The Coolest Ice Mazes, Castles, Bars, and Other Frozen Attractions Around Minnesota

The cold and ice doesn’t have to be the reason to keep away from the outdoors.

A woman takes a photo inside a cave at Minnesota's Ice Castles at The Minnesota State Fair Grounds in Falcon Heights Minnesota, on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune/TNS

By Rachel Hutton From The Minnesota Star Tribune

MINNEAPOLIS—Last year’s mild weather meant cancellations and early closings for many of Minnesota’s ice-dependent events and attractions. But cold temps in the forecast portend plenty of frozen fun in 2025. Check out these cool happenings around the state.

Ice Maze

If you manage to find your way through the 18,000-square-foot ice maze, billed as the world’s largest, the annual Minnesota Ice Festival (produced by the eponymous specialty ice company) also has three ice slides, an ice-skating rink, and themed ice bars inside TCO Stadium, along with an ice-sculpting competition. (Thu.–Sun. Jan. 10-Feb. 16 and Jan. 20, $13-$25, Viking Lakes, 2645 Vikings Circle, Eagan, MinnesotaIceFestival.com)

Ice Castles

Ice castles have been part of the St. Paul Winter Carnival tradition since 1886 and this year’s cool construction brings more than 20 million pounds of ice to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. It’s packed with ice slides, caverns, tunnels, sculptures, bars, baths and thrones, plus there’s a pyrotechnic show. (Thu.-Mon. Jan. 10-Feb.17, $12-24, Minnesota State Fairgrounds, 3818 Randall Av., Falcon Heights, IceCastles.com)