7 Captivating Castles You Won’t Believe Are Near Cincinnati

There are many beautiful sights to see around Cincinnati, but one thing you may not expect to pass on a daily basis is a majestic castle. But it turns out, you don’t have to go on a tour of Europe to experience these magical structures that seem to be straight out of a dream. Here are 7 captivating castles you won’t believe are near Cincinnati and that you’ll want to seek out as soon as possible.

GoogleMaps/Sandy Smith

If you've ever come across this majestic castle in Versailles, Kentucky, you probably thought you were lost inside a fairy tale. About an hour and a half south of Cincinnati, The Kentucky Castle is now a bed and breakfast (yes, you can spend the night here!) and event center that hosts weddings, special dinners, and other magical activities.

Flickr/Marie

Chateau Laroche, also known as the Loveland Castle, is probably the most well known castle on our list. This authentic medieval castle is now a museum and you can take your own self-guided tour. The castle is guarded by knights to this day and the story behind its purpose is as intriguing as the structure itself.

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Flickr/Craig Hatfield

Built by brothers in the 1870s, the Piatt Castles are two stately structures about an hour and 45 minutes from Cincinnati in West Liberty. These museums would make a great day trip and will surely educate you on over 200 years of Ohio history.

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Flickr/Cathy

This grand arch may not be an entire castle, but it was inspired by one! Built in 1883 by Cincinnati Water Works, the company wanted a structure that would add to the beauty of the surrounding area in Eden Park. The design was inspired by a castle from the set of Shakespeare's Hamlet, which was performing at the time.

Facebook/Castle & Key

If this beautiful castle and the surrounding 113 acres don't look familiar to you, it's not surprising. Castle & Key is an innovative distillery outside of Lexington that has taken over a historic property...but they aren't open yet. But, they will be very soon, so we'll all be able to drive just a little over an hour to wander the lovely grounds and sample their creations.

Facebook/The Conrad-Caldwell House Museum

This Victorian mansion in Louisville isn't an actual castle, but its grandeur puts it right in line with the others on our list. This art museum is located in the heart of Old Louisville, which you'll love to explore, along with this structure that feels more like a home than a museum.

OnlyInYourState/Andrea Limke

Okay, this one is just for fun. But as a child growing up in Cincinnati, was there ever a more beautiful castle? And now, children today can experience the old Johnny's Toys birthday castle as the computer shop, Tech Castle, has brought it back to life. And yes, they still mail you a key, but it's definitely a lot smaller than what you remember from childhood.

If you’re looking for something different to do, why not turn a boring day into one filled with awe-inspiring castles? How many of these have you visited? Any others nearby that we missed? Share with us in the comments!

And for more unique things to do around Cincinnati, check out our recent article here.