Looking for a dazzling winter experience this year? Check out the ice castles in Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Wisconsin, and Utah. These are not your ordinary holiday attractions. You can actually walk through them for an immersive experience in a glittering fairy tale castle.
Building the ice castles is no mean feat. Each day, the creators grow 5,000 to 12,000 icicles. These are hand-harvested and grafted onto an existing ice formation by professional ice artists. The result is an ice formation that changes based on where the icicles are placed, the outside temperature, water volume, and wind. In addition, LED lights, which change color at night, are frozen inside the ice. Each castle takes up about one acre and is near a natural water source, so the water returns to the environment when the ice melts.
Opening dates are weather dependent. Most locations open in early January and close in early March. Select your location (below) for the most current information about opening and closing dates. Get opening date and ticket sales updates (and more) by subscribing to the newsletter.
Ticket sales are final, non-refundable, and non-transferable. Dates and times may change, but these changes will be made at least 24 hours in advance. If an ice castle closes for any reason, including weather-related issues, they will automatically process a full refund of your ticket.
Pro Tip: Buy tickets online in advance for guaranteed entry and the lowest price.
1. New Brighton, Minnesota
Zoom down an ice slide, check out the ice caverns, and wander around a frozen maze. Ward off the cold with a winter alcoholic drink in the ice bar. When you are sufficiently warmed up, wiggle through the crawl tunnels, go tubing or sledding (must be at least 36 inches tall), and marvel at exquisite ice sculptures. Continue the magic by following the Illumination Trail surrounded by twinkling lights as you leave the ice castle.
Tickets, directions, and parking information for New Brighton Ice Castles are available here.
Weekday Pricing (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday):
- General Admission is $15.00
- Child Admission is $11.00
Weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and Holiday Pricing:
- General Admission is $22.00
- Child Admission is $15.00
2. North Woodstock, New Hampshire
Glide breathlessly down the ice slide or go tubing or sledding. Explore the ice caves, get lost in a frozen maze, or wiggle through ice passages. Get toasty at the ice bar with a hot alcoholic drink, or stroll through the Mystic Forest Light Walk. Close by, walk in a winter wonderland at the Winter Fairy Forest.
For an additional charge, you can take a sleigh ride (purchase a sleigh ride when you buy tickets online). Riders follow an illuminated trail through the woods. Want to celebrate a special occasion? You can book a private Arctic Alcove in the castle.
Tickets, directions, and parking information for North Woodstock Ice Castles are available here.
Weekday Pricing (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday):
- General Admission is $20.00
- Child Admission is $15.00
Weekend (Friday, Saturday) and Holiday Pricing:
- General Admission is $29.00
- Child Admission is $22.00
3. Lake George, New York
Race down an ice slide, explore a cavern or a frozen maze, or shimmy through an ice tunnel. After all that, warm up at the ice bar with a holiday drink. Next, you can stroll through a village of snow igloos within the castle, finding surprises and funny snow displays inside. Finally, take a leisurely walk along an illuminated path or book a VIP experience in a private alcove in the castle.
Tickets, directions, and parking information for Lake George Ice Castles are available here.
Weekday Pricing (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday):
- General Admission is $22.00
- Child Admission is $15.00
Weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and Holiday Pricing:
- General Admission is $29.00
- Child Admission is $22.00
4. Midway, Utah
Glide breathlessly down the ice slide, or go tubing or sledding. Explore the ice caves, get lost in a frozen maze, or traverse ice passages just big enough to fit. Warm up at the ice bar with a hot alcoholic drink, or take a sleigh ride through the winterscape, enjoying the mountains and illuminated wooded areas. You can even book a private Arctic Alcove in the castle to celebrate a special occasion. Finally, meet real reindeer inside the ice castle. You’ll see them in the Winter Reindeer Room, where you can take the perfect holiday photos.
Tickets, directions, and parking information for Midway Ice Castles are available here.
Weekday Pricing (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday):
- General Admission is $18.00
- Child Admission is $12.00
Weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and Holiday Pricing:
- General Admission is $23.00
- Child Admission is $16.00
5. Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
A glimmering winter fairy and a dazzling snow queen welcome you to the ice castle. Enjoy an exhilarating trip down the ice slide or go sledding, run separately by Geneva National Resort. Explore the ice caves, or make your way through ice passages just big enough to fit. Or take a sleigh ride through the winterscape, enjoying the mountains and lighted wooded areas. You can even book a private Arctic Alcove in the castle to celebrate a special occasion.
Tickets, directions, and parking information for Lake Geneva Ice Castles are available here.
Weekday Pricing (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday):
- General Admission is $25.00
- Child Admission is $17.00
Weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and Holiday Pricing:
- General Admission is $29.00
- Child Admission is $22.00
Want to learn about other ice attractions you can visit? Check out these TravelAwaits articles: