Ice Castles, NH

Exploring a Magical Ice World

Ice Castles is an acre of land filled with frozen ice walls, tunnels, towers, and archways illuminated by multicolored lights, is a literal winter wonderland. This guide explores the New Hampshire Ice Castles location.

This year, guests will find the towering ice formations that weigh more than 20 million pounds — complete with tunnels, thrones, fountains, slides, and LED lights — on Clark Farm Road in North Woodstock, N.H.

photo credit: BostonCentral

Weather permitting, work on the castles will begin in early January by growing and harvesting up to 10,000 icicles each day, according to the Utah-based company. Davis expects them to open in early January.

photo credit: BostonCentral

It's a different setup every year, and you can attend during the day or at night for a more colorful LED light experience.  

Everywhere you look you'll find amazingly tall walls of ice, with different textures, and light.  Explore tunnels, and ice slides, and find sculptures & selfie spots.  Mostly it's just a really cool experience.

photo credit: BostonCentral

It's really fun to walk through the tunnels to see what awaits you on the other side. 

Some years, Ice Castles puts together a magical forest full of lights and mystical scenes. Check the annual schedule to see what unique features the Ice Castles near you will have.

photo credit: Monica Saranich

Blue sky days are especially brilliant as the light plays off the ice in magical ways. 

photo credit: Monica Saranach

Bundle up for some outdoor family ice & snow fun.  And bring your camera for some spectacular photo ops, day or night.

photo credit: Monica Saranich

The day we went it was -6 degrees outside, so be sure to check the weather and dress accordingly!  Nights will generally be colder.  Layer up and enjoy.

photo credit: BostonCentral

Don't forget to look up!  Some of the ice towers are especially breathtaking against a bright blue sky. 

photo credit: BostonCentral

Then again - the light displays at night are equally amazing.

Sunshine through the icicles.

photo credit: BostonCentral

Selfie spots & hashtags.

photo credit: BostonCentral

Visiting Ice Castles is fun for people of all ages, too, and its location in Woodstock, New Hampshire is just a two hour drive from Boston. So it's actually is a magical (and doable) day trip for folks from the Greater Boston area, however probably better to plan an overnight stay you are planning to visit at night.

photo credit: BostonCentral

 

photo credit: Monica Saranach

photo credit: BostonCentral

Ice Castles
Clark Farm Road
North Woodstock, NH

More Winter Activities

Downhill skiing is another great way to get outdoors and explore trails covered with snow.  Visit our guide to Skiing Near Boston to find some terrific Ski Resorts near you.

If downhill skiing isn't your thing, snow tubing or cross country skiing is another option to get out into the wilderness, and explore trails covered with snow.  Visit our guide to Cross-Country skiing near Boston to find some terrific Nordic ski centers near you.

For more information about things to do in the Boston Area in the Winter, visit our Winter Guide to Family Fun in Boston, a list of where to ice skate in Boston, and our February Vacation Guide.  

You can also stay on top of all the fun happenings in Boston with our Boston events calendar.  We highlight lots of family-friendly events and activities to help you make the best of your free time.  

Stacey Sao has been the Managing Director of the family-friendly events and activities website, BostonCentral for over 20 years.  She continues to enjoy discovering and exploring new places to visit in the Greater Boston area.