Ice Castles - The Must-See Winter Attraction in the USA
What are “Ice Castles”?
Ice Castles are an award-winning frozen winter attraction for kids and adults to enjoy. Founder Brent Christensen became inspired after building an ice cave in the front yard of his Utah home in order to entertain his children in the snow. Not only did they love it, but it became a huge hit with the neighborhood kids, and the entire town as well. Due to the growing popularity it has evolved into the multi-location Ice Castle experience that you see today here in the US.
The immersive fairytale attraction is created using hundreds of thousands of icicles that are hand-placed by professional ice artists. These castles feature ice-carved tunnels, frozen thrones, icicle-adorned archways, water fountains, LED-lit sculptures, slides, and more! Fun fact: Each castle is made up of over 20 million pounds of ice and creates over 12,000 icicles per day!
These magical Frozen-inspired icicle caves are a winter bucket list place that you must see to believe! Read on for the full guide to Ice Castles in the USA!
Where to find Ice Castles in the US
Over the years, these icy creations have become very popular, especially on social media. So where can you find these Instagram-worthy Ice Castles? Currently there are 5 states in North America where you can see Ice Castles: Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Utah, and Wisconsin.
The Minnesota Ice Castles are located in New Brighton — about a 20 minute drive from Minneapolis.
The New Hampshire Ice Castles are located in North Woodstock — about a 50 minute drive from Concord.
The New York Ice Castles are located in Lake George — about an hour drive from Albany, and about a 3 hour drive from Manhattan.
The Utah Ice Castles are located in Midway — just a 50 minute drive from Salt Lake City, and 30 minute drive from Park City.
Wisconsin Ice Castles are located in Lake Geneva — about a 50 minute drive from Milwaukee.
The best time to visit the Ice Castles
The Ice Castles are open every year from the end of December until March. Opening and closing dates depend completely on the weather and vary per location, so it’s best to check the official Ice Castles website for the most up-to-date information.
Due to the Ice Castle’s growing popularity, it’s best to go during the week as soon as they open, in order to avoid crowds. However, the best time of day to visit varies based on the type of experience that you’re looking for. During the daytime, the teal-colored ice shines and shimmers in the sunlight, which can make for some beautiful glowy photo opportunities. At night, the ice castles are lit up with colorful LED lights that offer a fun, playful experience.
Tips for visiting the Ice Castles
Buy tickets in advance! Due to popularity, tickets sell out quickly, especially when they first open ticket sales so make sure to buy them asap!
There will be lots of people wandering around at all times, especially children. Be patient when trying to capture photos and video.
It will be cold! Make sure to dress in layers and wear proper winter attire to keep warm.
The ground is made up of crushed ice and snow so make sure to wear proper footwear. The surface will be uneven and feel similar to walking on sand, so be careful as you walk.
There is no time limit, so you can stay as long as you like, however re-entry is not permitted.
The decorative castle lights are turned on once the sun sets. Light walks in New Hampshire & Minnesota locations contain lasers and strobe lights.
Snow tubing is only available at the New Hampshire location.
Horse-drawn sleigh rides are available at the New Hampshire, Wisconsin, and Utah locations.
Concession stands are available at every location and provide a variety of food, sweet treats, and warm drinks.
You can: Bring phones, cameras, sleds (for pulling children only), or wear costumes or themed outfits.
You can’t: Bring tripods, drones, strollers, carriages, weapons, outside food and drink, non-service animals, or wear inappropriate attire.
What to wear when visiting the Ice Castles
Staying warm is a must when visiting the Ice Castles, but don’t let the cold, icy conditions hold you back from dressing up for an Instagram-worthy ice castle photo! Here are some ideas to help you plan your ice castle outfit!
Need more winter outfit inspiration for your trip to the Ice Castles? Check out my Winter Packing Guide!
