The place was amazing, very beautiful and views for days! The staff were very nice and informative. Now the not so good things: 1. It was very hot the day and you are forced immediately off the trolley to sit in a glassed in pouch that was 112 degrees for 20 minutes, which sets the tone of the experience in a negative way. You view the mansion hot and sweaty, which stinks (Pun intended). Even if it wasn't hot, people should have the option to skip the video. 2. The trolly is supposed to cycle every 15 minutes (trolly even said it on the way up). We waited over 30 minutes. 3. Some guests were chastised for things that could have been easily avoided by putting up signs. If you don't want people doing things which seem perfectly acceptable to do, put a sing up or put it at the end of your 20 minute video. I think the guests who were talked down too felt embarrased and it was unnecessary. 4. When you drive up to the attraction, there is parking, by the cafe. We parked, got out, and had to go up to some people working in the park to find that we had to continue driving up the mountain to get to the carriage house. Are signs that expensive? "Keep driving to see Castle In The Clouds" or "This way to see Castle in the Clouds". read more

This destination was absolutely flawless - fantastic staff - delicious food!! Room views are spectacular. New Hampshire life in these mountains are exquisite. Its AMAZING!! read more

I'm not going to lie I was hesitant to spend $23 for an adult and $15 for a child to tour this 'castle' that is just old but nothing historical about it. However, no regrets here the views are spectacular!!!! The house and the grounds are meticulously maintained. It truly is stunning, the owner spared no expense and paid particularly attention to detail. The house style and decor is timeless and could totally be of today. No free roaming the grounds and no fishing in the pond. Theres a redturant in the old stables. Use the correct enterance. read more

See all

The scenic road is a MUST (and also a one-way up). There's hiking trails and grounds to explore at no charge. The paths from what I could tell were pretty well maintained and there were a lot of people hiking in the area. There's a scenic overlook which has quarter operated viewfinders. Once you get to the Carriage House, if you want to take the trolley up to see the "Castle" (house), there's a cost. Adults are $23 and 4 + under a free. The trolley goes every 15 minutes. Once you get to the top, you have to watch a 7 minute video about the estate prior to walking around / taking a tour. The grounds are pretty but it's the view you're looking for. The house is okay, it's neat because most of the furniture is original to the property. But I feel like once you've seen one historic rich man's house, you've seen them all. No dogs or strollers are allowed up to the castle, by the way. There's also only a porta potty available up there. The carriage house has a restroom & a restaurant. There's a cute little gift shop nearby, too. The main draw for all the kids is the candy. Once you walk down to the pond area, there's a little shack "Cafe in the Clouds" which serves Gifford ice cream and some delicious sandwiches - I recommend the turkey pesto! Overall, it's a nice way to spend a morning but if you're not interested in the house itself, there's still plenty to do on the property. read more

See all

Winter lunch at the Castle was so fun! Tables located in historic converted stable at the carriage house. Set menu including starter and entree with n/a drink and gratuity at a reasonable cost. Food was excellent as was the service. Highly recommend- note reservations are required read more

This was a disappointing stop. I drove specifically out of my way to visit too. There is hiking on the grounds and I little ice cream/sandwich stand. The ice cream was good and they offered pup cups. I got a grilled cheese and it was simple and didn't have much flavor for $14+. You can go into the carriage house for restrooms and more food options. To see or get anywhere near the castle you have to purchase a $23 ticket and take a trolley to the castle. I had my dog with me and they do not allow pets. The do allow service animals. I wasn't even allowed to go take a picture or peak at the castle. LAME! There is a gift shop that is okay. I was going to get an ornament but didn't want to pay an exorbant amount for a place I never really got to see. Definitely didn't want to support them that way. Maybe it would have been different without my dog, but as a traveler from out of state I didn't have many options and was only passing through the state. read more

So, how do you rate an open space? In my estimation, it's typically not the "space" people rate here - but the event they're attending. However, as far as wide open spaces of nature go, this one is stunning to view in the fall; as is the rest of New England, for that matter. On this day, I made an impromptu attendance to a car show. Which is rich, considering I'm not even a car guy, nor have I ever been to one before today. See, I was actually revisiting an old friend from back in the day. And when I say "way back", I'm talkin' like....grade school! Do you know how rare it is to still be talking to someone from grade school years, albeit sporadically? Anyways, the area is surrounded by various in-house cafés and such. To be honest, I don't know too much about the surrounding amenities since I remained outdoors for the couple of hours I was at the car show. I will say there were certainly a variety of....rather interesting cars on this day. Don't ask me when they'll have another event like this because I only discovered this one via my friend's IG post. Still, it looks like a lovely place to hike, if you're into that sort of thing. It's also the perfect place to temporarily jump off the grid, seeing as there is limited (if any) cell phone service out here. Not a complaint, just a word of caution to anyone who doesn't want to be completely disconnected from society for a day. So, yeah...I'd recommend this space to anyone going for long walks or....whatever else people do out in these parts. Castle In the Clouds lives up to its namesake, worthy of 5 stunning autumn foliage spectacles out of 5. read more

See all

Drove an hr and half to do a 5 mile loop trail hike it was great minimal bugs not over crowded trails were very well marked I didn't have to purchase any sort of tickets to use trail nor for parking there is trail parking off main road Dog friendly We didn't see castle but we also didn't go there for that This particular loop trail was pretty easy Will recommend and will be back to do other trails read more

See all

Beautiful view, cool ride up and you can hike around as well. Gets too busy with tourists so mid-week is bets time. You can take the tour and/or visit the restaurant on site. read more

See all

Great views and relaxing setting!! Order food and grab a number - wait outside while they make your meal. Great shaded area and lots of seating. Cool ambiance at the cafe and fabulous grounds to walk! Looking forward to going back soon!! read more

Castle In the Clouds - Hiking Near Me - Moultonborough, New Hampshire

Yes! Great place to visit . Very historic and a very interesting story. Take the tour of the castle.

Lucknow estate is an authentically restored mansion from the early 2900s. There are several docents stationed throughout the house to answer questions and provide further insights. The self guided tour starts with a short video. The $20 price of admission includes a trolley ride up to the front door. The conservation area also includes plenty of hiking trails and a large events area read more

See all

It was a fun tour not much to see after the self castle tour, the view is beautiful lots of history to take in and interesting things to see in the castle the architecture is amazing read more

Castle In the Clouds - Castle in the clouds - Hiking Near Me - Moultonborough, New Hampshire

See all

We visited on a Sunday morning shortly after they opened up. It's a very well organized event from the moment you park your car. You'll walk past the building that houses the gift shop and make your way to the carriage house which houses a gallery, restaurant, and restrooms. There are plenty of hiking trails on the property ranging from all different levels of expertise. To get to the Castle, you will hop on a trolly for a few minutes to take up the narrow and windy road. You'll watch a 7 minute video on the history of the property and then take a self-guided tour throughout the house...except the basement which is an additional price. There were tour guides in each room to explain the significance of each room as well as placards. The house was beautiful, very charming, with lots of history. Did I mention the fantastic views? It's worth the trip. This was not a tour for babies and toddlers. There were signs throughout the residence not to touch or sit down on anything but that didn't stop the parents from letting their toddlers run around hyped up. I blame the parents and not the kids. Please keep them at home. This is not a place for them. My opinion is 8 years and up. The price of the tour was very reasonable and the entire staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. read more

We had an absolutely great time here. Perhaps because we came in on a cloudy day, entered the property before the restaurant opened at 11:30 AM, and had our choice of seats. We knew it does get busy on summer weekends so we prepared and did our dining first and the tourist walking second. Which is highly recommended.... We traveled from the Lake Sunapee area to see a friend who stays on Lake Winnipesaukee every year and we had never been to the Castle, so the main purpose was having a great lunch with a dear friend. To access the restaurant directly, you don't need to enter through the pay gate, but they have a separate access. Still, the place is a wonderfully deserving non-profit, so we considered the parking fee as a contribution and went up the windy, narrow, zigzag access road to the Carriage House parking lot. The restaurant is located in the old Carriage House and stable, which are now beautiful booths. We chose an outside seat in the stone patio with sstunning views of Lake Winnipesaukee. Service was excellent, the menu included a Lobster Roll, obviousy made with fresh Maine lobster, on a grilled brioche roll, served with warm citrus butter. It was fresh, delightful and tasty. Quite often the lobster roll is served drowned in mayo. This was definitely lobster as the main ingredient. My spouse had the Mountainside Burger, one superb concoction of pork carnitas on top of a burger. We washed it down with white wine. When we exited the restaurant, we noticed the reason why we were recommended to be early... there was a huge line and a wait list. And no reservations accepted.... We enjoyed our lunch and a theater-like seating in front of the stone patio admiring the scenery. After lunch, we took the trolley to the mansion, which although not large or elaborate, had state of the art technology for that age, perhaps ahead of its time. The needle-spray surround showers were a trip, as well as the giant pipe organ and heating system. It was a work of amazing architecture. We hiked down and went by the expansive property, making note to come over and hike in the Fall during Foliage season. One of the must see places in New Hampshire. read more

See all

If you don't mind being kind of bored, this place is okay. Yes, the scenery is delightful. But you can experience marvelous vistas all over the lakes region, so sightseeing at the Castle is nothing out of the ordinary. All in all, kinda boring. read more

What a great time we had touring the castle in the clouds. Our 2nd time here we wondered if things would be different after the pandemic. Only disappointment was that the restaurant wasn't open. The staff is so helpful and friendly. They have a small take out place near the lake, "Cafe in the Clouds' . Small menu - wraps, chips and ice cream. We had time to walk there, enjoy lunch and walk back to meet the trolly for our ride up the mountain. Our tour guide got us up safely to the mansion where we were greeted by more guides, very knowledgeable staff. The views are breathtaking, the flowers too. Really hoping the restaurant will open soon, we have friends who we would love to bring for the whole experience and for dinner. read more

See all

Lovely day trip, particularly in favorable weather. We drove from Portland, ME and I think it was about an hour and one half of peaceful, scenic driving. The tour itself is not something I would recommend if bringing young children (I know because I accompanied someone with 2 small kids and for her it was so not enjoyable, although there is plenty of nature and space to allow young ones to run around). The tour itself is not too long, or one can choose to do a self-guided tour and meander around at your leisure. I just learned on the website that horseback riding is available and there are a plethora of walking and hiking trails to explore. This appeals to me. The only way to and from the parking area to the "castle" itself is by a trolley--which is pretty cool and kids definitely seem to enjoy that part of it. There is a small waterfall at the beginning of the trek to the castle. Stellar views, amazing architecture and an interesting history;serene, unique location. I would recommend considering taking a look. I did not eat at the restaurant but think that would be a great addition to the day. read more

See all

The castle itself is nice, but the real selling point is the amazing views of the surrounding lakes. If that isn't nice enough, there is also an amazing trail (free) with 7 waterfalls. The staff are really friendly and tell you about the place, and answer any questions you have. It is a bit of history with breathtaking views. Highly recommended! read more

Make sure you arrive extra early or it isnt worth the out of the way drive. They close sometimes for events and are short staffed which makes it hard to get anyone on the phone and the website doesn't show the calendar so you may arrive to find a sign saying sorry for the inconvenience but we're closed! The view is nice but that's all you'll see if you end up arriving when it's closed. read more

Definetly a must see. Take basement tour. Helpful volunteers on main floor, your guide in basement very well informed. Food at Carriage house was good. Had a salad with chicken. Others had a smash burger, chicken salad sandwich. All very tasty and well presented. Waitress very prompt and attentive read more

I couldn't visit because there was a wedding and their website wasn't updated. Also, the last trolley went empty and I missed by a minute. Wish they cooperated with me. I tried to call prior but nobody responded. I guess I didn't have a great day customer service wise. Also, you can't go see the mansion without the trolley so plan ahead and ensure you know there is no wedding, as their website may have mistake as in my case. read more

Visit Date: May 26, 2019 My sister wanted to visit Castle in the clouds. I was a little nervous taking my son to a historical home but it worked out okay. When you pull in you pay for your visit and you take a two mile drive up to near where the house is. There's are places you can stop along the drive to enjoy the view or walk a waterfall. I love nature but I had to pee really badly so I told hubby we needed to go to the castle area ASAP. When you get to the castle area you park by horse stables, a restaurant and a gift shop and take a trolley up to the castle part when you're ready. The views by the restaurant are beautiful. The trolley was awesome my son loved it, it's a very short ride up to the castle and the trolley driver was very friendly. The castle is beautiful, I didn't spend much time looking around inside because of worrying about my son possibly destroying stuff but it was gorgeous. One gripe I have as a parent is the talking time, before you tour the castle a guide speaks to your group about the history of the castle and the owners. Very fascinating historical stuff but impossible to sit through as the parent of a small child lol I would recommend visiting here. If you drive down near the horse stables they also have an ice cream place called cone in the clouds. read more

Restaurant charges 18% gratuity on meals that you have to stand in line to order and if that's not enough, upon receiving your meal at the table, they ask that you clear your table when finished eating. Not a fan. Considering ever going back. read more

Did my favorite Hayao Miyazaki movie truly come to life? Pure excitement, wonder and joy immediately washed over me Was it everything I wished it would be? Yes! Minus the Lapuda robot gardener/guard. -waterfall -breathtaking vistas -well-tended colorful gardens -thrillist trolley ride -food, ice cream, gifts onsite -helpful and knowledgeable guides -unique designs, architecture, decor -interesting factoid sheets -the fascination of an ultra modern home 50 years before its time The only thing that left me wanting: pls convert to a b&b. O, to wake up to that view... read more

See all

Perched high on a hill with commanding views of Lake Winnipesaukee and the Ossipee Mountains, you will find the Castle in the Clouds. We were so warmly greeted at the main gate by Denise who welcomed us with all smiles. We were able to take advantage of their Veteran admission price of $12.00 for the veteran and the rest in our party. Thank you for honoring our veterans with this discount. The drive up to the Castle is on a winding, one-way road to the carriage house. From there, you catch a vintage trolley up to the mansion. This is a very lived-in home with16 rooms called "Lucknow," that sits on top of the mountain with over 5,500 acres. This innovative home was built by Thomas and Olive Plant in the early 1900's at a cost of over one million dollars (which would be about $25 million today). When you arrive at the castle, a guide will give you some background about the Plants, their home, and their rags to riches and back to rags life story. We were so impressed that they were so far ahead of their times. He had a central vacuum system, fire hoses in closets, surround needle showers, and the built-ins in the closets were long before California Closets. The rooms are not huge, but cozy. Pay particular attention to the Lake Roundel stained glass attached to the windows and doors. Before going on our tour of the castle, we had lunch at the Carriage House Restaurant. They are open for lunch from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM from June to August. If you are just coming for lunch and not planning to visit the castle, you do not have to pay the entrance fee. There is another entrance from the main highway for dining guests only. This space used to be the stables. It has been repurposed as an entertainment-wedding venue. When you arrive, go to the hostess and put your name on the list if you want to have lunch. We waited for about 20 minutes for a table on the terrace overlooking the lake. While you wait, you can sit in front of a cozy fireplace or take a look at the history of the castle. Lauren, our server, was a delight. She was upbeat and full of personality. Two in our party had the Cobb Salad and two of us had the Tom Foolery (oven roasted turkey, warm Brie cheese, cranberry aioli and Applewood smoked bacon on grilled artisan bread). The food and service were terrific. We enjoyed everything. read more

See all

I'll admit that even though the Castle was gorgeous, I can only look at so many bathrooms before I get bored. The main attraction is the garden view in front of the castle. I can stay there for hours! Also, you MUST go there via Old Mountain Road to take advantage of the journey to the Castle. There's a giant pebble, waterfall, scenic overlook (AMAZING VIEW) and you should bring quarters for those binocular thingies. Also, if you get hungry, there's a gift shop and restaurant here too. You can order ice cream here as well. Want to ride a horse or feed ducks? Yeah, they have it. The Castle in the Clouds literally has everything you'll need to have fun for everyone! Next time, I'll dress appropriately for a hike. read more

Castle In the Clouds - its gorgeous here!! - Hiking Near Me - Moultonborough, New Hampshire

Sweet place, plenty of fun photography chances. Employees were nice and answered questions with little to no hesitation, and gave [mainly] friendly reminders to keep hands off walls and other items. The trolley to the top was a little terrifying but it got the job done so I can't really complain. Gift shop was small, rather empty, and smelled awful. I still loved my experience and would go back with no hesitation. Although the castle was way smaller expected, be forewarned read more

See all

I continue to experience new things in my transition to New Hampshire and yesterday was Castle in the Clouds. I took the hour and a half drive, which was very scenic, and we arrived to a very beautiful location. Parking is not the much, but we found a spot. On the way up, we saw the little cottage place that sells snacks and it wasn't like the pictures on the website. The staff was friendly and the views are amazing. Was an interesting learn during "orientation". Now I will agree with a majority of reviews here that the restaurant is a 360 compared to the rest of the staff and experience. The hostess was rude, but she picked who to be rude to. I listened as she told the white man in front of me that it was only a 25 minute wait. Then I reach the stand, a Hispanic man, and she ignores me for a couple of minutes and then tells me it's going to be over an hour. There were about 8 tables not being used at all. Her tone was short and rude compared to the smiles she gave the man ahead of me. They obviously haven't read any of the reviews to change the experience people have at the restaurant. Shameful because it reflects on all the hardworking staff that actually were great. read more

This place is wonderful for children! I had a three year old and a six year old with me. We started with a "pony" ride (it was actually a horse, but each child had a professional leading the horse). Then we had a hot dog and ice cream at the snack shack since the restaurant had an over 30 minute wait. The ice cream was delicious. Next, we took the quaint trolley ride to the castle. In one of the upstairs rooms, there were 1920's dress up close for children to try on! There were much more girls' cloths than boys, but my kids loved checking themselves out in the big mirror. The views are stunning. We ended the day by feeding the ducks and large rainbow trout. Bring quarters or your own bread if you would like to do this. All in all, it was a fantastic day. We didn't get a chance to check out the waterfall or trails but look forward to doing so next time we visit. read more

Castle In the Clouds - Hiking Near Me - Moultonborough, New Hampshire

**Did not tour Castle - only went for lunch** After attending a riding session at "Riding in the Clouds" (highly recommended by the way - see my review for that!) my mother and I were starving! Luckily there is a cute little cafe here. Our party was seating in a kind of awkward area, since they wanted to get us sat they placed in right in front of the kitchen window - kind of in the hustle and bustle of the place - but we were hungry - so we sat. No biggie! Our food was good - nothing to scream and rave about - but served it's purpose of filling our bellies! We got the appetizer of the Flat Bread and then our entrees were the Cubano, Pastrami, Chicken Salad and the special Mac & Cheese w/ Pulled Pork. This is a great little place that has kept all its character. And the patio has a killer view of Lake Winnipesaukee. read more

Castle In the Clouds - Hiking Near Me - Moultonborough, New Hampshire

See all

Absolutely beautiful views! Food's great and our waitress, Amy, was the best

I've only had the morning buffet once, but it was decadent and delicious, just like the views.

I try very hard not to give out 5-star reviews, so when I do, it stands out as something out of the ordinary and worth the visit. This needs to be listed as a restaurant, too. My 12 year old son and I went to go for a hike but ended up staying a bit longer than we anticipated. From the entrance on Rt. 171, a friendly lady in a booth welcomed us, gave us maps and recommendations what to see. It's normally like $16 per adult and $8 per kid to get in, but they had a pretty nice military discount. On our way up the hill, we stopped at a parking area and walked the 200 yards out a wood-plank boardwalk to the Falls of Song waterfall, which was very pretty. Then we drove up to the carriage house and took the trolley up to see the mansion on top of the hill. The mansion was just extraordinary. Lots of cool antiques and interesting facts about how the place was built and what it was like when the owners lived there. For kids, they have a "treasure hunt" - actually more like a scavenger hunt. They give kids a list of things to find in the house with a small clipboard, and when they find them all, they get to pick a "prize" (small trinket) from a treasure chest at the end. The view of Lake Winnipesaukee from the mansion was incredible. When we got back down to the carriage house, it was almost lunchtime and we were hungry. Turns out there's a cafe right there in the carriage house that has full waiter-service on a terrace overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee. It was a little pricey - $12 for a sandwich and $4 for a side of fries or onion rings. Even so, I felt like we got our money's worth. The service was top-notch - professional, prompt, and friendly. The food was exceptionally delicious. My son had the "Tomfoolery" sandwich - roast turkey, melted brie, bacon, cranberry aioli. I had a caprese sandwich with mozzarella, tomato, and basil. The onion rings were the best I've had in a long time. They have a good selection of beer, and they serve Coke products (I'm a Coke addict, so I was very glad to see that). Overall, spectacular delicious lunch with an amazing view and great service. After that we finally headed out on a hike on the Shannon Brook Trail and the Bald Knob Trail. There's quite a network of hiking trails here. There are maps posted at kiosks at the trail heads, and the trails are well-marked with both colored-diamonds and written signs. We saw toads, a snake, and multiple colors and sizes of mushrooms. The Lakes Region Conservation Trust offers a hikers achievement patch to those who hike all 28 miles of trails on the property. Overall, my son and I had a great day here and I hope to go back and earn that patch for hiking all the trails. read more

The Lucknow cafe is lovely. I decided to sit on the patio because the day was perfect. Trevor was a nice server and very patient when I requested to sip my wine before ordering a late lunch. I ordered the Shiraz, the wine glass was clean but had a very noticeable scratch down the side...I'm over it. I'm not a wine snob. Moving forward my greens, grains and goat cheese salad ($9) was my first choice to start... It's a meal. The quinoa was cooked to perfection and the pear dressing was lite and full of flavor:) made my wine extra sweet. Saving room for dessert. Everyone is happy here. read more

Castle In the Clouds - Greens grains and goat cheese salad with pear dressing:) just lovely! - Hiking Near Me - Moultonborough, New Hampshire

See all

Been to the Hearst Castle? Skip this one. A significant personal abode, I'll give it to you. The mansion boasts 16 rooms, a couple gryphons (jam!), an impressive organ, no less than 80 Do Not Touch signs and a sweeping view of Lake Winnie and the Ossipee Mountains. The history is mild; the decor, underwhelming. Including the four minute trolley ride and the 12 minute orientation, we were in and out in an hour. Tack on another one for the trails, falls and vistas on the two-mile road up the hill, and the $16 per adult entry fee still feels like a hefty overshoot. It's a "nice to see," but by no means a "need to see." An icon worth a $10 carload, but bridging $50 for a family of four to see a platter of fake cheese and crackers the way Olive preferred them left me wanting. A very shaky three stars. read more

See all

Well the view is absolutely breathtaking! We got the perfect sunset view. There was some great live music. An upright bass and acoustic guitar duo doing pretty covers on the patio. We had such a wonderful time! The menu was a bit limited but the food was great. We were watching the servers go to other tables to drop off orders to figure out what we wanted. Everything looked so appetizing. My friend got the scallops and linguini and I got sirloin tips with potato wedges. The wedges were loaded with pub cheese, bacon, and scallions. Our meals were absolutely delicious. My steak was a bit over cooked but the ambiance had far surpassed my expectations and I was more than willing to overlook it. It was still well seasoned and juicy. We were celebrating a birthday and decided on a chocolate lava cake and a cheesecake for dessert. The desserts were decadent and paired amazingly with our bottle of red wine. We wound up dancing around with the musicians as we were the last customers left. They played one more song for us as the last light of day faded. We had a truly magical time! Do yourself a favor and visit the castle in the clouds. read more

Castle In the Clouds - Hiking Near Me - Moultonborough, New Hampshire

Visited while on vacation. Definitely Worth a visit, and admission is only $17. A nice drive up to the castle, with a stop to see a waterfall and a pretty overlook.The Castle itself is impressive, and there are friendly tour guides to answer any questions you may have. I had heard that the lunch there was very good with incredible views. We were not disappointed. I enjoy the lobster casserole dish and my husband had soup and a chicken pot pie. Gorgeous views from the outdoor patio! read more

See all

This is such a lovely place to explore. They even provide a short educational speech about the history of the castle. The walk up to the castle is filled with a huge boulder a scenic waterfall adorable wildlife and a sense of serenity. The castle has exquisite decor complete with library and wooden Griffins. The furniture looks luxurious and comfortable. The washrooms have items from that era. The bedrooms are filled with beautiful vanity perfume bottles and an extensive closet of lovely clothes. You get to wander through at your own pace and explore every aspect of the castle. read more

See all

This is the review for the fish pond and meadows. This part of the property is seperate from the Mansion and free to enter. Ask the gate attendant about it and they will give you directions to the entrance. We fed the fish which were enormous and waiting to be fed. Tons of ducks and geese around too. We brought our dog, hung out on the meadow picnick tables. Great day! read more

Castle In the Clouds - Hiking Near Me - Moultonborough, New Hampshire

See all