The New York Ice Castles take place annually in Lake George, New York—an hour’s drive north of Albany. There’s already something magical about upstate New York during the holidays, which makes it a perfect place for the ice castles.
Every winter, the ice castles return to Lake George at the Festival Commons, a large event grounds at the Charles R. Wood Park. The park is a great place to spend time outdoors all year round. It has some of the best views of the lake, and in the summer, it hosts everything from outdoor theater to farmer’s markets.
UPDATE: The New York Ice Castles are NOW CLOSED for the season. They are now called Winter Realms and are bigger & better than ever!
Are the Lake George New York Ice Castles Open?
No, the Lake George New York ice castles are closed for the 2024 season. Winter Realms will operate November 24th to February 25, 2024.
- Ice Skating
- Mystic Light Walk – Walk along the colorful walkway
- Snow Park
- Arctic Village – Explore the igloos, gorgeous ice sculptures, and snow caverns, and snap a photo in the ice throne.
- Ice Sculpture Park
- Picnic Plaza
- Artic Clove
- Sleigh Rides – Make sure to book your horse-drawn wagon ride along the gulf course.
2024 Winter Realms: What’s New
With the renaming as Winter Realms comes some new attractions that we can’t wait to check out. Here are a few of the new things at Lake George Winter Realms in New York.
New York Ice Castle Hours
We will update this article once the dates and times are released. Last year, New York ice castle hours were:
- Friday – Sunday: 4 pm – 10 pm
- Closed Monday – Wednesday
Winter Realms will also be open on the following dates that align with holidays and school breaks in the area. During these dates, hours will be 4-10pm, and tickets will be at peak pricing.
- Winter School Break: December 14 – January 1
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day: January 15
- Winter School Break: February 19-23
Don’t forget to bring a sled (strollers aren’t allowed)! This is the cutest sled ever and is great for pictures.
Where to get Lake George New York Ice Castle Tickets – On Sale NOW
You can purchase tickets online here. – Tickets are on sale now. Get 15% off with promo code stamped2024.
Ordering tickets online ahead of time is recommended, as this guarantees admission. Standby tickets are sometimes available on arrival but can’t be promised. Even if they are available, they are subject to higher prices than the online ticket prices outlined above.
To avoid any disappointment (especially if you are coming from out of town), plan ahead and get your tickets from the website.
Ice Castles in New York Ticket Cost
The price varies based on age and if it is peak or off peak. Children under 4 do not require tickets.
- Off Peak Pricing Monday – Thursday
- Ages 12 and up $17
- Ages 4 and up $14
- Children under 4 are free
- Peak Pricing Friday – Sunday
- Ages 12 and up $20
- Ages 4 and up $15
- Children under 4 are free
Winter Realms Discount Code
We have an exclusive discount code for our readers. Get 15% off with promo code stamped2024, good for the 2024 Ice Castle season.
Lake George, New York Winter Realms Address
- Charles R. Wood Park, 19 W Brook Rd, Lake George, NY 12845
Related Article: Visiting the New Hampshire Ice Castles
Rent a VIP Artic Alcove
For a more private experience, consider renting a VIP Artic Alcove at the Lake Geneva Ice Castles. It’s great for a couple or group of friends/family. You’ll have your own private space roped off from other guests.
Included in reserving Artic Alcove, you get the following:
- A personalized experience for up to 6 guests
Renting the Arctic Alcove costs $450. Consider adding on some warm beverages and tasty treats to sweeten the experience for an additional charge.
Amenities
The New York located ice castles have all the attractions you know and love. Squeeze through the crawl-only ice tunnel passageways on hands and knees, lose your way (and find it again) in the popular ice maze, and walk through custom-designed ice caverns with arched ceilings dripping with enormous icicles.
Don’t miss the frozen ice thrones, ice slides, and LED-lit ice fountain. These make for great photo-ops, especially at night when the ice is lit up with colored lights. There’s also a VIP area called the Arctic Alcove that you can reserve at an extra cost for any celebrations or cozy moments with your significant other.
The ice castles do not have a designated free parking area like most other locations, but the Charles R. Wood Park has metered parking nearby and throughout the park.
Accommodation Near the Lake George Winter Realms
There are two budget hotel options just a few blocks from the Charles R. Wood Park: the Lake View Inn and the Westbrook Inn Lake George. These are more motel-style stays, but good value for a lower price. A Holiday Inn is also consistently reported as a good place to stay, especially for families.
Sometimes you just want to stay somewhere with a little extra. The Courtyard by Marriott and the Hampton Inn & Suites will both cater to the need for an added touch of luxury.
Tips for Visiting the Winter Realms in New York
1. Buy Your Tickets In Advance
Winter Realms tickets are valid for a specific date and time entry. You’ll need to purchase them in advance to guarantee admission. We cannot urge you enough to buy them online as soon as they go on sale.
2. Check the weather
The days that we visited were below zero. It was super super cold, and uncomfortable. Make sure to check the weather 24+ hours before. So if needed you can change your ticket for free if needed, OR make sure to dress for the weather.
3. Dress in layers
Dress warm. You can always take off your jacket for a picture if needed. You don’t want to rush through the ice castles because you are cold.
4. Wear boots
No matter if it’s below zero or 30+ degrees outside, wear boots in the ice castle. It’s the easiest way to walk around, and your feet will stay much warmer. Remember, you’ll be walking on snow & ice the entire time it gets really cold!
5. Bring Hand Warmers
We wish we had hand warmers last year. You can get these cheap hand warmers that come with 10, or they have these rechargeable hand warmers for slightly more money. They are nice to have in your gloves & boots, or take them out and warm up your face.
6. Bring A Sled
Pulling children in a sled is so much easier than attempting to push a stroller and they don’t allow strollers either, but they do allow sleds. We think this is the cutest sled ever.
7. Don’t Rush
Remember that the time on your ticket is just your entry time period, but once you are inside the ice castles, you can stay as long as you want. If you do get cold, go warm up by the outdoor fire!
Other Ice Castles in the United States to Visit
- Maple Grove Minnesota Ice Castles
- Midway Utah Ice Castles
- Lake Geneva Winter Realms
- Woodstock New Hampshire Ice Castles
