New York Castles You Can Visit

1. Head to the Thousand Islands to visit the Boldt Castle

The historic Boldt Castle is the crown jewel of Alexandria Bay. Situated on Heart Island in the center of the St. Lawrence River's Thousand Islands region (Video), the magnificent castle was built in 1900 by millionaire George Boldt as a tribute to his love for his wife; however, she sadly died a few months before its completion.

The property remained vacant for more than 70 years before being acquired by the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority, who restored it to its former glory and opened it to the public as a significant landmark and tourist attraction. The castle is open seasonally between mid-May and mid-October, and visitors can stroll around the glorious gardens and grounds of Heart Island and explore the many rooms of the edifice on self-guided or docent-led tours.

Address: 1 Heart Island, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607, Phone: 315-482-9724

2. Take a guided tour of Singer Castle on Dark Island

Situated on Dark Island in the Thousand Islands region, Singer Castle on Dark Island is a magnificent 100-year-old castle with intricate architecture, beautiful furnishings, and mysterious secret passages.

Originally named “The Towers,” Singer Castle was built and owned by the Bourne family from 1905 to the mid-1960s and features 28 rooms, a four-story tower, and an elaborate boathouse that once housed a workshop and powerhouse. The castle also boasts many intriguing underground passageways, tunnels and dungeons, and other curious architectural details like a two-story ice house. Visitors can explore the castle on guided tours or spend a night like royalty by reserving an entire wing of the house, which includes luxury suites, a catered dinner, and private docent-led tours.

Address: Chippewa Bay, NY 13623, Phone: 315-324-3275

3. Stop by the visitor center at Castle Gould

Castle Gould is a small castle-like building on the grounds of the Gould-Guggenheim Estate or Sands Point Preserve in Sands Point, NY. Begun by Howard Gould and completed by Daniel Guggenheim, the estate grounds feature two castle-like buildings, the main house known as Hempstead House and the smaller Castle Gould. Designed by architect Augustus N. Allen in 1902, Castle Gould was modeled after Ireland’s Kilkenny Castle and is an impressive 100,000-square-foot limestone building, which served as the stables and carriage house and later as the servants’ quarters.

While the castle does not not offer tours, you can stop at the visitor center, and participate in seasonal events in the Great Hall, a unique event space with high vaulted ceilings, intricate wrought-iron chandeliers, and plush draperies, and a state-of-the-art soundstage.

Address: Sands Point Preserve Conservancy, 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point, NY 11050, Phone: 516-571-7901

4. Head to Highlands Castle in the Adirondack Mountains

Poised on a graceful mountaintop overlooking majestic Lake George in Bolton Landing, upstate New York, Highlands Castle is a luxurious hotel with boasts breathtaking views of Lake George and the Adirondack Mountains. The luxury estate and manor house can be hired for special events and occasions, including weddings and other celebrations, deluxe vacation stays, honeymoon rentals, and family vacation stays.

The castle can accommodate up to 18 guests and features beautifully appointed guest rooms and bathrooms, elegant dining rooms and lounges, fully equipped kitchens, and large terraces with spectacular views.

Address: 19 Skyline Drive, Bolton Landing, NY 12814, Phone: 518-796-9118

5. Admire Olana State Historic Site

Olana State Historic Site is a historical house museum property and National Historic Landmark that preserves the home of Hudson River School artist Frederic Church, one of the significant figures in the Hudson River School of landscape painting. Named for a home in Persia that inspired Church, the Olana Historic Site in Hudson, NY once served as the home and studio of the painter and today celebrates the artist’s views that inspired his paintings, which are featured throughout the site.

One of the few artist home, studio, and estate complexes in the United States, the Olana Historic Site is among the most visited sites in the state.

Address: 5720 NY-9G, Hudson, NY 12534, Phone: 518-828-0135

6. Spend a night at Mohonk Mountain House

Situated on the shores of Mohonk Lake in the Shawangunk Mountains, Mohonk Mountain House is a beautiful Victorian castle that boasts an award-winning luxury hotel and spa. Built in 1869 just outside of New Paltz, the Mohonk Mountain House in Hudson Valley is considered to be one of the world’s best hotels with a magnificent 30,000-square-foot spa and a black-tie restaurant, which serves three-course dinners with wine pairings from the acclaimed wine cellar. The deluxe resort also features a championship 18-hole golf course, ice-skating, cross-country, and snowshoeing, along with an array of other first-class amenities and facilities.

Address: 1000 Mountain Rest Rd., New Paltz, NY 12561, Phone: 845-765-3286

7. Head to Little Falls and visit Beardslee Castle

Built in 1860, Beardslee Castle is a beautifully designed castle modeled after the grand castles in Ireland. Located in Little Falls, south of the Adirondacks, the three-story ivy-covered manor house has been rebuilt twice, after having been burned down in 1919 and 1989, and is now used primarily as a restaurant and wedding venue. Beardslee Castle was built by Augustus Beardslee, son of widowed Lavina Beardslee, who began the project in the late 1790s, and it was completed 70 years later. The castle is thought to be haunted by many spirits and offers murder mystery series and other such events at the restaurant.

Address: 123 Old State Rd, Little Falls, NY 13365, Phone: 315-823-3000

8. Climb up the observation deck at Belvedere Castle

Belvedere Castle is a folly (a building constructed primarily for decoration) in Central Park in Manhattan and features exhibit rooms and an observation deck. Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead (the designer of Central Park) and Calvert Vaux in the late 19th century, the castle is an architectural hybrid of Gothic and Romanesque styles and boasts a corner tower with a conical cap and a lookout over parapet walls with beautiful views of the park.

Meaning “beautiful or panoramic views” in Italian, Belvedere Castle has also been the location of the official Central Park weather station since 1919.

Address: 79th St, New York, NY 10021, Phone: 212-772-0288

9. Plan a romantic getaway to Belhurst Castle

Resting on the shores of Seneca Lake in Geneva, Belhurst Castle is a beautifully restored manor house and estate that was once a private residence and is now open to the public as a luxury hotel, restaurant, and spa. Built in the 1800s, the castle was once used as a speakeasy during the Prohibition era, and today is home to the Finger Lakes Winery, which has a tasting room and offers specialty wine-pairing dinners. Belhurst Castle also boasts two magnificent ballrooms, making it a popular venue for weddings and other special celebrations.

Address: 4069 W Lake Rd, Geneva, NY 14456, Phone: 315-781-0201

10. Explore Lyndhurst Mansion on a day trip from New York

Lyndhurst Mansion, also known as the Jay Gould Estate, is a magnificent Gothic revival country house surrounded by a 67-acre park beside the Hudson River in Tarrytown, New York. Designed by Alexander Jackson Davis in 1838, the mansion features unusual architectural elements such as an asymmetrical outline, fanciful turrets, and an imposing four-story tower in the north wing.

Constructed from limestone quarried at Sing Sing, the house was owned by a number of people, including railroad tycoon Jay Gould, whose daughter donated it to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1961. Today, Lyndhurst Mansion is listed as a National Historic Landmark and is open for the public to explore.

Address: 635 S Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591, Phone: 914-631-4481