Inside 6 enchanting castle homes that belong in a fairytale

Residences fit for royalty across the USA

Although many of the world's most beautiful castles can be found across Europe, America is home to plenty of enchanting estates that appear to have been plucked straight from a fairytale. 

Click or scroll on to discover the most amazing castle homes across the US...

Highlands Castle, Warren County, New York

With its fairytale looks and a name like Highlands Castle, you'd be forgiven for assuming this property lies in the dreamy wilds of Scotland. However, it can actually be found in Warren County, New York, overlooking the waters of Lake George.

Not only is the residence incredible, with striking brickwork, soaring towers, and battlements, but it has a fascinating origin story, too.

Highlands Castle: attention to detail

At the age of 23, John A. Lavender went through a divorce and began renting a room in a shared house with five other men.

However, with a three-year-old son to take care of, he knew this living situation could only be temporary and promised his son that one day, he would build him a castle. Almost five years later, in 1983, John bought the plot at Bolton Landing and began constructing his dream home.

Highlands Castle: Baronial charm

In 1986, John met his future wife, Yvonne, who "turned a pile of rocks into a home". By the time John's son was a teenager, he was helping with the build, focusing on the exterior stonework. "Naturally resourceful, he recruited his High School football teammates to lend some muscle over the summer months," John explains.

A slow process, laying more than 1,000 tons of local granite, took decades. In fact, the house was 42 years in the making. Today, there are three castles turned into vacation homes on the estate, which also functions as a wedding venue.

Highlands Castle: authentic stone façade

Available to rent on Airbnb, Highlands Castle can accommodate up to eight people and features gorgeous, traditionally styled rooms with plush fabrics, fine woods, decorative tin ceilings, and antique furnishings throughout.

There’s a Great Hall with a 25-foot-high cathedral ceiling and 21 windows overlooking Lake George and the Adirondack Mountains. There are also plenty of exterior terraces, where guests can step outside to soak up the scenery.

Bavarian-style castle, Orleans County, Vermont

Grand and imposing, this Bavarian-style castle is situated in Irasburg, in Vermont's Orleans County.

Nestled on 20 private acres and enclosed by manicured grounds, a lake, and stunning mountain vistas, this is one seriously dazzling residence.

Bavarian-style castle: soaring ceilings

Available to rent on Airbnb, the castle is ideal for seven guests. There are six bedrooms and four bathrooms, as well as sprawling living spaces with soaring ceilings.

This sitting room, for example, is the ultimate spot for unwinding, with its fireplace, piano, and sweeping landscape views.

Bavarian-style castle: rustic kitchen

Thanks to exposed timber beams, glossy hardwood floors, antique light fixtures, and quirky alcoves, every room is beautiful and impressive.

The kitchen, pictured here, features rustic wood cabinets with traditional iron-effect brackets, a large Viking stove, and organically shaped domed windows.

Bavarian-style castle: four-poster bed

Plus, the grounds are overflowing with treats, from the serenity of a private pond to idyllic woodland trails, and guests can spend their days exploring all this part of Vermont has to offer.

There are also a few patios – one with a firepit and one with a hot tub – perfect for relaxing after a long day.

Château De Melusine, Bonner County, Idaho

Pretty and petite, Château De Melusine might not be as large as some American castles, but it certainly makes a big impression.

Located in Sandpoint, Idaho, the castle is perched on Schweitzer Mountain and, as such, enjoys unobstructed panoramic views of the surrounding ranges and valleys.

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Château De Melusine: stained-glass windows

The Airbnb rental could definitely be described as unusual. Sadly, we don’t know when the property was constructed, but it is likely a modern addition, made to look like it was built long ago.

Fun and quirky, every room is themed, with characterful castle décor and everything from armored guards to stone statues and decorative swords. From hand-laid stone flooring and walls to stained-glass windows and wall lanterns, every space is incredibly inviting.

Château De Melusine: tower staircase

As for rooms, there's an open-plan living room with a sitting area, dining zone, and kitchen, all topped by a stunning vaulted and beamed ceiling.

There's also a staircase in the tower, which leads upstairs. Here, you'll find two bedrooms and a bathroom.

Château De Melusine: light-filled bedroom

The bedrooms all benefit from amazing views, and there’s also a private hot tub room, with walls of glass that allow for breathtaking mountain scenery while you soak.

Plus, with Schweitzer – the largest resort in Idaho – just down the road, guests can enjoy access to 2,900 acres of renowned ski slopes and hiking trails in the Selkirk Mountains.

Faux-medieval castle, Oakland County, Michigan

Anyone searching for a characterful home that offers architectural wow factor and all the modern conveniences of a newly-built mansion will fall head over heels for this property.

The faux-medieval castle lies in Oakland County, Michigan, and despite its historic-looking façade, it was actually only constructed in 1990. Yet there's nothing '90s about this pad. Let's head inside...

Faux-medieval castle: imposing entryway

The property is nestled on six acres of land and surrounded by a wrought-iron fence and two gated towers, for total privacy and security. According to Signature Sotheby's International Realty, the house took over six years to build and was constructed by the finest artisans from around the world at a cost of around $10 million.

Standing 60 feet tall, it boasts a moat, waterfall, drawbridge, 26 rooms, an elevator, and one seriously amazing entryway, complete with a knight in shining armor...

Faux-medieval castle: ornate furnishings

The 6,106-square-foot property has plenty of elegant living areas, with soaring coffered ceilings, ornate fireplaces, paneled walls, and stained glass elements. There are also five bedrooms and five bathrooms.

This home comes with plenty of surprising extras, too, including secret rooms, hidden doors, passageways, and staircases – not to mention a cellar and a Tudor-style saloon, both of which are tucked away in the basement. But that isn't all...

Faux-medieval castle: secret spaces

That's right, the house has its very own tiny town, concealed in the basement. The space doubles as a garage and boasts a nightclub-esque dancefloor, as well as a cobbled street with faux storefronts and lamp posts. 

Previously on the market for $2.2 million, with Dylan Tent of Signature Sotheby’s International Realty, this incredible home could never be described as ordinary.

The Castle in the Forest, Bernardino County, California

Surrounded by a dense forest, this majestic mansion is reminiscent of a Disney castle. Offering 10,000 square feet of inside space, the dramatic façade features endless Gothic windows, mock-Tudor detailing, and no end of turrets.

Known as The Castle in the Forest, the residence sits in a deep canyon close to Lake Arrowhead in Skyforest, California. 

The Castle in the Forest: grand fireplaces

While the exterior is grand and almost too big to take in properly, the interior is beautifully styled, with 20 spacious rooms, cathedral ceilings, glittering chandeliers, grand fireplaces, floor-to-ceiling windows with forest views, and bespoke details.

This exquisite sitting room boasts regal wood paneling and a marble hearth, not to mention an entire wall of windows.

The Castle in the Forest: state-of-the-art kitchen

There's also a formal dining room, seven bedrooms, and seven bathrooms, while the state-of-the-art kitchen is home to an array of luxury appliances and a coffered ceiling.

There are also multiple themed rooms, including a library, movie theater, games room, cellar, and a Bavarian-style biergarten.

The Castle in the Forest: luxurious suites

Each of the castle's seven luxurious suites comes with a private patio, so guests can head outside and take in their surroundings in style. Finally, there are lower and upper terraces, where lucky occupants can sit back and unwind.

Art Deco castle, Los Angeles, California

A mixture of Art Deco, Spanish, and Assyrian styles, 'The Castle' – as it's known locally – is one of LA's most historic homes.

It was built in the 1920s by the architect A.F. Leicht and has had a long list of celebrity residents, including artist Andy Warhol, musician Bob Dylan, and Flea (real name Michael Peter Balzary) from the band Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

Art Deco castle: unique architecture

The 5,500 square foot home boasts a plethora of striking architectural features, from Egyptian-themed geometric pillars and arched passageways to gilded ceilings and octagonal-shaped rooms.

Art Deco castle: modern interiors

The unique residence is set on almost two acres and has five bedrooms, plus a separate studio and a guest apartment.

In 2023, it hit the market with Compass and Douglass Elliman for $9.9 million, according to TopTenRealEstateDeals.com.

Art Deco castle: downtown vistas

A swirling stone staircase leads from the entryway up to a rotund observatory tower with arched windows.

Outside, there's an expansive roof terrace where occupants can relax while taking in stunning views across LA.

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