{"id":5596,"date":"2023-11-26T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-26T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/?p=5596"},"modified":"2023-11-26T13:25:16","modified_gmt":"2023-11-26T19:25:16","slug":"ice-castles-in-excelsior","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/ice-castles-in-excelsior\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to see Ice Castles in Minnesota + Tips 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Winter is one of my favorite times to explore outside. Sometimes it\u2019s because of the great light shows thanks to all the Christmas Lights displays<\/a>. But when Christmas is over, we have a whole new light show to look forward to. This winter, we checked out the new Ice Castles in Minnesota.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2024 Ice Castles in Maple Grove<\/a> will stay. Every couple of years, they switch up the locations around the Twin Cities and build new displays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are the ice castles created?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To create the stunning Ice Castles in Minnesota, professional ice artists meticulously place hundreds of thousands of icicles by hand, forming magnificent sculptures that will leave you in awe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each day, over 12,000 icicles are grown to ensure the castles are constantly changing and evolving. The process begins with spraying water onto metal frames, allowing the icicles to form and grow. As long as the weather remains cold, the icicles continue to grow and the ice castles take shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the desired size is achieved, the artists carefully arrange the icicles, interlocking them to create sturdy structures. LED lights are embedded within the ice, adding a magical glow to the castles both day and night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The result is a breathtaking winter wonderland that pleases the eye and captures the imagination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>How has the concept of ice castles evolved over the years?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Over the years, the concept of Ice Castles in Minnesota has evolved into a winter attraction that offers a magical and enchanting experience for visitors of all ages. What started as simple ice structures has transformed into a spectacular display of ice formations, featuring magnificent archways, towers, fountains, and slides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the day, the ice castles showcase glacial blue colors that transform into a magical glow at night, thanks to the twinkling lights.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Ice<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Visit Ice Castles in Minnesota<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Location and Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for a winter wonderland experience, head to Ice Castles in Minnesota. Located at Maple Grove, this enchanting world of ice and snow <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ice castles are a sight to behold, with their magnificent archways, towering structures, and glacial blue colors that glisten in the sunlight. As you explore the ice castles, you\u2019ll encounter fountains, slides, and crawl tunnels, all intricately crafted from ice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At night, the castles come alive with twinkling lights, creating a truly mesmerizing experience. Whether you\u2019re sliding down ice slides or simply taking in the beauty of the surroundings, Ice Castles in Minnesota promises to be a memorable winter adventure by the lake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minnesotans are no stranger to Ice Castles. We\u2019ve been building them since 1888<\/a>. The original one was a labyrinth inside. When I was little, I remember getting to see the 1986 Ice Palace built for the Winter Carnival all lit up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the Ice Castles started coming back in 2011, I was thrilled to see one that we could enter. They\u2019ve been built at the Mall of America<\/a>, in Eden Prairie<\/a>, Stillwater<\/a>, Excelsior<\/a>, New Brighton, and now this year it\u2019s moved to Maple Grove, 12500 82nd Ave N, Maple Grove, MN 55369.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do at the Ice Castle in Minnesota<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Ice Castle was constructed by growing 5,000\u201312,000 individual icicles. Once the ice is ready, it is harvested by ice artists and individually sculpted into the ice formations you see today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once it is placed, they drench it with water, creating an ever-changing ice formation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inside the castle\u2019s ice, they illuminated it with LED lights. It took them over 2 months to build and with the December warm-up, it\u2019s taken a little longer to open, but it doesn\u2019t disappoint.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Inside the Ice Castle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The major draw to the Ice Castle in Minnesota is the light show at night. This is where you can see the castle\u2019s formations. With rotating lights everywhere, it\u2019s hard not to love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All around the castle you\u2019ll find different places to explore, with tunnels and chambers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll enter through a small tunnel with high ceilings. Inside the castle you’ll walk through ice tunnels, find ice benches, ice carvings and fun new discoveries. Crawl Tunnels and hidden passageways are waiting to be found for people of all ages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a magical winter wonderland straight out of a fairytale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ice Sculptures and Throne<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Throughout the castle, we found different places to explore. Including a wishing pond, fountain, caverns, ice bar, trellis, and an Ice Throne. They had fire pits throughout the park to warm up at.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Sliding and Tunnels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The biggest excitement for the Kids was the slides. They have a tandem giant slide where you must be 42 inches tall to ride. It\u2019s made entirely of ice. It\u2019s a work of art. Since they provided slides for us, I gave it a try too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thrill level-wise, it\u2019s up there with some of the crazy sleddings<\/a> I\u2019ve done. But on a whole other level because you are enclosed. It had me screaming. My kids wanted to go again and again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you arrive during daylight hours, there is no wait. At night, expect to wait about 5-20 minutes in line.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The other two slides are on the other side of the castle. They are smaller with no height restrictions. They only ask you to go down feet first. There is also an Ice Throne you need to check out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fire Dancers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Back again on special nights are the mesmerizing Fire Dancer performances. Against the backdrop of the frozen wonderland, skilled artists dance with flames. It will be the highlight of the night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Things to Know<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Best Time to Visit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The best time to visit Ice Castles in Minnesota is during the earlier part of the winter season when the attraction is newly opened and before any potential closures due to weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I recommend visiting during the week for nighttime visits. They typically have less foot traffic and more opportunity to explore. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also visit during the day, shortly after it opens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Ticket Prices and Availability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tickets for Ice Castles in Minnesota can be purchased in advance at\u00a0icecastles.com<\/a>. It\u2019s highly recommended to book your tickets online to ensure availability. By purchasing in advance, you can also take advantage of any discounted prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Parking Options Nearby<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re planning a visit to Ice Castles in Minnesota, there are convenient parking options nearby. You can find free parking in the parking garage or across the street from Ice Castles. In addition, there\u2019s some free parking available on the street near the attraction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The parking garage and street parking provide easy access to Ice Castles, making it convenient for you to enjoy all the winter magic. You won\u2019t have to worry about a long walk to the ice castles.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Tips for your visit and how not to freeze your butt off<\/h2>\n\n\n\n