It does seem strange to see the word ‘castle’ along with ‘United States’ because when talking about places we’d most likely see here, it’s always either skyscraper, rocky mountains, or vast open fields. It is true, though, that there are castles in the USA. These castles abound in the fifty states that make up this part of North America.
Chateaus, estates, grand mansions, and actual castles are found even in major cities like New York. Perched on hills or nestled in deep valleys, set in a city park or in an island, the United States has quite a number of castles that are worth visiting and here are some of them.
Map of Castles In USA
10 Best Castles in the USA
1. Loveland Castle, Ohio, USA
A castle with a rather sad turned inspiring story behind it, Loveland Castle was built by Harry Delos Andrews after returning from World War I. He was declared dead from meningitis but miraculously survived. However, his fiancé already married another man when he returned home.
In 1927, he started building this castle for his Boy Scout Troop called The Knights of the Golden Trail. The castle’s architecture was inspired by the ones Andrews saw in Europe, with German, French and English influences.
Also known as Chateau Laroche, the Knights of the Golden Trail still guard the castle today. Loveland Castle houses a collection of weapons And said to be haunted by ghosts.
Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday – 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Admission Fee
per person – $5.00
Kids (5 and under): Free
Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 513-683-4686
Address: 12025 Shore Dr. Loveland Ohio
2. Bannerman Castle, New York, USA
View this post on Instagram
Located in Pollepel Island in New York, Bannerman Castle is not for the faint of heart. It was built in the early 20th century by Scottish immigrant Frank Bannerman, who also bought the island it was built on.
It was intended to look like a mock Scottish castle that was used as an arsenal, which made the island dangerous. The castle ruins seen today are from a fire in 1969, which made the castle and its island unsafe.
Boat and sightseeing tours are still offered though, but those brave enough to try are reminded to be careful of ‘buried hazards and unsafe wall conditions’.
Contact Information
Phone: (845) 203-1316
Address: Bannerman Castle Trust PO Box 843 Glenham, NY 12527-0843
3. Bishop’s Palace/Gresham Castle, Texas, USA
The Bishop’s Palace, which was built by lawyer and railroad entrepreneur Walter Gresham and architect Nicholas Clayton from 1887 to 1892, is located in Galveston, Texas.
Formerly known as Gresham Castle, this Victorian structure was recently a Catholic Bishop’s residence, hence the name.
The house features parts made from wood and colored stones and has Romanesque and Tudor arches, bronze dragons, cast-iron galleries, and stained-glass windows.
Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday – 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Admission Fee
adults – $12
kids – $9 ages 6 through 18;
kids 5 and younger can enter for free.
Contact Information
Address: 1402 Broadway Avenue J, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
4. Boldt Castle, New York, USA
In a story reminiscent of the construction of the Taj Mahal, New York’s Boldt Castle was built because George C. Boldt wanted a summer residence for him and his wife.
Unfortunately, the wife passed away before the castle’s completion and the devastated Mr. Boldt abandoned it. It was untouched for 70 years until the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority in New York acquired and restored it.
The beautiful castle still stands on the island, all by itself but it is open for visitors which mostly come via a tour boat.
Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday – 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM
This might vary depending on the season so to make sure you have the updated schedule, click here.
Admission Fee
Adult – $10.00 (13+ years)
Child – $7.00 (5-12 years)
Infant – $0.00 (4 years and under)
Contact Information
Phone: (315) 482-9724
Address: 1 Heart Island, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607
5. Belvedere Castle, New York, USA
A wonderful surprise can be found right smack in the middle of New York’s Central Park, and it doesn’t involve animals or skaters — but a 19th-century castle.
Belvedere Castle was finished back in the 1860s, not a defense system or noble residence but purely for decorative purposes. Its name literally means ‘beautiful view’ in Italian and this structure does live up to it.
An architectural hybrid of Gothic and Romanesque styles, the castle has exhibit rooms and a viewing deck. Since 1929, it has been home to the official Central Park weather station. Belvedere Castle is especially beautiful in the fall, but it is open to visitors all year round.
Opening Hours
Summer (June 7 – August 9): 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Fall, Winter, Spring: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day)
Contact Information
Phone: 646.799.4833
Address: Mid-Park at 79th Street
6. Castello di Amorosa, California
Now operating as a winery, the Castello di Amorosa was only recently completed in 2007. Located in the heart of the Napa Valley country, Castello di Amorosa has 107 rooms that have panoramic views of the surrounding vineyards.
Inspired by the castles in Tuscany, this one has a drawbridge, a great hall with frescoes, and even a dungeon and torture chamber. A visit to this castle also includes a tour of the vineyards and wine tasting.
Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday – 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Admission Fee
Child – $20 (ages 5-20)
Contact Information
Phone: 707.967.6272
Address: 4045 St Helena Hwy, Calistoga, CA 94515
7. Hearst Castle, California, USA
Constructed between 1919 and 1947, the Hearst Castle comprises four buildings. It was nicknamed by its newspaper tycoon owner William Randolph Hearst as ‘La Cuesta Encantada’ (‘The Enchanted Hill’) because it is perched on a hill that overlooks the town of San Simeon.
Hearst Castle has a total of 165 rooms and 127 acres of lush gardens. Its Casa Del Mar guesthouse has sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, while the Gothic Study in its main building features a 14th-century vaulted Spanish ceiling.
Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (800) 444-4445
Address: 750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA 93452, USA
8. Biltmore Estate, North Carolina
The Biltmore Estate is a French Renaissance chateau built in 1889, by George Vanderbilt who became enamored by the beauty of its location in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Asheville, North Carolina.
The grounds surrounding it is beautifully landscaped, which includes the 15-acre Azalea Garden. The Biltmore Estate also has its own vineyard and winery that’s home to award-winning wines, and tours include a visit to its massive banquet hall and bowling alley.
Moms and dads who want to visit Biltmore with their kids will probably need to manage the children’s energy and attention. Luckily, there’s a fun Sniff-and-Seek Treasure Hunt at the estate, which should help them get excited!
Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Contact Information
Phone: 800-411-3812
Address: Biltmore One Lodge Street, Asheville, NC 28803
9. Thornewood Castle, Washington
Located on the edge of the American Lake in Lakewood, Washington is the Thornewood Castle. It was built just a hundred years ago, but from parts and materials of a dismantled 400-year old English manor also owned by Chester Thorne, a local prominent banker, and developer.
This Tudor Gothic structure is now an inn, where guests enjoy access to the estate’s private dock, the lakeside beach, as well as a lovely secret garden.
Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 253-584-4393
Address: 8601 N Thorne Ln SW, Lakewood, WA 98498
10. Lyndhurst Mansion, New York
Designed and built by renowned architect Alexander Jackson Davis, the Lyndhurst Mansion is said to be one of the best Gothic Revival mansions in the country. It is located on the edge of the Hudson River in Tarrytown, New York and has been home an art gallery as well as to several prominent residents since its construction.
These residents include New York City mayor William Paulding and railroad tycoon Jay Gould.
Opening Hours
Monday – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Thursday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Admission Fee
$5 per person fee for those visiting the grounds by vehicle (see Parking below)
Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 914-631-4481
Address: 635 South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591
Like It? Pin It!
