Dazzling ice castles attract tourists to New Hampshire and other states

Julia Jones of Gloucester, Mass., said she travels to northern New Hampshire several times a year, but didn’t learn about the ice castles until her opening day visit.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before,” she said. “I honestly didn’t think it was going to be this big.”

Jessica Sullivan, of Fairhaven, Massachusetts, was also surprised, and not just by the frozen environment. Her boyfriend, Brian Jacques, proposed to her during their visit.

“It’s a beautiful place,” said Jacques, who got the “yes” he was hoping for. “I really thought this was the time and place to do it.”

During the day, walls and other structures glow a pale blue hue. After dark, the lights embedded in the ice glow pink, purple and green.

“Once you enter an ice castle, you transition into something totally immersive and different than most guests have ever seen,” Henningsen said. “I think it inspires people.”