WinterSkate in Rice Park

WinterSkate is the Cutest. Date. Ever.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 in 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.

The first thing to remember is; this is totally free. That being said, it's not the best kept ice skating rink in the world. Then again, you don't come here because it's the best ice. You come here because it's free, it's fun, and it kicks off winter time for us in the cities. It's something you grab your friends to go to because it's winter now! I always went as a kid and continue as an adult. It's just one of those things that makes St. Paul, St. Paul.

Maybe I'm asking for a lot from a free outdoor skating rink, but I honestly expected better. The rink is a good size, and you can't beat the location, but the ice is terrible. Now, I'll freely admit that I'm a horrible skater in the best of situations, but I literally could not skate a foot on my own on this ice. There was even a place near the middle where a giant chunk was just missing. The attendants weren't doing a great job clearing off the rink, but this was opening night, so hopefully they'll get better. Also, if you plan on coming here, definitely bring your own skates, because 1) they run out of popular sizes quickly, and 2) their rental skates are garbage. I don't expect much from rental skates. I know they've been worn by a million people before me, but usually when I rent skates at a rink, I can at least maneuver in them without constant pain. Despite the setbacks, other people did seem to be having a great time though. I'll try to come back in a couple of weeks (with my own skates) and hopefully the ice will be a little better once they settle into their groove for the year.