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Gillette Castle State Park


TripAdvisor Traveller Rating: 4.0 of 5 stars
TripAdvisor Popularity Index: #2 of 4 attractions in East Haddam
Traveller Description: This 24-room mansion has undergone extensive renovations.
Familiar with Gillette Castle State Park? Write your own description and share what you know with other travellers.
Attraction type: State park, Park, Historic home
Address: 67 River Rd. East Haddam, CT
Tel: 860-526-2336

Reviews you can trust

[ Date ] [ Rating ]
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2 of 5 stars
new haven, ct
19 Oct 2009

I hadn't been the Gillette Castle for 30 years and finally decided to go. I looked at the web site but didn't (my fault) read up onh ours because, duh, why would a state spend millions refurbishing a site and then close the castle for half the year? It isn't just a picnic area. Ironically the only thing open was... more

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4 of 5 stars
ellicott city, md
11 Oct 2009

For a girls day out, 3 of us went to Gillette Castle. The grounds and views were beautiful in mid September. The castle was very interesting and craftily built. We even had a surprise visit from a long gone member of the Gillette Family. It was hilarious that myself and another friend thought we were speaking to a crazy lady... more

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5 of 5 stars
columbus, ohio
8 Oct 2009

Truly interesting and unique building with history behind the man and the vision. The tour itself is tight in some spaces so taking little childen posed a bit of a problem. My 11 year old was fascinated by it. I would recommend taking the time to see this if you are in the area - for the view in itself. more

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3 of 5 stars
nvafem
2 Jun 2009

I stumbled upon this intriguing buildling high up on a hill overlooking the river we were about to cross by ferry. My children were young in those days and grudingly went along with mom as I explored our unplanned detour. We had been stuck in horrendous stop and go traffic on rte 95 going north during an annual trip to... more

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5 of 5 stars
Baltimore, MD
25 Jan 2009

This is a great place to visit and to take your kids! Or it's a great trip for adults alone or with friends and family. The castle itself is fascinating and it's worth the wait for the tour. But you can also go for the grounds as the castle is in a beautiful little state park right on the river.... more

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5 of 5 stars
Nashville, Tennessee
30 Sep 2008
1
person found this review helpful

I found Gillette State Park while looking for things to do in the Hartford area over the weekend. The drive was beautiful and the views from the castle were even more so. You can go to the website to find out more about the history of the builder, so I will just say that I really enjoyed the trip. The... more

15 Aug 2008
2
people found this review helpful

This is a wonderful site. Our family took the ferry across to see it. The castle is wonderful. William Gillette designed this spectacular castle. No two doors are alike, no two windows are alike. All hand crafted. Secret passages, stained glass. Beautiful views! more

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5 of 5 stars
Fairfield County, CT
22 Jul 2008
2
people found this review helpful

I am a CT resident, and have seen most of the tourist attractions in the State. I feel that G. C. is the best. The day begins with a car ride up a winding, narrow road. At the summit, you will witness beautiful scenery, including the CT. River. The tour of the Castle is special in itself. The builder, Mr.... more

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5 of 5 stars
Ontario,Canada
11 Apr 2008
4
people found this review helpful

Gillette Castle is located in East Haddam in Connecticut, and I can thoroughly recommend a visit. This is a truly amazing place and was originally built not as a castle, but as a home for William Hooker Gillette, an actor who was most famous for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. He was, in fact, the person who made the Holmes... more

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5 of 5 stars
ridgefield, CT
27 Mar 2008
4
people found this review helpful

My husband and I visited the Gillette Castle last summer. We took the 'Gillette Castle Connection' on the Essex steam train (which is a great thing to do in itself). You enjoy about 1/2 train ride in an old parlor car and then they drop you off about 5 minutes from the Chester/Hadlyme ferry crossing over the Connecticut River. The... more

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Gillette Castle State Park Address

67 River Rd., East Haddam, CT
Tel: 860-526-2336