Tucked away in the quiet countryside of Ona, Florida, Solomon’s Castle is one of the most unexpected and jaw-dropping places you will ever visit. Built almost entirely by one man, artist Howard Solomon, this shimmering fortress is constructed largely from recycled printing plates and other salvaged materials.
What started as a personal creative project grew into a full-scale castle filled with thousands of handcrafted sculptures, furniture, and works of art. Whether you are a fan of art, history, or just love a good adventure, this hidden gem is absolutely worth the trip.
The Man Behind the Castle: Who Was Howard Solomon?
Before there was a castle, there was a man with an unstoppable imagination. Howard Solomon was a self-taught artist born in 1940 who moved to the remote swamplands of Ona, Florida, and decided to build something the world had never seen before.
He was not a trained architect or engineer — just a deeply creative person who refused to let limits define him.
Solomon spent decades crafting every inch of his property by hand, from the towering castle walls to the tiniest decorative detail inside. His artwork ranged from clever puns turned into sculptures to massive furniture pieces made entirely from junk.
Visitors who took the guided tours often described feeling like they had walked straight into one person’s brilliant, quirky mind. Howard Solomon passed away in 2021, but his legacy lives on through the castle and the dedicated family and staff who keep it running today.
Recycled Printing Plates: The Secret Building Material
Most castles are built from stone or brick, but Solomon’s Castle has a material that makes it truly one of a kind. Howard Solomon used thousands of aluminum offset printing plates — the kind that newspapers discard after printing — to cover the exterior walls of his castle.
When sunlight hits the surface, the entire building shimmers and glows like a giant mirror in the Florida sun.
He collected these plates because they were cheap, durable, and widely available as scrap material. What others threw away, Solomon turned into architectural magic.
The reflective surface gives the castle an almost otherworldly appearance, especially on bright, sunny days when the light bounces off every angle. It is a perfect example of how one person’s trash can literally become another person’s castle.
Visitors are often stunned when they first lay eyes on the gleaming structure rising up from the trees.
A Castle Built Entirely by One Person
Building a house is hard enough — but building a full castle entirely on your own is almost unimaginable. Howard Solomon did exactly that, spending over 50 years constructing, expanding, and refining his property without a large crew or outside contractors.
The result is a multi-story structure that towers above the Florida landscape and looks like something out of a fairy tale.
Every room, staircase, and hallway was designed and built by Solomon himself. He even lived inside the castle for many years, making it both his home and his studio.
The sheer scale of what one person accomplished here is part of what makes visitors feel so amazed during their tours. Tour guides often pause to let that fact sink in — one man, one vision, and decades of relentless work.
It is genuinely hard to wrap your head around until you are standing right there inside it.
Thousands of Handcrafted Artworks Packed Inside
Stepping inside Solomon’s Castle feels like entering a museum that also happens to be someone’s home — and that someone had an absolutely wild sense of humor. Every wall, corner, and ceiling is decorated with handcrafted sculptures, carvings, and art pieces that Howard Solomon made over the course of his lifetime.
There are literally thousands of individual works crammed into every nook and cranny.
Many of the pieces are visual puns or playful jokes turned into three-dimensional art. For example, Solomon might carve a figure that looks one way from the front and completely different from the side.
The humor woven into each piece makes the tour feel fun and surprising rather than stuffy or overly serious. Guides point out the stories behind each creation, which adds a whole new layer of meaning.
Even after multiple visits, guests say they keep noticing things they missed the first time around.
The Guided Tours That Bring It All to Life
You could wander Solomon’s Castle on your own and still be impressed, but the guided tours are what truly unlock the magic of this place. Knowledgeable guides — including the beloved “Uncle Jimmy” mentioned by many visitors — walk guests through the castle and share stories, jokes, and background details that make every single artwork come alive.
The guides are genuinely passionate about the property and it shows.
Tours are interactive and entertaining, with guides asking questions, cracking jokes, and making sure every age group stays engaged. Families with kids, retired couples, and solo travelers all tend to leave raving about how much fun the experience was.
The standard castle tour runs about an hour, and there is also an additional tour that covers Solomon’s later works and his antique car collection. Many guests say the tour alone is worth the drive out to this remote corner of Florida.
The Antique Car Collection You Did Not Expect
Just when you think you have seen everything Solomon’s Castle has to offer, you find out there is a whole separate tour dedicated to vintage cars. Howard Solomon had a deep love for classic automobiles, and his collection is displayed in a building on the property that feels like its own mini-museum.
The cars are beautifully maintained and span several decades of automotive history.
The car tour adds a completely different flavor to the overall visit, giving guests a chance to see another side of Solomon’s personality and interests. Guides on this tour are equally entertaining, sharing fun facts and stories about each vehicle.
Many visitors who came primarily for the castle art end up saying the car collection was an unexpected highlight. At just a small additional cost on top of the main ticket, it is widely considered one of the best bargains at the attraction.
Car lovers will especially appreciate the detail and care put into this exhibit.
The Boat in the Moat Restaurant
Howard Solomon’s wife had a brilliant idea that added yet another layer of charm to the property: she turned a large boat — yes, an actual boat — sitting in a moat into a restaurant. Called the Boat in the Moat, this on-site eatery has become a beloved part of the Solomon’s Castle experience.
The setting alone is worth the visit, with the restaurant surrounded by water and shaded by massive oak trees.
The menu is simple but satisfying, with guests raving about sandwiches, pot roast, lasagna, shrimp salads, and homemade desserts like walnut cherry chocolate pie and banana splits. Service is fast and the staff is friendly and attentive.
One important heads-up: Solomon’s Castle is a cash-only venue, though there is an ATM on-site. Whether you eat inside the bright lighthouse dining room or outside in the open air, lunch here feels like a reward after a great tour.
A Hidden Gem Off the Beaten Path
Part of what makes Solomon’s Castle so special is the journey to get there. Located at 4533 Solomon Road in Ona, Florida, the castle sits in a remote, rural area that feels worlds away from busy highways and tourist traps.
The drive itself is peaceful, winding through open fields and canopied roads that build up the anticipation perfectly.
Many visitors describe arriving and feeling genuinely surprised that something this extraordinary exists in such a quiet, out-of-the-way location. That sense of discovery is a big part of the charm.
Reviews consistently use phrases like “hidden gem” and “best-kept secret in Florida” to describe the experience. Because it is not as widely advertised as major theme parks or beach resorts, finding it feels like stumbling onto something magical that most people do not know about.
If you love offbeat adventures, this is exactly the kind of place that makes travel feel exciting again.
Recycled Junk Transformed Into Fine Art
Howard Solomon had a gift for seeing potential where everyone else saw trash. Scrap metal, discarded car parts, old tools, broken furniture — in Solomon’s hands, these castoffs became elaborate sculptures, decorative furniture, and detailed wall hangings that fill every room of the castle.
The transformation from junk to jaw-dropping artwork is the beating heart of everything here.
One reviewer summed it up perfectly: “All his art is created from other people’s trash.” That single sentence captures something profound about Solomon’s philosophy. He believed that beauty and creativity are not about expensive materials — they are about vision, patience, and skill.
Seeing his work in person drives that message home in a way that photographs simply cannot replicate. Each piece tells a story about resourcefulness and imagination working together.
For anyone who has ever looked at a pile of scrap and wondered what it could become, Solomon’s Castle is the ultimate answer.
The Peaceful and Beautiful Outdoor Grounds
Beyond the castle walls, the property at Solomon’s Castle is genuinely lovely. Large, canopied oak trees spread across the grounds, providing shade and a sense of calm that makes the whole visit feel like a true escape.
A moat surrounds part of the property, and the overall landscape has been carefully maintained to feel welcoming and serene.
Visitors often spend time simply walking the grounds before or after their tours, soaking in the natural beauty and the unique atmosphere that Solomon created over decades of living and working there. There is even a friendly donkey on the property that guests can sometimes pet, which tends to be a big hit with younger visitors.
Live musical entertainment is occasionally featured at the outdoor dining area at no extra charge, making the experience feel even more festive. The combination of art, nature, food, and music creates something that feels genuinely complete and deeply satisfying.
What Visitors Are Saying: Real Reviews from Real Guests
With a 4.6-star rating across more than 2,300 reviews on Google, Solomon’s Castle has earned its reputation as one of Florida’s most beloved offbeat attractions. Guests from all walks of life — families with young children, retirees, art lovers, and curious road-trippers — come away consistently impressed.
Words like “inspiring,” “mind-blowing,” and “one of the best days of my life” show up again and again in the reviews.
Some visitors say they felt genuinely moved by what one person accomplished through sheer creativity and determination. Others focus on the humor and fun of the tour, while many highlight the food and the warm, family-like atmosphere of the staff.
Even the occasional critical review acknowledges that the talent on display is undeniable. Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning for the third, Solomon’s Castle has a way of leaving a lasting impression that keeps people coming back.
Tips for Planning Your Visit to Solomon’s Castle
Ready to make the trip? A little planning goes a long way when visiting Solomon’s Castle.
The attraction is located at 4533 Solomon Rd, Ona, FL 33865, and is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 AM to 3 PM, Friday from 10 AM to 3 PM, and Saturday through Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM. It is closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly.
One of the most important things to know: Solomon’s Castle is cash only. There is an ATM on-site, but bringing cash in advance saves time and stress.
The package deal that includes both the castle tour and the car tour is widely recommended and costs around $39 per person. Wear comfortable shoes since there are uneven floors and steps inside the castle.
Arriving early gives you the best chance to enjoy a full tour plus lunch without feeling rushed. You can reach them at 863-494-6077 or visit solomonscastle.com for updated information.
Why Solomon’s Castle Deserves a Spot on Your Florida Bucket List
Florida is full of beaches, theme parks, and roadside attractions, but very few places carry the kind of soul that Solomon’s Castle has. This is not a corporate attraction designed by a marketing team — it is the life’s work of one remarkable human being who poured every ounce of his creativity into a single extraordinary place.
That authenticity is something you can feel the moment you arrive.
Spending a day here does something to you. Visitors frequently describe leaving with a renewed sense of what is possible when a person commits fully to their creative vision.
Howard Solomon built a castle out of newspaper scraps and other people’s junk, and it became one of the most genuinely inspiring places in the entire state. If your Florida itinerary has room for one unexpected stop that will stay with you long after you leave, make it Solomon’s Castle.
You will not regret it.