The 11 Most Beautiful Castles in America
Castello di Amorosa/Jim Sullivan Driving through California's Napa Valley, you'd never expect to happen upon a 13th-century Tuscan castle. But if you head about 3 miles south of Calistoga, that's exactly what you'll find. While construction on Castello Di Amorosa Winery only began in 1994, you'll feel like you've been transported to medieval Italy while you sip wine in its period-inspired tasting room. Given the deep-rooted history of most European royal families and the palaces that housed them, it's not surprising that the castles in the U.S. weren't exactly built for royalty–but they are so beautiful you'd never know the difference. Here, our top picks for the palaces, chateaux and castles across the country – and where to find them.
Bannerman Castle
Where:Beacon, NY
Take the Metro North train north from Grand Central and you will probably notice the ruins of this castle in the middle of the Hudson River. Francis Bannerman VI, a Scottish-born owner of a military surplus supply company, built his namesake castle in 1901 as a place to store his company's cannons, munitions and other supplies.
It has been in ruins ever since a fire destroyed the castle's interior in 1969, but the Bannerman Castle Trust, Inc. provides walking tours of the island accessible by a tour boat or kayak for those curious to explore it.
Take the Metro North train north from Grand Central and you will probably notice the ruins of this castle in the middle of the Hudson River. Francis Bannerman VI, a Scottish-born owner of a military surplus supply company, built his namesake castle in 1901 as a place to store his company's cannons, munitions and other supplies.
It has been in ruins ever since a fire destroyed the castle's interior in 1969, but the Bannerman Castle Trust, Inc. provides walking tours of the island accessible by a tour boat or kayak for those curious to explore it.
Iolani Palace
Where: Honolulu, HI
Located in downtown Honolulu, Iolani Palace is the only official royal residence located in the United States. Hawaii's last two monarchs lived here from 1882 to 1893, including King Kalakaua and his sister, Queen Liliuokalani, who succeeded him. While it fell into disrepair over the years, it was renovated and reopened to the public for tours in 1978.
Located in downtown Honolulu, Iolani Palace is the only official royal residence located in the United States. Hawaii's last two monarchs lived here from 1882 to 1893, including King Kalakaua and his sister, Queen Liliuokalani, who succeeded him. While it fell into disrepair over the years, it was renovated and reopened to the public for tours in 1978.
Scotty's Castle
Where: Death Valley National Park, CA
Even though Walter E. Scott — a con man and gold prospector — never lived in or owned this 1922 Spanish-style castle in the northern part of Death Valley, it was nicknamed after him since he was the one to convince a Chicago couple, Albert and Bessie Johnson, to build it. Unfortunately, Scotty's Castle is closed to visitors until 2019 since a 2015 flash flood left several feet of mud and rocks inside the building. Keep a lookout for its reopening if you're looking to take a tour on an upcoming visit out west.
Even though Walter E. Scott — a con man and gold prospector — never lived in or owned this 1922 Spanish-style castle in the northern part of Death Valley, it was nicknamed after him since he was the one to convince a Chicago couple, Albert and Bessie Johnson, to build it. Unfortunately, Scotty's Castle is closed to visitors until 2019 since a 2015 flash flood left several feet of mud and rocks inside the building. Keep a lookout for its reopening if you're looking to take a tour on an upcoming visit out west.
Montezuma Castle
Where:Camp Verde, AZ
Built approximately 800 years ago by the Sinagua people, this 20-room cliff dwelling located 70 feet up a limestone wall gets its name from settlers who thought they had discovered ancient Aztec ruins and associated it with the emperor Montezuma — mistakenly. While you can no longer go inside the structure, this national monument located about 26 miles south of Sedona is still worth exploring.
Built approximately 800 years ago by the Sinagua people, this 20-room cliff dwelling located 70 feet up a limestone wall gets its name from settlers who thought they had discovered ancient Aztec ruins and associated it with the emperor Montezuma — mistakenly. While you can no longer go inside the structure, this national monument located about 26 miles south of Sedona is still worth exploring.
Castle Gould
Courtesy of Sands Point Preserve
Where:Sands Point, NY
Modeled after Kilkenny Castle in Ireland, this 1904 Long Island mansion was built as the main residence at the Sands Point Preserve Estate for Howard Gould and his wife, actress Katherine Clemmons. But when she decided she didn't like it, they built another opulent mansion on the property and used Castle Gould as their stable and servants' quarters instead.
Castle Gould is mostly used now as a sound stage for film and TV production, but the medieval-inspired Great Hall can be rented for weddings.
Modeled after Kilkenny Castle in Ireland, this 1904 Long Island mansion was built as the main residence at the Sands Point Preserve Estate for Howard Gould and his wife, actress Katherine Clemmons. But when she decided she didn't like it, they built another opulent mansion on the property and used Castle Gould as their stable and servants' quarters instead.
Castle Gould is mostly used now as a sound stage for film and TV production, but the medieval-inspired Great Hall can be rented for weddings.
Castello Di Amorosa
Where:Calistoga, CA
It took 15 years to build this 13th-century replica of a Tuscan castle located in the middle of California's Napa Valley that not only has a Great Hall with hand-painted frescoes and a medieval chapel, but also comes complete with a drawbridge and torture chamber (upbeat, we know).
A $$ general admission ticket includes access to the upper levels of the castle, plus a tasting of five types of their Italian-style wine.
It took 15 years to build this 13th-century replica of a Tuscan castle located in the middle of California's Napa Valley that not only has a Great Hall with hand-painted frescoes and a medieval chapel, but also comes complete with a drawbridge and torture chamber (upbeat, we know).
A $$ general admission ticket includes access to the upper levels of the castle, plus a tasting of five types of their Italian-style wine.
Lyndhurst Castle
Where: Tarrytown, NY
Designed in 1838, this mansion overlooking the Hudson River just north of New York is one of the country's best examples of Gothic Revival architecture. Built for New York City Mayor William Paulding, it was later used as a summer house by railroad tycoon Jay Gould. While nobody lives there today, it is open to the public as a museum and can also be rented out as a wedding venue.
Designed in 1838, this mansion overlooking the Hudson River just north of New York is one of the country's best examples of Gothic Revival architecture. Built for New York City Mayor William Paulding, it was later used as a summer house by railroad tycoon Jay Gould. While nobody lives there today, it is open to the public as a museum and can also be rented out as a wedding venue.
Hearst Castle
Where:San Simeon, CA
Newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst — who founded Harper's Bazaar's parent company — commissioned this Julia Morgan-designed castle on the Central California coast as his private residence. While he had to leave the enormous 165-room castle in 1947 before it was completely finished due to his failing health, the estate is currently open to the public as a museum.
Newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst — who founded Harper's Bazaar's parent company — commissioned this Julia Morgan-designed castle on the Central California coast as his private residence. While he had to leave the enormous 165-room castle in 1947 before it was completely finished due to his failing health, the estate is currently open to the public as a museum.
Smithsonian Institute Castle
Where: Washington, D.C.
Located near the center of the National Mall, this Norman-style castle, made from red sandstone in 1855, served as the home and office for Joseph Henry, the first Secretary of the Smithsonian. Today it is used as the visitor center for the Smithsonian Institute.
Located near the center of the National Mall, this Norman-style castle, made from red sandstone in 1855, served as the home and office for Joseph Henry, the first Secretary of the Smithsonian. Today it is used as the visitor center for the Smithsonian Institute.
Boldt Castle
Where: Alexandria, NY
The proprietor of New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel, George C. Boldt, commissioned this 120-room storybook castle on an island in the St. Lawrence River for his wife, Louise, at the turn-of-the-century. But before the castle could be completed, Louise died unexpectedly and Boldt was too heartbroken to ever return to the island. While the castle remained abandoned for 73 years, the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority eventually restored and opened it to the public in 1977.
From: Harper's BAZAAR US The proprietor of New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel, George C. Boldt, commissioned this 120-room storybook castle on an island in the St. Lawrence River for his wife, Louise, at the turn-of-the-century. But before the castle could be completed, Louise died unexpectedly and Boldt was too heartbroken to ever return to the island. While the castle remained abandoned for 73 years, the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority eventually restored and opened it to the public in 1977.
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