Roller Rinks in the Chicago Area

Displeased with the original in-line roller skate design, James Leonard Plimpton invented the four-wheel skate--known as the quad skate--in 1863 and opened the first public roller skating rink in 1866. He is called "the father of modern roller skating," according to the National Museum of Roller Skating. Today, USA Roller Sports considers roller derby "to be the most rapidly growing sport," proving that skating is a popular pastime. Whether you prefer in-line or quad skates, roller skating is a fun activity for people of all ages and there are several roller rinks located in the Chicago area.

  1. The Rink

    • The Rink originally opened in 1975 and relocated to its current, larger facility in 1985. Featuring two maple hardwood floors for skating and plenty of parking, the Rink is open seven days a week with different theme nights for skaters. Smooth R&B Jams is every Sunday night from 5 to 9 p.m. for ages 30 and older; Wednesday is Family Skate from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. The big skate party is on Thursday nights with DJ Smooth spinning "Old School Style" from 8 p.m. to midnight for ages 27 and older. Skating instruction and party packages are also available.

      The Rink

      1122 E. 87th St.

      Chicago, IL 60619

      773-221-3290

      therinkchicago.com

    Lombard Roller Rink

    • Located about 14 miles west of Chicago, Lombard Roller Rink has classes for children and adults, including a Dance and Figure Skating Club for anyone interesting in competitive skating. The rink hosts a popular R&B session from 8 to midnight Mondays for ages 21 and older and a Family Pizza Skate from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

      Lombard Roller Rink

      201 W. 22nd St.

      Lombard, IL 60148

      630-953-2400

      lombardrollerrink.com

    Orbit Skate Center

    • Located 28 miles north of Chicago, the Orbit Skate Center has a lot of room for skaters with its half-acre of wood floors. The rink offers a variety of themed sessions, like live organ music on Thursday nights, and classes for all ages, including Quad Speed and R&B/Jam Combo. The Windy City Rollers roller derby team got its start at Orbit, and anyone interested in derby can join the open practice session on Mondays from 9 to 11 p.m.

      Orbit Skate Center

      615 S. Consumers Ave.

      Palatine, IL 60074

      847-394-9199

      orbitskate.net

    Martin Luther King, Jr. Park and Family Entertainment Center

    • Open seven days a week, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Park and Family Entertainment Center offers public skating all day and themed skating at night. Special sessions include a Gospel Skate from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays, Family Fun Skate Nights from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, followed by an Adult Night with R&B and hip-hop music from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

      Martin Luther King, Jr. Park and Family Entertainment Center

      1219 W. 76th St.

      Chicago, IL 60620

      312-747-2602

      usa-skating.com