This Road Trip To Washington’s Most Majestic Castles Is Like Something From A Fairytale

Washington has some beautiful castles, each one with its own unique history. And while you can’t see them all in a day, you could easily see most of the beautiful castles on the west side in a weekend, making for one fairy tale-like road trip. Get ready to embark on one of the best road trips in Washington! For the trip below, we suggest starting with the small castle at Fort Worden State Park and ending with our state’s most magical venue, Lakewood’s Thornewood Castle.

1. Alexander Castle, Fort Worden State Park, Port Townsend

Located in Fort Worden Historical State Park, legend has it that Reverend John Alexander built this castle for a prospective Scottish bride in a style reminiscent of his native country. But his chosen bride ended up marrying someone else, so he used the castle as a temporary residence. During the park's Army days, it was used for a number of purposes including serving as the first site of the Post Exchange.

2. Manresa Castle, 651 Cleveland Street, Port Townsend

Manresa Castle dates back to 1892, the home of Charles and Kate Eisenbeis. Charles was a prominent member of the early Port Townsend business community. The castle is now a beautiful hotel.

3. Stadium High School, 111 North E Street, Tacoma

How lucky are the students who get to go to school here? Construction began in 1891 with the intention of building a luxury hotel resembling a French château. The Tacoma School District purchased the building in the early 1900s, and the rest is history. You might recognize Stadium High School from the '90s hit "10 Things I Hate About You."

4. Thornewood Castle, 8601 N Thorne Ln. SW, Lakewood

End your day at the beautiful Thornewood Castle, which serves as a bed and breakfast, so you'll have a beautiful place to spend the night. Mr. Chester Thorne, one of the founders of the Port of Tacoma, had the castle reconstructed in 1907 as an act of love for his bride. Stephen King's "Rose Red" was filmed here, but the actual venue is anything but scary.

How many castles in Washington have you visited? Looking for more of the best road trips in Washington? Here are some of the most unforgettable road trips you can take through our beautiful state.