Castles may not come to mind when you think of the District of Columbia
—after all, we fought a war to rid us of a king—but throughout the nation’s capital you can find quite a few royal-looking fortresses. From a late 19th-century brewmaster’s palace to the visitor center of the largest museum complex in the world, D.C. is home to some impressive castles. Among the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the U.S. Capitol Building, you can find quite a few castles in the District of Columbia. Sure, they may not be home to kings and queens, but each stunning architectural wonder has a unique history worth checking out.
Here to guide you on your tour of the District of Columbia’s most notable castles is the car insurance
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The Smithsonian Castle
Address: 71000 Jefferson Dr. SW, Washington, DC 20560
What is the story of the Smithsonian Castle?
Today, the Smithsonian Institution is the largest museum, education, and research complex in the world. The Smithsonian Castle
became the institution's first building when it was completed over 160 years ago in 1855.
Known simply as the Castle, this 19th-century fortress was designed in the style of Gothic Revival by prolific architect James Renwick, who would go on to design the renowned St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. For its first 25 years, the Castle served as the home and office for the first Secretary of the Smithsonian, Joseph Henry, while also housing all aspects of the Smithsonian’s operations, including administration, collection storage, research laboratories, libraries, and exhibit halls.
Today, the Castle, a National Historic Landmark, is considered the signature building of the Smithsonian Institution and serves as the Visitor Center for the institution as well as various administrative offices.
The Castle is the ideal place to begin your visit to the Smithsonian. You can start with a tour of the majestic Castle itself, view collections highlights from each of the museums, and chat with experts for advice on what to check out next.
How to visit Smithsonian Castle
The Smithsonian Castle is open daily from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, plus admission is free! The museum recommends taking public transportation via the Metrorail to the National Mall exit.
Note that there is no public parking facility for Smithsonian museums at the National Mall, but there are limited three-hour metered parking spots and commercial lots available. Reserved parking closer to the museums can be purchased in advance through ParkWhiz
. Crestwood Castle
Address: 4331 Blagden Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20011
What is the story of Crestwood Castle?
Located off of Rock Creek Park and built in the mid-1920s by August Bussard, the Crestwood Castle
, as it’s known to many, is a 6000-square foot stone house with seven bedrooms and five bathrooms. Features include wood-paneled rooms, built-in bookshelves, and multiple fireplaces with ornate mantels. Since it hit the market nearly 100 years ago, this royal-looking abode in the Crestwood neighborhood of Northwest Washington D.C. has housed a number of noteworthy residents and renters from the D.C. scene, including a senator, a high-ranking naval officer, a Korean commissioner, entrepreneurs, and Raphael G. Urciolo, an Italian immigrant who successfully fought against racial covenants to the Supreme Court.
The Crestwood Castle last sold in 2015 for 1.9 million dollars.
How to visit Crestwood Castle
Your best bet for visiting this park-adjacent unofficial castle is hoping the owners give out candy on Halloween! Otherwise, you’ll need to keep your eyes out for the next time this beauty hits the market so you can stop by for an open house tour.
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The Heurich House Mansion
Address: 1307 New Hampshire Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20036
What is the story of the Heurich House Mansion?
The Heurich House Mansion
was originally the home of Christian Heurich, a prolific brewer of beer, towards the end of the 19th century. He founded his own brewing company and the Heurich House Mansion, or Brewmaster’s Castle. The castle is open to tours and features original interiors, hand-painted ceiling canvases, and family collections still intact. Brewmaster’s Castle is D.C.’s best-preserved example of Richardsonian Romanesque
residential architecture. The museum’s mission is to explore the American Dream through the entrepreneurial legacy of Heurich. It also seeks to support creating an equitable path to success for local small businesses, artisans, and, of course, brewers of craft beer.
How to visit Heurich House Mansion
The Heurich House Museum is open for one-hour tours on Thursdays and Fridays beginning at 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm and on Saturdays beginning at 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm. You must register
for a tour in advance. Tickets are $10. If arriving via the Metrorail, take the Red Line to Dupont Circle South. Keep in mind the museum does not offer off-street parking, but it is possible to reserve a spot at many nearby parking garages.
Georgetown Castle Gatehouse
Address: Near Reservoir Rd. and MacArthur Blvd. NW Northwest Quadrant, Washington, D.C.
What is the story of Georgetown Castle Gatehouse?
The Castle Gatehouse
is a water pumping station and aqueduct in the Georgetown Reservoir. It was designed like a castle in order to resemble the Army Corps of Engineers castle insignia. The Castle and its accompanying tunnel were built as a part of an effort to reduce annual typhoid epidemics that plagued the District of Columbia in the summer months. Prior to the Castle Gatehouse, all tap water in the city was unfiltered, muddy, and laced with bacteria.
The intentional design of the gatehouse to look like the Army Corps of Engineers insignia serves as a symbol of the Army Corps’ contributions to the city’s public health.
Today, the Castle Gatehouse, which is still run by the Army Corps of Engineers, has a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. It remains part of the aqueduct system that sends water through a four-mile-long tunnel into the center of Washington D.C.
How to visit Georgetown Castle Gatehouse
While the Castle Gatehouse is adored by locals, it is not open for tours. However, don’t let that stop you from hanging out in the NW quadrant of NW Washington D.C. to catch a glimpse of the majestic-looking aqueduct.
How to get the best car insurance in the District of Columbia
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