10 Best Castles in the USA
Discover the Most Unique Landmarks of the USA
Castles in the USA might not be as famous as those of history-rich Europe, but the United States is home to some seriously impressive castles, palaces, and stately homes. From whimsical one-man constructions built over a lifetime to grand Medieval-style fortresses constructed with imported stone, these archeological wonders are a testament to architectural flair and vision.
While many of these buildings began life as private residences for the USA’s wealthy elite, most are now open to the public, offering a peek into what life is like inside these intricately constructed walls. Curious? Read on to discover the best castles, palaces, and grand stately homes in the US.
1. Biltmore Estate, Asheville NC
The USA’s largest private home
Categoría: Fotos, Historia
Biltmore Estate might look like a grand French chateau, but this Gilded Era estate is located in Asheville, North Carolina, and is the largest private residence in the USA. Today, the magnificent 250-bedroom mansion operates as a popular tourist attraction, operated by the descendants of George Vanderbilt, who commissioned the building of the property in the late 1880s.
The extraordinary property blends Gothic and French Renaissance styles and sits in beautifully manicured gardens, designed by acclaimed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Visitors should set aside the best part of a day to explore the lavish interiors, the vast gardens, and the estate’s very own winery. If you want to stay overnight, book one of the holiday homes within the grounds.
Ubicación: Asheville, NC 28803, USA
Horario: Daily from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm
Teléfono: +1 800-411-3812
Biltmore Estate, Asheville NC
2. Hearst Castle, San Simeon CA
An opulent Californian castle
Categoría: Fotos, Historia
Follow in the footsteps of Hollywood’s movers and shakers with a visit to Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California. The fairytale-like hilltop property was built between 1919 and 1947 at the behest of media magnate William Randolph Hearst, who dubbed the estate La Cuesta Encantada, “the Enchanted Hill.”
The estate was a meeting point for the Hollywood elite, and over the years Hearst added increasingly lavish touches like ornate pools, fountains, and vast libraries, taking style cues from the Spanish Revival movement. Today, the 165-room castle and its grounds are open to the public. To get a glimpse into the extravagant lifestyle of a hugely influential figure, book a guided tour.
Ubicación: 750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA 93452, USA
Horario: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm
Teléfono: +1 800-444-4445
Hearst Castle, San Simeon CA
3. Boldt Castle, Alexandra NY
A fairytale castle with a twist
Categoría: Fotos, Historia, Viajes diferentes
Accessible only by boat, Boldt Castle sits pretty on Heart Island, in the Thousand Islands archipelago that straddles the US-Canada border. And while it looks like something from a fairy tale, there’s a tragic twist in the tale. Hotel Tycoon, George Boldt commissioned the turreted castle in 1900 as a gesture of love for his wife Louise, but construction stopped when she died unexpectedly four years later.
The building sat incomplete and abandoned for decades, before being brought back to life. Today, it attracts many history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, and families keen to climb the castle’s towers, cross the drawbridge, and explore the fortress-style “Power House.” To get here, hop on a boat at Alexandria Bay.
Ubicación: 1 Heart Island, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607, USA
Horario: Daily from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm
Teléfono: +1 315-482-9724
Boldt Castle, Alexandra NY
4. Gillette Castle, East Haddam, CT
An eccentric hilltop castle
Categoría: Fotos, Historia, Viajes diferentes
Connecticut’s Gillette Castle is the former home of Sherlock Holmes actor, William Gillette and has enough kooky features to intrigue the great detective himself. Secret passageways, unique carved furnishings, and an abandoned miniature railway add a sense of mystery to the striking castle, which was built between 1914 and 1919.
The grand stone building sits in what is now Gillette Castle State Park, whose twisting hiking trails and scenic picnic spots offer superb views over the Connecticut River. The castle and its grounds attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Those who want to extend their stay can pitch a tent along the riverside inside the park, just be sure to book your spot in advance.
Ubicación: 67 River Rd, East Haddam, CT 06423, USA
Horario: Hours vary by season
Teléfono: +1 860-424-3200
Gillette Castle, East Haddam, CT
5. Castello di Amorosa, Calistoga CA
An Italian castle in California
Categoría: Fotos, Gastronomía, Parejas
Castello di Amorosa is an enchanting Tuscan castle with a difference: it’s located in California’s Napa Valley. While it owes its architectural style and imported antique stone to 14th-century Italy, this working winery and fortress actually opened its doors in 2007, following 15 years of painstaking construction.
The magnificent property was built by Dario Sattui to honor his Italian roots and winemaking heritage, and attracts serious wine lovers (yes, there are tasting rooms) as well as families keen to explore an authentically styled Medieval fortress in prime California wine country. The castle is located just south of Calistoga and is easily accessible by car. The winery, castle, and grounds are open to the public, but do book your visit in advance.
Ubicación: 4045 St Helena Hwy, Calistoga, CA 94515, USA
Horario: Monday–Thursday from 10 am to 5.30 pm, Friday–Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm
Teléfono: +1 707-967-6272
Castello di Amorosa, Calistoga CA
6. Hammond Castle, Gloucester MA
Legacy of an eccentric inventor
Categoría: Fotos, Historia, Viajes diferentes
Medieval-style Hammond Castle was built between 1926 and 1929 and today functions as a museum. It celebrates the architectural and technological achievements of inventor John Hays Hammond Jr. known as “the Father of Remote Control.” The offbeat inventor commissioned the building of this extravagant castle, whose design is a mishmash of European styles.
The building is a curiosity in itself. Keep an eye out for the secret passageway and a skull-shaped window, and take a peek at inventors’ tools and antique furnishings along the way. The grounds have terrific views of the Atlantic shoreline, making this a popular spot for a stroll and a picnic, especially in the summer when many families make the 1-hour drive here from Boston.
Ubicación: 80 Hesperus Ave, Gloucester, MA 01930, USA
Horario: Daily from 10 am to 4 pm
Teléfono: +1 978-283-2080
Hammond Castle, Gloucester MA
7. Iolani Palace, Honolulu, HA
Home of Hawaii’s last reigning monarchs
Categoría: Fotos, Historia
The magnificent ʻIolani Palace was completed in 1882 as the home of the Hawaiian monarchy and remains the only royal palace in the USA. It was built under the reign of King Kalakaua and today operates as a museum honoring Hawaiian history and a window into the period before the monarchy was overthrown in 1893.
Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962, it’s one of Honolulu’s most recognizable buildings and over the years has been painstakingly restored to its regal best. The palace and its grounds are open to the public. Set aside at least half a day to stroll the grounds and fully appreciate the artworks, photographs, and other artifacts within the American Florentine-style palace.
Ubicación: 364 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
Horario: Tuesday–Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm (closed on Sundays and Mondays)
Teléfono: +1 808-522-0822
Iolani Palace, Honolulu, HA
8. The Breakers, Newport RI
An 1800s National Landmark
Categoría: Fotos, Historia
The Breakers was built between 1893 and 1895 according to the wishes of one of America’s wealthiest families. Today, it stands as a National Historic Landmark and living memorial to the country’s “Gilded Age.” The grand mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, was commissioned by Cornelius Vanderbilt II, a prominent member of the enormously wealthy Vanderbilt Family, and designed by celebrated architect Richard Morris Hunt.
No expense was spared in the building of The Breakers, whose 70 rooms are inspired by Italian Renaissance architecture, and house fine arts and furnishings imported from Europe. Take a guided tour of this opulent building, which sits in immaculately manicured gardens facing the crashing Atlantic waves that inspired the property’s name.
Ubicación: 44 Ochre Point Ave, Newport, RI 02840, USA
Horario: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm
Teléfono: +1 401-847-6544
The Breakers, Newport RI
9. Bishop Castle, Rye, CO
One man’s self-built castle
Categoría: Fotos, Viajes diferentes
Bishop Castle in Rye, Colorado, is an extraordinary testament to one man’s architectural dream. Self-taught local architect and stonemason Jim Bishop was still a teenager in 1969 when he began construction work on the fantastical building. It has evolved over the years to become a local landmark complete with fire-breathing dragon sculptures, intricate bridges, and high towers.
The building is an ever-changing feat of architecture and attracts visitors from across the world to snap photos, tour the grounds, visit the gift shop, and marvel at the sheer determination to build a castle from the ground up. Time your visit right, and you might even meet Jim Bishop himself still hard at work on his architectural dream come true.
Ubicación: 12705 CO-165, Rye, CO 81069, USA
Horario: Daily from 9 am to 6 pm
Teléfono: +1 719-564-4366
Bishop Castle, Rye, CO
10. Fonthill Castle, Doylestown, PA
A unique work of architecture
Categoría: Fotos, Viajes diferentes
Fonthill Castle is a landmark building in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, whose unusual architecture and intricate interiors are the legacy of archaeologist and tile maker Henry Chapman Mercer. Blending Medieval, Gothic, and Byzantine styles to eye-catching effect, Mercer wanted the building to be a showcase for his own acclaimed tiles and prints, as well as his home. On his death in 1930, Mercer left the property to his housekeeper, who remained resident until her own death in 1975.
Today, Fonthill Castle is open to the public as a Historic House museum. You can admire not just the extravagant architecture, but also Mercer’s own intricately painted Arts and Crafts-movement prints and tiles, which still adorn the walls of his former home.
Ubicación: 525 E Court St, Doylestown, PA 18901, USA
Horario: Tuesday–Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm (closed on Mondays)
Teléfono: +1 215-348-9461
Fonthill Castle, Doylestown, PA
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