Guide To The Mall Of America Ice Castle
Ice Castles
Mall of America North Parking Lot
60 E. Broadway
Bloomington, MN 55425
(952) 883-8800
www.mallofamerica.com
Cost: Adults - $10, Children (ages 3-12) - $5, Family 4 Pack (2 children, 2 adults) - $25
Dates: Late Dec. to Feb. 20, 2013
*The official opening date is dependent on the weather; check the Mall of America website for updates
Hours of operation: Mon. - Fri. 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sun. 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
*Hours of operation are subject to change
The largest mall in America is to become the site of the largest ice castle ever constructed by Ice Castles, LLC this winter. Scheduled to be constructed sometime in late December, the ice castle will stand over 40 feet tall at its peak, span more than one acre and will take between four to six weeks to build. The ice castle will be a truly one-of-a-kind structure, formed organically from icicles grown from 4 million gallons of water and weighting in at an outstanding 20,000-25,000 tons. The icicles are then fused together to create elaborate towers, high peaks, glistening archways and roomy caverns. Several "throne rooms" with enormous chairs that can seat several at one time provide perfect photo opportunities if you're looking to create a unique holiday memory.
Related: A Guide To The Holidazzle Parade
In addition to the ice castle, a children's snow park, complete with a four-foot-tall, 40-feet-in-diameter snow pile, will provide opportunities for kids to play and explore. Build a snowman, have a playful snowball fight or have fun playing on the snow pile with your little ones. If you get a little chilly, hit the concession stand to warm up with hot beverages and tasty snacks.
The best time to visit it in the evening. Equipped with thousands of multi-colored LED lights, the ice castle will become an illuminated wonder when the sun goes down. If you're looking to avoid the crowd, try visiting the ice castle during a weekday.
To get an idea of what the majestic ice castle will look like once constructed, glance at these photos of previously built structures on the Ice Castles, LLC website.
Related: Best Places To Create Your Own Holiday Gifts In Minnesota
A Minnesota native that was born and raised Up North, Minneapolis is where Christina Kalinowski currently calls home. Christina appreciates irony, loves bacon, enjoys a hearty libation (drink responsibly, folks), and is an avid proponent of the Swanson Pyramid of Greatness. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
