I live approximately 20 miles from Wing’s Castle, which is located in Millbrook, New York. I didn’t know until a few years ago that this spectacular place exists. Isn’t it amazing the little gems you find in your own backyard?
How I Found It
A few years ago, I had read about Mary Lou Gulley’s Mystery Castle, which was built for her by her father. It’s located in Phoenix, Arizona and I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t wait to see it on my trip to Phoenix a few years ago. I wanted to write the screenplay about this incredible monument and the story of the love of a father, but unfortunately the board that takes care of the castle turned me down.
Bummed, I started looking into other castles and came across Wing’s Castle. So close to me! However, it still took me a few years to get there thanks to circumstance and then the pandemic, but the wait was soooo worth it! I lucked out that they happen to have an opening for the dungeon room only a few weeks away.
The History
Wing’s Castle was built by Peter Wing for his wife, Toni, who took us on a tour of this beauty. She still lives on the property. Toni told us that Peter said, “I want to build you a castle, will you marry me?” She didn’t hesitate to say yes. Would you? LOL And if you think that was a great line, but he had no plans on actually building Toni a castle, think again. Peter wasn’t kidding. He was man of his word.
It took the couple 22 years to complete the main part of the castle. It’s on 12 acres of property that has been in the Wing family since 1888. All of the stone, iron, etc. are recyled from other properties. Peter was not a homebuilder. He was an artist and learned the construction part along the way.
Interestingly there is electric in the stone, but how? Toni said that Peter built a traditional sticks and bricks home under the stone, so there’s drywall and electric. Wow!
After finishing the main part of the castle, Peter decided that this now-tourist attraction needed a bed & breakfast so they could earn money. Unfortunately, Peter passed away before he could finish it. Toni is grateful that her son ended up having Peter’s knack for building and finished what his father started.
This castle is breathtaking. From the moment you stand on the property and see it in all it’s majestic, romantic glory, to when you stay in one of the rooms where there is so much detail it takes hours to find it all, it is simply incredible.
Details, details, details
We stayed in the Dungeon for two nights. The dungeon room is the first room Pete and Toni finished. It looks a little bigger on the internet. There is an underground tunnel that connects the dungeon to the B&B and the tunnel is filled with detail, such as faces made out of stone, brick archways, large keys and locks and so much more. A “RIP Pete Wing” is built right into the floor.
Attached to the back of the B&B is a round sculptured room where you can pray to a buddha statue or just sit and relax. There is also a Fortune Teller’s wagon that I had a little fun with thanks to a cosplay outfit I wanted to wear at Wing’s Castle. Honestly I felt transported back in time and into a movie.
The view!
Climb a few steps to the top of the castle and you will see the most beautiful views of the Hudson Valley mountains. If you can find an opening you may want to plan on a stay in October when the leaves are changing color. I can’t even begin to describe it.
Bread and Water
I stayed two nights in that dungeon room. A few notes, there is Wi-Fi and it worked well, but there was no TV in the dungeon room (who cares, watch Netflix or something on your computer). There is a refrigerator in the room and a coffee maker, but there’s no place to buy food on the property, so plan accordingly. Some of the closest places if you get the late-night munches are 10-20 miles away, so I would bring snacks and drinks.
The Castle was once open for tours without having to stay there, but right now that’s not the case. Check the website for more updates on that.
Whether it was with or without my cosplay outfit, I felt like an absolute pricess in this castle. Now there is a reported haunted side of this and Toni reported hearing things when they were building it. When asked how could that be since the couple was the only occupants, Toni said, ‘all the things we brought in for it came from someplace else.’ Did they bring in the spirits of other properties? You decide. I try not to think of that stuff. LOL
I’m putting more photos of my trip on my Instagram site, so feel free to visit there.
