Belvedere Castle

Where: New York, NY

You맥스카지노�d never expect to come across a , but Central Park맥스카지노�s co-designer Calvert Vaux decided to place this Gothic structure in the middle of the park in 1865 as a whimsical landmark for people to discover. In 1919, the castle became a National Weather Service station and it also now serves as a Central Park visitor center that's open to the public.

Bannerman Castle

Where: Beacon, NY

Take the Metro North train north from Grand Central and you will probably notice the ruins of this . Francis Bannerman VI, a Scottish-born owner of a military surplus supply company, built his namesake castle in 1901 as a place to store his company맥스카지노�s cannons, munitions and other supplies.

It has been in ruins ever since a fire destroyed the castle맥스카지노�s interior in 1969, but the Bannerman Castle Trust, Inc. provides walking tours of the island accessible by a tour boat or kayak for those curious to explore it.

Scotty's Castle

Where: Death Valley National Park, CA

Even though Walter E. Scott—a con man and gold prospector—never lived in or owned this in the northern part of Death Valley, it was nicknamed after him since he was the one to convince a Chicago couple, Albert and Bessie Johnson, to build it. Unfortunately, Scotty맥스카지노�s Castle is closed to visitors until 2019 since a 2015 flash flood left several feet of mud and rocks inside the building. Keep a lookout for its reopening if you're looking to take a tour on an upcoming visit out west.

Castle Gould

Where: Sands Point, NY

Modeled after Kilkenny Castle in Ireland, this was built as the main residence at the Sands Point Preserve Estate for Howard Gould and his wife, actress Katherine Clemmons. But when she decided she didn맥스카지노�t like it, they built another opulent mansion on the property and used Castle Gould as their stable and servants맥스카지노� quarters instead.

Castle Gould is mostly used now as a sound stage for film and TV production, but the medieval-inspired Great Hall can be rented for weddings.

Castello di Amorosa

Where: Calistoga, CA

It took 15 years to build this located in the middle of California맥스카지노�s Napa Valley that not only has a Great Hall with hand-painted frescoes and a medieval chapel, but also comes complete with a drawbridge and torture chamber (upbeat, we know).

A $25 general admission ticket includes access to the upper levels of the castle, plus a tasting of five types of their Italian-style wine.

Lyndhurst Castle

Where: Tarrytown, NY

Designed in 1838, this just north of New York is one of the country맥스카지노�s best examples of Gothic Revival architecture. Built for New York City Mayor William Paulding, it was later used as a summer house by railroad tycoon Jay Gould. While nobody lives there today, it is open to the public as a museum and can also be rented out as a wedding venue.

Hearst Castle

Where: San Simeon, CA

Newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst—who founded Harper맥스카지노�s Bazaar맥스카지노�s parent company—commissioned this on the Central California coast as his private residence. While he had to leave the enormous 165-room castle in 1947 before it was completely finished due to his failing health, the estate is currently open to the public as a museum.

Smithsonian Institute Castle

Where: Washington, D.C.

Located near the center of the National Mall, this , made from red sandstone in 1855, served as the home and office for Joseph Henry, the first Secretary of the Smithsonian. Today it is used as the visitor center for the Smithsonian Institute.

Boldt Castle

Where: Alexandria, NY

The proprietor of New York맥스카지노�s Waldorf Astoria Hotel, George C. Boldt, commissioned this 120-room for his wife, Louise, at the turn-of-the-century. But before the castle could be completed, Louise died unexpectedly and Boldt was too heartbroken to ever return to the island. While the castle remained abandoned for 73 years, the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority eventually restored and opened it to the public in 1977.