Absolutely one of my FAVORITE places on Long Island. Located in Huntington, Oheka Castle is almost like Europe in America.
It’s a hotel and a restaurant, but most notably it’s a famous Wedding venue (Kevin Jonas was married here!). It’s also the historic site of Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” music video! Liam Payne was also here once as his song with Rita Ora “For You” ’s music video was filmed here too!
So basically, it’s a really pretty classy place that so many celebs I love have graced their presence with.
I have yet to stay at the hotel here or see a wedding, but just google or insta-search weddings here and you’ll see how amazing they look. My boyfriend’s sister had her wedding here (years before I met them) and he said it was the best event he’s ever attended - so classy, such great food, so much fun.
My boyfriend and I started a tradition of going to the restaurant here every year on our anniversary. The food is always great. This year I had their Mac and cheese for the first time (it’s a side but a large side) and as a Mac and cheese connoisseur, it passed the Erica test. I loved it!
The past two years I’ve also had their “Decadent Chocolate Torte” which is equally delicious. Also if you order a tea it comes in a fun clear glass! It’s just regular tea but I love the cup haha!
I definitely recommend going on a Monday - Thursday weekday. It’ll obviously be less crowded (we usually take off from work and go during the afternoon). During the weekends there’s almost always a wedding, so you can’t walk around the gardens. Our first anniversary was a Saturday, so we were confined to the dining room. But the past two years, were a Monday/Tuesday so we were given free range.
It’s absolutely one of the best spots on Long Island to take pictures. Obviously you need a permit and special permission if you want to have a professional photoshoot, but if you’re a restaurant or hotel guest just walking around the garden, you are absolutely able to snap some great iPhone pics.
The garden is very Versailles, with fountains, hedges/bushes, and ponds, all with a spectacular view of the castle in the back.
Even if you’re not interested in upping your instagram game with good pics, it’s still so lovely just to stroll around in. It’s not super big, so it won’t take long, but it’s really peaceful, quiet, and so pretty.
If there’s no wedding, you’re also able to walk around inside the castle itself - meaning you can see the Library where Taylor Swift rode a bike around and iconically sang “Darling I’m a nightmare dressed like a daydream...”
Definitely recommend, 10/10 it’s such a lovely Long Island place to visit for an afternoon.
