Florida
is home to more than just Disney World (though you will find one of the world’s most recognizable castles there). You can find dozens of unique buildings throughout the state, from a metal palace in a swamp to a giant pink castle in the dunes. Here to give you a tour of Florida’s most impressive castles is homeowner and car insurance
super app Jerry
—your expert assistant for travel tips and insurance savings! So when you plan your next trip to the Sunshine State, make sure to work these six unique wonders onto the itinerary. Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars 4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers Solomon’s Castle
Address:4533 Solomon Rd., Ona, FL 33865
What is the story of Solomon’s Castle?
Standing smack dab in the middle of a Florida swamp, Solomon’s Castle
was built by artist Howard Solomon in 1974 as a home, workshop, and gallery. The unique three-story structure is made entirely of aluminum and covered in old printing plates. You’ll find countless pieces of Solomon’s artwork made from found objects on the inside. 90 stained-glass windows almost give the building a church-like appearance, while a turret and a balcony lend a medieval air. Check out “The Menagerie,” a room with dozens of sculptures made out of over 50,000 coat hangers.
How to visit Solomon’s Castle
Solomon’s Castle is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, from October through August. Tickets
start at $12 for adults and $6 for children. The castle’s restaurant
(the Boat-in-a-Moat) is open from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Coral Castle
Address: 28655 South Dixie Highway Miami, FL 33033
What is the story of Coral Castle?
Ed Leedskalnin hand-carved over 1,100 tons of rock (harvested from his Florida property) over 27 years to create his beloved Coral Castle
. His goal was to create his own miniature Stonehenge. No one knows how Leedskalnin (just over five feet tall and 100 pounds) moved all the stone by himself. He said it was because he “knew the secrets of the pyramids.” Some people believe he had supernatural powers.
Today, you’ll still find many of his treasures, including a throne, a telescope, and a nine-ton gate that opens with the touch of a button, all carved from coral rock.
How to visit Coral Castle
Coral Castle is open Thursday through Sunday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Adult tickets
are $18, and children 12 and under are $8. The venue is also available to rent for events, such as birthday parties and family reunions. Pro Tip Coral Castle holds a “Psychic Saturday” event on the first Saturday of every month. Stop by to get your palm read and your fortune told!
Castle Otttis
Address: 103 3rd Street Vilano Beach St. Augustine, Florida 32084
What is the story of Castle Otttis?
Castle Otttis
was made to reflect the style of Irish castles many centuries ago, led by a group of historians from the Catholic Diocese of Northeast Florida. The result was intended to evoke the spirit of an ancient Abbey. The castle stands open, with some rock walls reaching over 50 feet tall. You could easily mistake it for a medieval fortress with its ramparts, turrets, and 88 window openings. The building was never intended to be a home or a business but rather an expression of spiritual devotion.
How to visit Castle Otttis
Castle Otttis is not open to the public. However, you can make appointments
for school visits, community groups, and small wedding ceremonies. If you would like to visit, ensure you make contact 72 hours in advance. Don CeSar Hotel
Address: 3400 Gulf Boulevard, St. Pete Beach, Florida 33706
What is the story of the Don CeSar Hotel?
Don CeSar Hotel, or the “Pink Lady,” sits inside a castle atop a St. Petersburg
dune. The unique building was constructed in 1924 and features a Moorish and Mediterranean style with red clay tile roofing, arched doorways, and towers. The Pink Lady became a hotel in 1928 (where the likes of FDRand Al Capone spent their nights), then an Army hospital in the 1940s. Years later, after suffering severe neglect, the building was saved by a wealthy hotelier.
Today, it’s a luxury destination, complete with a full-service spa, beach club, and restaurants. It is said that its former guests haunt it.
How to visit the Don CeSar Hotel
If you choose to stay at the Don CeSar, you can rent a room in the iconic pink castle or opt for a beach house suite
. Non-guests are permitted to come and go as they please, and there are several restaurants and bars
where you can relax for an afternoon. Whitehall Mansion
Address: 1 Whitehall Way, Palm Beach, FL 33480
What is the story of Whitehall Mansion?
The New York Herald once called Whitehall Mansion
“more wonderful than any palace in Europe, grander and more magnificent than any other private dwelling in the world.” The Gilded Age palace was built at the turn of the 20th century by the railroad tycoon Henry Flagler as a gift for his wife. The couple used the 75-room mansion, which features marble floors and murals on the ceiling, as a winter retreat until Flagler died in 1913. The architects responsible for Whitehall’s design studied at the Ecole desBeaux-Arts in Paris and were responsible for several other notable projects, such as the New York Public Library and the Fifth Avenue mansion of Henry Clay Frick.
How to visit the Whitehall Mansion
You can tour Whitehall Mansion (known as the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum
) Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Sunday from 12 pm to 5:00 pm. Admission starts at $18 with discounts for children. Cinderella Castle
What is the story of Cinderella Castle?
At over 180 feet tall, Cinderella Castle
in Walt Disney World is literally a HUGE tourist attraction. Plus, thanks to forced perspective (the castle gets smaller near the top), it looks even bigger. With its fairy tale turrets and spires, Cinderella Castle has become symbolic of the Disney brand. Its design is partially based on the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland and other real castles from around the world. Inside, you’ll find stained-glass windows depicting Cinderella’s life and a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where guests can undergo a “princess transformation.”
How to visit Cinderella Castle
Cinderella Castle is inside the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. Tickets to enter the Magic Kingdom
are $105 for adults and $99 for children 3 through 9. Unfortunately, once you’re inside, there is no way to tour Cinderella Castle. Guests may walk through the archway to move from Main Street to Fantasyland, but they may not go inside. Pro Tip Cinderella Castle is a huge tourist destination and can get very busy. Try visiting on a Tuesday or Wednesday, when the Magic Kingdom is at its least busy.
How to get the best car insurance in Florida
Whether you’re renting a car or taking your own, you’ll want to be protected for your Florida
road trip. If you want to save money on car insurance
and find the best policy possible, the Jerry
app is a good place to start. A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy. And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price. This level of service is why Jerry earned a 4.6/5 rating on the App Store and made it the top insurance app in the country.
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