Who doesn’t love real-life castles? Most of us grew up reading and dreaming about them, what with fairy tales and all. Usually, the second we think “castle,” we picture those in Europe. However, there are some closer to home within the United States! What’s even better is that they’re super nice and open to the public. Consider making some of these castles part of your upcoming vacation destinations.
Here are five castles to include on your list of travel destinations, in no particular order, and all in different states:
1. Belvedere Castle: This castle is located in an unexpected place — New York City. Yes, you read that right! Location is partially what makes this castle so alluring. In 1865, this Gothic structure was built in Central Park. The castle is now a visitor center and is open to the public for free.
2. Castle in the Clouds aka Lucknow Estate: This small and modest, yet beautiful castle is located in Moultonborough, New Hampshire high on a mountain. It is open daily, and you take a trolley up the mountain to get to it. If you love nature, then be sure to visit, as it is meant to achieve harmony with the pleasantry around it. Castle in the Clouds has unique innovations inside like jigsaw floors, a self-cleaning oven, and a central-vacuuming system.
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3. Hearst Castle: This castle is located in California and is a national historic landmark. The mansion is located in Simeon and was built by architect Julia Morgan to serve as a private residence for William Randolph, a newspaper mogul. Unfortunately, Randolph died before it was finished. Now, it serves as a museum to the public, displaying collections of art and antiques.
4. Biltmore Estate: This castle has 250 rooms and overlooks the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is located in Asheville, North Carolina and was built in 1898. It took six years to build and was designed by architects Richard Morris Hunt and Frederick Law Olmsted. Today, this estate covers about 8,000 acres, standing on both sides of the French Broad River.
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5. Bishop’s Palace aka Gresham Castle: This Victorian castle is located in Galveston, Texas. The national historic landmark is listed as one of the most significant Victorian residences. It was finished in 1892, and was built by lawyer and railroad entrepreneur Colonel Walter Gresham and architect Nicholas Clayton.
Which of these castles are you excited to go to, or have you already visited? Comment below!
