Take A Meandering Staircase To The Balcony Of An Old Stone Castle

You probably think that nowadays, there aren’t too many places you can stand up on a castle balcony. Most of us only come in contact with castles through watching “Game of Thrones” or “Harry Potter.” While you’re not able to visit Hogwarts in reality, you’ll be surprised to learn that we actually have quite a few castles in Connecticut and that many of them are open to the public. One of the most accessible is in Gillette Castle State Park. Not only is the park itself absolutely stunning, but the castle that is on its grounds is open to the public. Head up the staircase onto the balcony and you can see for miles while feeling like you’re the star of your very own fairy tale!

Gillette Castle is the centerpiece of the state park. The park is open year-round and the castle opens up for tours each summer.

Photo Phiend/Flickr

It looks like a medieval fortress, but was actually a private home commissioned by William Gillette, the stage actor most famous for portraying Sherlock Holmes.

labbradolci/Flickr

The castle sits high above the Connecticut River, and the balcony provides some phenomenal views.

Leslie Gottlieb/Flickr

Peter Rintels/Flickr

Inside, the castle is a fascinating mix match of different architectural styles. It’s filled with secret locks and hidden passageways.

billandkent/Flickr

We may not all be able to live in a castle, but it’s fun to daydream about it while admiring the views from the balcony of Gillette Castle!

Joe Mabel/Flickr

Gillette Castle reopens for tours at the end of May. Tickets are required for entry, and they go on sale on April 1. They tend to sell out early, so you’ll definitely want to book in advance at the official Connecticut state website.