Next Stop...Stillwater Ice Castles

Your next adventure: Ice Castles in Stillwater, Minnesota.

I had lived in Minnesota for nearly a decade and, until recently, had never heard of the Ice Castles.

Now that I can speak from experience, I must say that they’re pretty cool and well worth the trip.

It’s mind-blowing to think about how much water was used to create these giant walls, sledding tunnels, and igloos. Walking through the glowing palace walls at night feels almost like stepping into a fairy tale.

Pure genius, if you ask me.

But I suppose when you live with minus-10-degree temperatures for three months of the year, why not?

Stillwater is a beautiful town along the St. Croix River near the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin. Its streets, restaurants, shops, and bars are bustling with people, and it’s definitely a place I’ll visit again.

Not only does Stillwater have these breathtaking ice castles, but there are also wonderful hiking trails along the river and up the hill. In fact, there’s a large waterfall called Fairy Falls about a mile inland from the river.

Top that off with great company, food, and drinks, and you’ll have an entire day filled with adventure.

For those of you with children, it’s definitely a kid-friendly location. For those without kids, take it as an opportunity for a future date with someone whose company you enjoy.

Take a day out of your busy schedule for a miniature vacation.

I roped two of my coworkers and a college buddy into joining me. They were all complete strangers to one another, and we had a blast!

Thanks, Josh, Sarah, and Bart, for the adventure.

Let’s do it again soon!

Below are a handful of pictures from our eight-hour adventure. I hope you enjoy them, and I look forward to hearing about your future adventures as well!