Stephanie is a cherished member of the Sampling America writing team, dedicated to crafting captivating narratives that transport readers to thrilling adventures across the country and beyond.
While it might seem impossible to experience the fairytale wonder of medieval castles anywhere other than Europe, the U.S. has several stunning stone castles that you can visit anytime.
Follow along to see the majestic castles within the U.S., and consider your next road trip or vacation to one of these historic places.
Boldt Castle, New York
This stunning stone castle sits in the Thousand Islands region in upstate New York. It’s built in the Rhineland-style.
The castle was initially built in 1900 by a businessman, George C. Boldt, who owned several hotels. He wanted to create a summer home for himself and his wife, Louise, but sadly, she passed away before the castle was finished being constructed.
Today, it’s a fantastic 120-room cast with a drawbridge to access the portion of the castle that sits on the water.
Biltmore Estate, North Carolina
Outside Asheville, NC, sits the Biltmore Estate in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The castle took almost six years to construct, from 1889 to 1895.
The 250-room French Renaissance château inspired structure was built at the request of George Vanderbilt, an art collector and wealthy member of the famous Vanderbilt family.
Today, the castle runs an award-winning winery from grapes grown in the vineyard and hosts several tours year-round. This castle would make a fantastic stop for anyone looking to understand the massive wealth and glamour of the late 19th century in the U.S.
Bishop’s Palace, Texas
Also known as Gresham’s House in Galveston, Texas, the Palace was built in the late 19th century for businessman Walter Gresham.
Designed by the famous architect Nicholas J Clayton, this house is known as one of the most famous Victorian-style mansions in the U.S.
You can tour the house to see the stunning mahogany staircase, stained glass windows, and original wood carvings.
Castello do Amorosa, California
Deep in the vineyards of Napa Valley sits this 13th-century-style castle. Although the castle looks like it’s ripped from the pages of a fairy tale, it opened its doors in 2007 after 15 years of construction.
Built and designed by an Italian fourth-generation winemaker, the castle sits on dozens of acres of award-winning Italian grapes. Many winemakers will take hundred-year-old grape plants straight from Italy and plant them in the U.S. to recreate the perfection of Italian wines.
The castle features a drawbridge, moat, and even a dungeon and torture chamber to stay true to the Italian frescos that the building is emulated after.
Iolani Palace, Hawaii
Many people might need to be made aware of the royal history in Hawaii before it became an official state in the U.S. King Kalakaua built this Palace to strengthen the image of the Kingdom of Hawaii.
The building is made in the Florentine architecture style, mixing traditional Hawaiian aesthetic styles. Consider taking a tour of the Palace in Honolulu to see how the Hawaiian Kingdom lived before the U.S. government overthrew it.
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