Ice Castles Minnesota Review, Giveaway & Discount 2020
Have you visited Ice Castles in New Brighton this year yet? I visited with my kids and friend and I’m so excited to share my review with you! Plus, I have an exclusive 15% discount for tickets AND a ticket GIVEAWAY!
Our Experience at Ice Castles Minnesota 2020
As always, Ice Castles is beautiful, magical, and great for many photo opportunities. We visited on a not-so-cold Saturday and it was perfect. We had tickets in advance for a specific time and went right in (be sure to get them online in advance with my discount code!).
First, here’s a video tour from our visit:
The whole walk-through attraction was full of ice formations, rooms, waterfalls, and even fountains. There were fire pits to warm up at, slides big enough for adults and kids alike, and tunnels for kids (and brave adults) to crawl through.
There was a place to buy hot drinks and sweet treats, like hot chocolate, coffee, cake pops, nuts, and cookies.
Here’s the menu if you want to plan in advance!
We had some hot chocolate and treats, and took some pictures with the Snow Princesses who were there ready for meet and greets (included with admission).
There was a bigger enclosed slide that was very popular. You could pick up a blue mat and wait in a line that went to the top. I guess it was like the giant slide at the fair, but made of ice? My kids didn’t want to wait in line so we didn’t go on it, but the line was moving pretty steadily and it looked like fun.
Kids were LOVING all the cool tunnels and surprises throughout the place. I especially loved the “rooms” you could walk through. They’re located near the exit.
We visited during the day – there was music playing, and everything was a pretty soft blue. But at night everything is lit up so it’s like a whole different place. No matter when you go, it’s a memorable experience.
What You’ll Love:
- Plenty of unique picture opportunities, both day and night.
- Being among the many people smiling and posing for pictures and curiously exploring different ice formations and features. Kids and families squeezing, squishing, sliding, stomping and crawling through parts of the stunning, Narnia-like display.
- Amazing ice features including archways, tunnels, slot canyons, ice slide, caverns, glacial waterfalls and a frozen throne.
- Natural frozen ice tones during the day; colorful LED-lit ice set to music at night.
- The kids getting to meet the Enchanted Frozen Sisters from Tiny Diva Princess Party.
- Having a good reason to brave the cold for a little while – a unique experience for all.
What You Should Know:
- There is no place to warm up or sit down. There are “porta-potties,” but there is no warming house. In previous years I saw people warm up in their cars, waiting for family members who are in the ice castles. (This year when we visited it wasn’t that cold.)
- The ground is uneven and slippery. It’s full of crushed ice, and all the people traffic helps to pat it mostly down. However, wear good boots and assist children or anyone in your party who may be pregnant, elderly or disabled. You have to walk carefully, and you definitely can’t bring a stroller in here.
- In the evening, the lights go on and off and change color inside the ice, so if you’re planning to take pictures, you may have to wait until the lights cycle to a brighter intensity. I had to wait a few times through some darker moments.
- The parking lot is small, so they have a shuttle going to nearby parking lots in the park. If you park at one of the other lots you may have to wait outside a little bit for the shuttle.
Tips for visiting:
- To see the princesses, you’ll need to visit on the weekend. It will be busier at this time (especially if the weather’s nice!), but this is when everything is happening.
- To avoid the crowds I recommend visiting on a non-holiday weekday. You may not see all the entertainment, but you’ll get in and out quicker.
- Bring a sled for the kids! We saw people pulling kids around on sleds everywhere.
- BUNDLE UP to be outside for about 45 minutes.
- Bring your camera – the best camera you have, if possible.
- Bring cash for the concessions. You’ll probably at least want something warm to drink, and the cookies and cake pops are SO tempting! Note the menu above for prices.
- Get your tickets in advance. The line for buying tickets can be long!
PRICING AND EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT!
I’m excited to share an EXCLUSIVE discount for Ice Castles 2020!
Just use my code FrugalmomIC and you’ll save 15% off tickets any day of the upcoming season!
Visit their website to purchase the tickets and use the code here: https://icecastles.com/minnesota
Regular admission is $12.99 (weekday) and $17.99 (weekend).
Child admission is $9.99 (weekday) and $17.99 (weekend).
MORE INFORMATION!
Visit the Ice Castles website for more information!
My Reviews Each Year
Read my previous reviews here:
Ice Castles in Stillwater 2018
Ice Castles in Stillwater 2017
Ice Castles in Eden Prairie’s Miller Park 2016
Ice Castles in Eden Prairie’s Miller Park 2015
WANT MORE DISCOUNTS?
Check out my Twin Cities Discount Guide for Families:
GIVEAWAY
Want to win 4 tickets? Enter for up to 10 chances to win by filling out the Rafflecopter form below! Giveaway ends Thursday, February 20th at 11:00pm! Good luck!
(Disclosure: We were provided with complimentary tickets to facilitate this review. All opinions are 100% mine.)
Sarah gobel says
We have never been to ice castles. I would love to just take my family and experience it. It would be so fun seeing the fire performers.
Kristine says
Oh my! Thrice castles would be so much fun!! I’d love to take my kids!
Bree K says
A Minnesota winter activity we haven’t done! This would be fun!
Dusti Mosher says
I’ve always wanted to visit, but it’s a pretty big expense for a family of 5! We love playing outside in the winter so this would be a fun experience.
Nate Baustad says
I am excited to see my kid’s excitement!
Stephanie W says
I can’t wait to take my kids and see the castle lit up.
Lisa c says
Would love to see these!
Laurie H says
Very thorough article. Thank you.
Tara says
I am dreaming of going to Ice Castles before the weather gets warmer. Would love to bring a few friend who never been to Ice Castles before and get them to go on the ice slides. I haven’t been this year yet but I hope to go!
Michelle weaver says
Great review, thanks for the discount code
Samara says
We really enjoyed the fire show this year but were sad to not find anything about the princesses at all. Would love to go again if they will actually be there.
Melanie J says
I’m not a fan of the gold, but this looks so beautiful I might have to get over the cold and go.
Melissa says
Looks like a fantastic way to find some joy in the middle of winter! I’ve always wanted to check out the ice castles with my family!
Nora says
I’ve never seen the Ice Castles. I’d love to take my girls, especially for free!
Sarah Frank says
My kids absolutely LOVE the slide! So we are definitely excited to do that with them!
Jessica Thom says
My daughter saw this over my shoulder and is so excited! She loves frozen and meeting the sisters would be a dream come true. Id love to share this experience with her!
Kristin says
This is so close to our house and would be so fun to win!