Discover The 9 Largest Ice Skating Rinks In Wisconsin This Winter

Famous for its cheese, football, and miles of Great Lakes shorelines, Wisconsin has a lot to offer. The state is one of the most northern states in the continental U.S., making it a haven for those who love cooler temperatures and winter activities. On average, the state gets about 40 inches of snow each winter, though the areas around the Lake Superior coast can see up to 160 inches.

With these cold conditions, it’s no wonder ice skating is a very popular pastime in Wisconsin. Many homes create their own skating rink in their backyard! Others grab their skates and trek to the nearest frozen body of water. However, sometimes bigger is better. Grab your mittens and lace up your skates; let’s tour the nine largest ice skating rinks in Wisconsin, indoors and out.

1. Ice Road — Two Miles

Though not technically a “rink,” Ice Road offers a unique skating experience and is a top contender as one of the state’s largest skating “rinks.” On Wisconsin’s northmost point, winter brings a deep cold that provides excellent frosty conditions. Ice Road requires the right conditions, with temperatures low enough to freeze the two-mile stretch of Lake Superior between Bayfield and Madeline Island. Temperatures this far north routinely drop below 10 degrees Fahrenheit from late December to February, perfect for creating this frozen wonder. The Ice Road connects the island to the mainland even when the ferry can’t run, so people also drive on it.

Contact Information:

(715) 747-5400

2. Mill Pond — 36 Square Acres

Groomed by the City of Plymouth when temperatures drop enough, Mill Pond offers extensive skating space with about 36 acres of frozen water. Take a spin around the small island in the middle of the pond and enjoy a break from the hustle and bustle of town. Skating and skate rentals are free, though some sizes may not be available. Warm up at the Mill Pond Ice Shack, which offers heating, benches, and restrooms, and take advantage of the nearby lighting for magnificent night skating! 

Contact Information:

647 E Main St., Plymouth, WI 53073

3. Tenney Park Lagoon — Eight Square Acres

This 38-acre park features year-round family fun on the shores of Lake Mendota. Visitors can enjoy activities such as fishing, canoeing and kayaking, soccer, pickleball, and simply relaxing on the beach or in the shade. Included within its borders is the lagoon stocked during the spring and summer. However, once the lagoon freezes, it offers an excellent opportunity for skating! This large rink is maintained by the City of Madison’s Park Division and reserved for recreational skaters — there’s a separate rink for hockey players. Bring your skates and skate for free, or rent some at the nearby booth. Check the park website for information on rink closures and openings.

Contact Information:

1414 East Johnson Street, Madison, WI 53703

4. Scout Lake Park — Five Square Acres

Called one of Greendale’s best-kept secrets, Scout Lake Park features about 64 acres of lush greenery, walking trails, and a gem of a lake. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources stocks Scout Lake with fish, making the pier and shoreline of the lake popular with fishermen. In the winter, they groom the lake for ice skating and fishing if at an appropriate freeze, while the pavilion transforms into a warming shed. Bring your skates here; there are no rental services at the park.

Contact Information:

5902 W. Loomis Rd., Greendale, WI 53129

(414) 425-7303

5. Humboldt Park Lagoon — Four Square Acres

Thanks to Wisconsin’s cold winters, outdoor skating opportunities are plentiful! Take the lagoon at Humboldt Park, for example. The picturesque 71-acre park offers a bit of everything: spacious landscaping, a bandshell and pavilion for events, a lily pond, and the lagoon. The lagoon takes up about four square acres of space, making an expansive winter ice rink. Once the weather gets cold enough, volunteers maintain the ice rink for visitors’ skating pleasure. The lagoon is big enough to include separate areas for hockey players and recreational skaters. Check their website for information on the ice — and once it freezes over, the lights stay on until 10 p.m., so bring your skates for excellent night skating.

Contact Information:

3000 S. Howell Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53207

(414) 257-7275

6. Pettit National Ice Center — 19,400 Square Feet

The Pettit Center features two international-size ice rinks within its indoor facility. It may be indoors, but make sure to bring your warm clothes! The facility maintains a very chilly temperature to keep the ice from melting. The center offers public skate times year-round, as well as rental skates. The Pettit Center also operates as an official training site for U.S. Olympic speedskating with its 400-meter speed skating oval. Check its website for promotions and ice skating classes.

Contact Information:

500 S. 84th St., Milwaukee, WI 53214

(414) 266-0100

7. Wilson Ice Arena — 17,000 Square Feet

Operated by the Milwaukee County Parks, Wilson Ice Arena provides an excellent venue for free skating, hockey leagues, and skating lessons with the Greater Milwaukee Figure Skating Club. The arena is also the home of the WIAA Greendale Ice Force high school team. Wilson Ice Arena hosts an NHL-size rink and offers skate rentals, skate sharpening, and ice sleds for maximum accessibility. Enjoy a holiday-themed “glow skate” in the fall, complete with glow-in-the-dark accessories. The concession stand always offers themed goodies — like a gourmet hot chocolate bar — and the arena welcomes large groups and party rentals.

Contact Information:

4001 S. 20th St., Milwaukee, WI 53221

(414) 281-6289

8. Kern Center at MSOE — 17,000 Square Feet

Located at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, the Kern Center’s rink is just one facet of the facility’s 210,000 square feet. The ice arena seats 800 and features an NHL-sized rink. It hosts a variety of hockey games, ice shows, skate lessons, and campus and community events, all listed on the Kern Center’s calendar. In the pre-season of the American Hockey League, the Kern Center also hosts the Milwaukee Admirals.

Contact Information:

1025 North Broadway Milwaukee, WI 53202-3109

(800) 332-6763

9. Slice of Ice — 12,160 Square Feet

Slice of Ice offers a moment of fun in the heart of downtown Milwaukee at Red Arrow Park. This rink is even bigger than New York City’s Rockefeller Center and is the perfect spot for some outdoor magic. The Slice of Ice rink is open from December to February — or March, if it stays cold enough! The rink offers rentals for ice sleds, skater aides, and skates, but the rink is free if you bring your own skates. There’s also a Slice of Ice warming center and an on-site Starbucks. Also, Red Arrow Park transitions the rink for roller skating in the warmer months for year-round fun.

Contact Information:

920 N. Water St., Milwaukee, WI 53202

(414) 289-8791

Last Thoughts

Ice skating is a favorite pastime for many, and Wisconsin has numerous facilities and opportunities to get in some ice time. This list is far from exhaustive — many other facilities throughout the state rank in the 17,000-square-foot category, as this size is standard for the National Hockey League and other competitive leagues. Wisconsin’s many ice rinks have you covered whether you want an outdoor winter wonderland or an indoor, year-round experience.