Gillette Castle

I've lived in this state most my life and I've been to the park before, but I never did the museum tour until now. What a wonderful treasure we have. This was fantastic. The history touches Sherlock Holmes and Connecticut History. This rivals the Mark Twain house and there are a myriad of trails to hike as well with iconic views of the Connecticut River and surrounding hills.

Gillette Castle should be on every New England tour bucket list. The castle itself is a fascinating and nearly mesmerizing experience with surprises on every level and at every turn. The nature trails are beautiful. There are wonderful vistas as you overlook the majestic Connecticut River. A great place for fun photography. A short drive takes you to a working ferry that conveys you and your vehicle to the other side where you can get one last glimpse of the castle and the Gillette State Park. Really worthwhile. Really memorable.

The house of the first actor of Sherlock Holmes. It is a 24 room house that looks like a castle from the outside. I can say that the view you see when you go out from the living room to the balcony is beyond magnificent. You should definitely come here in the fall or spring. It is very enjoyable to come here by passing through the lush green trees.

We didn't get to go inside. That was closed so everything on the ground was free. Beautiful castle. I would have loved to have gone in some we traveled 10 hours from Virginia to see it. I would have stayed longer but we had so much to do. I took lots of pictures.

It's a pretty neat & crazy pile of well organized rocks, no doubt. Although we did not take the interior tour we are well glad we made this stop along our travels near Old Saybrook. Amazing views of the river too.

Loved it. Some simple and more difficult trails. We couldn't get in the castle because the tickets were sold out. The view was amazing

Walking around the castle and taking the walking trails especially down to the water was just as good as getting inside. If your a Gillette buff getting inside is probably more meaningful. They say it's a self-guided tour, but in each room you're supposed to stop to listen to a docent. As a result the self-guided interested people figure out how to join groups moving through and that can get the third floor crowded. So, if you want a look inside, go for it, but it does not seem necessary.

This is a must-see when in the area! Every part of the historic site is food for the eyes, ears, and soul! Those who are your guides are filled with the lore of the owner and the castle's rich history. Definitely include this on your journey.

How to describe Gillette Castle? It's a castle in Connecticut, designed and built by William Gillette, who was an American actor who popularized Sherlock Holmes in American theater in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. And it's a must visit if you enjoy interesting architecture! Gillette lived in the home (with his cats - he was a widower that never remarried) from 1919 until his death in 1937. He called the house "Seventh Sister," but it was renamed Gillette Castle by the State of Connecticut when it created a state park out of the house and lands. The house cost over a $1 million at the time it was built, which is incredible. It's a three-story (plus tower), 24-room, 14,000 sq ft home/castle made of wood, cement, and local Connecticut fieldstone. It's an arts and crafts gem that I had never heard of and didn't know anything about until I began researching where to go when we began planning our trip to Connecticut. The tour is self-guided, but starts only at designated start times. There is a docent in each room, so you get a short explanation of the room - its architecture and information about how Gillette used it (and he was a quirky guy - the docents have plenty of fun stories). And if you're like me, you can ask a million questions, too! But you absolutely must book your tour ahead of time!!! We arrived for our 11:45am tour, and people who showed up around that time were told that they couldn't join a tour until 2pm (the earlier tours were all sold out). The castle is amazing. Some of the rooms really made my jaw drop to the floor. And the docents have great stories about the castle and Gillette (he was friends with lots of important people - Charlie Chaplin visited the house! As did Albert Einstein!). And those Connecticut River views! Definitely a must visit if you're in the area!

Gillette Castle State Park has a large parking lot, and the visitor center has clean bathrooms, a gift shop, and refreshments. The grounds are well kept with beautiful walking trails, and an amazing views of the Connecticut river. There are picnic tables spread throughout the property. We purchased tickets for a self-guided tour of the inside of the castle that was built in 1919 to be the home for William Gillette the actor, director, playwright, who was famous for portraying Sherlock Holmes, and his many cats. This is a great day trip well worth seeing for kids, and adults to enjoy.

Wow. What cool house and hiking trails. The house was renovated and is in excellent shape

Finally made it to this state park, unfortunately the tours of the castle were closed when we went this weekend. The grounds are beautiful and very clean. The castle is impressive with beautiful views. They have a large parking lot and visitor center with bathrooms. I'd definitely return in season to tour the inside of the castle.

It's a beautiful park, and I really enjoyed walking there with my friends. I'm looking forward to returning and enjoying it this summer.

After a crazy busy week at work and I need some nature... Gillette Castle in East Haddam.. what a PLACE! We walked over 3 miles and all around the castle with the dogs, some of the most beautiful scenes of Connecticut River with the stunning sunset we found a stream and a sneaky dark walking tunnel. There was a couple there having a gothic theme revival wedding which I thought was EPIC, black dress and gothic theme pictures, perfect! Dog friendly with a visitor center, bathrooms, ample parking, incredible views, snacks and drinks and during the summer a small cafe. It wasn't open when we went but that could have been the day or time (Sunday afternoon)

Beautiful, amazing property and castle! I would highly recommend going in. I went on a bad day where the computer was broken and to register for a ticket online is extremely cumbersome. Once you get inside, they give you a little bit of history, but no tour! Absolutely gorgeous, and worth the visit.

This is a beautiful spot. We've been here a couple of times. First time we took a tour of the castle with the family. It was very interesting. Even the kids enjoyed it. Second time we came to hike the property. There are several marked paths throughout. We picked one that went down to the river. There are picnic tables down there where you can enjoy a meal along the river as well as two little beach areas. I have no idea is swimming is allowed here so if that interests you, check first please. A ferry runs in this area. The park opens at 8am and closes at sunset. The Castle is only open for scheduled tours and is closed between mid-December and the end of May. You can find dates, times and purchase tickets on their website. Tickets are non-refundable within one week of your tour date, however, to be sure you get a spot, it is recommended you book ahead of time. A very small wedding ceremony (not the reception) can be held here for twenty guests or less, but only outside the Castle and only at specific times. See their site for important information and call them to reserve. As this is a public park, you can choose to hold a ceremony anywhere in the park without prior authorization as long as you understand the public may 'crash' your ceremony. The grounds are beautiful. The house is so interesting. Ticket prices for the tour are reasonable and they have a pass for a family of four that covers three State Parks in one ticket. You can make a day trip at this location if you plan your tour, take a hike and pack a meal to enjoy. Picnic tables are spread around the property. Trails are nicely maintained, however they are not all smooth going. Besides roots and rocks, some trails have steps, so strollers won't work. Check out the trail type before heading out. There is a large parking lot near the visitor center and restrooms are located inside. Pets are permitted on a leash in picnic areas and on trail but not in the castle or it's surrounding decks. Definitely worth a visit imho.

We went a bit out of our way to visit the castle and are so very glad we did, it's definitely worth it! We learned everything we didn't know (which was nothing) about William Gillette and how he amassed his fortunes with Sherlock Holmes! We saw one of his plays being reenacted, secret passages, gorgeous views and 47 unique doors in his "pile of rocks"! They've restored the castle to greatness and there isn't a tiny hint of the 17 cats that once lived there other than their toys and knickknack likenesses! Be prepared to walk with comfy shoes and buy your castle tour tickets early, they sell out! If no tickets are available you're still able to walk fully around the castle and peek in the windows to get an idea of Williams talents.

Gillette Castle is truly a CT gem that you need to check out! Here's the scoop: The castle is open to the public for self-guided tours, but you need to purchase a ticket to get in. Timed tickets can be purchased online, which is recommended. They are also available at the visitor's center once you get there, but they do sell out, so better to be safe. The castle is open from daily from 10AM-4PM seasonally. An adult ticket is only $6, so you really can't go wrong... Once you get there, there's a large parking lot. There's also a visitor's center with a small gift shop, a theater area with a short film about William Gillette, and bathrooms. There's also a snack bar, but it's apparently closed for the 2023 season. The castle is just a short walk from the visitor's center. It's a self-guided tour, but there are tour guides stationed throughout the castle to answer any questions you may have and give you some history on William Gillette. The guides were very knowledgeable. The inside of the castle is very cool, and there are so many amazing details that Gillette himself put into place. Non-flash photography is allowed inside, but no video. It took me about 45-minutes to walk through the whole place. The grounds are beautiful to walk around (and are open all year round, even when the castle is not). There are picnic areas and hiking trails on the property. Overall a very cool piece of CT history!

The former home of the late actor and portrayer of Sherlock Holmes on stage. Amazing exhibits.

Hours worth of fun. Every little thing about this "castle" was memorable. Every little thing Mr. Gillette had built had a meaningful reason for it. Absolutely beautiful and brilliant in every way. Tour Guides were very kind and helpful. Very informative and fun!!!

Gillette's Castle is a true hidden gem. Over 100 years old this home of actor, playwright, author and train enthusiast is well kept and fascinating look back in time. The history of the property and its design are fascinating. From the design of the doors and door locks (no two are the same) to the theatrical flare of the home. To the shear marvel of the craftsmanship that a small number of artisans created in a relatively small span of time. The actor's development of the character of Sherlock Holmes is an amazing story of talent and chance. From having never read Arthur Conan Doyle to collaborating with Doyle to bring Sherlock Holmes to the stage, William Gillette created the personification of Holmes that is recognized even today. The personal train that once ran 3+ miles around the property is gone but hikers can still walk the "rails to trails" paths. The steam train served its life out at Lake Compounce park in Bristol, but a restored electric engines is available for viewing in the visitors center along with some of the original cars. Prepare to spend a few hours admiring the landscape, the gorgeous views of the Connecticut River, the castle and its architecture, and of course the man whose vision brought it all together

I loved loved loved my experience here. The castle tour is wonderful. There are parts that are guided and there are parts you are on your own. You have to reserve tickets in advance as it sells out quickly . While shopping in the gift shop, I witnessed a lot of people being told tours were sold out. I love a good castle tour and this was right up my alley. The hiking trail was a extra plus. Definitely the highlight of visiting my friend in Connecticut. Definitely come check this out.

Came here in the fall not knowing that Gillette Castle Museum was already closed for the season...one of my friends suggested coming here but didn't do their research. However, we made the most of the day trip and with the nice weather was able to do some hiking, see the grounds of Gillette Castle. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and stay on the hiking trail. There is a steeper trail (short cut) that brings you to the castle...we did both trails. LOL To get the to the park, can either drive and/or the the ferry. Check the schedule when the ferry runs and time accordingly. If too many cars, will have to wait for the next ferry. Will have to come back during the normal season to go inside the museum. Was nice to get some hiking and pictures of the grounds and the views of the CT river.

You can purchase a ticket for the self-guided tour online for $6. I recommend purchasing your tickets ahead of time since the time slots do get sold out. I didn't really know much about William Gillette, but learning more about him throughout the tour made me love the castle more. The guides are so sweet and informative. Once I learned that William Gillette was the first actor who played Sherlock Holmes, I started geeking out. The more I learned about him, the more I felt like he had the perfect personality to play the iconic role. He was very witty. He also really loved cats. There were cat stuff all over the castle, it was adorable!

Wonderful, beautiful, fascinating, interesting, historic and educational MUST SEE site built by the talented, creative, writer, playwright and actor THE ingenius William Gillette a .k. a. actIR SHERLOCK HOLMES!

Who doesn't love visiting a castle? Our family field trip took us here today. Fall foliage was colorful & crisp air was perfect weather. The visitor center was closed (boo), but the concession stand open & restrooms available. I loved the land the castle is on. It is nestled high above the river, providing breathtaking views. Built for an actor in 1919 who resided with his numerous cats! He willed the property to the state & it became a state park in 1943. We couldn't go inside the castle- apparently used for special occasions & completely modern. But the charm outside was enchanting.

We were leaf popping with our dog and decided to visit this state park that is situated high above the Connecticut river. Since our furr baby has shown no interest in being a service dog, we limited our visit to touring the grounds which are beautiful and well maintained. A return visit next when the castle reopens will likely occur.

I absolutely loved this castle! I am not really one that loves to visit museums and stuff like this because I get bored really quickly, but this castle peaked my interest! I loved it!! Very beautiful inside!! Mr. Gillette was quite an interesting man with lots of hidden surprises in his castle! Somewhat mystical. The grounds are lovely as well. Be sure to check it out!!

Magnificent grounds Excellent self-guided tour docents Stunning setting I'd had Gillette Castle on my to-do list for a while, but it took until an adventurous holiday weekend to make the time, and I'm thrilled my family and I did. The drive into East Haddam was enjoyable in its own right, but entering the grounds felt like being transported back in time - lush grounds, old-growth trees, stonework bridges, and winding paths back toward the castle. As we wound past the entry to the castle itself to the parking lot, I was glad it was somewhat obscured - it saved the big reveal for walking in. We did the visitors center briefly to read a little background and buy tickets (very reasonable at $6/adults). As we made our way over for the tour, we got a better sense of the uniqueness of the lot, the walkway approach, and the structure itself - and while that was impressive enough, the view as we made our way up to "Grand Central Station" overlooking the Connecticut River was legitimately a wow moment. Outstanding. The self-guided tour had just enough informational postings to give you a sense of the elements you were seeing without breaking up the scenery, and a few points throughout the house had docents giving deeper background that I enjoyed. For example, I had never made the connection that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle didn't write "elementary, my dear Watson" - Gillette did. The evolution of Sherlock Holmes' look was also mostly Gillette's work as he adapted the character for the stage. Even just a few moments of digesting the information available was enlightening. The castle's style itself may not be to everyone's liking, but it's very special and worth seeing nevertheless. Bonus points here if you enjoy woodwork, turn of the century fire safety, stonework, scenic vistas, and cats. I recommend putting this on your list.

What a great place to visit! Rich with historic value and amazing scenery! New England at its finest!

My first ever visit was in 2018 after hearing so much about the castle and its surprising that I never came here before as I was born in CT and heard so much about Gillette Castle over the many years I lived in CT. The home is an amazing building, it is enormous and the views down the CT River are spectacular. The grounds are well kept, there are trails and a museum as well. The docents explain so much about the details of the home and about Mr. Gillette and his visitors. It is a great Connecticut treasure for residents and visitors to see and learn more about our state's history and those who had a part in that history. You can bring lunch and enjoy a picnic at one of the tables around the park or you can visit the on site restaurant.

Great architectural site. Fascinating house and grounds. Wished they'd bring the train back. Great views of the rover and a great place for walks. And you get to take the worlds smallest ferry to get there!

Unfortunately we were misinformed. They said on channel 8 news that the castle was open today but unfortunately it was not.

Such a beautiful location for a hike and outdoor exploration! My family drove here for a fun day trip and had such a great time. Unfortunately the inside of the castle was closed due to Covid but we were able to explore the beautiful grounds. We took the ferry there which I recommend for an extra fun activity and great views.

Gorgeous. That's probably an understatement. The stones, the view from the deck in the back of the castle, even the visitor center. The pictures definitely don't do this place justice. You must come visit to experience this for yourself. Tip to single guys: if you want to impress a woman you're dating, take her here! Especially during the sunset. It's breathtaking. Sherlock Holmes fans should make their way here while it's still standing. This castle was built for the creator and actor of the original Sherlock Holmes. A couple of neat facts and artifacts of his are in the visitor center. The castle itself was not open when we came because it's off season, but I'll definitely be back in March when it re-opens. My bf noticed that along the edges of the castle the rocks were protruding out from the corner. I learned sooooooo long ago in school that it was for a battling tactic. It was so cool to see that. FYI: Bathrooms are in the visitor center. If you like hiking, there's a trail (not sure of the length) along the river. Great scenic hike :) Heels are a bad idea as there is very little flat surface here. Do yourself a favor and wear sneakers or boots. You'll thank yourself when you leave. Make sure that you don't forget your camera and make sure that your phone is charged. You'll want to snap tons of selfies at this gorgeous place! Will I be back? Yup! Would I recommend? Absolutely! This is a must-see!

I have lived in the area for year. At this point I will have to say it for hiking and walking. Only. Once you could go inside, but not for years. But I will say, morning walk with a coffee and smile is a great start of the day. An afternoon hike with your dog, a friend and a camera makes the afternoon. Take a day and enjoy this wonderful old property.

The eccentric William Gillette was a director, playwright and acclaimed actor of his day. He is particularly noted for his portrayal of "Sherlock Holmes". His portrayal enscribed most of the characteristics of the Sherlock Holmes character that we know today, more so than Arthur Conan Doyle's writings. He died in 1937. He did most of his professional work in the early 1900 hundreds. It was then in 1914 that he commissioned and designed Gillette Castle and grounds on a stretch of land along the Connecticut river called the "Seven SIsters", a group of seven rolling hills. In 1943 the Connecticut government took possession of the estate and 1981 Gillette Castle was placed on the National Registry of Historical Places.Today you can visit Gillette Castle State Park for free. The grounds are beautiful. There is a pond and hiking trails which are maintained. Some of the trails follow the railroad tracks which Gillette built and take you through a dark tunnel, over stone bridges and offer amazing views of the Connecticut river. The Fall foliage is outstanding. At the base of the hill and near the Connecticut river banks is a theater were many theatrical performances take place throughout the year. The visitor's center has restrooms, historical memorabilia and personal effects of Gillette, as well as, a 15 minute video of Gillette's life and history of the estate. If you want to see the inside of the 24 room castle it is $6 (13+), $2 (6-12) and 5 and under are free. There is no parking fee either. If you do take the tour know that it is a one way tour. You can't go back and look, so take your time at each location. The first floor is the living area. The second floor are where the bedrooms are. The third floor is the art room showcase. What is unique about the house are the 47 hand crafted southern pine doors, none of which are alike and the unusual door knobs and wood latches. The system of hidden mirrors that Gillette used to watch visitor's to the estate is another unique feature of the castle.. Gillette Castle is decorated for the holiday season and draws many visitors.

My friend and I brought her son and nephew to the castle and this was my first time here too. I'm not sure what I thought I was going to so I didn't know what to expect. Getting there was pretty easy but the lack of cell service was a drag. Upon arrival, there was plenty of parking and the entry process was easy (they take credit card at the registration table). Touring the castle was fun and the views were quite spectacular. This is more so for kids so don't expect much as an adult.

Inside of Castle was closed due to COVID-19 but the grounds are beautiful with amazing views!

Beautiful view and building. Not open right now due to covid. Would definitely come back to your inside castle.

This castle was quite a sight to see in my exploration of Connecticut. This castle straddles along both East Haddam and Lyme. This castle used to be the private home of William Gilette. He portrayed the character Sherlock Holmes. The castle however, is now the property of the state and has seasonal tours where you can go inside. The state park itself is a lovely place to walk around and enjoy nature. I can imagine on a warm day this place is even more enjoyable. I highly recommend taking a gander if you're in the area.

The Castle tours have a pretty short season, so we weren't able to check that part of it out when we were there. We were mostly there for the hiking, and it's a pretty decent park, although small for a stroll. There's a nice large parking lot (that despite the closed notice, is still open year round) and a few options for hiking. There's a river trail that goes north from the castle area, and there's another loop network from the rear of the parking lot, that goes towards the old railroad tunnel. Once upon a time, there was a small gauge railroad on the property, and some of the trails follow the path of the old rails. The trails were mostly OK, but in some parts pretty eroded, in definite need of maintenance. There were also sections that were closed (without being noted on the map) that seem to have no sign of being maintained any time soon. Overall, I imagine this is a nice place during the summer, especially for the views and the castle tour. If there were more maintenance done to the trail network, this could be a really nice park.

What a special home-turned-museum to get a glimpse back in time (to the 1940s). Castle is open Thursday-Sunday from Memorial Day Weekend until Labor Day, 11:00am-5:00pm. $6 adult admission Staff available on site to give an overview of castle interior/building design and to answer questions. They were so knowledgeable of the history and the builder, William Hooker Gillette, noted actor, director, and playwright, who only had a high school education! His eye for creativity and detail, and thoughtful yet functional design is evident throughout the entire castle from the secret mirrors to the beautiful hand-crafted wooden doors. The grounds are open year round for picnicking/hiking. Weather was overcast/threatening rain during our visit, so regretfully did not hike, but the grounds and view of the river high atop the castle were beautiful. No flash photography. Such a special, unique piece of history to enjoy!

This castle has unusual features, such as doors with a wooden latch, a stone mantel, and light fixtures that were made from a glass bottle. The state park had a narrow-gauge railroad.

I stopped here on a Saturday morning to take a walk around the grounds while in the area. The inside and visitor center aren't open at this time due to COVID but it was good regardless! The view is beautiful and the building stunning. Overall a recommended visit.

I took my dad here today. it is a beautiful castle. amazing architecture. it is four or five stories of pure beauty. I wouldn't mind living here. the grounds are totally amazing. well worth a trip.

Perched at the top of a state park, this castle is accessible by both ferry boat and car. We chose to park and take the ferry. Once you debark, you can either go up a moderate park trail or through the street entrance. Stop at the visitor's center first for your $6 tour ticket. Once inside the castle, docents will explain the history of the house and the man who lived there. Take the time to get the info in order to get the most of your visit.

Gillette Castle is American Craftsmanship architecture which you don't see very often anymore. The tours are cheap and the Connecticut drive is beautiful. They have a little train and shop in the entrance that is fun for the kids. The grounds are big and woodsy. It's unlike anything you see anymore and worth the stop if you are an architecture fan. Mr. Gillette is worth learning about as well.

After not having been here in 20 years, I was thrilled to find that it had A/C!!! The 15 minute intervals between small groups of guests gave us lots of time to wander and hear all the stories that the Rangers gave us. Not much has changed but I did miss the old Sherlock Holmes Room ( it became a needed Exit Stairwell). The big Visitor Center was great. Nice video and narrative, fun to see the old steam engine up close and the cars. Fun for kids and adults as well.

We arrived the first day of the Christmas celebration. The drive to the castle was very beautiful even in the dead of winter. The castle was wheelchair accessible up to and throughout the first floor which allowed me to enjoy the castle with my family. The Christmas decorations were beautiful and the cider house added to an excellent time. I enjoyed speaking with Paul about Mr Gillette. He knows everything and more. The castle was never abandoned and the woodwork, doors and decor are nothing sort of amazing. Mr Gillette was an eccentric man and the hidden passage ways, light switches and trick locked bar are evidence of his quirky humor. Go spend a day at the Gillette castle. Enjoy the views of the Connecticut River and have a wonderful day!

Perched high above the CT river, Gillette Castle is a must-visit. The estate itself is OK, it's probably the closest thing us nutmeggers have as a real life castle. Nestled between East Haddam and Lyme, the trails and woodlands on the grounds are my favorite part about the park. Stone and wooden bridges, fish and lily ponds, and the picturesque views of the river make this spot a great place for a hike, picnic, or family outing. Check out the Gillette Castle Trail if you have some time. It's a 2 mile loop trail located nearby that offers scenic views and is good for all skill levels. FYI - There are no fees for parking or visiting the park grounds. A per person charge applies for Castle tours.

Really rude staff. They have holiday tours, I arrived at 330 (just under the wire for closing), went in before they shut the doors (saw them close them a min later) and the ticket seller was talking to a guest with questions. Two minutes later when her conversation was over I asked to buy tickets, and was told ticket sales end at 330, and it was 332. She was looking right at me at 330, taking care of someone else. When I said, really? I was standing right here while you spoke to those people for two minutes? She said "yes really". No apology, no here's an alternative, just a snarky "yes really." I'm glad she got to assert her pinpoint power over me in her low level functionary job. Not the kind of person who should be in a customer service role. I'm sure the castle is very nice, but for me, it's not worth the effort if this is what I will have to face.

A great day at the castle. Parking and services convenient. Nice trails, upkeep and stellar views of the Connecticut River. Nice day considering the castle was not yet open for the season. I will return this coming spring to visit the castle inside.

Reasonable prices to tour the castle. Manicured grounds. The castle was unbelievably clean inside! I really respected how they made it feel homey and authentic to how Gillette lived. Beautiful views of the Connecticut River can be seen from the back of the castle. I would love to come back and have a picnic here or retour the castle.

As a first time visitor to Eastern Connecticut, I didn't know what to do or expect. My lovely hostess suggested that I visit Sherlock's home aka Gillette Castle. Sherlock as in Benedict Cumberbatch? I had no idea that he owned a home in Eastern Connecticut! Alas, I was informed that it was William Gillette aka an old movie actor who famously played Sherlock Holmes. Unfortunately when we arrived there was a sign that it wouldn't be open until May for tours. We walked around the property, snapped some pictures for the memory book and left. Hopefully whenever I get back to Eastern Connecticut, I'll be able to take a proper tour of the home.

This is a cool castle to visit and it used to be the home of William Gillette. The house took about 4 years to build and is pretty cool to visit. There are 3 levels and you start with level 1 and walk up. On cold days you can stop outside for hot chocolate or hot cider on your way in or out of the castle. The details in the castle are wonderful and it's worth a visit. Adults $6, kids $2, under 5 is free.

This spot is so beautiful, behind Gillette Castle is a level up, and the views are amazing. There are many trails to walk to see Connecticut Nature. Unfortunately the Castle is not open yet, but I have been in many times and is truly amazing and a must see. Great family place, or singles. Entrance fees are extremely reasonable. Walk the grounds for free.