Ohio Winter Fun: Outdoor Ice-Skating
Lace up and hit the ice. Here are five places across the state to go ice-skating outside, whether you're looking for a family outing or a fun date spot.
December 2019
BY Vince Guerrieri | Photo courtesy of Fountain Square
December 2019
BY Vince Guerrieri | Photo courtesy of Fountain Square
1. Fountain Square has been a downtown Cincinnati gathering spot and focal point for nearly 150 years. When the weather turns cold, it morphs into a wonderland of lights, festivities and, of course, ice-skating. The rink offers skate rental, warming tents and a concession stand and is open through early February. $6, skate rental $4; 520 Vine St., Cincinnati 45202, 513/621-4400, myfountainsquare.com/ice-rink
2. Akron’s Lock 3 has long drawn skating fans to its outdoor ice rink in the heart of downtown. Then, 2018 brought a new attraction: bumper cars on ice. They’re returning this year, sharing the schedule with public skating hours until Presidents Day. There’s also a concession stand and indoor activities like mini golf and a kids practice rink. $4 including skates, $2 if you bring your own; 200 S. Main St., Akron 44308, 330/375-2877, lock3live.com
3. Dayton’s Five Rivers MetroParks offers outdoor ice-skating under a pavilion at its RiverScape MetroPark through March 1. New this year is a warming tent in addition to a concession stand that sells snacks and hot dogs. After the New Year, broomball and curling leagues start up, too. $6 (groups rates available for 10 or more in advance), skate rental $2; 272 E. Monument Ave., Dayton 45402, 937/278-2607, metroparks.org/ice-rink
4. You’re not really ice-skating at Toledo’s One SeaSkate. You’re gliding on engineered plastic panels covered with a solution that makes it feel like ice. In 2018, for the first time in 30 years, outdoor ice-skating returned to downtown. The ice rink is open through the first weekend in January. $5 (group rates for 20 or more), skate rental $2; 550 N. Summit St., Toledo 43604, 419/885-1167 ext. 6, oneseaskate.com
5. If you want to go old school when you ice-skate outdoors, Columbus and Franklin County Metro Park’s Blendon Woods is your spot. There’s no admission charge, no concession stand and you have to bring your own skates. Ice forms naturally on the park’s nearly half-acre pond, so skating is available only after below-freezing temperatures have taken hold. Free; 4265 E. Dublin Granville Rd., Westerville 43081, 614/620-1861, metroparks.net
Ohio Winter Fun: Sleigh Rides | Tobogganing, Tubing & Snowshoeing | Outdoor Ice-Skating | Christmas Tree Farms | December Park Programs