8/10 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊Mommy Approved Smiling Faces
https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Gillette-Castle-State-Park
67 River Road
East Haddam, CT 06423
Gillette Castle is special, unique and spectacular! The best part about it is that, even the kids enjoyed the grounds and the tour. I tend to think that my kids won’t like historical places where they can’t touch things, this location is different. Although, inside the castle the kids and adults for that matter, can’t touch much, there are so many whimsical details to see here, that the kids were entertained. Tours of the castle are “self-guided” and time slots are booked via online reservations (preferred method, see below* ) or you may be able to sign up at the visitor center if spots are still open.
Once inside the castle, it’s the details that really shine! The doors to all the rooms are genius! They are all different and all toggle into various positions while unlocking. All of them are designed by William Gillette and handmade. They are beautiful and ornate!
William Gillette who originally owned this house, was a famous actor playing the role of Sherlock Holmes. He had a love for railroads, cats, owls and frogs. This love is seen throughout his property. The chairs and tables are on tracks as not to scratch his floors. He had a train that ran on the property. The furniture was designed for the cats to play with. Figurines of cats, owls and frogs are readily displayed throughout the house. The kids loved counting them all. They lost track. Maybe you and your kids will be better at it than we were?
The exterior of the castle is mid-evil looking. The inside is warm and welcoming. It’s like nothing we’ve ever seen. The courtyard overlooking the Connecticut River is breathtaking.
Please don’t take my word, you need to visit for yourself. The castle is half the fun here. The second half is the property itself. The grounds offer hiking trails, a lengthy walkable train tunnel, and the Goldfish Pond full of Lilly pads and frogs for catching! Several families with young kids were here enjoying the trails, pond and picnicking.
The Skinny:
- Weather : If you just intend to tour the castle, you could go in bad weather but I would recommend a dry clear day so you can see the river and the rest of the property
- Parking and Admissions : Entrance to the park is FREE and there is a large lot to park in by the visitor center as well as other smaller lots toward the pond and trails. Tours of the Castle can be booked online in time slots here.* 5 years of age and younger are FREE, 6-12 year-olds are $2 and 13 and older are $6.
- Location : A beautiful State Park with hiking grounds and a very unique, beautiful castle that belonged to a famous actor-William Gillette who was quirky and ahead of his time with his architectural and creative design interests.
- Hours : The park opens at 8 am and closes at sunset daily. The Castle offers tours that run from May 29th-Sept 6th daily 10-5 but after Sept 6th they will run only weekends through Columbus day.
- Duration : We spent 3 hours here on the tour and then the property. We didn’t eat but there are picnic tables to sit at throughout the park and charcoal grills if you do want to plan a BBQ. We stayed around the Goldfish pond for a long while frog hunting which made my kids happy.
- Tips and Recommendations : Bring a head lamp for the tunnel if you wish to explore it especially with the kids because they may get nervous about the dark. Pack a picnic and ball and make a day at this park, you won’t regret it. Dress for the woods-comfy sneakers, bug spray etc.
Jewel Approved: 👍🏼
Jamison Approved: 👍🏼
Another place to visit fairly close by to here is Niantic Children’s Museum. My kids loved it there. It is a fun place to visit by the ocean. Rocky Neck State Park is also about 25 minutes away offering trails and the beach with a short boardwalk.
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