Programs Abound at Castle in the Clouds

May 4, 2026

Moultonborough, NH –

Castle in the Clouds may not open for tours until May 23, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do, even before Memorial Day Weekend.

Anyone interested in getting a sneak peek at Lucknow Mansion prior to opening weekend can attend “Opening Up Lucknow: An Interactive Play” on Saturday, May 9 at 1:30pm. Join the Head Housekeeper, as she prepares the mansion for Tom and Olive Plant’s return. While touring the first floor of the house, guests will be transformed into members of the staff from the 1920s and will find themselves with fun tasks to complete before the clock runs out!

If you are interested in nature, join Lakes Region Conservation Trust’s Castle Birding Hike at 8am on Friday, May 15 and May 29. Local professional birder, Kelly Hansen, will lead the group to see and hear birds in their natural habitat and stopping point in their migration.

Samantha Stevens, of Bewitched Acres, will be leading small-group beekeeping classes, starting on Sunday, May 17 at 11am. Whether you are new to beekeeping, or just looking to learn more, these hands-on lessons will help you better understand bees and how to take care of them.

Also on May 17, the Castle is bringing back its Lilac Tea as part of a year-long 20^th anniversary celebrations for the Castle Preservation Society. Registrants will enjoy high tea on the lawn of Lucknow Mansion, where timeless elegance meets breathtaking views. Commune-a-Tea of Laconia will serve a selection of teas, pastries, and savory treats starting at 2pm.

Saturday, May 23, Lucknow Mansion will once again be open for tours. Start your day with a Saturday Hike or a Lucknow Garden Tour before taking a tour of the Mansion and enjoying lunch on the terrace at the Carriage House Restaurant. This Saturday Hike starts at 9am and will follow the Brook Walk via Turtleback Mountain Trail. The Lucknow Garden Tour starts at 10:15 with a trolley ride up to Lucknow. Both of these programs occur throughout the season as well.

For a second year, Castle in the Clouds is bringing back the Look Around Lucknow Scavenger Hunt. This year’s is specially designed to help commemorate the 20^th Anniversary of the Castle Preservation Society. Guests are invited to join in anytime from dawn to dusk between May 23 and June 6 for a family-friendly scavenger hunt that takes participants on an exciting journey around the property. There will be an awards ceremony on Sunday, June 7 at the Carriage House for participants to celebrate their accomplishments together.

The New Hampshire Astronomical Society is back for another season of Solar Gazing, starting on Sunday, May 24 from 11am to 4pm. Learn about the cosmos from experts, while safely looking at the sun through telescopes designed specifically for that purpose. Solar Gazing is a weekly program and takes place on the field across from Café in the Clouds.

May 28 is our first Guided Hike of the season. Join Castle team members for an informative hike of the Settlement Loop starting at 10am. Two days later, another Saturday Hike will take guests to the Lower Bridle Path via the Turtleback Mountain Trail at 9am.

Join Castle in the Clouds and Moultonborough Public Library for a joint Local Poetry Night starting at 5pm. Mingle with poets over drinks while taking in the beautiful views from the Winnipesaukee Room. Special guest poets, Rodger Martin and Dennis Caldwell, will speak about their writing and discovery process before guests have the opportunity to share their own poetry or short prose in an open mic format to end the evening.

Finally, to bring the month of May to a close, Castle in the Clouds is hosting its 4^th annual Teacher Open House. Teachers are invited to bring their families to experience the Castle for only $5/person. Participating teachers will begin their day with a breakfast reception in the Winnipesaukee Room where they will meet the educational team and learn about school programming before getting to experience a field trip for themselves. This program starts at 9:30am and concludes with a hike in the afternoon.

All of these programs require registration. For that and for more information, visit https://www.castleintheclouds.org/calendar-of-events/month/2026-05/

For more information, please contact programs@castleintheclouds.org or visit www.castleintheclouds.org

ABOUT CASTLE IN THE CLOUDS

As the premier historical museum in the beautiful Lakes Region of New Hampshire, Castle in the Clouds provides each visitor with a look into the past while providing contemporary comforts to make every visit memorable. Originally called Lucknow, this breathtaking 6,300-acre property was developed in 1913 by Tomas G. Plant, a wealthy shoe manufacturer, to create a luxurious lifestyle with state-of-the-art amenities, beautiful hand-made furnishings, and a large staff to run the estate. These days, visitors come from all around the world to tour the mansion and exhibit gallery, dine in the Carriage House Restaurant or Café in the Clouds, explore miles of hiking and walking trails maintained by partner organization the Lakes Region Conservation Trust, or enjoy one of our many programs and events. Operated by the Castle Preservation Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Castle in the Clouds is revered as a cultural and educational resource. The Lucknow Estate was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2024, recognizing its national significance in architecture and landscape architecture. Castle in the Clouds is also available as a fairytale wedding location and versatile private event rental venue. For more information about Castle in the Clouds, visit www.castleintheclouds.org.

Paul Zimmerman