If you’re in Colorado this year I highly recommend taking a trip to Dillon to visit the Ice Castles. Playing in the enchanted Dillon Ice Castles in Dillon, Colorado was hands down my favorite part of my trip to Colorado. The Dillon Ice Castles are definitely worth the crowds, the price of admission and the magic that you will find within the walls of the castle.

The Ice Castles are an award-winning frozen attraction that is located in six cities across Northern America. You can find the Ice Castles in Colorado, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Utah, Wisconsin and Alberta, Canada. The experience is built using hundreds of thousands of icicles hand-placed by professional ice artists to give you a real-life Frozen experience. The castles include frozen thrones to channel your inner Elsa, ice-carved tunnels, slides, and LED-lit sculptures once the sun goes down.

If you’re planning on visiting the Ice Castles this year, and I highly recommend you do – here are a few tips based on my observations to make your experience a little smoother.

1. Buy tickets ahead of time
The Ice Castles do not sell tickets at the door unless you want to pay $5 more for a standby ticket. You will NOT be allowed to use the standby ticket if the Ice Castles are sold out that day, and they probably will be sold out. Don’t disappoint yourself, just get your tickets in advance so you’re guaranteed to get in.

Pro Tip: Decide if you want to see the Ice Castles during the day or if you’d like to see them lit up at night. Get the best of both worlds when you get a ticket right around sunset.

2. Get there early
There will be a long line, and everyone has to wait in it – no matter what your time slot is. Get there early and plan on waiting for at least 15 minutes to get in.

3. Wear proper footwear
The floor of the castles is a snow/sand mix and not only is it slippery it is slushy as well. Leave your cute shoes at home.

4. Don’t worry about your 30-minute time slot
Once you’re in the Ice Castles you are more than welcome to stay as long as you’d like to.

5. Don’t try to bring drinks in
The Ice Castles do not want you bringing in outside beverages, probably because they don’t want people’s trash spilling and ruining the Ice Castle experience.

6. Be patient
It is possible to get photos without people in them. You just have to wait out the crowds and be sure to snap quickly. Most people are doing the same thing, they’re trying to get that perfect picture without others in them, so they’re typically very respectful. Also, people will ask you to take their picture, this is a great opportunity to also get your picture taken as well.

7. Have fun
Take pictures, walk around, go down the slide, and enjoy the gorgeousness of the Ice Castles.

8. Dress warm
It’s ice, so make sure you actually dress appropriately for the environment.

Pro Tip: I went around 1:00 PM, and loved how the sun lit up the ice.

Garden of the Gods – the name itself evokes an image of majesty and wonder. Here’s all the information you need to get up close and personal with some of the most iconic rock formations, at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

For those of you who love hiking, there is an extensive network of trails to explore within the Garden of the Gods – about 21 miles.

Perkins Central Garden Trail
The Perkins Central Garden Trail is at the heart of the Garden of the Gods at the base of the highest rock formations. The trail is a quick and easy 1.5-mile roundtrip path. Featuring less than a 30-foot rise.

Ridge Trail
Feel like you are among the rocks while you adventure the Ridge Trail. This trail features a moderate half-mile loop, with less than 100-foot rise in elevation.

Siamese Twins Trail
The Siamese Twins Trail offers a quick and easy 1-mile roundtrip adventure with less than a 150-foot rise. You will also find gorgeous and unique views of Pikes Peak.

Chambers/Bretag/Palmer Trail 
This moderate 3-mile hike has less than a 250-foot rise and is designed to circle nearly the entire Garden of the Gods park. The trail features rolling rocky terrain that is away from the traffic.

Scotsman/Buckskin Charlie Trail
The moderate Scotsman/Buckskin Charlie Trail loops you through the Garden of the Gods park and gives you gorgeous views of rock formations.

Garden of the Gods trails expands far beyond anything you could imagine. I recommend starting at Central Garden if it is your first time visiting. Central Garden is home to many of the iconic rock formations that you have seen or heard about before. You don’t have to worry about getting lost while exploring the Central Garden. With surrounding parking lots, it’s easy to walk and wander and then head back to your car.

The roads and parking lots make it easy to explore part of the Garden of the Gods park by car. If you are unsure where to start, simply try driving around the Central Garden and stop at different parking lots and viewpoints to see all the different views before you get out of your car and walk.

With a variety of trails to explore at Garden of the Gods, and plenty of sights to see, no matter where you wander and which formations you end up finding, you will be impressed by the beauty and uniqueness that Garden of the Gods brings. It really does live up to its name and is a garden fit for the Gods.

Garden of the Gods History
Did you know… Garden of the Gods was once private land? Charles Elliott Perkins was not only head of the railroad company Burlington Railroad, but he was also the lucky owner of the Garden of the Gods. Perkins moved to Colorado with the intention of building his railroad from Colorado Springs to Chicago, unfortunately, that dream never became a reality (I wish it would have though – I mean how cool would that be). With Perkins goal in mind, he purchased 240 acres of land as a place where he would build his summer home in 1879. Luckily for all of us Garden of the Gods lovers, Perkins never built on the gorgeous property. Instead, he left it in its natural and untouched state for the public to enjoy with him. His family knew how much Perkins loved the properly and sharing it with others, so when he passed away they donated the 480 acres that Perkins had acquired by that time to the city of Colorado Springs. With this donation, the family specified that the city could have it under one condition “given by the children of Charles Elliott Perkins in fulfillment of his wish that it be kept forever free to the public” (you will even see this on a plaque when you enter the central garden. Thanks to Perkins and his children, the Garden of the Gods cost to enter will be free forever.

Why is it called “Garden of the Gods”?
You might be wondering (I know I was), why the park is called “Garden of the Gods”? Well, in 1859 there were two surveyors who came upon this location while they were exploring nearby. One of the surveyors mentioned he thought it would be a “capital place for a beer garden.” While the other surveyor responded “beer garden! Why it is a fit place for the Gods to assemble. We will call it the Garden of the Gods.” There you have it, one simple conversation alters history forever.

As mentioned earlier, by the time Perkins had passed away he had acquired 480 acres of Garden of the Gods. Today, the Garden of the Gods Park measures nearly 1,367 acres! That’s a lot of exploring.

I started the new year off by crossing a new destination off my travel bucket list: Colorado Springs! This was also my first time in Colorado, and I can’t wait to head back to check out, Denver, Aspen, Breckenridge, Boulder, and Vail.

Not only was this my first visit to Colorado Springs, but this was my first time ever visiting Colorado – or heading out west… hello, altitude. Let me first start by saying, I am not a skier and I did not go to Colorado to ski. Colorado Springs is one of those places everyone wants to visit. With everything from Pikes Peak to old west trails, Colorado Springs is jampacked with history and adventure.

Colorado Springs is located at the eastern foot of the Rocky Mountains and is known for its beautiful rock formations and one of the highest peaks in the entire state of Colorado. Colorado Springs comes with no shortage of things to do. While you’re visiting Colorado Springs check out museums, zoos, hikes and more.

Pro Tip: Visit https://www.pikes-peak.com/ to grab coupons and tickets to all of these attractions!

Visit Pikes Peak: The Highest Peak in North America
Pikes Peak is located in west downtown Colorado Springs. The mountain is known as the highest peak of the Rocky Mountains in North America at 14,115 feet. Pikes Peak is the second most visited mountain in the world and is a must for anyone’s bucket list. You can reach the summit a few ways, my personal favorite is the 19-mile drive up via Pikes Peak Highway. There are plenty of areas to pull off along the way.

Tips for visiting Pikes Peak
1. Bring a jacket. No matter what the weather is once you ascend to 14,000 feet you’ll be wanting some layers.

2. Drink lots of water. I know, I know. Literally, everyone will be telling you to chug water by the gallons if you aren’t from an area with higher elevation – but they’re not lying. It’s so easy to start feeling a bit woozy at that altitude.

3. Stop and take pictures. Pikes Peak is filled with some beautiful scenery, be sure to stop at all the overlook areas.

4. Get there early. Pikes Peak is a hot spot, and to get the most out of your experience make sure you get there early.

Pro Tip: Head up with a full tank of gas and 2-4 hours to spare.

Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is one of the most places that I have ever been and is completely FREE to the public. The red rock formations that fill the Garden of the Gods are breathtaking and draw people from all over the world. If you want more adventure out of Garden of the Gods check out options for hiking, rock climbing, cycling, and even horseback riding.

Pro Tip: Parking is limited at Garden of the Gods and it can be even trickier as the day goes on, be sure to get there early.

Cave of the Winds
If you’re into tight and dark spaces, then Cave of the Winds in Manitou Springs is the perfect place for you! This cave gets its name from the cool breeze that emanates from the entrance. Cave of the Winds opened in 1880 and is now home to over 20 massive and lighted rooms. The spaces feature limestone, stalagmites, cave bacon, and other amazing rock features. Cave of the Winds offers two types of tours for its visitors.

The Discovery Tour
The Discovery Tour is the basic walkthrough of Cave of the Winds and provides brief histories about rock formations and caves. Since I was battling an upper respiratory infection while I was visiting Cave of the Winds, this is the tour I opted to do. My tour guide was amazing, informative and lots of fun. At one point in this tour, you will experience total darkness for about one minute, which was a really neat experience.

The Lantern Tour 
The Lantern Tour at Cave of the Winds is not designed for younger children or anyone with mobility issues This tour takes you through the undeveloped sections of the caverns with only a lantern for light. At one point, you experience total darkness for about one minute. The caverns are considered to be haunted and feature tons of uneven surfaces, low ceiling heights and tight spaces.

Manitou Cliff Dwellings
Explore the gorgeous architecture of the ancient Anasazi as well as walk through two museums featuring cultural displays, while overlooking the historic town of Manitou Springs.

PS: Notice all that sunshine? Gotta love Colorado!