While there may not be a place to skate here quite as iconic as Rockefeller Center, there are a few that can be just as fun and festive.
Wells Fargo WinterSkate: For years, St. Paul’s Rice Park has transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with a tree that rivals the one in New York City, millions of twinkling lights, and a skating rink, where you can glide along with the beautiful Landmark Center as your backdrop.
OVALumination; photo courtesy of
Roseville Visitors association
OVALumination: New to Roseville this year, surrounding the Guidant John Rose MN OVAL are 75 trees decked in 75,000 lights, providing a festive backdrop for skaters. For those unfamiliar with the rink, it’s the largest outdoor skating facility in North America. What’s even cooler, the whole community was involved in putting together this first annual event, as a business or member sponsored each tree.
The Depot: Housed inside a converted historic train shed, this rink is on Fodor’s list of the 15 Best Ice Skating Rinks in the U.S. Glide past the floor-to-ceiling glass walls while taking in views of the city’s skyline.
Mariucci Arena: The home of the University of Minnesota’s men’s hockey team hosts an open skate Monday through Friday while school is in session, if you want to see what it’s like to be a Golden Gopher for a day.
Lake of the Isles: In the wintertime this lake transforms into a makeshift rink, perfect for practicing jumps, twirls and hockey skills. The best part? The Minneapolis Parks Department maintains a warming hut here filled with skates to borrow.
Schwan Super Rink: The word super is in the name for a reason—this is the largest ice arena of its kind in the world. When not hosting a public skate, the rink is home to the U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Team and other tournaments and events.
