FamilyFun Getaways: Best Places to Ice Skate

You don't hear a lot about heaven freezing over, but if it did, everyone would doubtless lace up their skates and glide on out. Because there's just something about metal blades on ice -- that frosty, friction-free circling around and around and around -- that is the quintessence of the winter season. Whether you're a wielder of sticks andIpucks, a master of the salchow and triple lutz, or a newbie venturing forth on wobbly ankles, we know a place for you. We present a selection of the continent's best real-ice venues, including little ponds and vast canals, seaside and mountaintop rinks, and everything in between. And there's nothing rinky-dink about any of them.

Hotel del Coronado San Diego, CA

Beachfront ice-skating is a delightful contradiction in terms -- and a real-life thrill at the charming old Hotel del Coronado, with its stunning, Pacific-view, palm-shaded, seaside rink. Open November 26 to January 4. $25 ages 6 and up; free ages 5 and under; skate rental $5; a portion of the proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. hoteldel.com

Originally published in the December/January 2015 issue of FamilyFun magazine.

Trump Rink New York, NY

The Big Apple has rinks aplenty, but this enormous Central Park beauty (formerly known as Wollman Rink) boasts the best views around: an urban forest backed by a classic skyscraping cityscape. Open October to April. $11.25 weekdays, $18 weekends and holidays ages 12 and up; $6 ages 11 and under; skate rental $8; locker rental $5. trumprink.com

Frog Pond Boston, MA

Skate the frozen (and frog-free) reflecting pool at the Boston Common, the nation's oldest public park. Then thaw your toes and sip some cocoa at Frog Pond Café. Open mid-November to mid-March, weather permitting. $5 ages 14 and up; free ages 13 and under; skate rental $9 adults, $5 kids. bostonfrogpond.com

Originally published in the December/January 2015 issue of FamilyFun magazine.

McCormick Tribune Ice Rink Chicago, IL

Twirl around a scenic downtown rink nestled by the famous silver "bean" sculpture in the city's expansive Millennium Park. Skyline vistas and people-watching abound. Open mid-November to mid-March. Free; skate rental $10. millenniumpark.org

The Depot Rink Minneapolis, MN

Housed in the Milwaukee Road Depot, this rink evokes a bygone industrial era, thanks to the iron-truss canopy ceiling and floor-to-ceiling glass walls. Open November to March. $9 ages 18 and up; $6 ages 17 and under and seniors; skate rental $7. thedepotminneapolis.com

Originally published in the December/January 2015 issue of FamilyFun magazine.

Rideau Canal Skateway Ottawa, ON, Canada

At 7.8 kilometers long, this skateway wending through the city is the largest in the world. Warm up by an ice-side fire or with a beaver tail -- a local fried dough treat you can enjoy right on the ice. Open January to March, weather permitting. Free; skate rental $17. ncc-ccn.gc.ca

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink Washington, DC

Do your figure eights among works by such masters as Joan Miró and Sol LeWitt. It's especially magical at night, under the twinkling lights. Open November to March, weather permitting. $8 ages 13 and up; $7 ages 12 and under, seniors, and students; skate rental $3. nga.gov

Originally published in the December/January 2015 issue of FamilyFun magazine.

Lake Morey Skate Trail Fairlee, VT

Skate the day away on this long, lovely loop. The Lake Morey Resort maintains the 4.5- mile cleared trail (the longest in the United States) and offers free on-site parking. Open January to March, weather permitting. Free; skate rental $10. lakemoreyresort.com

Sun Valley Skating Center Sun Valley, ID

Share the ice with Olympic athletes and skating glitterati at one of the world's few year- round full-size outdoor rinks, situated in the picturesque Sawtooth Mountains. $12 ages 13 and up; $10 ages 12 and under; skate rental $5. sunvalley.com

Originally published in the December/January 2015 issue of FamilyFun magazine.

This piece was accurate at publication time, but all prices, offerings and availabilities are subject to change. Please contact each hotel and attraction for up-to-date rates and information before taking your trip.