Castle In the Clouds

Loved it here! When I came, we saw the waterfall first and it was very pretty. Then, we continued driving until we got to the main parking lot. We got on a trolley and took it up to the mansion. The views were STUNNING. After, we walked around the mansion. It was really nice. I would recommend this place.

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 décor 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.

Beautifully Maintained, A Must See when Visiting the Lakes Region
Located just 30 minutes from Meredith, Castle in the Clouds is a very worthwhile half-​day destination. For a reasonable price of admission, you gain access to a number of sightseeing opportunities. First, you can stop by a beautiful waterfall that is preceded by a short hike. Our 18-​month-​old was even able to hike the trail! The waterfall is beautiful. Next, it is off to a scenic overlook with great opportunities for photos.
We then parked our car and stopped for lunch in the Lucknow Café which was a number of options. My wife and I both had salads that were decent. My daughter had a grilled chicken wrap that was fine. We did start with freshly baked Bavarian pretzel sticks that were soft and warm and just fantastic. The cheese dipping sauce was nothing to get excited about. We hardly used it the pretzel sticks were so good.
We then took a trolley to the mansion which has an immaculate garden overlooking the Lakes region. We received a short history lecture (our daughter even paid attention!). The mansion if fascinating and worth the look. There were so many opportunities for pictures.
We then took the trolley back to our car. We took a short drive to a small ice cream stand and had some delicious s’mores ice cream. Finally we fed some of the huge fresh water fish in their sizeable pond.
All in all, it was a lot of fun and worth the time and money!

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!

This was a fun place to come up to lunch for. We did not go on any tour, nor did we check out the historical aspects. This review is strictly based on their restaurant.
We sat outside, which had a wonderful view. I decided to order crab cakes which came with a side salad. When it was brought out, it appeared that it was a small appetizer rather than a lunch. The crab cake was Ok, was expecting a little better. The salad was quite small. Needless to say I was wishing that I had ordered something else. Everyone else had sandwiches/​burgers which appeared quite large and hefty portions. My meal was not worth the price — and I was hungry 1 ½ hours later.

You couldn’t have ask for a nicer day to go here. Not a cloud in the sky. The road up to the castle was pretty narrow, and must be a nightmare when it rains. There was no parking to check out the scenery on the map. (the waterfall, pebble, or the overlook) The view from the castle was just beautiful. The tour of the castle was great with many people to answer your questions. We road the trolley up to the castle, but decided to take the footpath back. very nice.
Before leaving we stopped to check out the fish at the pond. The reason their so big is because you can’t fish for them and the people keep feeding them. We stopped at the horse barn too. All and all it was a great place to visit.

We recently spend a week in Laconia NH for our 10 year Wedding Anniversary! This was the best day trip we took! Beautiful drive up to castle. Many great photo stops! The castle was beautiful ! The staff was kind and grateful for your visit. We did not dine there but wish we had. The patio outdoor seating over looks the lake views! Next time for sure! The gift shop was the only disappointment not to many castle souvenirs available it was more like a a soap perfume shop. We got a DVD and a snow globe those plus a cup was all I saw that had anything to do with the castle. Weddings must be amazing up there. You can do horse back riding wish I had known that before I wore a skirt. Oh well still had a great time.

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 décor, 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.

The Lucknow café 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.

We can’t stop thinking about our recent visit. It was such a beautiful day to drive up the mountain and stop along the way to take in the breath taking scenery. We decided to have lunch on the patio at the Carriage House before we took the trolley to the Castle. We were pleasantly surprised at how great the food was not only in taste but in presentation all while taking in the beautiful view. The Castle was so interesting and we loved the fact that you can actually go into most of the rooms to look at all the artifacts on display. We thought the price of admission and the prices at the restaurant were not out of line for an attraction. All the employees were outstanding as well. If in the area again we will definitely visit again!

Cool building –worth the schlep. Isolated on grande dame early 1900s estate. Awesome collections of period clothing, articles, food containers, media etc. it’s like time stopped and u are walking into the owners bedroom. Unlike massive estates or «cottages» in Newport RI this home is at a human and livable scale. Young and old alike will get a kick out of the displays. Gardens are beautiful and the grounds are very hikeable for the energetic — there are also some waterfalls and hiking trails below the property line. Kids are welcome and seniors will enjoy. (not really handicapped accessible)

This place exceeded my expectations. A stunning view coupled with simple, yet elegant views makes for a magical experience. We both had Tomfoolery Sandwiches with sweet potato fries. The sweetness of the cranberry sauce contrasted with the mellow brie was intoxicating. I wish I lived closer to make it a constant dining experience. A little pricey, but well worth it!

Beautiful place in NH. ’ luck now’ is a wonderfully preserved estate on a mountain side. Perfect for weddings to! The view is simply amazing and not to be missed! We also ate at the restaurant which was a tad over priced for me. But the view and outside ambiance made it worth it. Future wedding venue!

Spent the day here this past weekend and enjoyed every minute of it.
We started the day with a 2 hour hike up to Bald Rock which was a good moderate hike with some heart pumping inclines and beautiful views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Then took a stroll down the Brook Path which winds around the brook (duh) and at least 4 waterfalls depending on the season. This trail is perfect for kids or for those looking for more of a walk rather than a hike. The scenery is beautiful and it’s a great spot to snap some great photos.
After our exercise we headed over to catch the trolley (a must do) up to the castle.
Now, the castle itself wasn’t quite what I was expecting… because it isn’t actually a castle. It is built with stone, but it definitely looks more like a house. Though I guess ‘house in the clouds’ wouldn’t attract much business. I digress…
The trip to the castle begins with an informational introduction followed by a self-​guided tour, my personal favorite because you can take as much or, in my case, as little time as you want. There are about 10 different areas of the home to explore and about 25 – 30 actual rooms you can go in and out of. East is set up with furniture and room fixings to date with the time period of those who lived in the home. It was really fun to get a glimpse of what life was like back then, what they wore and read about the things that they would do.
My personal favorite was the central vacuuming system… amazing. How do I not have one of these?!
After the tour you can either walk down the hill (which I suggest) or take the trolley back down to the parking log.
My top tip for this place? Tour the inside first and then take in the views from the gardens and outdoor viewing areas so that you miss the crowds at both. Bring a picnic lunch to avoid the overpriced food and take the walk down to the picnic tables at the lake and enjoy your bite to eat while taking in the views.

We just visited the carriage house for lunch so we didn’t pay the fees for the tour. If you just tell the lady at the gate you are just going for lunch she directs you up another road where you don’t pay to enter.
The views from the carriage house terrace over the lakes are STUNNING. Well worth the visit alone. We had lunch of a salad and burger and it was delicious. The service was great and all the staff were very friendly.
We had a quick peak at the wedding room and it is lovely with the same views as the terrace. The bride’s room as well as the restrooms up there are also very well done with nice touches.
If you are in the area I would really recommend a lunch pit stop. They seem to do Jazz evenings and murder mysteries etc which would I would be v tempted by.

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 café 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.

Visited castle in the clouds on july fourth. The castle, waterfall anf view was fine however sunset jazz was not so good. The music was fine but the food as well as the service was horrible. I ordered seafood stew for $ 23 and got a bisk with a few peices of sea food. The waitress took 20 minites to get me a spoon to eat it with so the stew was cold. My wife ordered steak medium and got a tiny peice if meat well done.
So enjoy the castle and skip the sunset carrage house sunset jazz

Sixteen dollars a person to drive your own car to someone else’s house, and gaze upon vistas that can be replicated at about fifty other places around Lake Winnipesaukee? No thanks.
Here’s a word of advice: Half a mile south on route 171, there’s a parking area and the entrance to some hiking trails. Take the red trail ¾ of a mile to the blue/​yellow trail. Go another ½ mile on the blue/​yellow, and you’ll be treated to a nearly identical view. It’s a tough hike, but absolutely worth the workout, and the $ 32 that instead went towards a well-​deserved lunch.
This is where old people waste their retirement money. Don’t waste yours. Even if you’re not able to hike, go to Gunstock, where $ 10 gets you the same view and a fun ride on a high-​speed chairlift.

Castle in the Clouds is a turn o’ the century estate that has been historically preserved, and functions as a museum centered around the house’s original owner.
This is definitely an interesting little side-​jaunt if you are passing through the area. Advance warning, the fee is $ 15/​person, which seems a little grasping for a tour of an old home that also sports a restaurant and gift shop.
At any rate, there are some nice falls near the base of the mountain. Hopping back into the car, you twist and wind a bit higher, then park near the gift shop and restaurant area. A trolley takes you the remainder of the way to the estate itself, which is quite nice, with impressive views of the surrounding countryside. The house is an example of early arts & crafts construction. It was interesting to see how lacy and frilly the maid’s outfits were, the old telephones and intercoms built into the house, the elaborate skeleton of the shower system in several of the bathrooms. Definitely demonstrates that the 1920’s wasn’t such a bad time to be a shoe baron.
The restaurant:
Returning down the hill, you can stop for lunch at the scenic restaurant. The prices are as steep as the grade on the hill, and a modest lunch for two (sodas, cheese and toast sandwiches) easily runs to $ 40+, probably double what you’d pay for the same quality at your average ski lodge.

So, maybe I’m biased because I grew up wanting to come here but never getting the chance until adulthood; or maybe it’s because I was proposed to on the lawn last year. Needless to say, Castle in the Clouds is one of my favorite places.
From the moment you arrive, you know you’re someplace special. The road to the carriage house (that now serves as a restaurant) is tree-​lined and secluded. Be sure to stop at the first lot and take the short walk to the waterfall – you will not regret it. Even in oppressive humidity, it was a nice walk. An FYI – you can spend the day on the grounds for a significant savings just hiking along 28 miles of trails.
From the carriage house, it’s a short trolley ride to the castle itself for an untimed self-​guided tour. Docents are all around to answer questions (or make you put on silly hats and pose as though you’re having «tea») and there’s a huge number of interesting and unique items to look at, especially if you’re interested in history. High atop a hill, overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee, it really feels like you’re on the grounds of a castle, far from the troubles of the real world. It’s also a very short walk back to the carriage house for a nice lunch. The food isn’t fancy, but is delicious, the staff is friendly, and the ambiance is amazing – they only took out enough of the stalls to add a kitchen, so the tables are inside of over-​sized stalls, with tack decorating the walls, reminding you that once upon a time this was a working building. I do wish there was A/​C or better fans though; the ones in the building are too high to be of much help when it’s brutally humid out.
And when you’re leaving, be sure to stop at the pond! It’s full of trout and ducks that go CRAZY for food (be sure to have some quarters) – it’s seriously amusing, and we spent a good 20 minutes here!