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Looking for the best ice skating rinks in Milwaukee this winter? Whether you’re planning a family outing, a first time on the ice with kids, or a fun way to get outside during the colder months, Milwaukee offers a wide mix of indoor and outdoor ice skating options.
From free public skating downtown to scenic park lagoons and full-service indoor arenas, this local guide covers the top places to go ice skating in Milwaukee and nearby suburbs, with helpful details on skate rentals, beginner-friendly rinks, and seasonal tips for families.
💡Looking for even more ways to enjoy winter in Milwaukee? You’ll find plenty of ideas beyond the rink in our guide to 100 winter activities for kids and families around Milwaukee.
Quick Picks: Ice Skating in Milwaukee
- Best free outdoor skating: Red Arrow Park
- Best indoor rink: Pettit National Ice Center
- Best for beginners & kids: Konkel Park
- Best scenic skating: Humboldt Park Lagoon
- Best small rink for little kids: Dinky Rink at Milwaukee Public Market
Best Ice Skating Rinks in Milwaukee
Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Milwaukee
Red Arrow Park (Free skating! Rentals available)
📍 920 N. Water St., Milwaukee, WI 53202
🌐 sliceofice.com
Bigger than Rockefeller Center, this downtown Milwaukee ice skating rink is a winter favorite! Enjoy free skating from January to March, with skate rentals available for $9 (adults) and $7 (under 18). It’s conveniently located next to Starbucks for a post-skate hot cocoa.
- Special events: Look out for the Superhero IceCAPEade and Broadway Skates.
- Kid-friendly: Polar Pals for beginners and ice sleds for mobility assistance.
- Bonus: Check out the new Biggby Coffee café nearby for a warm-up treat!
Konkel Park
📍 5151 W. Layton Ave., Greenfield, WI 53220
🌐 City of Greenfield Website
This natural rink offers free admission and skate rentals on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring your own skates if you can, as sizes are limited.
- Family-friendly: Free skate aids for beginners.
- Extras: A warming area and concessions are available during rink hours.
- Stay updated: Follow the rink’s Facebook page for hours and weather-related updates.
Brown Deer Ice Rink (Enclosed, Weather-Resistant Outdoor Rink)
📍 8705 N. Deerwood Drive, Brown Deer, WI 53209
The newly opened Brown Deer Ice Rink at Community Square Park offers a cozy and family-friendly skating experience. With a refrigerated rink under an enclosed tent, you can enjoy skating regardless of the weather. Skates are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, but bringing your own is encouraged. Skating aides are available upon request.
Humboldt Park Lagoon
📍 3000 S. Howell Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53207
🌐 humboldtparkmilwaukee.org
Skate in a serene park setting surrounded by nature! The lagoon is lovingly maintained by volunteers, with areas designated for recreational skating and hockey.
- Pro tip: If the lights are on at night, the ice is ready!
- Facilities: Bathrooms are available across the street in the Pavilion.
- Check conditions: Visit the Humboldt Park Friends website for updates.
💡Humboldt Park is also a popular spot for winter play beyond skating. If your kids want to mix things up, here are some of the best sledding hills in Milwaukee to check out nearby.
Cedar Creek Park
📍 N55 W6079 Portland Rd., Cedarburg, WI 53012
Skate under the lights at this charming Cedarburg rink. Conditions are weather-dependent, so the rink may close during extreme cold or snowstorms.
Lake Park
📍 2975 N. Lake Park Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53211
🌐 lakeparkfriends.org
Head to this picturesque gem overlooking Lake Michigan for public skating during the winter months. While you’re there, you can also stop by the North Point Lighthouse or play on the playground.
Christmas Carnival of Lights – Ice Skating Through February
📍 Wisconsin Christmas Carnival of Lights
🌐 wichristmascarnival.com
Even though Christmas is over, the magic continues! Enjoy the colorful glow of the Christmas Carnival of Lights paired with ice skating every Friday and Saturday, 5–9 PM, through February 1st.
- What’s Included:
- Drive through the dazzling light show.
- Free ice skating for up to four people with your $20 carload admission (skate rentals not included).
The Dinky Rink at Milwaukee Public Market
📍 400 N. Water St.
🌐www.milwaukeepublicmarket.org
If you’re looking for a small, low-stress place for kids to try ice skating, the Dinky Rink is a fun stop. It’s a compact outdoor rink that pops up during Milwaukee’s winter season and is designed for beginners—especially young kids who want to practice in a quieter, more manageable space than the city’s larger rinks.
You’ll typically find simple skate aids, a friendly atmosphere, and easy access to nearby food, warm drinks, and downtown winter activities. Hours and offerings can vary from year to year, so it’s always best to check the most current info before you go.
The Dinky Rink is a great option if you want a short, relaxed skate session with little ones or a quick winter activity while exploring downtown Milwaukee.
Lynden Sculpture Garden
📍2145 W. Brown Deer Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53217
lyndensculpturegarden.org
View unique sculptures from the middle of the lake. Bring your own skates! Check their Facebook Page for updates on ice conditions.
Riverwest People’s Ice Rink
📍 3129 N. Bremen St.
🌐 People’s Ice Rink Facebook Page
The community-run ice rink in Riverwest is located along the Beer Line in the heart of Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood. Check the Facebook page for updates and conditions.
Indoor Ice Skating Rinks in Milwaukee
Pettit National Ice Center
📍 500 S. 84th St., Milwaukee, WI 53214
🌐 thepettit.com
This state-of-the-art indoor facility features two international-size rinks and a 400-meter speed skating oval.
- Classes & rentals: Skating lessons and rentals available for all ages.
- Skate helpers: Available for $5!
- Chilly tip: Bring a coat—it’s cold indoors too!
Wilson Ice Arena
📍 4001 S. 20th St., Milwaukee, WI 53221
🌐 county.milwaukee.gov
Year-round skating fun awaits at this NHL-sized rink.
- Unique experience: Keep an eye out for Evening Glow Skates for families.
- Facilities: Locker rooms, concessions, and skate rentals available.
- Skate Aides: Readers confirm they do offer skate aides!
Kern Center at MSOE
📍 1245 N. Broadway
🌐 Kern Center Website
This multipurpose facility features an ice rink, fitness center, and more. Public skate times are available on their calendar.
Eble Ice Arena
19400 W. Bluemound Rd., Brookfield, WI 53045
waukeshacounty.gov
Eble Ice Arena offers year-round indoor public skating, and occasional glow skate events for families.
Ice Skating Rinks by County
Prefer to browse by location? Here’s a quick reference list of additional public ice skating rinks organized by county.
Milwaukee County
Center Street Park
6420 W Clarke St, Milwaukee, WI 53213
centerstreetpark.org
Fox Point Ice Rink / Longacre Skating Pavilion
7343 N. Longacre Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53217
village.fox-point.wi.us
Hales Corners Park
5765 S. New Berlin Road, Hales Corners, WI 53130
county.milwaukee.gov
Open daily from 9 a.m,-9 p.m, and free to the public. Bring your own skates. Skaters can park their vehicles in the parking on lot on S. New Berlin Road, located north of the pool house. No parking in front of pool building.
Hart Park
7300 Chestnut St., Wauwatosa, WI 53213
wauwatosa.net
Klode Park
5960 N Lake Dr, Whitefish Bay, WI 53217
LaFollette Park
9418 W. Washington St., Milwaukee, WI 53214
friendsoflafollettepark.com
Lynden Sculpture Garden
2145 W. Brown Deer Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53217
lyndensculpturegarden.org
View unique sculptures from the middle of the lake. Bring your own skates! Check their Facebook Page for updates on ice conditions.
McCarty Park
8214 W. Cleveland Ave., West Allis, WI 53219
county.milwaukee.gov
Scout Lake
5902 W. Loomis Rd., Greendale, WI 53129
county.milwaukee.gov
Check the Milwaukee County website for public skate and warming house hours to ice skate on this beautiful five-acre lake.
Sheridan Park
4800 S. Lake Dr., Cudahy, WI 53110
county.milwaukee.gov
Enjoy the stunning view of the downtown skyline from Sheridan Park. This ice rink is lit for nighttime ice skating, but there is no warming house.
Urban Ecology Center at Washington Park
1859 N. 40th St., Milwaukee, WI 53208
urbanecologycenter.org
Skate outdoors at the lagoon, then warm up with some hot chocolate at the Urban Ecology Center in Washington Park. Check their website for public hours and conditions. The lagoon isn’t usually ready for skating until January or February.
Burnham Ice Rink (TBD for 2025)
1755 S. 32nd St.
Burhnam Ice Rink was closed in 2023 while Milwaukee Recreation renovated Burnham Playfield. Check back for updates for 2026.
Ozaukee County
Boy Scout Park
W62 N715 Riveredge Dr., Cedarburg, WI 53012
The City of Cedarburg maintains the river in Boy Scout Park for ice skating.
Homestead Hollow County Park
N120 W19809 Freistadt Rd., Germantown, WI 53022
washcowisco.gov
Kinderberg Park
N104 W14942 Donges Bay Road, Germantown, WI 53022
germantownwi.gov
Mee-Kwon Park
6333 W. Boniwell Rd., Mequon
co.ozaukee.wi.us
Mee-Kwon Park is home to a sledding hill with a long shallow grade with ice skating offered at the nearby pond. You’ll find a warming house there, but there is no skating or sledding allowed at night.
Ozaukee Ice Center
5505 Pioneer Rd. #144N, Mequon, WI 53097
ozaukeeicecenter.org
Washington County
Firemen’s Park
645 Baehring Dr., Slinger, WI 53086
vi.slinger.wi.gov
Homestead Hollow County Park
N120W19809 Freistadt Rd., Germantown, WI 53022
washcowisco.gov
Lisbon Community Park
N78 W26970 Bartlett Pkwy., Lisbon, WI
townoflisbonwi.com
Regner Park
800 N. Main St., West Bend, WI 53090
ci.west-bend.wi.us
Ridge Run Park
300 S. University Dr., West Bend, WI 53095
ci.west-bend.wi.us
Waukesha County
Buchner Park
223 Oakland Ave., Waukesha, WI 53186
Website
Lowell Park
2201 Michigan Ave, Waukesha, WI 53188
Website
There is a warming shelter and sledding hill nearby.
New Berlin City Center Plaza
15040 Library Lane, New Berlin, WI 53151
newberlin.org
This synthetic ice rink is located on the East corner of Library Lane and Michelle Witmer Memorial Drive. You can use your library card to check out skates at the New Berlin Public Library across the street.
Nagawaukee Park Ice Arena
2699 Golf Rd, Delafield, WI 53018
waukeshacounty.gov
The Ponds of Brookfield
2810 N. Calhoun Rd., Brookfield, WI 53005
thepondsofbrookfield.com
Open Skate hours are limited. Check their website for specific dates and times, skate rental fees, or to find out more about their Learn to Skate program.
Sussex Civic Center
N64W23760 Main St., Sussex, WI 53089
villagesussex.org
💡And when the ice melts and warmer weather returns, you can keep the skating fun going indoors. Here’s our guide to the best roller skating rinks in Milwaukee for year-round family fun.
FAQ: Ice Skating in Milwaukee
Is there free ice skating in Milwaukee?
Yes! Red Arrow Park offers free skating downtown, with rentals available for a fee.
When do outdoor ice rinks open in Milwaukee?
Most outdoor rinks open between late December and January, depending on weather conditions.
Are there indoor ice skating rinks in Milwaukee?
Yes — the Pettit National Ice Center, Wilson Ice Arena, and Eble Ice Arena offer indoor public skating.
Looking for more seasonal activities? Don’t miss our list of 100 Winter Fun Ideas Around Milwaukee to make the most of the season!
In 2013, Calie Herbst, a former teacher with three little ones, saw a need for a “One Stop Shop” for family fun in Milwaukee. So she founded Milwaukee With Kids. Her goal was to find the best this city has to offer families and share it with other parents. In one place.
In 2019, she published “Exploring Milwaukee WIth Kids”, a comprehensive Milwaukee travel guide for families and kids.
She appears regularly on WISN News, Fox 6’s ‘Real Milwaukee’, B93.3, and Wisconsin Morning News. She has been featured in Medium, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, NPR, the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, and on CBS 58 News.
Calie is available for hosting, moderating and media appearances.
