Most People Don’t Know These 5 Castles are Hiding in Maine

When you think of the great state of Maine, several things likely come to mind: amazing lobster rolls, beautiful shorelines, and postcard-perfect seasons. But castles? Probably not on your radar. But, explore a little deeper, and you'll find some of the most stunning castles in the country, in humble, little Maine. From grand views over Penobscot Bay to creepy haunted dwellings in Cape Elizabeth, these hidden castles in Maine are definitely worth a trip. You can make it a weekend road trip to see them all; you'll return home feeling like you've been weekending in Europe.

1. Norumbega Inn

Overlooking the Pebobscot River in Camden, the Norumbega Castle stands out from just about every other structure along the Maine coast. Built in 1886, it was privately owned and lived in for almost 100 years, before becoming a bed and breakfast that you can still stay in today. Fun Fact: The current owner of Lorumbega Castle was actually a winner on popular Food Network show, "Chopped."

2. Castle Tucker

Built in 1807, Castle Tucker is one of the oldest castles in Maine. It now operates as a museum allowing visitors to see how the last Victorian residents would have lived their daily lives.

3. Gardiner Castle

Gardiner Castle, also known locally as Oaklands Castle, was the vision of Dr. Sylvester Gardiner. He was later sent back to England (something about being a loyalist and some wacky Revolution stuff) but the castle remained in the family and can still be seen today.

4. Mann Castle

Mann Castle is the site of the present day West Paris Library. Unlike the others on this list, Mann Castle was never lived in, and was actually built in 1926 for the sole purpose of being a library.

5. Beckett's Castle

Probably the eeriest of all the castles in Maine, Beckett's Castle in Cape Elizabeth is reported to be haunted by the spirit of publisher Sylvester B. Beckett, who died in 1882.

Did you know about these castles in Maine? This little corner of the country sure is full of surprises -- and a total hidden gem of a state. For more epic castle adventures, be sure to check out this Maine Castle Road Trip here