If you are looking for an equally quirky and beautiful getaway in the northeast region of the United States, this New Hampshire icon sits an hour and a half north of Manchester and just under two hours from Portland, Maine. If you find yourself in the surrounding area of Maine, Vermont, or Massachusetts, be sure to add this roadside attraction to your road trip bucket list.
The Castle In The Clouds
Nestled on a mountaintop in Moultonborough, New Hampshire, The Castle in the Clouds (also called Lucknow) is a 16-room mansion managed by the Castle Preservation Society. This mansion offers stunning views of Lake Winnipesaukee and the Ossipee Mountains.
About The Famous Castle in the Clouds
This historic estate can easily be a full weekend adventure or a quick day trip — pick your magic! Built in 1913, this Craftsman-style home was commissioned by a shoe manufacturer named Thomas Gustave Plant (1859-1941) for his second wife, Olive Cornelia Dewey (Olive Plant).
Things to Do Here
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There is no shortage of fun and entertainment to be enjoyed when you make a trip to Lucknow. Take a trolley tour of the sprawling roads built in the early 1900s. During the tour, the guide will tell you the story of the Plants and all about the construction of the arts and crafts style of architecture.
Then, you could take a self-guided tour of the 16-room mansion where there are activities for the children and educational opportunities to learn everything there is to know about the Castle in the Clouds. In addition to the tours, there is an Art Gallery, the Carriage House Restaurant, and 28 miles of hiking trails over the property's 5,000 plus acres. The miles of trail boasts amazing views of the lake and the surrounding area. Click here for a virtual tour of the Carriage House art gallery.
After you eat at the Carriage House Restaurant, grab a cone of ice cream at the Cones in the Cloud, a sweets shop in the Meadows of Shannon Pond. Do not forget to pick up a souvenir at the gift shop. You can even rent the space for a wedding or special occasions like a non-profit organization fundraiser or a family reunion. If you visit in season, you may even catch some live music on one of the mansion's music nights.
Important Information to Visit
This New Hampshire attraction is typically open on weekends from mid-May through Memorial Day and then daily through late October. Perfect for a year-round trek, you can see the fall colors in Autumn and the floral blooms in the summertime. The Castle is located at 455 Old Mountain Rd., Moultonborough, NH 03254. The website is www.castleintheclouds.org for more information.
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