Guide to Dining at Beardslee Castle in Little Falls, NY
Your Guide to Dining at Beardslee Castle
If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind dining experience while visiting Central New York, then reservations at Beardslee Castle are a must. Located at 123 Old State Road, Little Falls, NY 13365, Beardslee Castle is a local icon serving the finest in creative cuisine, memorable wedding receptions, banquets, and special events. To help you make the most of your visit, we’ve put together everything you need to know about the castle, its history, and its dining options.
The Castle
Built by Augustus Beardslee in 1860, this historical and architectural treasure is constructed in the style of an Irish castle. The building has suffered two major fires. The first, in 1919, nearly destroyed the building, and much of the stonework needed to be repaired. The oak-paneled floors and ceilings were completely redone as nothing was left but the stone shell. A fire in 1989 gutted the kitchen areas and the building was left vacant for three years. After a two-year restoration, the restaurant reopened in 1994 under the present ownership of Chef Randall Brown.
Dinner and Drinks
Five intimate dining rooms with three-foot thick limestone walls and oak-paneled ceilings and floors are open for dinner service.
December Hours: serving dinner Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 5 pm – 9 pm
Winter Hours: (January-April) serving dinner Friday, and Saturday only from 5 pm – 9 pm
Summer Hours: (May-November) serving dinner Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 5 pm – 9 pm, Sunday from 4 pm – 8 pm
The overall menu changes seasonally and features wood-grilled meats & game, the freshest seafood & creative vegetarian dishes drawing from regional American, Island, Mediterranean, and Asian influences using the best seasonal & local ingredients.
The dinner menu changes weekly and is printed at the Castle. A dining room menu link is sometimes updated before service each day.
Downstairs at the Castle, The Dungeon is a cozy bar and grill featuring a casual menu during dinner hours. After hours it’s a great place for a drink, a game of pool, or relaxing at the 20-foot-long copper-top bar. For the Beer lover, The Dungeon is an endless buffet of hoppy happiness, serving a changing list of about 125 selections including rare and highly rated brews. For the wine lover, choose from a 300-bottle wine list of the finest American Boutique wineries including the largest selection of New York State wines in Central NY. Beardslee Castle recently celebrated their 8th year as a Wine Spectator Award winner and second year as a 2-glass “Best of Award of Excellence.”
How to Book a Reservation
Due to limited space, dinner is by reservation only for both the dining room and The Dungeon. Reservations can be made by calling 315-823-3000 or sending an email to [email protected].
Murder Mystery Dinner Theater
New winter season dinner theater dates have been announced. Tickets are $50 per person. The ticket price includes the show, dinner, tax, and tip. ($18 for the show, $25.34 dinner, $2.09 sales tax, $4.56 tip)
Friday, January 28th & Saturday, January 29th, 2022
The Sound of Murder
Friday, February 11th & Saturday, February 12th, 2022
Big Louie
Friday, March 4th & Saturday, March 5th, 2022
Show Title to be Announced
The Spirits of Beardslee Castle
As the Mohawk Valley’s most famous ghostly landmark, the stories of hauntings include sightings of unexplained lights and shadowy spirits. The last Beardslee family member left the manor in the 1940s and the Castle was converted into a restaurant shortly thereafter. Since then, dozens of customers and employees have reported all sorts of ghostly manifestations.
During the 1950s, travelers along Route 5, in front of the Castle, reported seeing a bright yellow or blue light that would rush out at their cars from the trees and chase them down the road. Others reported seeing the light floating through the nearby woods. Multiple fatal accidents occurred along the bend in the road where the light was reported. In one accident, a surviving woman reported that the light rushed out from the trees and blinded her husband, the driver, who perished in the wreck.
In 1983 the owner of then Beardslee Manor decided to find out if there was any truth to the ghost stories. Norm Gauthier, a ghost hunter from the New Hampshire Institute for Paranormal Research arrived with equipment to check for ghosts. During the night, tape recorders ran for ten-minute stretches. At the end of the night, the tapes were played back and faint voices were heard whispering. Short sentences and single words were recorded. Mr. Gauthier concluded that the Manor was haunted by at least two spirits.
The first owner of the Castle as a restaurant, Pop Christensen, hung himself in the building following a long-drawn-out illness. His family then sold off most of the original Beardslee furnishings that were left on the property. Could it be his spirit that haunts the restaurant?
Flying tableware and napkins have also been observed, as well as chairs that move by themselves.
Beardslee Castle was featured in a segment of “Haunted History” on the History Channel in October of 1999. The show explored historical sites with documented ghostly activity.
We’ll leave it to you to visit the Castle and judge for yourself whether it’s haunted or not. One thing is certain though, Beardslee Castle is a beautiful and unique landmark and not to be missed when visiting Central New York.
Where to Stay
Elevate your experience at Beardslee Castle when you spend the night with us at Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast. We’re located at 112 W German Street in Herkimer, NY, just 17-minutes away from the Castle.
Whether you’re seeking a truly one-of-a-kind getaway, or celebrating an anniversary or other special occasion, there is no better experience than pairing an evening at Beardslee Castle with a comfortable night’s rest and the best-in-town homemade breakfast, specially prepared for you each morning. With all the comforts of home, Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast delivers a level of personalized service and exceptional hospitality you won’t find at chain hotels near Herkimer.
Immerse yourself in the historic charm of our 1800s Colonial-style house—featuring four en suite guest rooms with modern amenities, free Wi-Fi and parking, comfortable bedding, and a private bathroom.
Book directly at https://grand-colonial.com/book/ or by phone at 315-982-5004. Cancellation is free for all direct booking reservations.
