Although many Hudson Valley Castles are privately-owned and were built to show the grandeur of the original owners, many others can be visited and enjoyed, even if just from a distance.

The castles built in the past mostly served a weekend homes for the wealthy.

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When is the Best Time to Visit a Hudson Valley Castle

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When planning a day trip in the Hudson Valley, one of the best pieces of advice is to make sure to research and plan your day. Visiting one of the many Hudson Valley Castles is no different.

A day trip to a Hudson Valley Castle is a magical outing, and can be made more magical with the right road trip essentials.

What’s the one thing you absolutely need on a day trip to a Hudson Valley Castle? Your phone!
Make sure to capture the best moments of this day trip and these accessories may also help you out.

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Which are the Best Hudson Valley Castles to Visit

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#1: Bannerman Castle

Located on Pollepel Island on the Hudson River, the island was once the home and warehouse of military goods of Francis Bannerman VI. The island and Bannerman Castle were bought by New York State in the late 1960’s but a fire destroyed most of the building.

Today, you can tour/hike the island through the Bannerman Castle Trust, led by executive director Neil Caplan, but the castle itself can only be seen from a short distance. The best part is that is can also be seen while riding the Metro-North Hudson Line or by reserving a kayak tour to the island.

Read More: Click here to read more about Bannerman Castle and what a visit is like

#2: Leland Castle

Located on the campus of, the now closed, College of New Rochelle, Leland Castle is a 19th century Victorian stone castle that once house the administrative offices and an art gallery of the college. The remainder of the building on this small campus perfectly compliment Leland Castle.

#3: Lyndhurst Mansion

Also known as the Jay Gould estate, this house was owned by New York City mayor William Paulding Jr and sits on more than 60 acres. Lyndhurst Mansion sits on a landscaped park, with Civil War-era restored pathways, and can be visited by purchasing a daily grounds pass (April through December). Your visit starts at the Welcome Center (once the estates carriage house).

A guided tour is not necessary to visit the grounds, including the rose garden, fountains and other special features of the property. This is one of most majestic places in the Lower Hudson Valley Region and can be accessed via the Old Croton Aqueduct State Park or the Westchester RiverWalk.

Tours offered include:

• Classic Mansion Tour
• Backstairs Tour
• Upstairs/Downstairs Tour

#4: Mohonk Mountain House

Also known as Lake Mohonk Mountain House, this luxury hotel resort is located in New Paltz. Because of its location south of the Catskill Mountains and on the crest of the Shawagunk Ridge, this is a popular destination of many. With over 200 guest rooms, including 28 tower rooms, this property is massive and consists of over 1,000 acres.

For those not looking to stay overnight, Mohonk Mountain House offers a Day Guest Packages. Your choice of Day Guest Packages consist of dining experiences Packages, Spa Day Packages, Summer Sports Pass Packages (includes one round of golf, one-hour on tennis courts, 30 min use of boat, access to mountain house and carriage house, afternoon tea and more…), Hiking Trails Pass, Gold Pass and/or Outdoor Recreation Packages.

Since the inception of the idea for this hotel, it has been visited by five presidents (Theodore Roosevelt to Bill Clinton), hosted Native American conferences, as well as, Conferences on International Arbitration, and now has two hundred and fifty-nine rooms on over one thousand acres.

#5: Olana State Historic Site

Olana State Historic Site is a historic home museum in Columbia County. Home to Frederic Edwin Church of the Hudson River School of Landscape Painting, this majestic estate offers panoramic views of the Hudson River and is the perfect place to spend an afternoon.

The park is open daily and tours are offered from Tuesday through Sunday. Since the grounds are free, it’s the perfect opportunity to explore miles of carriage roads.

#6: Reid Castle

Located in Purchase and on the grounds of Manhattanville College (my alma mater), Reid Castle now holds the administrative offices of the college. Also known as “The Castle”, this Renaissance Revival structure that is 4 stories in total.

This National Historic Landmark is the centerpiece of the campus and is available for special events rental.

#7: Vassar College Thompson Memorial Library

As the main library building at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, Thompson Memorial Library is in the style of Perpendicular Gothic and consists of stone walls and the great hall is embellished with college and university seals.

Public access to the library is available during winter and spring breaks and during the summer, this is a great place to visit with the focus of the library being the Cornaro Stained Glass Window.

#8: The Castle at Tarrytown

A hotel resort and restaurant, The Castle at Tarrytown was constructed to resemble a European Castle with several towers. Overlooking the Hudson River Valley, it is located on the highest point of Westchester County.

A popular place for weddings and luxury overnight stays, the 31 room hotel is a popular destination for many. Amenities include a fitness center, whirlpool, jogging paths and a seasonal outdoor swimming pool.

#9: Whitby Castle

Located in Rye, the Whitby Castle is a beautiful castle that resembles the original Whitby Abbey in England. Set on over 100 acres, this is a popular venue for weddings, as well as, other special events, such as Mother’s Day Brunch.

#10: Wing’s Castle

Located in Millbrook, NY, Wing’s Castle is a medieval-style castle and is an adults-only bed and breakfast. At the time of this posting, Tours had been suspended for the season, but an accommodation reservation also includes a complimentary tour of the castle.

The Castle overlooks The Millbrook Vineyards and Winery, where tours and wine tasting are offered daily. Their tasting room is rustic, yet inviting and they offer tastings every hour for guests with reservations.

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Privately Owned Hudson Valley Castles

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#1: Castle Rock

Located in Garrison, Castle Rock Unique Area consists of a property over 100 acres and has several trails on it, including the Sugarloaf Hill Hike. The best view of the estate itself is at the beginning of the hike, but the castle itself is on private property. They say that the views from Castle Rock include West Point, across the Hudson River.

Because of it’s close proximity to Route 9D, it’s best to park there in a small parking lot off of Wing and Wind Road. There are several marked and unmarked trails in the area, so hiking is at your own risk.

#2: Elda Castle

Located in Ossining, Elda Castle is the abandoned home of founder of the Abercrombie Co. This castle consisted of 25 rooms on a 60+ acre property. Now in ruins and vandalized, one can walk the property and, if you dare, go inside. (But remember, that it’s trespassing and I can never advise doing that.)

A fire in April 2022 has nearly destroyed the castle, so what remains may not look like photos you can find on the internet.

#3: Greystone Court

Located in Yonkers, Greystone Court was built between 1906 and 1910 and later expanded in the 1920’s. Now used as a New York Film and Photo Location, the grandeur of the Gatsby Era remains alive in this beautiful building.

#4: Lord’s Castle

Located in Piermont, Lord’s Castle was built by the Erie Railroad Baron, Eleazar Lord. This castle in Rockland County was built with 30 rooms and is a total of 15,000 square feet, sitting on 19 acres. Now owned by the Shah family since 2015, they have refurbished it as their summer home and rent it out to others.

#5: Migdale

Nestle in Millbrook, Migdale as modeled after Carnegie’s Skibo Castle in Scotland as was a gift to Andrew Carnegie’s only child, Margaret. This more than 34,000 square foot castle with four floors and 10 bedroom sits on a 200+ acre estate.

Most recently, the estate is closed to the public and owned by a Manhattan restaurateur that wishes to turn it into a resort, but the town of Millbrook is pushing back.

#6: Tiedemann Castle

Located in Greenwood Lake, Tiedmann Castle is a 100-year old property occupied by two prominent local families: The Gudewills and the Tiedmanns. This is the childhood home of Derek Jeter’s maternal grandfather and subsequently he has purchased the property and plans to renovate all existing buildings.

#7: Ward’s Castle

Located in Port Chester, Ward’s Castle or the William E Ward House, sits on 8 acres in a residential neighborhood in Port Chester. It is believed to be the first residence in the United States to have been built completely out of concrete, in order to ease Ward’s mother of her phobia of fires. Built from 1873 – 1876, it housed the Museum of Cartoon Art from 1976 – 1992 and is now a private residence.

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More Hudson Valley Historic Sites

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Although these are not Hudson Valley Castles, these majestic homes and mansions are important to highlight.

Many are listed on the National Register of Historic Places while others are on the National Park Service, as well as, State Historic Sites, but all are worth a visit and make the perfect place for a day trip in the Hudson Valley.

These include:

• Clermont State Historic Site – Located in Germantown, Clermont was once the home to Robert R Livingston, who drafted the Declaration of Independence, administering the oath of office to General George Washington, negotiating the Louisiana Purchase.

• Glenview – Located on the grounds of the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers, Glenview is an 1877 Gilded Age home that can be toured through the museum.

• Home of Franklin D Roosevelt National Historic Site – Located in Hyde Park, Springwood Estate is maintained by the National Park Service. In addition to touring the private residence of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, one can also visit the Presidential Library, also located on the grounds.
  • Guided Tours of the home are available everyday
  • Grounds are open to all, free of charge

• Kykuit – Built on the highest point in Pocantico Hills (near Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow), Kykuit is the summer and winter retreat for four generations of the Rockefellers. The highlight of many people who visit Westchester County, this historic Hudson Valley Mansion can only be visited by guided tour.

• Locust Grove – Once the summer home of Samuel Morse, Locust Grove is an Italianite mansion located on 200 acres consisting of miles of hiking trails. Guided tours of the 25-room mansion can purchased upon arrival.

• Mills Mansion – Also known as Staatsburgh State Historic Site, this 25-room Greek Revival structure was built by Morgan Lewis and Gertrude Livingston. In 1895, the Mills family remodeled and enlarged the home to 65 rooms and 14 bathrooms. Mansion tours, as well as, Landscape Walks are offered.

• Wilderstein – This Queen Anne Style country house in Rhinebeck is now a not-for-profit house museum. It is regarded as an important part of what is known as a Victoriam Mansion style. Three generations of the Suckley family lived in the mansion and is located 9 miles up river from Springwood.

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Other Castles in New York State

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Because many people are fascinated with castles, I thought I’d also include some notable castles throughout New York State.

#1: Beardslee Castle

Located in Little Falls (Herkimer County), Beardslee Castle has a rich history and now is used as a restaurant, bar and grill and is one of the most beautiful special event venues in the area, as it features 20 arching floor to ceiling plate glass windows. Imagine the magic that’s made there.

Featuring five intimate dining rooms, dinner at the Beardslee Castle will not disappoint. If it’s your first time dining there, please note that the menu changes weekly and is updated on the website.

#2: Boldt Castle

Located near Alexandria Bay in Upstate New York, construction of the Castle began in 1900 and was built by the millionaire George Boldt. Boldt Castle is located on Heart Island, and is a magnificent castle only accessible by water. Open seasonally (May – October), it is a sought after wedding venue for ceremonies and is featured on many wedding websites.

#3: Oheka Castle

Located in Huntington (Long Island), Oheka Castle is the largest private home in State of New York and the second largest in the United States, boasting an enormous 109,000 square feet. Now a 32 room hotel, Oheka Castle is also used for weddings, photo shoots, television and films.

Set on the highest point on Long Island in Cold Spring Harbor, Oheka Castle changed hands several times until 1984, when Gary Melius purchased the castle and had a master plan to complete a historic preservation of the building, along with the formal gardens, to its original state of excellence and natural beauty.

#4: Singer Castle

Also known as Dark Island Castle, Singer Castle consists of 28 bedrooms and bathrooms and a network of secret passageways within the walls. Located near Chippewa Bay, this castle hotel offers one royal suite that sleeps up to six people and is available for overnight stays.

In addition, they also offer tours of the castle, as well as, the perfect setting for meetings, seminars, conferences and receptions.

Things to Know Before Attempting to Visit Hudson Valley Castles:

• Many of these Hudson Valley Castles and other Historic Sites are open seasonally.
• Please confirm all information on their websites or social media pages.
• During peak season, there may be special events that close the sites to the public.
• Plan you day/weekend with other things in the area. These itineraries may help.

Get yourself ready for an amazing day of history and adventure at a Hudson Valley Castle!

Until the Next Adventure…

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