Located outside of the village of West Liberty, OH, the Piatt Castles are two 19th century castle-like structures that were once the homes of brothers Abram Sanders and Donn Piatt. The two limestone castles, called Mac-A-Cheek and Mac-O-Chee, were opened to the public over 100 years ago, and feature a wide collection of artifacts. Those who have an interest in 19th and 20th century history will enjoy visiting the castles, since the architecture of the castles and many of the artifacts originate from those periods. The castles were also built on former Shawnee land and there are many Native American artifacts on display, so those with an interest in Native American History will be able to satisfy their quest for knowledge at Piatt Castles.
Best and Worst Times to Visit Piatt Castles
The best time to visit Piatt Castles is from Memorial Day to Labor Day, because that is when the castles are open on a daily basis from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
The worst time to visit Piatt Castles is from mid-September to the beginning of November and from mid-April to Memorial Day, because the castles are only open on the weekends from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. during these times.
The castles are closed from the beginning of November to mid-April.
Must See/Do at Piatt Castles
Those with children in fourth-eighth grade should consider registering their child for one of Piatt Castles "Castle Camps" during the summer, which include activities that pertain to topics such as puppetry and historical drama.
For two days in October, Piatt Castles hosts a "Ghosts & Goblins" event, where guests can register to enjoy a variety of activities at the castles, including autumn games and ghost stories.
Overall, visitors should pay close attention to the artifacts featured in the two castles, since the artifacts range from Native American tools to family furnishings from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Admission to Piatt Castles
Admission to Piatt Castles ranges from $9-$15 to tour one castle and $15-$25 to tour both castles.
AAA members are able to purchase tickets at a discounted rate. Reduced admission rates are also available for groups of 20 or more.
Parking and Public Transportation to Piatt Castles
It is easiest to travel to Piatt Castles by car, since the castles are located in the country and the nearby village of West Liberty has limited public transportation. Piatt Castles has its own parking lot on-site where visitors can park for free.
Food at Piatt Castles
Piatt Castles does not serve food on-site, but there are a few restaurants in the nearby village of West Liberty, including a Subway.
One of the best local restaurants is Fat Boy's Pizza and Ice Cream, which is located within a ten minute drive of the castles. Fat Boy's is known for its pizza buffets on Wednesday evenings and Friday afternoons and for its thin crispy crust Fat Boy deluxe pizza and cinnamon knots. Prices range from $1.69 for a fountain drink to $19.99 for a large specialty pizza, such as the Fat Boy deluxe.
Insider Tip for Visitors to Piatt Castles
Piatt Castles is a privately owned property, so when the castles are closed no one is permitted to be on the grounds unless they have made advance arrangements.
Those who are interested in taking professional pictures on the castle grounds or in the castles also need to make advance arrangements. Photographers can find Piatt Castles' photo policy and rates listed under the "Photography" tab on its website.
Author's bio: Miranda Roehler grew up in Northwest Ohio. She studied Creative Writing and History at The University of Findlay and has been published in multiple international journals.