Ice Castles are Back in Minnesota! Here’s an EXCLUSIVE 15% Discount (2022 – 2023)!
Have you visited Ice Castles before? I visited with my kids and friend when they were in New Brighton in 2020 and it was beautiful. We took a lot of pictures!
UPDATE:
Well they’re back at Long Lake Regional Park in New Brighton starting Saturday, December 31st!
Plus, I’m excited to announce that once again I have an exclusive 15% discount for tickets! Use code FrugalMN online!
Our Experiences at Ice Castles in New Brighton, Minnesota
As always, Ice Castles last year and in previous years has been beautiful, magical, and great for many photo opportunities.
We typically have visited on a not-so-cold Saturday which was perfect. We got tickets in advance for a specific time and went right in (be sure to get them online in advance with my discount code!).
Our Experience in 2022
It was so beautiful at night! There were new features and lights this year, including the swirling lights inside the slide.
I loved walking through the tunnels.
The tunnels and pathways were illuminated blue and seemed to go on and on.
Even walking out there were cool lights to see.
Our Experience in 2020
First, here’s a video tour from our visit in 2020:
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 (not sure if they’re back this year).
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 possibly archways, tunnels, slot canyons, ice slide, caverns, glacial waterfalls and a frozen throne (these vary year to year).
- Natural frozen ice tones during the day; colorful LED-lit ice set to music at night.
- 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 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 at least 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!
- Get your tickets in advance. The line for buying tickets can be long!
NOTE: All of these features vary year to year – the above tips are based on our visits from previous years.
PRICING AND EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT!
I’m excited to share an EXCLUSIVE discount for Ice Castles 2023!
Just use my code FrugalMN and you’ll save 15% off tickets any day of the season!
Visit their website to purchase the tickets and use the code here: https://icecastles.com/minnesota
(Tickets went on sale Monday, November 28th, 2022.)
Ice Castles opens on Saturday, December 31st, 2022!
Regular admission (ages 12 and up) is $15 (weekday) and $22 (weekend).
Child admission (ages 4 – 11) is $11 (weekday) and $15 (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:
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Thank you for the discount code. Any recommendations for a hotel with a waterpark to stay nearby?