Who says you need to cross the Narrow Sea to experience the grandeur of Westeros?

Grab your dragon eggs and prepare for a journey through Illinois that’ll make you feel like you’ve stepped into a fantasy realm!

1. Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament (Schaumburg)

Welcome to the land where dinner comes with a side of jousting!

Medieval Times in Schaumburg is like stepping into King’s Landing, minus the constant threat of beheading.

As you enter the castle-like structure, you’re immediately transported to a world of knights, horses, and questionable table manners.

The show is a feast for the eyes (and stomach), with knights battling it out while you gnaw on a chicken leg like a proper medieval lord.

It’s the perfect place to practice your best “Winter is coming” impression while sipping mead from a goblet.

Just remember, unlike in Game of Thrones, it’s frowned upon to challenge your tablemates to trial by combat over the last piece of garlic bread.

2. RavenStone Castle (Harvard)

If you’ve ever dreamed of living like a Stark (preferably without the family drama), RavenStone Castle in Harvard is your chance.

This bed and breakfast looks like it was plucked straight out of Winterfell and plopped into the Illinois countryside.

With its stone walls and turrets, you half expect to see direwolves roaming the grounds.

The interior is just as impressive, with themed rooms that’ll make you feel like you’re plotting to take over the Seven Kingdoms.

Just don’t get too comfortable – we all know what happened to the last people who got too cozy in a castle.

3. Stronghold Castle (Oregon)

Perched atop a bluff overlooking the Rock River, Stronghold Castle in Oregon could easily pass for one of the great houses of Westeros.

Built in the 1920s, this castle has all the trappings of a medieval fortress, minus the constant siege warfare.

The castle offers tours and even hosts events, so you can live out your feudal fantasies without the risk of dragon attacks.

It’s the perfect spot to practice your brooding looks and dramatic cape swishes.

Just remember, if someone offers you wine at a wedding here, maybe politely decline.

4. King’s Realm (Elkhart)

While not technically a castle, King’s Realm in Elkhart is a medieval-themed bed and breakfast that’ll make you feel like you’ve stumbled into a cozier version of the Red Keep.

The Tudor-style architecture and period furnishings create an atmosphere that’s part Westeros, part English countryside.

It’s the ideal spot for those who want to play at being royalty without the constant threat of assassination.

Plus, the breakfast here is guaranteed to be better than anything you’d get on the Kingsroad.

Just don’t expect any three-eyed ravens to deliver your messages – they have Wi-Fi for that.

5. Anderson Japanese Gardens (Rockford)

Okay, so it’s not exactly Westerosi, but the Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford have a serene beauty that rivals the gardens of King’s Landing.

This meticulously landscaped oasis feels like it could be a secret meeting spot for spies and diplomats plotting to overthrow the Iron Throne.

As you stroll along the winding paths and cross picturesque bridges, you might find yourself speaking in hushed tones, just in case Varys and his little birds are listening.

The koi ponds are particularly enchanting – though thankfully free of stone men and greyscale.

The gardens offer a tranquil escape that’s more zen than Westeros, but no less magical.

You’ll find yourself captivated by the meticulously pruned trees, each one a living sculpture that would make even the most seasoned Dothraki horse lord stop and stare.

The gentle sound of waterfalls provides a soothing backdrop, perfect for plotting your next move in the game of… well, life.

And if you’re lucky, you might spot a heron or two, standing as still as the Unsullied, but with significantly better retirement plans.

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Just remember, winter isn’t coming here – but mosquito season might be, so pack some repellent along with your sense of wonder.

6. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site (Collinsville)

While not a castle in the traditional sense, the Cahokia Mounds offer a different kind of majesty.

This ancient city, with its massive earthen mounds, feels like it could be the seat of power for some long-lost Essosi civilization.

Climbing to the top of Monks Mound, you’ll have a view fit for a Khaleesi surveying her kingdom.

The site’s rich history and impressive scale make it easy to imagine epic battles and political intrigue unfolding across the landscape.

Just resist the urge to declare yourself Mhysa to the other tourists.

7. Allerton Park and Retreat Center (Monticello)

Allerton Park is like the Highgarden of Illinois – beautiful, refined, and full of hidden corners perfect for clandestine meetings.

The formal gardens and sculptures create an atmosphere of cultivated elegance that would make even Olenna Tyrell nod in approval.

The mansion itself, with its brick facade and grand windows, could easily pass for a noble house’s summer retreat.

As you wander the grounds, you might find yourself speaking in hushed tones about alliances and plot twists.

Just keep an eye out for any suspiciously friendly strangers offering you cheese.

8. Enchanted Castle Restaurant & Entertainment Complex (Lombard)

For those who prefer their medieval experience with a side of pizza and arcade games, the Enchanted Castle in Lombard is your go-to spot.

It’s like what would happen if Tyrion Lannister decided to open a family fun center.

The castle facade might not fool a seasoned maester, but it’s got enough turrets and flags to spark the imagination.

Inside, you can joust on the bumper cars, slay dragons in the laser tag arena, or prove your worth in the arcade.

It’s all the fun of medieval times without the constant threat of plague or invasion.

9. Soderstrom Castle (Peoria Heights)

Soderstrom Castle in Peoria Heights looks like it could be a summer home for one of the lesser houses of Westeros.

With its stone exterior and turreted tower, it’s got just enough castle vibes to make you want to unfurl a banner from the windows.

While it’s a private residence (so no storming the gates, please), you can still admire it from the street and imagine the kinds of intrigue that might unfold behind those walls.

Who knows, maybe there’s a secret passage or two hidden within!

10. Havencrest Castle (Savanna)

Havencrest Castle in Savanna is the closest thing Illinois has to the opulence of the Red Keep.

This 63-room mansion is a fever dream of Victorian and medieval influences, creating a unique blend that’s part Westeros, part Downton Abbey.

The castle offers tours, allowing you to explore its lavishly decorated rooms and imagine yourself as the lord or lady of this eclectic manor.

With its turrets, grand staircases, and ornate decor, it’s the perfect spot to practice your regal wave and commanding presence.

Just remember, the only throne here is in the bathroom.

There you have it, fellow travelers – a journey through Illinois that’ll satisfy your Game of Thrones cravings without the need for dragons or direwolves.

The open road is waiting!

Let this map guide you to your next amazing destination.

Now go forth and conquer… or at least take some really cool Instagram photos!