Last updated: September 2026
You don't have to fly to Europe to find castles.
Scattered across America are massive stone towers, island fortresses, medieval halls, hidden ruins, and estates that look like they belong somewhere across the Atlantic.
Some were built for love. Some were extravagant homes. One stored military surplus. Another was built largely by one man.
These are six of the most visually stunning castles hiding in America — and each one is worth the trip.
No. 1
Boldt Castle
Heart Island, Alexandria Bay, New York, United States
A six-story, Rhineland-style castle rising out of the St. Lawrence River on its own small island. Few places in America create a stronger "Is this really in the United States?" reaction.
The story behind the castle
Hotel magnate George C. Boldt, proprietor of New York's Waldorf-Astoria, began building the castle in 1900 as a tribute to his wife, Louise. Hundreds of workers labored on the island, which Boldt even had reshaped into a heart.
In 1904 Louise died suddenly. Boldt ordered all work stopped and never returned. The unfinished castle sat open to the weather for more than 70 years, until the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired it in 1977 and began a long restoration that continues today.
Most impressive feature
The castle, the island and the river together. The combination of towers, private island and surrounding water makes it one of the most striking sights in the guide.
Why it's worth the trip
A love story left unfinished, a castle on its own island, and some of the prettiest river scenery in the Northeast, especially in early fall.
Quick facts
- Best time to visit
- September into early fall, before the season closes, when the Thousand Islands start to turn.
- Crowds
- Busy
Know before you go
- The castle is reached only by water, via tour boats and shuttles from Alexandria Bay and nearby ports.
- It's open seasonally, roughly late spring through early fall. Confirm the current season before planning.
- Arriving from Canada by boat involves U.S. border requirements.
Do
- Walk the gardens and the Yacht House, which is on a separate island nearby.
Don't
- Don't assume it's open in late fall or winter.
Nearbyly tip
Pick a boat tour that circles the island before docking, so you get the full view first.
No. 2
Hearst Castle
San Simeon, California, United States
A Mediterranean Revival palace on a hilltop above the Central Coast, with twin towers, marble pools and terraces looking out to the Pacific. The scale and extravagance are almost unbelievable.
The story behind the castle
Newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst began building the estate in 1919 with architect Julia Morgan, one of the first women licensed as an architect in California. Work continued on and off for nearly three decades.
The main house, Casa Grande, sits among guest houses, gardens and a huge art collection drawn from across Europe. The Hearst Corporation gave the estate to the State of California in 1957, and it's now a state historical monument.
Most impressive feature
The pools. The outdoor Neptune Pool, framed by a Roman-style temple front, and the indoor Roman Pool, covered in blue and gold glass tile, are among the most recognizable pools in America.
Why it's worth the trip
Few buildings in America are this ambitious, and the setting on the edge of Big Sur country adds to the surprise.
Quick facts
- Best time to visit
- Spring and fall, for clearer skies and lighter crowds than summer.
- Crowds
- Busy
Know before you go
- Visits are by guided tour only, and advance reservations are strongly recommended.
- Buses take visitors up the hill from the visitor center.
Do
- Pair it with a drive north along Highway 1 toward Big Sur.
Don't
- Don't expect to wander freely. Tours follow set routes.
Check before you go
- Tour availability and Highway 1 road conditions.
Watch out for
- Highway 1 closures from landslides can affect routes north toward Big Sur.
Nearbyly tip
Look for the elephant seal viewing area at Piedras Blancas, a few miles north.
No. 3
Bannerman Castle
Pollepel Island, near Beacon, New York, United States
This is the wild card. Instead of a polished mansion, you get the broken walls of what looks like an abandoned Scottish fortress, standing on a small island in the Hudson River with the Hudson Highlands rising behind it.
The story behind the castle
Francis Bannerman VI ran one of the world's largest military-surplus businesses. He bought Pollepel Island in 1900 and, starting in 1901, built a Scottish-style castle there to store his inventory, plus a smaller residence for his family.
After Bannerman's death in 1918, decline followed. A 1920 explosion in a powder house damaged buildings, New York State acquired the island in 1967, and a fire in 1969 left the ruins you see today. The nonprofit Bannerman Castle Trust now works to stabilize them and runs tours.
Most impressive feature
The ruined walls against the Hudson Highlands, especially when the hills are in full fall color.
Why it's worth the trip
Castle ruins on a river island, framed by some of the best fall scenery in the Hudson Valley. It feels far from New York City, even though it isn't.
Quick facts
- Best time to visit
- October, when the Hudson Highlands are at peak color.
- Crowds
- Moderate
Know before you go
- The island is only accessible on authorized tours, including boat tours from Beacon and paddling tours run with local outfitters.
- The ruins are unstable. Visitors stay on designated paths.
Do
- Look for the ruins from Metro-North's Hudson Line if you're arriving by train.
Don't
- Don't try to land on the island on your own.
Watch out for
- Uneven terrain and stairs on the island.
Nearbyly tip
Spend the rest of the day in Beacon, a walkable river town with galleries and cafés.
No. 4
Hammond Castle
Gloucester, Massachusetts, United States
A stone castle with a tower and drawbridge-style entrance on the rocks above the Atlantic. A medieval castle on the Massachusetts coast is exactly the kind of thing most travelers don't expect to find in New England.
The story behind the castle
Inventor John Hays Hammond Jr., a pioneer of radio remote control, built the castle between 1926 and 1929 as his home and laboratory. He filled it with European architectural pieces and artifacts, some set directly into the walls.
Today it operates as the Hammond Castle Museum.
Most impressive feature
The Great Hall, a soaring stone room built around a huge pipe organ that Hammond assembled and expanded over years.
Why it's worth the trip
A real inventor's castle on one of New England's prettiest coasts, easy to pair with a Cape Ann fall drive.
Quick facts
- Best time to visit
- Late September and October, for crisp coastal air and fall color on Cape Ann.
- Crowds
- Moderate
Know before you go
- Museum hours and events vary by season, so check before visiting.
- Parking is limited on busy days.
Do
- Continue to Rockport and the rest of the Cape Ann coast.
Don't
- Don't climb on the shoreline rocks in rough seas.
Watch out for
- Waves and slippery rocks along the shore.
Nearbyly tip
Save time for Gloucester's working waterfront and a seafood lunch.
No. 5
Bishop Castle
Rye, Colorado, United States
Stone towers and iron walkways rising out of the pine forest along a Colorado mountain highway. This isn't a billionaire's mansion. It's an enormous stone castle built largely by one man over decades.
The story behind the castle
Jim Bishop began building in 1969 on land in the Wet Mountains that he had bought as a teenager. What started as a family cabin kept growing, stone by stone, into towers, a great hall and bridges.
Bishop did most of the work himself, gathering stone from the surrounding national forest and building without formal plans. The castle has long been free to enter, with donations welcome.
Most impressive feature
The towers, reached by narrow iron stairways and walkways, with views over the forest. They're thrilling and not for anyone nervous about heights.
Why it's worth the trip
It's the opposite of every other castle on this list: no fortune, no architect, just decades of one person's work in a spectacular mountain setting.
Quick facts
- Best time to visit
- Late summer through early fall, when aspens turn and roads are clear.
- Crowds
- Seasonal
Know before you go
- The castle sits on Colorado Highway 165, roughly an hour from Pueblo.
- Climbing is at your own risk. Walkways are narrow and high.
- Mountain weather changes fast, and snow is possible early in the season.
Do
- Drive the full Highway 165 scenic route through the San Isabel National Forest.
Don't
- Don't bring anyone uneasy with heights up the upper towers.
Watch out for
- Exposed heights, narrow stairs and slick surfaces in wet weather.
Nearbyly tip
Arrive early on weekends. The roadside parking fills up fast.
No. 6
Castello di Amorosa
Calistoga, California, United States
Stone towers, a moat and a drawbridge standing among rolling Napa Valley hills. Driving through the valley and suddenly seeing what looks like a centuries-old Tuscan fortress is one of the biggest visual surprises on this list.
The story behind the castle
Vintner Dario Sattui began building the castle in 1994 and opened it in 2007. He modeled it on medieval Tuscan castles, using old-world techniques and materials, including hand-made bricks and reclaimed stone and iron.
The castle includes towers, courtyards, a frescoed great hall and underground rooms.
Most impressive feature
The central courtyard, surrounded by stone walls and towers.
Why it's worth the trip
Its architectural detail and hillside setting make it one of the most convincing medieval re-creations in the country.
Quick facts
- Best time to visit
- Fall, when the vineyards around the castle turn gold.
- Crowds
- Busy
Know before you go
- It operates as a working winery. Tours and admission rules vary, so check age requirements and booking options first.
- Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.
Do
- Take a guided architecture tour to see rooms that aren't open for general visits.
Don't
- Don't plan to drive after tastings. Book a driver or a tour if you're sampling.
Nearbyly tip
Explore Calistoga's small downtown and its hot springs afterward.
Before you go
- Several of these castles are open only seasonally or by timed tour. Check each official website for current hours, tickets and access before traveling.
- Bannerman Castle can only be visited on authorized tours. Landing on the island without one isn't allowed.
- Bishop Castle is climbed at your own risk. Supervise children closely on its towers and walkways.
Keep exploring
You might also like
Planning a trip somewhere else?
Nearbyly shows you what's actually around any place on earth — parks, museums, local kitchens, coffee, markets and hidden gems, sorted by distance.
Worth sharing?
Written and maintained by Nearbyly. Fees, permits, seasonal rules and access at natural sites change — check current local guidance before you travel.