Guide To Boston Area Outdoor Skating Rinks

It's what movies are made of. A spin around an outdoor ice skating rink at wintertime. Whether it be while holding hands with your sweetheart or falling down as you try to teach your child how to skate, memories are made.

There are many indoor rinks, but fewer outdoor rinks – places where you skate under the stars and breathe in the fresh air.

Here's a short list of places in the greater Boston area. Feel free to add your favorite outdoor skating rink in the comment section below.

Frog Pond – Boston Common -- Arguably the most popular and well-known outdoor rink in greater Boston. The Olympic size rink is open every day of the week, with hours varying each day. Admission is $4 for adults, and free for children 13 and under. Skate rentals are available for a charge. There is a snack bar available.

Kelly Outdoor Skating Rink – Jamaica Plain – This rink is at the end of Marbury Place, and used by many local residents. It's free, and skates are available for a nominal charge. The rink is open seven days a week, generally from noon to 7:30 p.m. with the exception on Saturday when the rink opens at 1 p.m. There are also skating lessons available here.

Kendall Square Community Ice Rink – Cambridge -- Located in Kendall Square this rink is open every day of the week. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students and seniors, and $1 for children under 13. There are skate rentals available for a fee. There are skating lessons available and there's a café on site.

Larz Anderson Skating Rink – Brookline –  This regulation size hockey rink is groomed by a Zamboni and open every day but Mondays. There are warming buildings, changing rooms, snack bar, and onsite parking. Admission for Brookline residents is $4 for adults and $3 for children. For non-residents it's $7 for adults and $4 for children. Skate rentals are available for a fee.

Rink At Charles Hotel – Cambridge –  This rink at the hotel is open in the evening during the week and all day on weekends. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children under 12, and $10 for families. Skate rentals are available for a fee. There are skating lessons available on site starting at $10 for a 15 minute session.

Winter Skate At Patriot Place – Foxboro – While football and soccer are typically the sports featured at Patriot Place, during the winter ice skating joins the ranks at the site in Foxboro. The rink, which is next to Old Navy, is open every day, staying open until 11 p.m. on weekends. Admission for adults is $6; for seniors and children 12 and under it's $4. Skate rentals are available.