind experience. If the weather conditions have enough sustained cold, skating sometimes happens in Marquette. 

Additional Indoor Ice Rinks in Michigan

More Winter Fun in Michigan

From the Upper Peninsula to the Metro Detroit Area, ice skating is a favorite way to spend a winter’s day in Michigan.

But there is so much more winter fun in Michigan to be had! From the best Michigan ski resorts for downhill skiing and the best cross country ski trails in Michigan to the best holiday shopping in Michigan’s small towns to family-friendly winter getaways, there’s always something new and exciting to discover in Michigan this winter!

Your Guide to the Best Michigan Ice Skating Rinks