ice castles

 You've got to get up to the ice castles in Midway- they are super cool, unlike anything else!

 Last year we saw them at Zermatt, but this year they've been moved to a bigger park- the same one used for Swiss Days.

You can walk underneath and through them too...

A guy named Brent babies these things night and day to get them to grow. You can usually see him working (he's usually up on top) and he likes to chat. He told us that next week they'll be even bigger and better- sad for us- good for you. 

 wedding cake?

 Just be sure NOT to break ANY icicles off... ahem...(they said they found these on the ground...)

 We went on a FREEZING cold, snowy night. Just remember it's in Midway where the temps are a little lower than the valley.  We were glad the boys had all their snow gear, although people were walking around on dates in their ballet flats.

It only takes 10-20 minutes to walk through- just fyi.

 Your family would love it- mine did. The boys haven't stopped talking about what it would be like to live in an ice house and have ice furniture and have ice... everything. :) I want to go every year!

Important info:

To make it a really cool experience, I suggest heading up the beautiful canyons while it's still light, so you can take in their beauty, and then stop in Midway for something to eat. My favorite Mexican restaurant is Tarahumara- located just east of the park at 380 East, Main Street. You'll see it on your right. (You've got to try their carne asada tacos and their fresh salsa bar- yum!) There's also a delicious pizza place across the street from the park. And of course you can head into Heber for the Dairy Keen- but I say it's overpriced and not that great- although my kids go crazy over the trains zooming around on the ceiling. Then you can hit the ice castles when it's dark and they're all lit up.

Delicious Carne Asada Tacos- Tarahumara

(The boys love the rice and quesadillas and having their own bottle of soda.)

DIRECTIONS to the Midway Ice Castles:

From Provo canyon- Take the 800 North exit from I-15 and head east. Drive on Provo Canyon Road (it changes into US-189) about 16 miles. Before you get into Heber, turn left onto Charleston Road (Highway 113) and go 4 miles to Midway. Turn West or left onto Main Street turn right at the stop sign onto 200 West. You will see the castles on your right.

From Salt Lake City, take I-80 East approximately 32 miles to US Highway 40 (Heber Exit 146). Travel South approximately 14 miles to the Midway and Wasatch Mountain State Park turnoff. Turn right at the stop light onto River Road and follow the road approximately 2.5 miles to the round-about. Take the first right turn onto Burgi Lane (1050 North). Follow the green directional signs that take you to the Homestead, approximately 2.1 miles- you'll pass by Zermatt and The Homestead, and drive another 2.1 miles. Turn right at the stop sign onto 200 West. You'll see the castles on your left.

P.S. They look really neat in the day too... And, if you don't want to fork out the big bucks, you can see them clearly from the road. (But then you don't get to touch and walk through them, and what fun is that?)