A favorite event that happens every year in Minnesota is Ice Castles
! If you have never been to this incredible event, you have to check it out in January in Excelsior this winter.
Ice Castles is described as “an awe-inspiring, must-see winter phenomenon built with hundreds of thousands of icicles that brings fairy tales to life.” This extravagant event only happens once a year in January, but your family will be talking about it all year.
Pricing and Basic Information for Ice Castles
Ice Castles has been in different locations around Minnesota in previous years. This year, Ice Castles will take place in Excelsior, MN at The Commons on Lake Minnetonka. The physical address is 135 Lake Street, Excelsior, MN 55331.
Ice Castles will be set up from January 6, 2019, through February 28, 2019. They are open every day except Tuesday, so you have ample opportunities to visit.
To purchase your tickets, you can visit their website. Weekday tickets are $10.95 for ages 12 and up or $7.95 for ages 4-11. If you choose to attend on Saturday or Sunday, fares go up a little and are $15.95 for ages 12 and up or $9.95 for ages 4-11.
Ice Castles in Excelsior is open :
- Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4:00-9: 00 pm
- Friday from 4:00-10:30pm
- Saturday from 12:00-10:30pm
- Sunday from 12:00-8:00pm
- They close on Tuesdays.
What You Can Expect to Find at Ice Castles
Ice Castles is an incredible event that turns winter into a snowy fairy tale. The winter wonderland is built with an extraordinary amount of icicles designed and laid out by professional ice artists.
There are LED-lit sculptures, frozen thrones, ice tunnels, slides, fountains, and a variety of other fantastic attractions.
There are so many things happening at Ice Castles it would be impossible to list them all here. However, here are a few of the things you will enjoy.
Also Read : How to Save on Admission to Ice Castles in Stillwater
Tina Divas Princess Party’s Enchanted Frozen Sisters
Elsa and Anna are going to be attended a special party every Saturday and Sunday from noon until 5:00 pm. You will get to meet the sisters and get a photo with them before you enter their castle. Seeing Elsa and Anna is weather-dependent, there might be days they won’t be there.
Fire Performances
Experience a little warmth and some high energy at this fire show. Every Friday and Saturday from 7:00-10: 00 pm you will see fire-breathing, spinning, hula, and more at this fascinating show.
Winter Star Watch Parties
In this educational and fun event, you will get to know the constellations and the history behind them. Using two of the largest telescopes in Minnesota, you will get up close and personal with Jupiter, stars, nebulae, galaxies and other galactic wonders. You will want to dress warm and bring lawn chairs.
Tips for Going to Ice Castles
Once you have decided to visit this fantastic event, there are a few things you will want to remember. You and your family will want to wear boots! Snow boots are ideal for walking inside the Ice Castles where the ground is crushed ice.
Buying tickets before you arrive is essential. When you purchase your ticket, you are given an arrival time and encouraged to come within 30 minutes of that window.
Once you enter, you may stay as long as you want! After you purchase your tickets online, you will receive an email with a QR code to get you in; you will not need to print tickets.
You will want to take a ton of pictures of your trip, and photography is encouraged! However, please do not bring any larger equipment like tripods or lights. Most visitors stay between 30 minutes and an hour, but there is no time limit.
While there is no one best time to visit, you will want to consider lighting and crowds before your visit. If you go during the day, you won’t get to see the fantastic LED lights throughout the castle, but you will get to see the castle lit up by natural light which is a sight of its own. Weekends are the most crowded, so you might want to visit on a weekday if you want to avoid congestion.
If you have small children and are planning on bringing a stroller, leave it at home and grab a sled instead! Pushing a stroller through crushed ice is like pushing a stroller through sand, it is hard. Dragging a sled through the compound is a great option.
There are concessions available throughout the venue, so you will want to have cash on you, as well.
So, there you go. Check out the website to plan your visit to Ice Castles in Excelsior, Minnesota. You will make memories that will last a lifetime, and your kids will be thanking you for an awesome day playing in a castle built of ice.
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