Every U.S. State Has a Castle — and These Are the Best

Americans didn’t want kings, but they did want their castles.

We usually think of Europe when we think about castles, but the U.S. also has its fair share of them. Sure, most of them haven’t actually housed kings and queens and are usually imitations of European styles, but they are a good way to get your castle fix if you can’t make it across the pond.

To help you with your search, we have compiled a list of the single best castle in every U.S. state. We have ordered them from newest to oldest, saving the ones with the longest and most intriguing histories for last.

50. New Hampshire: Ice Castles

soulpneuma / Instagram

Location: North Woodstock

Years built: Every year since 2011

Open to visits: Yes (Seasonally)

Why it’s the best: New Hampshire’s Ice Castles come in as the newest in the list because they effectively melt and are rebuilt every single year. The castles are created by professional artists working with icicles and LED lights. They are one of the state’s most beloved and magical winter attractions.

*This list has been compiled using HomeAdvisor’s American Royalty illustrated map and list.

49. North Carolina: Hobbit House Micro Castle

Only In Your State / Pinterest

Location: Asheville

Year built: Circa 2015

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: If you’ve read Tolkien’s work or love Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, this house is a place you definitely want to visit. Inspired by Tolkien’s most famous work, the micro castle is a mix of the simplicity of the Shire with the fantastic kingdoms of men.

It is located within the Blue Ridge Mountains and has an arched wooden door and a loft at the top of the tower with beautiful views.

48. Indiana: Clayshire Castle

Clayshire Castle / Facebook

Location: Bowling Green

Year built: 2011

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: This castle is the retirement love project of an Indiana couple who was obsessed with the Middle Ages. Now known as Lord Douglas and Lady Josephine, they built their dream home and opened a bed-and-breakfast that serves Medieval fare and even has period costumes for visitors to rent.

47. New Jersey: The Samuel & Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place

Make-A-Wish New Jersey / Facebook

Location: Monroe Township

Year built: 2011

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: The Make-A-Wish Foundation seeks to bring the hopes and dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses to life. With the help of generous donations, the foundation built the castle as a place to hold support groups, experiences and celebrations when wishes happen.

46. North Dakota: Enchanted Castle

netties74 / Tripadvisor

Location: Regent

Year built: 2011

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: Enchanted Castle was originally a school opened in 1909 and expanded in the late ’50s. About 100 years after it was first built, the property was transformed into a white brick castle, complete with a working drawbridge and watchtowers, that functions as a hotel.

Medieval fans love to visit and see the literal knights in shining armor keeping guard of the castle.

45. Utah: Wadley Farms

wadleyfarms / Instagram

Location: Lindon

Year built: 2011

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: This gorgeous castle contrasts its dark gray and beige walls with the deep blue of its roof and showcases several spiral towers. If its name catches your eye, you’re not alone.

This structure really is part of a farm that has operated since the 1830s and serves as the farm’s event location, holding weddings and other celebrations.

44. Idaho: Warm Springs Castle

Location: Boise

Year built: 2010

Open to visits: No

Why it’s the best: If you stroll around the right street in downtown Boise, you will probably stumble into this miniature Medieval castle, which is actually a private residential home. Its owners didn’t cut corners on details, decorating its inside with Medieval motifs like armors and dragons and even adding some secret passages.

Better yet, they built it to be eco-friendly, using local stone to construct it and heating it with geothermal energy.

43. Missouri: Chateau Charmant

Charming Castle

Location: Fordland

Year built: Circa 2003

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: Built in the style of a 14th-century French chateau, Chateau Charmant, or Charming Castle, is the literal child of a labor of love. Its owners, Bob and Bonnie Palmer began constructing it after Bob sent his wife a love note with a sketch of a castle that read, “I want to build you a castle.”

Not only did Bob deliver on his promise, but the two built much of the castle with their own two hands.

42. Connecticut: Chrismark Castle

Chris Mark with his camels in his castle

chrismarkcastle / Instagram

Location: Woodstock

Year built: 2003

Open to visits: No

Why it’s the best: Completely surrounded by a moat and only accessible through two stone bridges, this Gothic-style castle cost about $4.1 million to build. The castle was built by Chris Mark (hence its name) and has had several uses throughout its history, including being a bed-and-breakfast and a private zoo.

According to the castle’s Instagram account, you can book the space for films, photoshoots and more.

41. Texas: Newman’s Castle

Susan S / Tripdvisor

Location: Bellville

Years built: 1998-2008

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: Another large castle protected by a moat and only accessible by a drawbridge, Newman’s Castle is a youthful dream come true. The owner, Mike Newman, dreamt of building his own castle while he country-hopped through Europe in his 20s.

After opening up his own bakery in Bellville, Texas, and buying a plot of land, he began making his dream happen. We appreciate that, despite its size, the castle is actually quite simple and unassuming, which detracts from the pompous air many such castles have.

40. Oklahoma: Adventure Quest

Adventure Quest at Leonardo Children's Museum

bigandpinkytoes / Instagram

Location: Enid

Year built: 1996

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: Unlike most castles featured here, Adventure Quest was built not for the sake of individuals but for the community as a whole. As part of Leonardo’s Children’s Museum, it is effectively a large playground with bridges, swings, mazes, slides and more.

About 12,000 volunteers from the community got together to build the castle. Today, kids from the community get to enjoy their hard work.

39. Nevada: Excalibur Hotel & Casino

Leonardo / Tripadvisor

Location: Las Vegas

Year built: 1990

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: Las Vegas never does anything unless it’s absolutely extra, and this castle was once the most extra — and by that, we mean largest — hotel in the entire world.

Although it no longer holds that status, Excalibur Hotel & Casino continues to attract people who want the thrilling and disorienting experience of Vegas with a twist of fantasy. You can enjoy a Medieval dinner and show that will have you watching knights fight while eating with your hands, or you can play arcade games at the Fun Dungeon.

38. Montana: Miller’s Castle

Zillow

Location: Darby

Year built: 1992

Open to visits: No

Why it’s the best: With a total of 18 turrets and built almost entirely of stone, Miller’s Castle — named after its owner and builder, Wayne Miller — is one of the best Medieval-style castles in the U.S. It is surrounded by a moat and has a drawbridge, secret passageways and trapdoors.

However, the castle is also creepy and sinister, since Miller decided to build slave quarters inside it. We understand wanting historical accuracy, but that’s just irrefutably wrong.

37. Wyoming: Star Valley Castle or Heiner Castle

HomeAdvisor

Location: Afton

Year built: Circa 1990s

Open to visits: No

Why it’s the best: A true castle should have its secrets, but so little is known about the Star Valley Castle that its entire existence is a mystery. The only thing we do know is that it’s owned by an assumedly ultra-rich family called the Heiners. In fact, the two names given to it are just the nicknames people in the area use for it, since it’s owned by the Heiners and located in Star Valley.

What inspired the owners to build it? How many rooms does this large castle have? Did all the contractors who worked on it have to sign a non-disclosure agreement? The world may never have answers.

36. Virginia: Bull Run Castle

swm71 / Instagram

Location: Loudoun County

Year built: Circa 1986

Open to visits: No

Why it’s the best: One day in the late ’80s, John Roswell Miller decided that he wanted to turn a cornfield into a castle. He quit his job and spent the next 10 years completing his new residence. At one point, Miller opened up the doors of his property — which has 89 windows and 14 closets — to travelers as a romantic bed-and-breakfast, but he eventually closed it off to the public.

We imagine he is enjoying his castle while the rest of us can only catch a glimpse of it as we drive along Route 15 in Loudoun County.

35. Alaska: Palmer Castle

getlostak / Instagram

Location: Palmer

Year built: 1985

Open to visits: No

Why it’s the best: Another castle built by an enthusiast with a dream, Palmer Castle is decidedly more modern in design than most other castles listed here. However, it still features a moat and turrets.

Its owner, Tom Hepola, claims that you can see Knik Glacier from the top of the tower, which sounds absolutely amazing.

34. Arkansas: Castle Rogue’s Manor

wheelsorwings_flyinforlife / Instagram

Location: Beaver

Year built: 1985

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: A castle in the gorgeous Ozarks sounds like a dream, which is probably why this castle’s owner, Smith Treuer, decided to build it. The large property has 12 bedrooms and offers views of the nearby White River.

The castle is used as a venue for weddings, receptions and other events.

33. Alabama: Mosher Castle

explore.with.suyin / Instagram

Location: Fairhope

Year built: 1983

Open to visits: Yes (by appointment only)

Why it’s the best: Seemingly taken out of the pages of a children’s storybook, the Mosher Castle is whimsically surreal. The castle was originally an ordinary 1950s home, but when artist Dean Mosher and his wife, Paga, bought it, they decided to transform it into a castle, complete with a copper dragon that guards a tower.

Mosher’s motivation comes partly from being a descendant of William the Conqueror and Henry II, which is why you’ll find that lions are a constant motif around the property. The coolest thing about this fairytale structure is that Mosher designed and made every part of it himself.

You can also stay at the castle by renting out a room on Airbnb.

32. Tennessee: Castle Gwynn

maryandriotis / Instagram

Location: Arrington

Year built: 1980

Open to visits: Seasonally

Why it’s the best: This symmetrical castle features two, large white towers united by a red center. Fittingly, Castle Gwynn was built by Mike Freeman, the founder of the Tennessee Renaissance Festival. Say what you will, but at least he’s consistent.

The castle was also the set of Taylor Swift’s music video for her hit, “Love Story.”

31. Florida: Solomon’s Castle

2.bjust / Instagram

Location: Ona

Year built: 1974

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: This strange castle is exactly what you’d expect a Florida attraction to be: random and confusing, yet fascinating. Covered entirely in aluminum printing plates, the castle is tucked in the woods yet happens to be one of Ona’s most celebrated attractions.

You can visit the castle’s restaurant, which is set in a replica of a 16th-century Portuguese galleon.

30. Colorado: Bishop Castle

Chris Waits / Flickr

Location: Rye

Year built: 1969

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: Given that Bishop Castle has its own fire-breathing dragon, we’re inclined to say it’s probably the best in the country. Add to that the fact that its owner, Jim Bishop, spent over 60 years building it completely on his own, and we’re ready to give it the award.

One more awesome thing about it: Bishop lets anyone in free of charge.

29. Kentucky: The Kentucky Castle

G M / Tripadvisor

Location: Versailles

Year built: 1968

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: It seems entirely appropriate that a town named Versailles would have an accompanying castle, even if that town is in Kentucky.

Complete with four towers, manicured gardens and its own farm, the Kentucky Castle is now considered one of the best accommodations in the state. Before becoming a luxury hotel in the early 2000s, the castle sat unfinished for almost 30 years after its original owners got divorced and left it there.

28. Iowa: Stone Tower

Stone Tower at Eagle Point Park in Clinton, Iowa

bmtt734 / Instagram

Location: Clinton

Year built: 1937 (but that’s debated)

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: This stone tower is inspired by Norman Fortresses and was built, not by an individual, but by a government administration. Its purpose is to make Clinton’s residents more eager to visit Eagle Point Park and Riverview Park.

If you climb the tower, you’ll get gorgeous views of the Mississippi River. This is definitely a great place for family outings, picnics with friends and first dates.

27. Illinois: Bettendorf Castle

visitlakecounty / Instagram

Location: Fox River Grove

Year built: 1931

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: Theodore Bettendorf was so committed to building his castle that he took it upon himself to collect stones whenever he could find them, be it quarries, lakes and even farmer’s fields. The result of his labor over 35 years is this beautiful Gothic castle, which boasts multiple towers, a courtyard and a moat.

26. South Dakota: Petrified Wood Park Castle

Petrified Wood Park Castle in South Dakota

happybex / Instagram

Location: Lemmon

Year built: 1930

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: Back in the 1930s, a man named Ole S. Quammen decided to build an entire park with fossils, rocks and petrified wood found around Lemmon. Over the next two years, Quammen and his crew built a castle, a waterfall, a wishing well and other structures.

The park was donated to the city in the 1950s and is now a beloved attraction in downtown Lemmon.

25. Maryland: Cloisters Castle

Cloisters Castle / Facebook

Location: Lutherville-Timonium

Year built: 1930s

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: Have you ever wished you could take part of a country back home with you after a trip? If you had as much money as Summer A. Parker and G. Dudrea Parker in the 1930s, you actually could.

The Parkers embarked on many tours of Europe, buying rugs, furniture, paintings and materials to decorate the castle they had built for themselves. But even though they were rich, they certainly were not stingy, leaving the property and everything inside it to the City of Baltimore for the enjoyment of the public.

24. Oregon: The Witch’s Castle

Finetooth / Wikimedia Commons

Location: Portland

Year built: 1930s

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: This eerie stone structure that is abandoned and covered in moss is incredibly alluring because of its air of mystery and dramatic history.

In the mid-1800s Danford Balch employed a man named Mortimer Stump to help him clear the land where he was building his family’s property. Stump fell in love and eloped with Balch’s daughter despite the latter promising to kill him if he did. Sadly, Balch delivered on his promise and was later tried and executed for his crime.

The property was eventually passed onto the city of Portland, which built the stone structure as a ranger station. Years later, a storm damaged the structure so much that it was simply abandoned until high school students rediscovered it in the ’80s and decided it was a perfect place to hold secret parties. They gave it its creepy nickname probably because it made their parties seem more thrilling.

23. Arizona: Tovrea Castle

visit_arizona / Instagram

Location: Phoenix

Year built: 1928

Open to visits: Yes (by lottery system)

Why it’s the best: Nicknamed “the Wedding Cake” by locals due to its tiered structure, Tovrea Castle was originally a failed attempt at building a luxury resort. Later a private residency, the castle eventually came to be property of the city and is now part of the Phoenix Points of Pride.

The castle is a popular destination in the Arizona capital, so much so that you need to win a lottery in order to be able to visit. Inside, you can tour the castle and see the hundreds of wild flowers and cacti planted in its surrounding property.

22. Michigan: Curwood Castle

Jan Davis Ruthig / Flickr

Location: Owosso

Year built: 1923

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: Adventure author James Oliver Curwood had a knack for bringing the fantastical to life. If his books aren’t proof enough, then the castle he built as his residency should be.

Curwood was only able to enjoy his yellow castle for half a decade, having passed away in 1927. But during the last years of his life, it is said that he enjoyed writing his novels from the highest turret, where he could see the Shiawassee River.

21. Rhode Island: Seaview Terrace-Carey Mansion

anthonypicozzi / Instagram

Location: Newport

Year built: 1923

Open to visits: No

Why it’s the best: A whiskey baron’s opulent residency in origin, this French Gothic-style castle features conical roofed towers and a supposed secret trap door. The house was originally built in Washington, D.C, and relocated almost in its entirety to Rhode Island.

After the original owner’s fortune waned, the house was taken from his heirs and passed through many hands, acting as an officer’s quarter during World War II and different private girl’s boarding schools. It was also leased to a local university and turned into a student residence, a musical conservatory and an educational facility. Today, it is once again a private residence.

If the house looks familiar to you, it’s probably because it was prominently featured in the 1970s cult classic series, “Dark Shadows.”

20. Mississippi: Monkey Island Castle

NatalieMaynor / Flickr

Location: Jackson

Year built: 1921

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: During the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt sought to make new jobs by employing out-of-work people for public works. The now-named Jackson Zoo was one such public work, and this small castle was part of the original structure.

The castle was once home to a group of rhesus macaques, which is why it is referred to as the Monkey Island Castle.

19. Vermont: Harry Barber’s Miniature Castles

Don Shall / Flickr

Location: South Hero

Years built: 1920s-1960s

Open to visits: No

Why it’s the best: These miniature castles are the work of Harry Barber, a Swiss immigrant who became a gardener after moving to the U.S. Feeling a little homesick, Barber began making miniature castles for the gardens that he worked for. The castles became a local sensation and are now part of the small town’s identity.

The castles may be small, but they are truly a wonder to see. Each is unique and some have running water in their moat, working drawbridges, glass windows and spiral staircases. Most are on private property, but some can be seen along the main roads.

18. California: Hearst Castle

Nishithdesai / Wikimedia Commons

Location: San Simeon

Year built: 1919

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: This castle was called La Cuesta Encantada, or the Enchanted Hill, by its original owner, William Randolph Hearst. Hearst spent more than 27 years building his dream home, where he hosted the likes of Charles Chaplin, Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Unfortunately, Hearst never got to complete his home, as he had to leave the residency due to health issues. He did, however, manage to add 165 rooms and hundreds of acres of gardens, pools, fountains and walkways. The sumptuous castle is now a museum.

17. Kansas: Nichols Hall

louanndonovan / Instagram

Location: Manhattan

Year built: 1911

Open to visits: Only outside unless you’re a K-State student

Why it’s the best: This white brick castle was built in the early 20th century as a gymnasium at Kansas State University. With pools, a basketball court and a grandiose exterior, it helped the university attract more students.

In 1968, the building housed the university’s music department when an arsonist set the building on fire, most likely in protest of the Vietnam War. The hall was reconstructed in the ’80s and is still one of the university’s most celebrated symbols.

16. Minnesota: The Turnblad Mansion

amswedinstitute / Instagram

Location: Minneapolis

Year built: Circa 1908

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: Housing the American Swedish Institute, the castle-like mansion was built by a Swedish immigrant family, the Turnblads. They got inspiration for their home from their extensive travels, building the exterior as a French Chateau with spires and arched entryways and using several imported elements from their home country.

About 20 years after they began construction, the Turnblads donated the property to the institute.

15. Pennsylvania: Fonthill Castle

mercerandfonthill / Instagram

Location: Doylestown

Years built: 1908-1912

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: What do you do if you are an archaeologist and antiquarian with a lot of money and a large collection of tiles and prints? Build a grand castle where you can showcase your goods, of course.

This is what Henry Chapman Mercer did at the beginning of the last century, using Fonthill Castle as a home as well as a museum for his private collection. Today, you can book a one-hour tour to see some of the property’s 44 rooms, 18 fireplaces and more than 200 windows.

14. Washington: Thornewood Castle

ozkarvillazaddy / Instagram

Location: Lakewood

Year built: 1908

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: As we have learned by now, many people have built castles as their homes. Few, however, have done what Chester and Anna Thorne did, which was to buy an actual Welsh castle and ship it all the way to the West Coast. Its brick, staircases, entrance door and other features are 500 years old, but newer elements and the merging together of materials from different castles give this property a 20th-century construction date.

Though it seems overindulgent, the Thornes have made it possible for us to visit the historic structure without having to cross the Atlantic.

13. Massachusetts: Searles Castle

daronlibby / Flickr

Location: Great Barrington

Year built: 1905

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: Designed to mimic an English Tudor castle, Searles Castle took over 10 years to build. Its original owner, Edward Francis Searles, was an interior decorator, which explains his overly ornate taste.

After Searles’ death, the castle served many uses, including housing the Sisters of Mercy. The castle is on the list of National Register of Historic Places and is now open to the public for tours and events.

12. Nebraska: Joslyn Castle

visitomaha / Instagram

Location: Omaha

Year built: 1903

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: This beautiful limestone castle was the lavish home of two Nebraska natives, who enjoyed its 35 rooms, reception hall, ballroom, library and gold drawing room until the time of their respective deaths.

The property is now managed by the Joslyn Castle Trust and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

11. New York: Bannerman Castle

Dan Dvorscak / Flickr

Location: Newburgh

Year built: Circa 1901

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: Scottish immigrant Francis Bannerman built this shell of a castle to look like the ones in his homeland. Besides using it as his summer residence, he employed the castle as a storage facility for his metal and ammunition business.

The Bannerman Castle eventually came into the hands of the Rockefeller Foundation, which donated it to the state of New York. Since it is located on an island, you can only access it by boat or kayak.

10. Georgia: Bonnie Castle

Neal Wellons / Flickr

Location: Grantville

Year built: 1896

Open to visits: No

Why it’s the best: Although it’s only the size of a family home, the property is a verified castle because of the gorgeous red brick turret in its front. Bonnie Castle stayed as the residential property of its original family descendants for 85 years before being turned into a bed-and-breakfast.

Famous guests who have stayed here include presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Jimmy Carter, so you should definitely consider renting a room on Airbnb. Just be aware that there are several rumors of hauntings, including that of Mary, the ghost who doesn’t like electricity.

9. Wisconsin: Red Gym or Bowser’s Castle

Nhi Tran / Flickr

Location: Madison

Year built: 1894

Open to visits: Only from the outside

Why it’s the best: International students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison can handle their student affairs in this gorgeous romanesque revival building affectionately called the Red Gym. Although it was built to resemble a castle, the structure was indeed a gym and armory when it was first opened in the late 19th century.

8. New Mexico: Montezuma Castle

uwcusa / Instagram

Location: Montezuma

Year built: 1886

Open to visits: Only on pre-scheduled dates

Why it’s the best: Built as a luxury hotel in the late 1800s, Montezuma Castle had the honor of having at least three U.S. presidents — Theodore Roosevelt, Ulysses S. Grant and Rutherford B. Hayes — as guests, along with Emperor Hirohito of Japan and the famous Wild West outlaw Jesse James. The castle actually burned down twice before its current structure was rebuilt.

But all good things must come to an end, so the hotel closed at the turn of the century and went into decay until the 1990s. At this time, it was listed as one of America’s most endangered historic places, which inspired the United World College (which now owns it) to get the funds required to restore it. Today, students at the college get to live, eat and study here.

7. West Virginia: Berkeley Springs Castle

world_in_minutes_ / Instagram

Location: Berkeley Springs

Year built: 1885

Open to visits: No

Why it’s the best: Colonel Samuel Taylor Suit was a creepy old man who promised a 17-year-old that he would build her a castle if she married him. Although he died before his wedding bribe, er, gift, was finished, his young bride, Rosa, took it upon herself to finish it and enjoy it by hosting grand parties. Of course, one can only be recklessly lavish for so long, and Rosa eventually ran out of money and had to auction off the castle.

Berkeley Springs Castle is on the National Register of Historic Places and is located in one of the most charming small towns in the U.S.

6. Ohio: Franklin Castle

americancastles / Instagram

Location: Cleveland

Year built: 1881

Open to visits: No

Why it’s the best: Known as the most haunted house in Ohio, Franklin Castle is followed by countless rumors — most outlandish — about hauntings, tragedies and crimes.

The spires and gargoyles of the Victorian castle are said to have been a way for its owner, Hannes Tiedemann to distract his wife from the death of four of their children. The deaths, followed by those of Tiedemann’s mother and, later, his wife, are probably what prompted Clevelanders to imagine the house as sinister and mysterious. Over the years, ghost tours have been offered and stories of ghosts, axe murders and basement mass shootings have continued to be fabricated.

The property is now once again a private residence.

5. Hawaii: Iolani Barracks

Daniel Ramirez / Flickr

Location: Honolulu

Year built: 1871

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: Built while Hawaii was still an independent kingdom, the Iolani Barracks, or Kalekoa, once housed the Royal Guard. As part of the palace of the last Hawaiian monarchs, the barracks still hold an important significance to the people of Hawaii.

While the barracks went through many uses, including being a shelter and government office building, they now serve as the ticket office, theater and shop of the Iolani Palace.

4. Louisiana: Beauregard’s Castle/Fort Proctor

everydayruralamerica / Instagram

Location: St. Bernard

Year built: Circa 1856

Open to visits: Yes

Why it’s the best: Built to protect New Orleans from a naval attack, Fort Proctor was never actually used. Shortly after its construction, a hurricane damaged a great part of it, and then the Civil War prevented any repairs from happening.

The fort was once connected to land, but the building of a nearby canal and Hurricane Katrina cut off all land access, leaving it to float and rot in the water. The abandoned structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and can now only be visited by kayak.

3. Delaware: Fort Delaware

Simon / Flickr

Location: Delaware City

Year built: 1848

Open to visits: Seasonally

Why it’s the best: Built in the mid-1800s, Fort Delaware’s function was to protect the Wilmington and Philadelphia ports. During the Civil War, it was used as a prison for Confederate soldiers and federal convicts.

The fort is now a Delaware state park and a living history museum.

2. Maine: Oakland Castle/Gardiner Castle

Gerda Peterich / Wikimedia Commons

Location: Gardiner

Year built: 1835

Open to visits: No

Why it’s the best: This Gothic-revival castle is one of the early examples of the work of famed architect Richard Upjohn. Commissioned by Robert Gardiner, the two-story granite building has a turret and a crenellated parapet.

Oakland Castle is on the National Register of Historic Places.

1. South Carolina: Castle Pinckney

tim_madden_photo / Instagram

Location: Mt. Pleasant

Year built: Circa 1808

Open to visits: No

Why it’s the best: Having survived for more than 210 years, Castle Pinckney was originally built as a fort to defend the U.S. coastline. Used briefly during the Civil War as a war prison and artillery post, the fort fell into disuse and ruin in the late 1800s.

Castle Pinckney was once a U.S. National Monument but had that honor revoked. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and can be seen from a distance on Mt. Pleasant boat tours.

Best American Castles, Mapped

HomeAdvisor