Winter in Northern Michigan means ice skating in Traverse City, Suttons Bay and Petoskey–for free! Pack up a thermos of hot chocolate and head for the nearest of these Northern Michigan ice skating rinks and enjoy yourself on the ice or cuddled up next to the bonfire in the warming hut.

Traverse City F&M Park

State Street & Railroad Traverse City, MI 49684

Next to Thirlby Field

14th and Pine Streets Traverse City, MI 49684

Traverse Heights Elementary School

Rose Street near Carver

Traverse City, MI 49684

Warming house hours are Monday through Friday 3pm to 9pm, Saturday 12pm to 9pm, and Sunday 12pm to 8pm.

Petoskey Winter Sports Park

Winter Park Lane Petoskey, MI 49770 Phone: (231) 347-1252

Spacious sledding hill.  Outdoor ice rink and hockey rink with limited skate rental ($5.00 fee).  Skiing and snowboarding is also allowed.  Open 4 – 9pm weekdays, noon – 9pm weekends in season.  Concession and warming hut.

Suttons Bay Ice Skating Park

Broadway & Lincoln St. Suttons Bay, MI 49682

The park is located on the corner of Broadway & Lincoln St. Until 2011, the site was also the farmers market. During the winter local residents flood the area and groom the ice for general skating and pick up hockey games. The area is lighted, has picnic benches and portajohns. MyNorth Communicty member Trish Petrat shows off at the Suttons Bay rink on skates in her ice skating video on MyNorth.com’s Community.

Harbor Springs Community Park

Main & Hoyt Streets Harbor Springs, MI 49770 Phone: (231) 526-0610

The Harbor Springs skating and hockey rinks are located on Main Street at the top of the hill heading into downtown Harbor Springs. The parks are open Monday-Friday 3-8 pm and 12-8 on weekends. From January 7-March 3, free ice skating lessons are offered every Saturday am from 10am-noon in 30 minute sessions for beginners and intermediates. 231-242-0591.