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While you might picture Medieval Europe when we mention fairytale castles, the US is home to many beautiful mansions, châteaux, and palaces. You simply need to know where to look for them.
There are dozens of stunning American castles that will make your childhood dreams come true. Now, every castle experience is obviously unique to the traveler. And there are so many activities to participate in to engage yourself in the scenery around you truly.
From state to state, these 7 stunning castles in the US have plenty of historical significance, incredible views, and astounding architecture. So, if you want to go sightseeing across the USA, we recommend checking out the most charming American castles!
The dense green lawn of Biltmore Estate characterizes it as one of the most beautiful castles in the US! The French Renaissance-styled home was finished in 1895 for George Vanderbilt and his family. It has stunning views of the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains.
Notable sights within the Biltmore Estate include furniture from the 17th century, the Banquet Hall, with a 70-foot tall ceiling, a bowling alley, an indoor pool, artwork from the 16th century, and a fantastic library with more than 10,000 books.
This American castle also features breathtaking gardens and an extensive vineyard, where, in 1971, George Vanderbilt’s grandson William Cecil started a tradition of winemaking that still carries on to this day.
Located on the coast of Central California, William Randolph Hearst’s treasured home is one of the most significant California attractions and among the most astounding castles in the US.
High on a hilltop that overlooks San Simeon, it was constructed for newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst between 1919 and 1947, according to designs by famed architect Julia Morgan.
He nicknamed the estate La Cuesta Encantada, otherwise known as the Enchanted Hill, comprising four buildings, 165 rooms, and 127 acres of terraced gardens.
The Casa del Mar guesthouse has scenic views of the Pacific Ocean, and the gothic study in the main building of Hearst Castle features a vaulted Spanish ceiling that dates back to the 14th century.
Boldt Castle is one of the most famous castles in the US. Constructed on its very own island in the St. Lawrence River, this particular castle comes with a romantic story!
It was commissioned by George C. Boldt, a millionaire hotel magnate, for his darling wife, Louise. Located on Heart Island close to Alexandria Bay, work on the castle began in 1900.
Three hundred workers, stonemasons, carpenters, and artists worked on this 120-room and 6-story castle. Sadly, though, all that hard work stopped in 1904 when Mrs. Boldt suddenly passed away.
It stood empty at the mercy of mother nature until 1977 when the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority obtained it and started its restoration. This American castle is now open to the public, beckoning its visitors to explore it.
This is the perfect opportunity to book a flight and explore the magnificence of Iolani Palace in beautiful Honolulu, Hawaii!
This American castle was finished in 1882 under King Kalākaua’s rule and stayed the official royal residence until 1893 when the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown.
Iolani Palace is well-known for being the only structure in the world built in the American Florentine style, combining traditional Hawaiian architecture with Renaissance attributes.
It was considered impressive and innovative due to its electric lighting, telephone installation, and indoor plumbing when it was first made.
The Palace is open to the public for events and tours, where you can see how the royal family of Hawaii reigned and lived all those years ago.
Out of all the incredible castles in the US, this one has two floors that are chock-full of historical galleries and furnishings. So don’t miss out on visiting this official royal residence!
This is another Vanderbilt family design designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt.
The Breakers is one of Newport’s most impressive summer homes, constructed in the late 19th century when the scenic Rhode Island coastal town was the playground for the richest families in our country.
Inspired by the Italian Renaissance palaces of 16th-century Turin and Genoa, Hunt designed the 70-room mansion to include the lavish dining room.
It also includes freestanding columns and gilded cornice and contemporary talents like the Austrian-American sculptor Karl Bitter to create relief sculptures. It’s open to visitors year-round and is owned and run by the Preservation Society of Newport County.
John Hays Hammond, Jr., also known as “The Father of the Remote Control,” built this American castle between 1926 and 1929 as a wedding present for his wife Irene and to house his collection of Renaissance, Roman, and medieval artifacts.
Second only to Thomas Edison, Hammond, Jr. held over 400 patents and created ideas for over 800 inventions.
Nowadays, you can tour its charming rooms, including the unique inner courtyard partly made from Medieval storefronts that Hammond found on a trip to France and brought back to the US.
A self-guided tour will take you through the great hall, the Renaissance dining room, the inventions exhibit room, two guest bedrooms, a library, kitchens, and other home parts.
Even though it looks like something right out of a storybook, this American castle is cradled in the hills of Napa Valley and was finished in 2007. Owned by Dario Sattui, Castello di Amorosa is a 171-acre winery where Sattui produces and sells wine.
He traveled to Europe in 1969 and became inspired by the medieval architecture that surrounded him. This is what inspired him to reopen his family’s winery in an authentic Italian style.
Castello di Amorosa was built over 15 years in a 13th-century Tuscan castle style, with staple medieval elements including a drawbridge, moat, stables, and an armory.
It has 107 rooms, and it was designed with the same materials that would have been used about 800 years ago to build a similar setup.
After using a whopping 8,000 tons of stone and nearly a million bricks sent over from Europe, this American castle stands tall and proud, as a labor of love for all to visit. Castello di Amorosa also features multiple wine-tasting opportunities and fun events throughout the year.
Are you interested in dancing the night away at a New Year’s Eve ball or Halloween party? Or maybe you want to stomp on some grapes! Look no further. This castle offers it all! Of all the castles in the US, this might just be our favorite!
Which of these American castles will you be visiting first? No matter which you choose, one thing is for sure: don’t forget to bring along some comfortable walking shoes!
Also, be sure to share your experience with us in the comments, and remember to share this post on social media to tell your friends about us!
And if you liked reading about all the beautiful castles in the US, we think you’ll also enjoy: Top 8 Most Bizarre Ancient Underground Cities You Must-See
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