Best castle destinations in North America
Best castle destinations in North America
Historic military masonry fortresses and estate grounds in North America
North America's genuine historic castles are almost all fortifications rather than palaces, built for defense during the colonial and early national periods, with one notable exception in Mexico.
Castillo de San Marcos in St Augustine, Florida is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States, built by Spain in the late 1600s to defend the colony. The Citadelle of Quebec, a star shaped fortress overlooking the St Lawrence River, remains an active military site and home to a Canadian regiment to this day. Louisbourg in Nova Scotia recreates an eighteenth century French fortress on the site of the original, giving visitors a detailed look at colonial military life. Mexico City's Chapultepec Castle stands apart from the rest, the only royal castle ever built in the Americas and once home to Emperor Maximilian I.
Booking a guided tour rather than viewing from outside tends to add real context at these historically significant sites. Checking opening hours carefully in the off season also matters, since some operate on more limited schedules outside peak months.
Lists by region
City in Canada
Quebec City
Old World Charm in North America
Architect Bruce Price designed Château Frontenac in the Château style for the Canadian Pacific Railway. It opened in 1893 and has 610 guest rooms. Allied leaders met there for the Quebec Conferences in 1943 and 1944. Dufferin Terrace wraps around the hotel and overlooks the Saint Lawrence River.
City in Puerto Rico
San Juan
Colorful history meets Caribbean cool
King Charles V ordered El Morro built in 1539. It reached its current form in 1787. The fortress stands 43 metres tall. Sir Francis Drake attacked by sea in 1595 and failed. UNESCO listed it in 1983 as part of the San Juan National Historic Site. San Cristóbal is another fort in the city walls.
State/Prefecture in United States
Florida
Sunshine State, Endless Adventure
Work on Castillo de San Marcos began on October 2, 1672 in St. Augustine. The core was completed in 1695 using coquina quarried on Anastasia Island. It is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. British cannon fire had little effect on its walls during the sieges of 1702 and 1740.
Castle in Mexico City
Chapultepec Castle
Historic Fortress Overlooking Mexico City
Construction began around 1785 under Viceroy Bernardo de Gálvez and finished in 1864 on Chapultepec Hill. Emperor Maximilian and Empress Carlota lived there during the Second Mexican Empire. It served as the presidential residence from 1882 to 1934. It opened to the public as a museum on 27 September 1944.
State/Prefecture in United States
Virginia
Where American history meets nature
Merchant Arthur Allen built Bacon's Castle in Surry County in 1665. It is described as the oldest documented brick dwelling in what is now the United States. Followers of Nathaniel Bacon seized and fortified the house in September 1676. It became a National Historic Landmark on 9 October 1960.
State/Prefecture in Canada
Nova Scotia
Coastal charm meets historic maritime heritage
Settlers founded the Fortress of Louisbourg in 1713. A New England force captured it in 1745. British troops led by Jeffrey Amherst forced a French surrender on July 26, 1758. Reconstruction began in 1961 and is described as the largest reconstruction project in North America. Costumed interpreters demonstrate muskets and a cannon.
City in Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo
Colonial charm meets Caribbean buzz
Diego Columbus, the firstborn son of Christopher Columbus, had the Alcázar de Colón built. Construction began around 1511 using coral limestone blocks. The palace is called the first fortified European palace built in the Americas. UNESCO listed the Colonial City in 1990. The restored museum has 22 rooms.
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