Castle Tours & Tickets

Gillette Castle is open only for scheduled, self-guided tours that take about an hour. Tickets are $6 for anyone 13 and older, $2 for ages 6 to 12 and free for children 5 and under, and DEEP sells a limited number for each 15-minute time slot between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tours run daily from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, then on fall weekends and holidays through Columbus Day. Book ahead on ReserveAmerica if you want a set time.

When the Castle Is Open

The castle interior has its own calendar, separate from the grounds. DEEP's schedule:

• Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day: tours every day.
• Labor Day to Columbus Day: tours on weekends and holidays only.
• Columbus Day to Thanksgiving: the castle is closed while staff set up the holiday program.
• Thanksgiving to Christmas: the Holiday Tour Program on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. See holiday tours.

The park grounds, trails and river views stay open all year from 8 a.m. to sunset and cost nothing (hours).

Tour Times

Tours start every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. During the holiday program the last tour is at 3:30 p.m. DEEP asks you to be at the castle five to ten minutes before your time and says it cannot guarantee entry once your slot has passed. The Friends of Gillette Castle State Park note that the last tickets are sold at the visitor center at 4 p.m. and the last entry is at 4:15.

Ticket Prices

• Ages 13 and up: $6
• Ages 6 to 12: $2
• Ages 5 and under: free
• Charter Oak Pass and Heritage Pass holders: free

Connecticut residents 65 and older can get a Charter Oak Pass, which gives the passholder free entry with proof of residency. The Friends add that DEEP also honors library passes and Connecticut Disabled Veterans Passes for free castle admission.

How to Book

You can buy tickets at the castle on the day or in advance through ReserveAmerica, which adds a processing fee. DEEP limits each slot to 18 visitors and strongly recommends booking ahead, especially for groups and summer weekends. Tickets for the peak and fall seasons go on sale after April 1; holiday tour tickets go on sale after Labor Day.

What You See Inside

Gillette designed the 24-room castle and most of its furniture himself. DEEP points to the built-in couches, a table that moves on tracks, hand-hewn southern white oak woodwork, carved wooden light switches and 47 doors, each with its own design. The Friends' favourite on the first floor is the trick bar Gillette built, a locked liquor cabinet he could watch from the second-floor balcony through a set of mirrors. More on the building in history and on the man in William Gillette.

Accessibility

Only the first floor of the castle is ADA accessible; the second and third floors are reached by stairs. The Friends describe a curving paved and packed-gravel path from the main lot to the back terrace that avoids steps, and the visitor center, with its film, gift shop and restrooms, is wheelchair accessible. DEEP lends all-terrain wheelchairs with advance reservations (plan your visit).

Bus and School Groups

Buses seating 30 or more need a DEEP bus permit. Bus tours run at 9 a.m. only, never on weekends or holidays, and must be reserved at least two weeks ahead by calling ReserveAmerica at (877) 668-2267.

Can't Make It? Take the Virtual Tour

DEEP hosts a 3D virtual tour of the castle on its park page. You can move room to room, zoom into the design details and look for Gillette's cats.

Before You Go

• Parking at the castle lot is free (parking and directions).
• There is no restaurant in the park; bring a picnic (plan your visit).
• Leashed dogs may walk the grounds but are not allowed in the castle (rules).