Travel Tips

Solomons Castle and Moat Restaurant near Ona Florida

Solomon’s Castle is like nothing else you will find in the world. The 60-foot tall and 12,000 square foot castle, created by the eccentric sculptor Howard Solomon out of printing plates discarded from local newspapers near Ona, Florida. Howard and his wife Peggy now live on the Solomon Castle grounds and offer tours to visitors. Here you will find other unique creations made by Solomon like the Boat in the Moat restaurant, built to replicate a 16th century Spanish galleon ship, which is literally a cooper boat that sits on water.

This tour is meant to be amusing and delightful and shows the creative abilities of Solomon with sculptures built out of empty beer cans, oil drums, and coat hangers. The tour guides are all fun and interesting and if you are lucky you may even encounter Howard as your own tour guide. There is a good chance you will at least meet Howard and Peggy Solomon since both of them still live in the house.

If you are really daring, stay the night with the Solomons in the Blue Moon room for $99.00. This is a fun and interesting place to getaway, whether you stay the night or just for the afternoon. Set aside about half a day for this adventure, as there is a lot to see, including Solomon’s art studio, a nature trail and the resident alligator that usually hangs out near the Boat in the Moat restaurant. Solomon is continually creating new things out of other people’s discarded items, so you never know what you’ll find here.

Access to the castle and a full tour only costs $10 for adults and $4 for children under 12. The kids will definitely enjoy coming to Solomon’s Castle, so bring them along! Keep in mind that no credit cards are accepted, so bring cash. Tours are offered Tuesday-Sunday 11-4 pm from Oct-June. The Solomon Castle is closed July-September and every Monday.

To find the castle go north on I-75, then take Hwy. 64 east 29 miles to Hwy. 665. From here go south nine miles and turn left at the sign to the castle. Call if you get lost at 863-494-6007.