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 the picnic area (grounds). The grounds are open year round; the house is not. A sign on the door said it would reopen for the holidays. There is no reason to close the house, especially during prime leaf-peeping season. The fact that there were at least five other cars up there in the brief space we were, on a miserable Sunday in a cold, driving rain, and everyone was peeved about the closing (one guy was saying, "Every time we bring out-of-town visiotrs here the place is closed!!!") proves that, as usual, the state is missing an opportunity. What could be done here isn't. The grounds were much improved from what I remember years ago, and the visiotrs' center is new, and no one is there. Fools.

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 in period clothes, but we finally caught on.

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.