WinterSkate is the Cutest. Date. Ever…read more Outdoor activities are one of those things that make Twin Cities winters slightly more bearable. Rice Park is another one of those things, with its pretty twinkling lights... and the majestic Landmark Center backdrop doesn't hurt either. Together, WinterSkate comes to life as an outdoor rink right in the middle of St. Paul. This year, it's open from Nov. 26 to Feb. 5. They have a warming house for changing your skates and staying cozy. The rink itself isn't huge, but I basically just need room to lurch around like a Frankenstein and then fall... so I'm good. Best part aside from the fact that you have an instant date-night? Skate rentals are only $2 and the rink itself is FREE. So what are you waiting for? Oh yeah, winter has to come first. Thanks, Wells Fargo, for making winter a little more fun!

The opening of the WinterSkate rink in Rice Park is a kickoff to the holiday season for many of us…read morein St Paul. It's a free city event where you have the opportunity to see local figure skaters cut loose on fresh ice. After that, you can wander across the street for live musical entertainment. You can get a first glimpse of the upcoming year's winter carnival button -- and watch the official lighting of the Holiday tree (and all the other trees) in Rice Park, accompanied by fireworks. A perfect holiday night. Rice park is the perfect strolling park when you're on a date at the Ordway, Riverwalk Center, Xcel Center, or anywhere else in downtown St Paul. The skating rink also makes it a great stand-alone family destination in the winter from November (when the rink opens) to the new year when Rice Park hosts the annual Ice Castle.

Had a good time ice skating here. I rented skates and spent maybe an hour going around. The loop is…read morenot super long but seems to be well maintained and is in a cute area.

Great fun on a most unique loop of refrigerated ice. Free to skate. Rental skates cost, but not too…read moremuch. Parking lot and nearby street parking is also free.

Things to know:…read more 1)There's a a fee to enter and another to rent skates. Because I was accompanying kids and didn't plan to skate, there was no entry fee. 2) There's an online schedule showing the different event times, and when applicable target ages. We brought my partners kids on a Thursday during the 5p-7:30p slot because 8-10p was 21+ (that day). The 5p slot didnt list ages, but tuns out it was mostly little kids. Additional teens and older people started showing up later, but still seemed younger age focused (with group games like hula hoop). 3) There's a decent number of arcade games for the space. If you don't have quarters, you can use the change machine. While the assortment of games was good, my gripe is that we counted 84 tickets won playing. However their ticket counting machine only accounted for 66. While the experience was okay, I think it's a nice option with a good selection of music, decent sized rink, fair pricing (cant speak for concessions) and a nostalgic feel. Check it out for yourself.

All the fun in one place - skating, bouncy houses, arcade, and food! We went during a weekday 1-4pm…read morefor a "School's Out" time during winter break. Cheap Skate does have certain hours so be sure to call ahead or check online. I believe there are hours for family/kids and some evening for just adults. So fun for everyone. I was able to purchase tickets online but you do need to check-in when you get there despite the check-in on the online scannable ticket. I took my kiddos for some skating fun and oh how it brought back memories! Cheap Skate has a 90s feel to it but with all the hip music of nowadays. A great workout and all around fun. The cost to skate isn't bad but like anything now-a-days you for pay for everything. In addition to the fee to get in and skate, there is a rental skate fee, locker fee, and obviously arcade, bouncy houses, and food. Speaking of food we got some icees, soda, pizza, and ice cream. Pretty pricey for what it was but for an easy access to food without leaving - exactly what you'd expect. The screens telling you what you can order either weren't working or not turned on properly when I went to order (about an hour in) so I had to ask what food items were available. My kids weren't interested in the bouncy house or the arcade although as a typical arcade there are tickets where you can exchange for prizes. We had so much fun and we were so exhausted by the end. Overall, I would highly recommend if you're looking indoor fun.

Great ice, organized. Fun for a pickup game in the center and casual lap skating around the…read moreperimeter.

We were looking for a place to walk indoors as DH is recovering from surgery and is supposed to…read moreavoid walking on ice. The Oval has a nice walking track around the rink up above the bleachers, and there weren't a ton of people on the track when we were there on a Monday afternoon. Best thing is there are benches all along the track, so if you get tired, you can always sit down anytime. Only drawback is the noise- it is extremely loud when hockey practice is happening, so definitely bring earplugs! Hours vary, so here is a link to the calendar: https://www.cityofroseville.com/DocumentCenter/View/29030/12-December-Walking?bidId=

This is our second time coming to the establishment and it was terrible. There was lil girl who…read moresnatched my mother-in-law cupcake while the lil girl was skating. The lil girl mother tried to get bold with my mother-in-law. When my husband tried to speak with the people in charge they gave the excuse of the lil girl being autistic and so it was okay. Nothing about this was okay! Keith said to my husband that lady had been coming there for a while and talks to people who work there like that all the time. You can not let people treat other people like that regardless if they come there a lot. I am disappointed especially with the manager saying it's okay for the lil girl or her mom to treat someone like that because they are not from the USA. Like are you serious? So you saying because she is from another country and her daughter is autistic that's it's okay. We will not be back

We had a fun time, $19 to rent and skate. Old school games as well as concessions…read more We've also hosted a birthday party in the past and really enjoyed the experience.

Went to watch my nephews hockey tournament this past weekend. Great facilities and the rink wasn't…read moreas chilly as other rinks...which is a bonus. The concession stand was great and the people manning it were extremely friendly. Great options including sodas, popcorn, nachos, candy, chips, etc. And love the ode to Charles Schulz.

This arena has two sheets of ice. It's nice, functional, good ice and overall unremarkable. Well,…read morethere is a Snoopy or two on the grounds and it's named after the Peanuts creator and Saint Paul native Charles Schulz. Ample stands for watching high school and youth hockey including heated areas inside the arena. Also next to a nice golf course and a historic brick water tower.

Cheap activity for families! They have skate rental and stabilizers for little ones. I loved it.read more

Not a huge selection of rental skates, but the staff was friendly, and the place is well maintained.read more

Aldrich Arena is a classic. One of the must visit -- for a rivalry game, during a full house --…read morehockey arenas in the state. For example, if it's White Bear vs Hill Murray, that would be a packed, energetic crowd to see, hear and join. I suppose any arena where locals young and old gather to cheer and jeer can be raucous, but some arenas have the "it" factor. Aldrich has the it factor. Maybe it is the impressive exterior, or how the outside reminds me of walking up to the old Met Center where the North Stars once played. Aldrich stands just off White Bear Avenue and in the middle of a huge parking lot like a king on a throne. Inside is a large arena with 3,000 plus seating in the stands and ample standing room space. There are great ice views all around. And yes, an organ. The place feels like history. The conference titles won, the dreams realized, the section finals and the energy of former players watching their younger selves skate before thousands all in an attempt to win a ticket to the state tournament. I'm told Aldrich also hosts graduation ceremonies, conventions and other off ice events. There is a golf course right behind the arena that is a lot of fun too.

Stopped by to say at the Po. It was our first time. The staff was great. We lasted 3 hours. The…read moresand/water park was a huge hit when the kids needed a break. Will come back!

Awesome time at ice skating what a great venue and very affordably priced to rent skates. I loved…read morethe disco skate night. Great