10 Stunning Castles & Estates You’ll Want To Visit Kentucky For

If you are looking for a fairytale setting, look no further than the state of Kentucky. When most people think of castles, they picture the stunning castles located in the English countryside. Kentucky, however, is also home to some breathtaking castles and estates. From 1700s estates to a St. Briavels-inspired castle, there are many stunning landmarks you’ll want to visit Kentucky for.

While Kentucky is home to 35 White Castle restaurants, it is also home to breathtaking real-life castles. Kentucky’s castles add unexpected charm to the southeastern state. Whether you are looking to tour a castle, spend the night in one, or wander around the perfectly pruned gardens, Kentucky has an estate for you to visit. Below is a list of ten stunning castles and estates you’ll want to visit Kentucky for.

10 Longview Estate, Lancaster

One charming Kentucky estate you’ll want to visit is Longview Estate in Lancaster. This 15,000 sq ft mansion has been transformed into a bed & breakfast, so you have the option to spend the night in this beautiful building. This mansion started off as a simple Sears and Roebuck kit home in 1977, but owners Mr. and Mrs. Long slowly expanded the house into the large mansion it is today. Some unique features of this property include stained-glass windows, unique wood paneling, and a chandelier from the original Playboy Mansion!

Address: 6198 Lexington Road, Lancaster, KY 40444
Cost: $250 per night
Amenities: Wi-Fi, kitchen, free parking, washing machine, air conditioning, breakfast

9 White Hall, Richmond

Another lovely estate you’ll want to visit Kentucky for is White Hall. This beautiful mansion is located in the countryside, surrounded by farmland. White Hall is centuries old, as it was built back in 1791 by a man named Green Clay. Today, this estate is categorized as a historic site, complete with guided tours and a museum. Tour the 45-room mansion and explore the lush greenery on the estate grounds during your visit.

Address: 500 White Hall Shrine Rd, Richmond, KY 40475
Tour Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 11 am-4 pm, Sunday 11 am-3 pm, closed Monday and Tuesday

8 Guthrie Castle, Guthrie

While this beautiful castle is a private residence, it is still worth visiting to admire the unique architecture and intricate exterior details. Located in Guthrie, Kentucky, this castle features a gray exterior, complete with a tower and several gargoyles. Leading up to the porch, you will see two statues, as well as shrubbery lining the perimeter of the castle and a working fountain covered in ivy.

Address: Corner of N Ewing St & Park St E, Guthrie, KY 42234

7 Clark Scott Castle, Louisville

Prospect Castle, Owned by Clark Scott, Kentucky

Another must-see Kentucky castle is the Clark Scott Castle. This stone castle looks straight out of a fairytale. Like Guthrie Castle, Clark Scott Castle is a private residence. Kentucky residents Clark and Kelly Scott built this ostentatious castle after they traveled across Europe and became inspired by the castle architecture there. This home is modeled after St. Briavels Castle in England. If you are not able to travel to the United Kingdom to view the original, the Clark Scott Castle is a great alternative.

Address: 1402 St James Ct, Louisville, KY 40208, USA

6 Mary Todd Lincoln House, Lexington

A historical estate you will want to visit in Kentucky is the Mary Todd Lincoln House. This is Mary Todd Lincoln’s childhood home. Mary’s parents were founders of Lexington and were a well-respected family. Her home is now a museum, and self-guided tours are offered for visitors who want to learn more about the history of the estate and the Todd family.

Address: 578 W Main St, Lexington, KY 40507
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 am-4 pm, closed Sunday
Cost: Adult- $15, youth (6-17)- $6, 5 and under free

5 Ashland - The Henry Clay Estate, Lexington

Another famous Kentucky estate located in Lexington is The Henry Clay Estate. Henry Clay, an American statesman, lived on this estate for nearly 50 years. The estate contains a mansion, gardens, walking trails, a carriage house, and a well. This estate also contains a dark past, as around 120 people were enslaved at Ashland. A guided tour of the estate shares how historians uncovered the stories of those forced to labor at Ashland.

Address: 120 Sycamore Rd, Lexington, KY 40502
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-4 pm, Sunday 1-4 pm, closed Monday

4 Loudoun House, Lexington

Visit this Kentucky estate for its stunning Gothic Revival architecture. Loudoun House, also known as Castlewood Park, was built in 1850, during the end of the Romanticism Movement. The house includes numerous towers, chimney stacks, diamond-paned windows, and brick walls.

Address: 209 Castlewood Dr, Lexington, KY 40505
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 12-5 pm, closed Sunday-Tuesday

The Mary Todd Lincoln House, Ashland, and Loudoun House are all located in Lexington, Kentucky, making this city the perfect travel destination. Visitors can view all three unique estates in one day due to their proximity.

3 Castle & Key Distillery, Frankfort

Kentucky is known for its stellar bourbon distilleries. One such distillery is Castle & Key, located in the Northern Kentucky city of Frankfort. This distillery was built in 1887 by Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. The distillery flourished until Prohibition, temporarily closed, traded hands a few times, then was shut down and abandoned. The adventurous duo of Will Arvin and Wes Murry bought the property in 2014 and got to work restoring it. Today, the distillery is restored to its original beauty, with visitors coming for The Distillery Experience tour and mouth-watering drinks.

Address: 4445 McCracken Pike, Frankfort, KY 40601
Hours: Thursday-Saturday 10:30 am-5 pm, Sunday 12-5 pm, closed Monday-Wednesday
Tour Hours: 11 am-3:30 pm
Tour Cost: $30 (must be 21+)

2 Conrad’s Castle, Louisville

Conrad-Caldwell House Museum, commonly referred to as Conrad’s Castle is a historical museum in Louisville. This stunning castle was built in 1895 by local architect Arthur Loomis for Theophile Conrad. From its Richardsonian Romanesque architecture to its stunning courtyard to its unique gargoyles, Conrad’s Castle is a stunning estate.

Address: 1402 St James Ct, Louisville, KY 40208
Hours: Thursday-Sunday 12-4 pm, closed Monday-Wednesday

The museum offers both self-guided tours and docent-led tours.

Self-Guided Tour Hours: Thursday-Sunday noon, 12:30 pm, 1 pm, 1:30 pm, 2 pm, and 2:30 pm
Self-Guided Tour Cost: $11-$15
Docent-Led Tour Hours: Thursday-Sunday 11 am and 3 pm
Docent-Led Tour Cost: Adult- $20, seniors (60+) and military- $18, students (0-17 years)- $16

1 Kentucky Castle

Arguably Kentucky's most popular castle is Kentucky Castle. This castle goes by many names, including Martin Castle, Castle Post, and Versailles Castle. This breathtaking castle is now a 4-star hotel. The enormous 50-acre estate is truly breathtaking. The castle itself is surrounded by a wall and four towers. Entering this estate truly feels like entering a fairytale; perhaps this is why Kentucky Castle is also a popular wedding venue.

Address: 230 Pisgah Pike, Versailles, KY 40383
Cost: $$$
Amenities: free Wi-Fi, free parking, air conditioning, outdoor pool, pet-friendly