A visit to Solomon's Castle // CENTRAL FLORIDA TREASURE

There is a quirky little treasure here in central Florida that takes you off the Mickey Mouse style polished attraction to a lovely quaint locally operated gem. It is called Solomon's Castle and is named after the artist and builder Harold Solomon. In June, my parents and my entire clan drove out to enjoy a quiet Saturday before they closed for the summer.

Craig and I are into off-beat things and unique experiences and have found this to be a lovely location for our family. This was our second visit and we found it just as enjoyable as the first time we went back in 2010. There is a nature trail that ends in a wooden draw bridge, a replica of the Alamo from San Antonio, and a restaurant in a boat based on Christopher Columbus' Santa Maria. Talk about unique! The charm of the place is in it's homemade quality and local staff. Everyone is a friend or family member of Solomon's and that family-style atmosphere permeates the entire property. There is a low-key, unhurried vibe as you meander the tree-shaded paths and walkways, allowing you to enjoy at your own pace.

A tour of Solomon's art collection and the a visit inside the house can be obtained for a small fee, but you are free to roam the grounds at no charge. The tour is guided with all sorts of fun tidbits, like what exactly the exterior of the house is made out of. We find the outer grounds to be a very relaxing location for the kids to run and jump and explore while we stroll behind, enjoying their enthusiasm and the tranquility of the remoteness. And around every bend there seems to be a new building, sculpture or creation to look at and enjoy. For my kids, it was like a treasure hunt to see who could spot the next neat attraction. 

Discover a giant horse, guards made of metal, and stunning hand-made stained glass all around the castle. The inside of the Boat in the Moat has many sea-faring trinkets to see and it feels as if you step back in time. I highly recommend grabbing dessert and coffee at the end of your time there. You can sit inside in the air conditioned wooden boat or outside on the vine covered patio with live music on Saturdays. 

If you are lucky, you might find the 80 year old Solomon working in his workshop. And he loves visitors! Head on in and ask him what project he is in the process of building. 

Be sure to bring cash, as Solomon's Castle does not accept credit cards to keep their operating costs low. They are open Tuesday thru Sunday, 11am-4pm, but closed the months of July, August and September. 

Come October, be sure to plan a family trip to enjoy this one-of-a-kind place! And let me know how you enjoyed your time.


p.s. We visited the source of the Nile River and Anne Frank's house in Amsterdam.