McCormick Tribune Plaza & Ice Rink

McCormick Tribune Plaza & Ice Rink is a multi-purpose venue inside Millennium Park, opening as the park's first attraction in December 2001. Funded by the McCormick Tribune Foundation, it operates as a free public ice skating rink from mid-November to mid-March, drawing over 100,000 skaters each year. The rest of the year it becomes the Plaza at Park Grill, Chicago's largest outdoor dining facility. Visitors can enjoy ice skating for free in winter, or dine at the 150-seat outdoor restaurant with scenic park views during warmer months. The plaza also hosts culinary events and live music, making it a prime spot for people-watching. It’s run by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, distinct from other city rinks.