You might not know this, but Florida is hiding some seriously cool castles & mansions around the state, and this road trip uncovers them.
We’re talking glittering towers in the woods, fairy tale forts straight out of movies, and historic homes with interesting backstories.
Some spots feel like you’ve stepped into medieval Europe, while others are so quirky you’ll wonder if you dreamed them.
This road trip is packed with hidden gems you’d never expect to find in the Sunshine State, so grab your snacks and get ready for one epic Florida adventure.
1. Castle Otttis
Castle Otttis is a giant, hand-built Irish-style castle located about 10 minutes from St. Augustine, Florida, right off A1A near Vilano Beach.
Built in the 1980s by stone mason Ottis Sadler and designer Rusty Ickes, this dramatic landscape sculpture looks like something pulled straight out of medieval Ireland.
The inside is filled with tall arches, carved wood pews, and stone walls meant to feel like a 1,000-year-old church.
But there is a catch.
The castle isn’t open for regular tours, but you can request a private visit by scheduling in advance through their website.
Fun fact: it was designed to inspire spiritual reflection and built as a monument to Jesus Christ.
2. Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
Next up, drive just a few minutes south into downtown St. Augustine to check out the real deal when it comes to old-school forts, the Castillo de San Marcos.
Built by the Spanish in 1695, this massive coquina stone fortress is the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S. and has been through everything from pirate attacks to Civil War takeovers.
You can walk across the drawbridge, climb up to the gun deck, and snap pics next to real cannons that once guarded the coast.
Operated by the National Park Service, it’s open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas, and visitors can explore inside the fort’s rooms, courtyard, and gun deck.
On weekends, you might catch live weapons demonstrations or special living-history events, all while learning about 300+ years of history.
3. The Howey Mansion
After taking in all that coastal history, head inland to the charming town of Howey-in-the-Hills to see The Howey Mansion.
Built in 1927 by citrus tycoon William J. Howey, this 24-room Mediterranean Revival-style mansion is packed with original details like wrought-iron staircases and Spanish-style ironwork throughout.
It sat abandoned for years before getting a stunning restoration, and now you can take a guided tour or even rent it out for weddings.
The mansion’s just 40 minutes from Orlando, so it’s an easy detour with serious old Florida glam.
4. Hogwarts Castle
Ok, we can’t ignore this one now, can we?
Make your way to Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure, where you’ll find Hogwarts Castle towering over The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
This insanely detailed replica looks just like the one from the movies, complete with talking portraits, floating candles, and a queue line that takes you through Dumbledore’s office and the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
It’s home to the “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” ride, but even if you’re not hopping on, walking through the castle is 100% worth it, just be prepared for big crowds and lots of Butterbeer-fueled excitement.
5. Cinderella Castle
From wizard robes to glass slippers, your next castle stop might be the most iconic one in Florida, Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.
Standing 189 feet tall at the end of Main Street, U.S.A. within the park, this fairy tale fortress is inspired by real European castles but brought to life with that classic Disney sparkle.
You can walk through the arched passageway lined with glass mosaics telling Cinderella’s story, and if you’re super lucky, there’s even a secret suite inside that can be stayed in under special promotions like raffles, contests, or charity events.
The castle lights up during fireworks shows, transforms during special events, and makes every trip to Disney feel straight-up magical.
6. Ca’ d’Zan (Ringling Mansion)
After all that pixie dust, it’s time for some serious old-school glamour at Ca’ d’Zan in Sarasota.
This waterfront mansion was the winter home of circus king John Ringling and looks like a Venetian palace with its stained glass windows, marble terrace, and over-the-top architecture.
Built in 1926, the house has 56 rooms and sits right on Sarasota Bay, so you get dreamy water views while imagining what it was like to be a 1920s circus millionaire.
You can tour the inside, stroll through the gardens, and even check out the nearby Ringling Museum for a dose of art, history, and circus flair.
Please note that at the time of writing, the second floor of the Ca’ d’Zan remains closed due to storm surge damage from September 2024; however, the first floor is still open for self-guided tours.
7. Solomon’s Castle
Now for something totally quirky and off-the-wall, head into the woods of Ona to find the shiny, weird wonder that is Solomon’s Castle.
This gleaming aluminum-covered castle was built entirely by artist Howard Solomon using recycled materials, including old printing plates that make the whole thing sparkle like a giant disco ball.
Inside, it’s packed with pun-filled sculptures, homemade stained glass, and wacky art that’ll have you laughing, squinting, and saying “wait, what?” every five seconds.
There’s even a pirate ship restaurant called the Boat in the Moat, so come hungry and bring your sense of humor, because this place is pure Florida fun.
Please note that Solomon’s Castle is typically open from October 2 through August 1, and closed on Mondays.
8. Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
Once you’ve had your fill of funky art castles, head down to Miami for pure elegance at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens.
This jaw-dropping estate was built between 1914 and 1922 by industrialist James Deering and feels like a slice of Italy dropped right onto Biscayne Bay.
It has fountains, coral stone sculptures, and 10 acres of perfectly manicured gardens.
The mansion itself has 54 rooms, 34 of which are decorated and open to the public, filled with antiques, chandeliers, and more marble than you can count.
It’s a favorite for photoshoots, so don’t be surprised if you bump into a wedding party or two while you’re pretending to be royalty in the courtyard.
9. Coral Castle
From elegant to downright mysterious, your next stop is the mind-bending Coral Castle in Homestead, and it’s as strange as it sounds.
Built single-handedly by Edward Leedskalnin in the 1920s, this stone fortress was carved from more than 1,000 tons of oolitic limestone using tools he made himself (and no one really knows how he did it).
You’ll see a 9-ton stone gate, stone rocking chairs, and a Polaris telescope carved right into the stone—it’s part science, part heartbreak, and part straight-up Florida legend.
The whole place was built as a tribute to Ed’s lost love, which makes it weirdly romantic.
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