10 Reasons to Make Ice Castles Your Next Family Trip

Ice might be the last thing you want to look at right now, but Frozen fans (and families looking to take a cool vacation) are gonna flip for the Ice Castles. By day, these evolving ice masterpieces located in Colorado, Utah, and New Hampshire include carved walking paths that lead visitors through towering glacial formations, caverns, archways, and maze-like tunnels. By night, millions of tons of ice are magically illuminated. Mother Nature can't take all the credit, though, because one of our favorite details of this secret spot is that it all started with a dad trying to create fun for his children during the Winter. Brent, a dedicated father, started with a simple DIY backyard ice rink for his kids, and he now has three locations and a patented method of creating ice towers, tunnels, and archways by using just icicles and water. It's a magical place, to say the least, so scroll down to see why you might want to make this your next family trip.

01
Frozen Fans are Going to Freak Out

Frozen Fans are Going to Freak Out

If you've got a Frozen fan on your hands, there's no better spot to take a quick family vacation. Source: Instagram user emsreadingroom

02
They're Simply Awesome

They're Simply Awesome

Built by hand and made from more than 20 million pounds of ice, the Ice Castles are one of the coolest man-made spots around. Source: Instagram user imerinmarieee

03
Stunning Beauty

Stunning Beauty

Kids may marvel at the "real Frozen," but adults are going to love how breathtakingly gorgeous ice can be. Source: Instagram user jorlovesanimals

04
Olaf Is There

Olaf Is There

We're pretty sure you'll be getting plenty of warm hugs from your tots after this visit. Source: Instagram user emilmclark

05
Amazing Pictures For Amateur Photographers

Amazing Pictures For Amateur Photographers

Your photo album from your family vacation never looked so good! Source: Instagram user jeskajo22

06
Princess Spotting

Princess Spotting

If you're lucky, you might even score an Anna and Elsa sighting (and it sure beats standing in line for three hours at Disney). Source: Instagram user amberwallis

07
Castles in the Sky

Castles in the Sky

Fans of the animated flick will see the resemblance to Elsa's icy creation immediately. Source: Instagram user shanaynaynay_

08
Three Locations

Three Locations

Pick the one that is closest (or most interesting to you) — there are Ice Castles in Breckenridge, CO; Midway, UT; and Lincoln, NH. Source: Instagram user heiditotten

09
They Light the Night Too

They Light the Night Too

All three locations are open late, until 9 or 10 p.m. Source: Instagram user marcusoreally

10
Ice Needs to Make Up For Winter

Ice Needs to Make Up For Winter

Ice has gotten a pretty bad rap this year, but this might just make up for the wicked Winter weather half the country experienced in 2014. Source: Instagram user iamrandywayne