Six pretty cool and affordable outdoor ice skating rinks in Greater Akron

Craig Webb, Akron Beacon Journal
·3 min read
Kelly Treen and daughter Madeline, 5, skate at Lock 3 park before The 35th Annual Welcome Santa Holiday Parade on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Akron.
Kelly Treen and daughter Madeline, 5, skate at Lock 3 park before The 35th Annual Welcome Santa Holiday Parade on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Akron.

It's time to dust off those insurance cards and hit the ice.

These popular outdoor ice rinks in Greater Akron are once again open for the holiday season.

Like in year's past, there are a fair number of affordable options to recreate a scene right out of a Hallmark movie.

And four of the six outdoor ice rinks aren't dependent on cold weather.

Paw Plar Soe, left, and Paw Say skate at the Lock 3 rink before The 35th Annual Welcome Santa Holiday Parade on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022 in Akron.
Paw Plar Soe, left, and Paw Say skate at the Lock 3 rink before The 35th Annual Welcome Santa Holiday Parade on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022 in Akron.

Akron's Lock 3 ice rink

The heart of Akron's Christmas celebration is downtown.

While construction at Lock 3 has changed things up a bit this year, the holiday festivities in particular the ice rink can still be found near the park.

The ice rink has been moved to the area between the State Street bridge and Canal Park Stadium so work in the park can continue.

Akron's WinterBlast:Lock 3 construction forces Akron to move its downtown ice rink for WinterBlast

Ice skating rates are $5 and includes skates or $3 if you for bring your own skates.

The popular ice bikes and bumper cars are also back.

The festivities in and around Lock 3 park will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Additional information and reservations can be made at Lock3Live.com.

Skaters at the ice rink by the Downtown Pavilion in Cuyahoga Falls. Go to https://www.cityofcf.com/places/ice-skating-rink for information.
Skaters at the ice rink by the Downtown Pavilion in Cuyahoga Falls. Go to https://www.cityofcf.com/places/ice-skating-rink for information.

Cuyahoga Falls ice rink

The ice rink in downtoan Cuyahoga Falls is open for the season.

Admission is free. Skate rental is $4.

Visit https://www.cityofcf.com/places/ice-skating-rink for complete ice rink hours and more information.

Cold evenings create a perfect setting for skaters on the ice pond at Sand Run Metro Park Big Bend Area.
Cold evenings create a perfect setting for skaters on the ice pond at Sand Run Metro Park Big Bend Area.

Ice skating at Summit Metro Parks

Summit Metro Parks reminds visitors to not skate on a pond or lake unless there's signs indicating it is open for skating.

The rule of thumb is ice must be 4 inches thick and free of snow. Temperatures also must be below freezing for a long period of time.

There is no charge to skate on the park district's two public areas, but you must provide your own skates.

Weather-permitting, there are two outdoor natural ponds available for public skating.

They are:

Canton outdoor ice rink

The Hall of Fame City Ice Rink is at 215 Tuscarawas St. W.

The ice rink's hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $2 and skate rentals are an additional $2.

Kent Skates is a free outdoor ice rink on North Erie Street in downtown Kent.
Kent Skates is a free outdoor ice rink on North Erie Street in downtown Kent.

Kent Skates

A chilly partnership between the city of Kent and Kent State University means a chance for folks to skate downtown.

The aptly named Kent Skates is a free outdoor ice-skating rink in the heart of downtown.

Skate rentals are also available free of charge.

The rink is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Feb. 28.

Craig Webb can be reached at cwebb@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ice skating near me: Check out these 6 spots to skate in Akron, Ohio