When the local ponds freeze over, Ohio locals don their skates, grab their mittens, and hit the ice for a winter adventure. Ice skating is a fan favorite around the holidays and during these colder months, and luckily, the Akron and Canton area has its share of pristine ice rinks just waiting to be carved.
Weather permitting, you will be able to skate in the great outdoors in one of our local Metroparks, but there are also few indoor rinks for when the weather outside is frightful. Some of these are open year-round, so keep an eye on the schedule!
Without further ado, here are some of our favorite indoor and outdoor ice skating rinks near Akron and Canton.
215 W. Tuscarawas Street, Courthouse Plaza, Canton
Photo courtesy of Joe Albert
The Hall of Fame City Ice Rink allows you to enjoy outdoor ice skating right in the heart of downtown Canton. The entire experience is amplified with festive music and holiday decorations, and snacks from Arcade Coneys. Admission is completely free, and skate rentals run at just $3 per person.
200 S. Main Street, Akron
Lock 3 is a multifunctional park and beloved gathering place for locals year-round, but it also boasts the largest outdoor ice skating rink in Ohio! Admission is free if you have your own skates, and rentals are just $2. Come by for a romantic date night or a fun night out with the family anytime from late November through the end of January.
8319 Port Jackson Avenue NW, Canton
Located just south of the Akron-Canton Airport, the Center Ice Sports Complex is a locally owned and operated indoor rink offering year-round ice skating, as well as hockey and figure skating programs. You can find the open skate schedule here!
If your child is interested in learning how to skate, the complex offers one of the best educational programs available.
1337 Merriman Road, Akron
Sand Run Metro Park offers outdoor fun year round, including hiking, biking, picnicking, cross country skiing, sledding and more. The Big Bend Area, located within the park, offers ice skating during the winter months, and is open daily from 6 am to 11 pm. You will need your own skates to join in the fun, but admission is free!
Note: Skating in the Metro Parks is weather dependent. To double check that this rink is open, call the seasonal info line at 330-865-8060.
15381 Royalton Road, Strongsville
Strongsville offers a well-maintained indoor rink that is open for ice skating, hockey and figure skating year round! Locals love it for its safe, family-friendly atmosphere and pristine quality of the ice. Here, you can also enjoy lessons, birthday parties, a full-service shop, and a bar and cafe for refreshments. Admission is $8 per person (plus the $3 rental fee if needed), and the open skate calendar can be found here.
1160 Front Street, Cuyahoga Falls
Gorge Metro Park is known for its incredible hiking trails and picnic areas during the summer months, but in the winter, it becomes a winter wonderland! There is a small pond in the center of the park that freezes over, and is approved for ice skating by the Metro Parks — you'll just have to bring your own skates.
Note: Skating in the Metro Parks is weather dependent. To double check that this rink is open, call the seasonal info line at 330-865-8060.
1 Loop Road, Kent
Photo courtesy of Kent State Ice Arena
Home to the Kent State ACHA Hockey Team and the Kent State Figure Skating team, this ice arena is kept in pristine condition year-round. Locals flock here for the affordable prices during free skating hours, the skate sharpening service, and full-service snack bar. The rink is also a great destination for private parties, broomball or skating lessons!
Note: KSU Students receive special discounts on skating, as well as access to the student-only free skating nights.
See you on the ice!