Hotel at a Glance: Spicer Castle Inn

Not much has changed about the Spicer Castle Inn since it was built as a summer retreat in 1895, which helped the B&B land on the National Register of Historic Places. Located on the shores of Green Lake a couple hours outside of Minneapolis, the 5-acre property boasts 600 feet of shoreline and is close to golf and outdoor recreation.

• Historic guest rooms: Rooms in both the Carriage House and the Garden and Honey houses each have gas fireplaces and whirlpools tubs.
• Whodunnit? Some options include a five-course murder mystery dinner for two, set in a 1930s English mansion, a 1920s Chicago speakeasy, or a Scottish castle.
• Start the day right with a complimentary hearty breakfast of a main entree, coffeecake, fresh fruit, and specialty coffee.
• Two lumps, please: Afternoon tea is served everyday starting at 4:30 p.m.
• Barbecue ribs and elk steak: Dig in at Green Lake restaurant and bar, which features high ceilings and antique glass windows.
• Things to do: Play a round of golf at one of the nearby courses, go boating on Green Lake, or bike through the countryside or around the lake on the paved trails.

Spicer, Minnesota: Quiet Getaway on Green Lake

Minnesota’s state motto, “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” can be hard to conceptualize. Not so in Spicer, located on the shores of Green Lake in the west-central part of the state. Hundreds of lakes surround the community, both big and small, making area maps appear as though they’ve just been rained on. All that freshwater means there’s plenty of fishing and boating to do in summer. A popular place for both is Sibley State Park, home to fine beaches and old stone structures, which have landed the park on the National Register of Historic Places. Rumor has it that the park holds buried treasure.

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