In 1894 Astor wrote a 'semi-scientific' novel called "A Journey to Other Worlds". During his lifetime he had developed several mechanical devices including a bicycle brake in 1898. He also helped develop the turbine engine, and invented a pneumatic road-improver.

In 1897 Astor built the Astoria Hotel in New York City adjoining the Waldorf Hotel which had been built by his cousin, William Waldorf Astor. The new complex became known as the Waldorf-Astoria. Astor's other real estate interests, at the time, included two other hotels, the Hotel St.Regis (1905) and the Knickerbocker Hotel (1906).

John Jacob Astor became Colonel-staff to General Levi P. Morton, and, in 1898 at the time of the Spanish-American War, was commissioned as a lieutenant colonel in the US volunteers. He placed his own personal yacht, the 'Nourmahal', at the disposal of the United States government and equipped a mountain battery of artillery for use against the Spanish.

On May 1st, 1891 Astor was married to Ava, daughter of Edward Shippen Willing of Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Together they had a son and one daughter. However, in 1909 Astor divorced Ava and, two years later, married eighteen-year-old Madeleine Force (who was a year younger than his own son, Vincent). Public opinion was divided concerning the respectability of Astor's actions, and controversy was everywhere. The newlyweds decided to winter abroad in order to let the gossip die down some at home. Mr. and Mrs. Astor travelled to Egypt and Paris and, in the spring of 1912, decided to return to America as First Class passengers on board the newly constructed and infamous ocean-liner, the Titanic.

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