Maine is known for its beautiful coastlines and its endless supply of delicious seafood, but it offers much more to its residents and visitors.
Among the gorgeous landscapes, architecture, and mouth-watering food lie several castles – some open to the public and some you can enjoy from afar.
Below are some of the most beautiful and interesting castles you’ll find along Maine’s coast, along with a little history behind each and whether you can visit them.
10 Most Beautiful Castles in Maine
Maine is rich in history – including castles that favor styles from around the world.
The following are 10 castles that were inspired by European architecture that you have to see to believe.
1. Beckett’s Castle
If haunted castles are your cup of tea, Beckett’s Castle in Cape Elizabeth is for you.
Built in 1850, it was home to author and Portland Natural History Society cofounder Sylvester Beckett.
According to some, even after his passing, Beckett decided to keep living there to walk the halls, terrorize residents and visitors, and throw open doors randomly.
The Gothic castle was eventually sold to Nancy Harvey in 1981, who added several rooms and a rose garden to the grounds before passing away herself last year.
Beckett’s Castle is not open for tours, but if you’re in the market for a new home, it’s up for sale.
2. Gardiner Castle
The Gardiner Castle was originally the vision of the founder of Gardiner, ME – Dr. Sylvester.
His grandson, Robert Hallowell Gardiner, later brought the vision to life on his grandfather’s land.
After the first home burned, Gardiner worked with architect Richard Upjohn to erect a new Gothic-style home.
Gardiner Castle, which is also known as Oaklands Castle, is an important and beautiful structure in Maine – even Nathaniel Hawthorne eloquently described how impressive it was in American Notebooks.
The Gardiner family still uses the castle as a private residence, so it’s not open for tours, but you can see its beauty from the Kennebec River.
3. Norumbega Castle
Perhaps the most well-known castle in Maine sits along Penobscot Bay.
The Norumbega Castle is a beautiful Gothic-style structure that Joseph Stearns designed in the late 1800s.
It was fashioned around other castles he had seen traveling throughout Europe.
The stained glass, darker colors, turrets, and other features used are like a step back in time.
It’s now more often referred to as the Norumbega Inn – giving people around the world the opportunity to enjoy the home, its peaceful garden, and an incredible view of the bay.
4. Ogunquit Memorial Library
The Ogunquit Memorial Library was gifted to the town of Ogunquit by summer residents George and Nannie Conarroe.
It was built in 1897 in a Romanesque Revival style, opened just one year later, and then enlarged in the early 1900s.
This castle posing as a library is such a treasured gem to the town that additions and even necessary repairs are artistically crafted.
For example, the doors had to be replaced in 2007 and were custom-made by hand.
Even the grandfather clock that graces the interior was handcrafted from black walnut.
5. Mann Castle
Mann Castle is another intriguing library with an equally intriguing story.
In the late 1800s, residents of West Paris decided to begin a subscription service so townspeople could borrow books for a yearly fee.
Books were stored at the post office before moving to three separate stores and a resident’s home, but eventually, there were too many books to keep in such places.
This all changed after resident Lewis M. Mann passed, leaving both land and money for a library to be built.
Though it’s much smaller than most castles, the stone structure, oak door, and other features make it quite a sight to see.
6. Morse-Libby Mansion
In the later 1850s, Maine natives Ruggles Sylvester Morse and his wife had an Italian Villa-style home constructed in Portland.
It’s known as Victoria Mansion or Morse-Libby Mansion, as it was later sold to the Libby family.
Fortunately, the Libbys kept the original features that included handcrafted cabinets by German designer Gustave Herter.
The castle is full of intricate designs, down to the handrails and the Italian paintings.
You can delight in each and every aspect, as the Morse-Libby Mansion is now a museum that remains open to the public.
7. Castle Tucker
Often, the best way to learn about history is to experience it.
Though that can be difficult, places like Castle Tucker make it possible.
This Victorian home was originally built in 1807, but shipping magnate Richard H. Tucker and his wife bought the house in 1858.
The Tucker family added on rooms, including a piazza and more, while raising five children.
To this day, the parlor is still set up with Tucker’s furniture and original upholstery.
The kitchen holds their custom-made sink, their stove from the early 1900s, and various other tools.
It’s now a museum that you can visit on the weekends during the months of June through October for a tour.
8. Mount Battie Tower
Along the hiking trails of Camden Hills State Park is what was once a carriage road that led to Summit House.
Summit House was once a public hotel but later turned into a clubhouse for wealthy visitors and residents.
In 1918, a fire wiped out much of the mountaintop, although Summit House was still standing.
Sadly, between the lack of surrounding beauty and the decline of using carriages for trade, the house wasn’t used as much and was torn down.
Pieces of the old building – including the iron pins – were used to design a small castle-like tower in its place.
It’s known as the Mount Battie War Memorial.
9. The Turrets
For most ladies, a dream wedding gift might consist of a honeymoon trip around the world or a keepsake to mark the momentous occasion.
For 18-year-old Lela Alexander, it was a beautiful summer castle in Bar Harbor that took 100 people two years to build.
The Turrets was erected between 1895 and 1897 as her summer cottage – one that included nearly 100 windows and nearly two dozen doors.
In 1973, it was purchased by the College of the Atlantic, but due to a fire, it had to be renovated – a process that included replacing every single window.
Now, both faculty and students get to enjoy its beauty every day.
10. Casco Castle Tower
In the early 1900s, Amos F. Gerald – also known as the “Electric Railway King” – built a resort in Freeport to help offset the cost of the various electric railways he owned.
This resort was called Casco Castle, which included a hotel and a 185-foot stone tower.
Though the hotel was made from wood, he had it built with gray shingles so it would resemble a castle.
Sadly, a fire broke out in 1914 and destroyed the wooden structure.
Nothing but the stone tower still stands, but it’s on private property so you can only see it from a distance.
Maine Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Maine Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time of year to visit Maine?
Summer is the best time to go for nice weather, especially if you’re hoping to enjoy a lot of outdoor activities.
However, that can be the most expensive time to go.
Fall is a gorgeous time of year to experience the landscape, as the natural colors paint quite a picture, but the weather is starting to cool off more than most people like.
September is often recommended, as it offers lower prices but the temperatures haven’t dropped too much yet.
Are there any other gems to keep an eye out for?
Making a list of the best structures and places to see in Maine is difficult.
The state is full of both natural and man-made beauty to ogle, so it’s safe to say that you’ll be pleasantly surprised often during your trip.
If you want some specific places to add to your itinerary, consider visiting the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Acadia National Park, Baxter State Park, the Old Port, Portland Head Lighthouse, and Ogunquit Beach.
And if you’re searching for another gorgeous option for a wedding venue, the Agora Grand is a castle-style cathedral and inn available for your special events.
I’m not a resident. Will I need to register for a library card to see the Mann Castle and Ogunquit Memorial Library?
No, these structures are open to the public during regular business hours.
Though they are, indeed, libraries, they are both vibrant parts of their respective communities that are happy to share them.
You are welcome to visit and browse the magnificent buildings – along with the old books at the Ogunquit Memorial Library.
Of course, to check out books, you will need a library card.
How do I book a room at the Norumbega Inn?
The owners make it really easy for you to set up your reservation.
They have set up a website that lets you view the available rooms and book your stay.
There are 11 different rooms to choose from, each of which has its own special features, such as fireplaces, balconies, soaking tubs, bay windows, and a great view.
If you’re traveling with a child, the Library Suite has a second floor with a twin bed in addition to the king bed in the main room.
They also host weddings and other events, which you can also set up through their website.
