Downtown St. Paul's outdoor ice rink in Rice Park opened this weekend, as did the rink in The Depot in downtown Minneapolis. The Depot's rink is indoors, inside a former train shed, a beautiful historic building. The refurbished Victorian train shed is climate controlled, and has glass walls to let in plenty of natural light. Skating is $8 and skate rental is $7, plus whatever it costs you to park nearby. But on the plus side, it's a very romantic location, it's always a pleasant temperature, and it's unusual for it to become crowded.
In contrast, the downtown St. Paul rink is free and skate rental is $2 - or free if you have a Wells Fargo check card or credit card. Meter parking in downtown St. Paul is free on Sundays and evenings after 4.30 p.m. which is perfect for skaters - skating on a mild, clear night with Rice Park's Christmas lights all around you is almost magical. The rink is open until 10 p.m. most nights.
And there's plenty of other options for skating in Minneapolis and St. Paul, although some will require you waiting for the lakes to freeze. Where else to Skate: Ice Skating rinks and lakes in Minneapolis and St. Paul
The ice rink in downtown St. Paul's Rice Park. Photo Capitol City Parnership, Aaron Smith-Smitty's Workshop
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