Navy Pier is known for a lot of things, from its eye-catching Centennial Wheel and Chicago Shakespeare Theater to its iconic views of the lake and skyline.
This summer, the pier at 600 E. Grand Ave. will add roller skating to its list of activities. Launching on June 18 and running through Labor Day, Summer Skate will be the city’s first lakefront roller rink, according to Navy Pier.
“One of the things we know is that with these changing times, those local roller rinks that so many people found joy in as young kids and beyond, there aren’t as many as there used to be,” said SJ Luedtke, chief marketing and experience officer at Navy Pier. “To be able to bring this experience to Chicagoans and our guests is something we feel the community needs and loves.”
The 7,200-square-foot rink, a partnership with Bucket Listers, will be inside the former Crystal Gardens, the towering all-glass structure that closed during COVID-19.
Skate sessions will be available during the day and evening, and all ages are welcome. Advance reservations are encouraged, and there’s a wait list for access to early-bird tickets. Skate rental will be available and is included in the fee. Discussions are still in the works regarding fee reduction for those who bring their own skates. Skaters need to bring their own protective gear, and socks are required.
Tickets start at $17.50 per guest. Rink hours will be noon-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, noon-5 p.m. Fridays, noon-10 p.m. Saturdays and noon-8 p.m. Sundays, though that schedule may change, a spokesperson said. For more information and to buy tickets when they’re available, visit the Bucket Listers website or follow on Instagram.
The rink will accommodate about 100 skaters at a time, making it the largest rink Bucket Listers has hosted.
