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 lakeshore.

• 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: Hit one of the snowmobiling trails between Spicer and New London, or go cross-country skiing in nearby Sibley State Park.

Spicer, Minnesota: Quiet Getaway on Green Lake

Minnesota’s state nickname, “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” can be hard to conceptualize. Not so in Spicer, located on the shores of Green Lake in the state’s west-central part. Hundreds of lakes surround the community, both big and small, making area maps appear as though they’ve just been rained on. All those freshwater lakes mean there’s plenty of fishing and boating to do in summer, as well as ice fishing in the winter. 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. The park is also a fine spot for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and ice skating. Rumor has it that the park holds buried treasure.

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