These 14 Magical Castles Prove Ohio Is More Enchanting Than You Think
Most people picture cornfields and cities when they think of Ohio, but tucked between the highways and small towns are stone towers, turrets, and medieval-style retreats that look like they wandered straight out of a European fairy tale.
These castles range from hand-built riverside fortresses to luxury getaways with sweeping forest views, each one proving that you do not need to cross an ocean to feel like royalty for a weekend.
Some were built by dreamers with too much ambition and just enough stubbornness, while others started as family estates and evolved into museums, event spaces, or quirky themed stays.
Whether you are chasing history, planning a unique overnight, or just want to explore something unexpected, these Ohio castles deliver drama, charm, and plenty of photo opportunities.
1. Loveland Castle (Château Laroche), Loveland
Some places feel like someone forgot to tell them they are not in a storybook, and Loveland Castle is absolutely one of them.
I remember walking along the stone walls here and realizing I was only twenty minutes from suburban traffic, yet mentally somewhere in medieval Europe, quietly wondering if a knight would round the corner at any minute.
Built by one determined man using hand laid stones and a very patient timeline, the castle hugs a bend of the Little Miami River and still feels handcrafted in every nook.
Visitors wander narrow hallways, peek into armor displays, and step out into terraced gardens that drop toward the water.
It is part museum, part passion project, and part fever dream in stone.
Address: Loveland Castle (Château Laroche), 12025 Shore Dr, Loveland, OH 45140
2. Landoll’s Mohican Castle, Loudonville
Every time I wind through the hills toward Landoll’s Mohican Castle, I have the same thought. This is what happens when someone refuses to outgrow their childhood castle sketch phase.
Turrets, balconies, gables, and towers keep stacking up the closer you get, until the whole complex looks like a fantasy village built into the forest.
The castle began as the dream of Jim Landoll, who decided that publishing books was nice, but owning a full medieval style retreat in the Mohican region sounded better.
Today it is a boutique hotel where you can sleep in tower suites, step onto wooden balconies above the trees, and sip morning coffee while mist curls through the valley below.
Trails, a pool, spa services, and wedding backdrops make it feel like a self contained kingdom tucked into central Ohio.
Address: Landoll’s Mohican Castle, 561 Township Road 3352, Loudonville, OH 44842
3. Ravenwood Castle, New Plymouth
Some trips start with a GPS pin and end with you seriously questioning whether you have accidentally joined a medieval guild, and that is how Ravenwood Castle works on me every time.
Deep in the woods near Hocking Hills, the stone walls appear between the trees with a quiet kind of drama, and suddenly, Ohio looks more like a movie set.
This place leans fully into its theme. There are castle rooms, a pub style Great Hall, board game events, and cottages with names that sound like chapter titles.
I still remember stepping out into the courtyard at night and seeing the towers silhouetted against a sky full of stars, with nothing but crickets and distant laughter from the pub drifting through the air.
It feels secluded, theatrical, and surprisingly cozy, especially if you are the sort of traveler who brings extra snacks and a favorite game.
Address: Ravenwood Castle, 65666 Bethel Rd, New Plymouth, OH 45654
4. Squire’s Castle, Willoughby Hills
Not every castle needs furniture to cause a stir, and Squire’s Castle proves that beautifully.
The first time I walked up the grassy hill and saw its stone shell standing alone at the edge of the woods, it felt like I had stumbled across the ruins of a much larger kingdom that simply wandered off.
Built in the 1890s as a gatehouse for an estate that never fully materialized, the building is now a hollow stone playground for imaginations and picnics.
Kids race through arched doorways, photographers chase golden hour light, and hikers use the castle lawn as a trailhead lounge between loops through the North Chagrin Reservation.
On foggy mornings, it looks almost too dramatic to be free, but it is part of the Cleveland Metroparks system, so you can show up, wander through, and pretend you own the place for a while.
Address: Squire’s Castle, 2844 River Rd, Willoughby Hills, OH 44094
5. Piatt Castle Mac-A-Cheek, West Liberty
There is something quietly theatrical about leaving flat farmland and suddenly finding a limestone mansion rising above the trees, and that is exactly how Piatt Castle Mac A Cheek likes to introduce itself.
On my first visit, I half expected a carriage to roll up behind me.
Built in the 1800s by the Piatt family, this Gothic style home sits on a rise east of West Liberty, surrounded by lawns, woods, and history.
Inside, framed portraits, carved woodwork, and detailed exhibits tell stories of the family, the architecture, and the way this corner of the state has changed over time.
I found myself lingering near windows just to look out over the grounds and imagine the view with horse drawn traffic instead of parked cars.
Tours are self guided but richly interpreted, so you move at your own pace while the castle slowly fills in its backstory around you.
Address: Piatt Castle Mac-A-Cheek, 10051 Township Rd 47, West Liberty, OH 43357
6. Mac-O-Chee Castle, West Liberty
Some castles feel grand, and some feel theatrical, but Mac O Chee somehow manages to be both while still looking welcoming from the driveway.
When I arrived for a tour, the first thing I noticed was the mix of towers, arches, and big sunny windows, like the house was designed by someone who loved dramatic silhouettes but also wanted good reading light.
Built by another branch of the Piatt family, this castle now operates as a historic event and wedding venue, which means the rooms are polished, curated, and ready for camera flashes.
Stenciled ceilings, stained glass, and carved woodwork make every hallway feel like a set piece.
Standing on the lawn, you can see how Mac O Chee and Mac A Cheek once formed a kind of family duo in the countryside, two siblings keeping watch over rolling fields.
Together, they tell a layered story of ambition, architecture, and rural life in this part of the state.
Address: Mac-O-Chee Castle, 2319 State Route 287, West Liberty, OH 43357
7. Glamorgan Castle, Alliance
Every town has that one building locals casually point to and say oh, that, as if it were completely normal, and in Alliance that building is Glamorgan Castle.
The first time I drove past its front lawn, I had to double back because the layered stone terraces and central tower look like they were air mailed in from Wales.
Built in the early 1900s for industrialist William Henry Morgan, the castle now shares its grounds with the local school district and opens for tours on select days.
Wandering through the wood paneled rooms, marble fireplaces, and sweeping staircases, I kept thinking about how it must feel to attend a meeting where the conference room has a better ceiling than most ballrooms.
From the lawn, the facade pairs perfectly with rows of flags during community events, turning the whole property into a postcard for small city grandeur.
Address: Glamorgan Castle, 200 Glamorgan St, Alliance, OH 44601
8. GreatStone Castle Resorts, Sidney
Some buildings wear their names like a costume, and others like a perfect description, and GreatStone Castle definitely falls into the second category.
When I pulled up the first time, the castle really was just that, great and made of stone, perched on a hill above quiet streets in Sidney.
Originally built as a private residence, it now operates as a bed and breakfast and spa, with a wraparound porch and towering facade that give your arrival more ceremony than any hotel lobby ever could.
Inside, tall ceilings, stained glass, and carved stairways give everything a slightly slower rhythm.
I remember watching the sunset from the lawn and thinking how easy it would be to forget about errands when your temporary front door looks like it belongs in a period drama.
It is a gentle sort of castle, impressive but not intimidating, and that balance makes it especially inviting.
Address: GreatStone Castle Resorts, 429 N Ohio Ave, Sidney, OH 45365
9. Franklin Castle, Cleveland
Not many city neighborhoods can say they have their own castle behind a line of parked cars, but Cleveland’s Ohio City district pulls it off in style with Franklin Castle.
The first time I turned onto Franklin Boulevard and spotted the turreted stone facade rising above the sidewalk, it felt like the skyline had quietly slipped into gothic mode.
Built in the 1880s as a family mansion, the house has collected more stories than most libraries, and its steep roofs and carved details only encourage the imagination.
Today, the property hosts events and offers carefully curated stays, so you can actually sleep inside those thick stone walls instead of just walking past.
I still remember the feeling of stepping through the heavy front door and hearing the echo of my own footsteps down the hallway, like the house was taking a moment to size me up before letting me explore.
Address: Franklin Castle, 4308 Franklin Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44113
10. The Castle, Marietta
Every river town deserves one building that looks ready to host a mystery novel, and in Marietta, that honor goes to a house simply called The Castle.
I remember climbing the short hill from the street and seeing its turret peek above the trees like it had been quietly observing the Muskingum River since the 1800s, which it essentially has.
This Gothic Revival home dates back to 1855 and now serves as a Victorian house museum with tours, programs, and seasonal events.
Inside, ornate woodwork, tall windows, and carefully furnished rooms bring the 19th century into sharp focus without feeling stuffy.
Out in the garden, the view over the neighborhood reminds you how close you are to downtown, even while the architecture nudges your mind a century backward.
It is one of those places where a simple guided tour can unexpectedly turn into an afternoon of daydreaming.
Address: The Castle, 418 4th St, Marietta, OH 45750
11. Schwartz Castle, Columbus
Some buildings look like they were designed by someone who owned equal numbers of blueprints and secrets, and Schwartz Castle in Columbus fits that description perfectly.
Tucked into the historic German Village neighborhood, this tall brick residence rises with a corner tower that immediately separates it from its more modest neighbors.
The first time I walked past, I actually stopped mid sentence because the tower pulled my attention away from whatever story I was telling.
Built in the late 1800s and wrapped in local legends, the house now operates as unique lodging, giving guests a chance to sleep inside a neighborhood landmark rather than just admire it from the sidewalk.
From the street, arched windows and irregular rooflines give the place an almost whimsical seriousness.
Inside, restored living spaces bring modern comfort to an address that has already watched more than a century of city life march by.
Address: Schwartz Castle, 492 S 3rd St, Columbus, OH 43215
12. Brumback Library, Van Wert
A public library pretending to be a castle is exactly the kind of energy I support, and Brumback Library wears that look beautifully.
I remember stepping out of my car here and realizing that if you squinted just a little, the turrets, battlements, and arched entryway could easily pass for a small fortress guarding literature instead of treasure chests.
Opened in 1901 as the first full county library system in the United States, the building deliberately echoes medieval European designs, blending Gothic and Romanesque elements into one photogenic facade.
Inside, the atmosphere switches from dramatic to welcoming, with rows of books, reading nooks, and local history exhibits.
On a sunny day, the stone exterior and red roof tiles almost glow against the sky, making the whole block feel like a movie set.
It is one of those rare spots where architecture and mission line up perfectly, a castle dedicated to curiosity.
Address: Brumback Library, 215 W Main St, Van Wert, OH 45891
13. Grizer Castle, Whipple
Some wedding venues go for simple charm, and some fully commit to the castle fantasy, and Grizer Castle definitely falls into the second camp.
Driving out toward Whipple, I expected a nice event hall and instead found a stone fortress rising out of rolling countryside, complete with towers and long sightlines over the hills.
The property sits on dozens of acres, which means there is space for sweeping outdoor ceremonies, quiet photo spots, and the kind of sunset views that make everyone pause mid conversation.
When I walked the grounds, it felt like the castle had been dropped right into the landscape specifically to host celebrations and weekend escapes.
Inside, the spaces are designed for gatherings, yet the stone walls and wood accents keep that medieval flavor intact.
It is the kind of place where a regular weekend suddenly feels like a grand occasion, even if you are just there to explore and take pictures.
Address: Grizer Castle, 1298 Scotts Ridge Rd, Whipple, OH 45788
14. School of Sorcery, Brinkhaven
If you ever wished your weekend rental came with a side of wizardry, the School of Sorcery in Brinkhaven feels like a wish granted on old parchment.
The first time I saw photos, I assumed clever staging, but the real building lives up to the hype, with stone walls, stained glass, and a bell tower that looks ready to ring in a new semester of spell practice.
This 1911 structure once served more practical purposes, but today it has been transformed into a fully themed castle stay, complete with floating candle vibes, a grand common room, and sleeping chambers that lean into fantasy without forgetting comfort.
I love how it manages to be playful and polished at the same time, which makes it just as appealing for grown up friend trips as for families.
It does not just offer beds, it offers a setting, and sometimes that is exactly the kind of magic a trip needs.
Address: School of Sorcery, 208 Main St, Brinkhaven, OH 43006