Most of the outdoor ice-skating rinks in Ohio are located in northern towns in the state. Cleveland, Akron and Toledo all feature nice rinks. Southern Ohio winters are short enough that communities usually opt for indoor rinks. Many state parks, however, all across Ohio open up their lakes and ponds to ice-skating when the ice gets thick enough. Nearly all Ohioans, then, in depths of winter, are within a short drive of an outdoor ice-skating wonderland.
One outdoor rink in Cleveland, Ohio, uses synthetic ice in place of frozen water to provide its skating surface. Wade Oval, the park at the center of Cleveland's culturally rich University Circle area, sets up a synthetic rink from December through February. Skating is free and skate rental is $3. Although you never have to worry that it will be too warm to skate, skating on synthetic ice is something of an acquired taste. Having skates that are well-sharpened can improve the experience.
University Circle Inc.
10831 Magnolia Drive
Cleveland, OH 44106-1887
216-791-3900
universitycircle.org
Lock 3, next to Akron's civic center, is an open-air venue for concerts, markets and events all summer long. In the winter, it changes character and hosts Ohio's largest seasonal ice-skating venue in the Akron Chriskindl Market. Skating is fee and skate rental is $2. Lock 3 also offers lessons, parties and special events.
Lock 3 Park
200 S. Main St.
Akron, OH 44308-1315
330-375-2877
lock3live.com
Halloran Park, a city of Cleveland recreational facility on the historical west side, has a dedicated outdoor rink open for roller skating in the summer and ice-skating in the winter. Skating is free, and skate rental is $1. For residents, skating and hockey lessons are free, too. When you're done skating at Halloran, rent "American Splendor," an independent film about Cleveland writer Harvey Pekar, which features a scene shot in the Halloran rink and you can say "I was just there!"
Halloran Park
3550 W. 117th St
Cleveland, OH 44111
216-664-4187
city.cleveland.oh.us
In December, Toledo residents look forward to the seasonal opening of Ottawa Park Ice Rink. This rink has regular daily open skating hours, pickup hockey games and can schedule party rentals for groups. The rink charges $4 for open skating, $2.50 for seniors and is free for kids 3 and under. Drop-in hockey costs $5 and skate rental costs $2.
Ottawa Park Ice Rink
2200 W. Bancroft St.
Toledo, OH 43612
419-936-2997
ci.toledo.oh.us
For truly picturesque skating, get back to nature. Several of Ohio's well-run state parks open up their lakes and ponds as soon as the ice is sufficiently thick. In the chilly northeastern region, Beaver Creek, Malabar Farm and Quail Hollow all offer outdoor skating. In the Central region, you can lace up at Buckeye Lake and Delaware parks. When the southern regions are cold enough long enough, you can even skate at Sycamore Park near Dayton and Dillon Park, east of Columbus.
Ohio State Parks
2045 Morse Road, C-3
Columbus, OH 43229-6693
614-265-6561
dnr.state.oh.us
