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You Can Tour the Historic Waco Castle from Chip and Joanna Gaines' New 'Fixer Upper' Spinoff

"The doors are open once again, and we can't wait to host you here at the Castle so you can experience this stunning historical home in all its glory."

castle tour waco

Chip and Joanna Gaines are inviting fans to experience their biggest renovation to date: a real-life castle.

In Fixer Upper: Welcome Home – The Castle, the Gaineses take on the Herculean task of breathing new life into a nineteenth-century castle in Waco, Texas. Over the course of eight episodes, the couple tackles its challenging infrastructure while preserving its original beauty.

But before the show premieres on discovery+ in September, the Gaineses are offering " intimate guided tours " of the castle. It's the first time in Fixer Upper history that fans have an opportunity for in-person tours of a home from the show.

A representative for Magnolia told Insider that the group tours will give visitors a look at every room in the historic Cottonland Castle. While most of the tour will focus on Joanna's design approach, visitors will also learn about its fascinating history.

"For nearly 20 years, we dreamed and imagined what it would be like to breathe new life into this abandoned, century-old castle," Chip and Jo told Insider . "Finally having the opportunity, we're again reminded that there's great reward in unearthing beauty in unexpected places."

"The doors are open once again, and we can't wait to host you here at the Castle so you can experience this stunning historical home in all its glory," the couple added.

According to Insider , the one-hour tours will run from July 21 to October 26, Monday through Saturday. Tickets cost $50 , though children seven years old and younger get in for free. Plus, 20% of profits will be donated to The Cove, a local non-profit benefiting the homeless youth of Waco.

Tickets are available now at magnolia.com/visit/events.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cottonland Castle, located in Waco, Texas, has four bedrooms. The turn-of-the-century castle has three floors, three-and-a-half baths, and seven fireplaces.

The plot was given to local stone contractor John Tennant in 1890 by banker J. W. Mann in exchange for a stone obelisk marker in Oakwood Cemetery for the Mann plot. Tennant used leftover materials from the Provident Building to  start the castle's construction .

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castle tour waco

Cottonland Castle

Tour the Castle – Click here for tickets .

  • Tour of one of Chip and Jo’s biggest Fixer Uppers yet—a century-old castle in the heart of Waco, Texas. This is a limited-time opportunity to step inside the historic home and see its transformation in person.
  • Walking tours will be one hour long and hosted in small groups. (Note: Guests should be able to physically walk three sets of staircases.) Buy your tickets to enjoy an inspiring journey through the history and design of this one-of-a-kind home!

About the Cottonland Castle

In 1890, local stone contractor John Tennant decided to build a new home after striking a deal with banker J. W. Mann. The deal provided Tennant with a plot of land in exchange for a stone obelisk to mark the Mann plot in Oakwood Cemetery. Tennant took the leftover stone from his latest construction job and used it to begin construction on his new home, then located on the outskirts of Waco.

Falling on lean years, Tennant sold the unframed house to cotton broker Ripley Hanrick in 1906 under the agreement that Tennant could continue to do the stonework on the house. However, when financial difficulties continued, the pair abandoned the house in 1908.

A few years later Roy E. Lane was hired by a group of investors to transform the frame into a castle, complete with three stories and a basement, eight fireplaces, servants’ quarters, and a tower. Modeled after a small German castle along the Rhine River, white sandstone and small amounts of limestone composed the exterior of the house. The interior accents varied by room and floor, including imported materials such as Caen stone from France, Carrara marble from Italy,  and Honduran mahogany paneling.

In 1941, Irene Pipkin, whose family owned the Pipkin Drugstores, purchased the home. When she passed away, the castle passed to her daughter, Pauline Pipkin Garrett, Waco’s first female pharmacist. Pauline and her husband Barney Garrett resided in the home for many years.

After Pauline passed away, her will stated that Garrett could retain the home until he no longer wished to reside in it. When Garrett decided to move out, the home entered its only period of public use when it passed to the Austin Avenue Methodist Church. The church found the home to be an ideal place to host youth events, but the expense of keeping up the home soon became too great. The church sold the home to Jack Schwan in 1969 for $50,000.

The Schwan family made many repairs and renovations. In 1977, the Schwans applied for and received a historical marker for the home. The family attempted to sell the castle in 1982, believing it to be worth close to $1.25 million after the renovations. In 1991 the property sold after a drastic price cut. Over the next two decades, the home passed through various owners’ hands and fell into disrepair. Many owners found the castle too large and in need of too much maintenance to be a financially feasible home. In 2014, the home sold again and a new group led by Oxford scholar Dirk Obbink took on the renovation project.

In 2019 Cottonland Castle was purchased by Chip and Joanna Gaines and completely redone from top to bottom. Tours were offered for several months in 2022; then it was put up for auction. It was reported that the Gaineses decided to keep the Castle and open it for tours, but information on these is not yet available.

address

161 S 33rd St, Waco, TX 76710

website

https://magnolia.com/visit/tours/

castle tour waco

How Chip and Joanna Gaines Restored a 1900s Castle in the Heart of Waco, Texas

In their hometown of Waco, Texas, Chip and Joanna Gaines peel back layers of neglect to restore a local legend.

jo and chip gaines during renovation

When you’ve renovated so many homes in a town that its name has become nearly synonymous with your own, it takes a special project to really stand out. For Chip and Joanna Gaines, the veritable renovation royals of Waco, Texas, that property is Cottonland Castle.

The 1913 stone manor house, originally modeled after a small German castle along the Rhine River, has a history and foundation dating back to 1890—not to mention a permanent place in local lore. “It sits in the center of a neighborhood downtown, so if you live nearby, you’ve driven past it hundreds of times,” Chip explains. “Ownership changed every few years, and I would make an offer every time it was listed.”

castle exterior

In 2019, the couple’s bid was accepted, and the Gaineses embarked on their most challenging renovation yet: restoring the grand property to its prior glory. “If you look past the cracks in the masonry, past the rotted floorboards, past the wilderness taking over the backyard, there is a lot of beauty to be found in this old castle,” Jo wrote in the winter issue of Magnolia Journal that year.

No one was better suited for this project. The Gaineses, who shot to stardom with their hit show Fixer Upper, have gone from charming small-town couple to leaders of a conglomerate that includes a TV network (Magnolia Network), magazine ( Magnolia Journal), and destination shopping experience (Magnolia Market at the Silos). They oversee all of this from their once-sleepy hometown of Waco, now a pilgrimage site for design buffs all over the world. They’re something of hometown heroes, which made taking on a legendary local property both a fitting and nerve-racking endeavor.

“We were both passionate about giving the castle the opportunity to sort of stand back up straight and present itself to the neighborhood the way it was always meant to,” Chip says. Jo went so far as to partner with KILZ on a line of paint specifically for the project, and the couple dug into the local archives to learn about the original design (a process thoroughly documented on Fixer Upper: The Castle , a six-episode series that aired on Magnolia Network this fall). The castle itself, rather than any trends or preconceived ideas, led the way. The result is a true departure from the modern farmhouse style that Chip and Jo have become known for (not one shiplap wall in sight).

“The best part about restoring a property with this much history is the opportunity to unearth beauty that’s always been there from the beginning,” Jo says. “As we started to clear all the plywood and old debris, we got to really see all of the gorgeous details inside.”

.css-17t1xj6:before{content:'“';display:block;font-size:7.5rem;line-height:1.1;font-family:Apparel,Apparel-roboto,Apparel-local,Helvetica,Arial,Serif;margin-bottom:-4rem;letter-spacing:-0.015rem;background-image:none;} .css-x1fw4v{font-family:ApparelItalic,ApparelItalic-roboto,ApparelItalic-local,Georgia,Times,Sans-serif;font-size:2.0625rem;letter-spacing:0.015rem;line-height:1.1;margin:0rem;}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-x1fw4v{font-size:2.625rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-x1fw4v{font-size:2.625rem;line-height:1.1;}}.css-x1fw4v b,.css-x1fw4v strong{font-family:inherit;font-weight:bold;}.css-x1fw4v em,.css-x1fw4v i{font-style:italic;font-family:inherit;} “We’d open closets or peek into the attic and stumble upon incredible items from over a century ago.”

What unfolded was something of a renovation treasure hunt: “We’d open closets or peek into the attic and stumble upon incredible items from over a century ago,” recalls Jo, who incorporated many—including original light fixtures, paneling, fireplaces (eight total!), and doors—into her final scheme. “In order to capture the essence of the castle when it was originally built, we used all the original materials that were existing.”

Of course, a project of this scale included plenty of hiccups—but nothing a little modern ingenuity couldn’t solve. Jo was initially adamant about maintaining the original floors, but history had other plans: Years of sanding had worn the wood too thin to save in many places, so the couple used reclaimed antique planks from the same era instead. A similar problem arose with the worn exterior, where exact matches of the once-white sand- and limestones, now worn with age, were impossible to find new. Chip concocted a plan to stain the new blocks with a compost mixture that closely mimics the original patina—without a century of aging.

“If we needed a new window or door, it was made by local craftsmen, with the same design and wood species that were original to the castle,” Jo says. “If there was a fixture missing or we had to source materials, we looked for time period­­­–appropriate designs.” That meant doing one of Jo’s favorite things: antique hunting. The couple scoured Round Top Antiques Fair, bringing home treasures like the dining room table and chairs as well as pieces that—with the help of the Gaineses’ woodworker—would become the kitchen and butler’s pantry islands. “I’ve always been drawn to mixing old and new in our projects,” Jo says, “but the castle challenged me to take that design approach a step further.”

“Our primary goal was to honor the significance of the home in the neighborhood and the city.”

Despite all their emotional attachments, Chip and Jo ultimately plan to sell the castle. (It was briefly open for tours after completion.) “Our primary goal was to honor the significance of the home in the neighborhood and the city,” Jo says. “This was a good challenge for me and an opportunity to stretch myself in ways I hadn’t before.”

Dining Room

dining room

The couple worked with Marvin Kegerreis, president of Kent Mill & Supply, to retrofit antiques (like this dining table) into furniture for the castle. Chairs: antique, from Marburger Farm at the Round Top Antiques Fair. Chandelier: Aerin for Circa Lighting.

library

While years of sanding made it impossible to salvage all the floors, they restored nearly all of the original millwork. Paint: Castle Cream, Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines for KILZ. Pendant: Mitzi, Lumens.

Butler’s Pantry

butler's pantry

The plants in the home came from the propagation wall Jo conceived for Magnolia Market at the Silos. Paint: Castle Cream, Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines for KILZ. Sink: Fireclay. Faucet: deVOL. Sconce: Circa Lighting.

kitchen

Though the stone from a onetime fireplace here couldn’t be saved, the Gaineses restored the soaring upper mantel, then adapted the space underneath for a range and dish storage. Ivory tile by Bottega Design Gallery gives the space an updated look that still feels classic.

cardroom

Honed black soapstone is a moody juxtaposition with the home’s original millwork, restored to its onetime shine. The table and chairs debut this winter to the Magnolia Home line. Pendant: Pottery Barn.

Child’s Bedroom

child's bedroom

The Gaineses preserved all eight of the home’s existing fireplaces. Tile: Ann Sacks. Paint: Rosy Pink, Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines for KILZ. Art: Etsy. Sconces: Julie Neill.

Teen Bedroom

child's bedroom

Custom artwork and antique furniture suit the grand architecture. Chandelier: Troy Lighting. Rug: Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines for Loloi. Paint: Estate Interior, Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines for KILZ.

hall bathroom

The original millwork is painted Step Stool Green, part of the Magnolia Home line that Jo developed with KILZ. Mirror: Anthropologie. Faucets , sink , and shower: Kohler. Vanity: Houzz.

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Tour the Castle

Spring at the silos, waco, tx.

Enjoy an hour-long guided tour through Chip and Jo's renovation of the one-of-a-kind home featured on Fixer Upper: The Castle. Knowledgeable tour guides share the history, design inspiration, and behind-the-scenes details inside this century-old castle in the heart of Waco, Texas.

20% of net profits from castle tours will stay right here in Waco to support local nonprofits!

Accessibility Note: Guests should be able to physically walk three sets of staircases. 

$50/person  |  60-minute tour

Can I go and see the castle if I don’t have a ticket? Out of respect for the neighborhood, we only allow ticketed guests onto the property.

Can I get a refund if I cancel? Yes! Full refunds are offered up to 24 hours before the tour. Any cancellations made within 24 hours of the tour's start time will not be eligible for a refund. All refunds and exchanges are processed in the Customer Support portal.

Can kids take a tour for free? Kids ages 3 years and below do not have to pay for a ticket and are free to join you on the tour!

Is there a group rate or discount for larger groups? We don’t offer group discounts during event weekends.

Does the tour allow for strollers/wheelchairs, etc? This century-old home does not have an elevator and requires guests’ ability to access three staircases.

Can I purchase items I see on the tour? Yes! Select items you'll see in the castle are available here!

Does the castle look the same as it did on Fixer Upper: the Castle? Despite a few minor tweaks, yes! The home is staged exactly how it was shown on the episode when it aired.

Why did Chip and Joanna purchase a castle? Chip wanted a shot at restoring this historical Waco landmark to its full glory and, for nearly 20 years, he put in offers whenever the castle was relisted. When Chip and Jo finally bought it in 2019, Jo embraced the challenge of designing a home that celebrates the castle’s original character but also gives it a new story. Read more here!

What’s next for the castle? Will I be able to stay there as a B&B? Chip and Jo plan to sell this home to someone looking to live in Waco’s beautiful Castle Heights neighborhood.

Should I be prepared to tip my tour guide? Our team is not expecting tips! If tips are given, our tour guides share the generosity as a group.

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castle tour waco

Magnolia’s Fixer Upper Castle tours return this November

WACO, Texas ( KWTX ) - The story of a century-old castle in Waco continues this fall with Magnolia’s castle tours.

In 2022, Chip and Joanna Gaines completed the renovation of the historic property located at 161 S. 33rd Street.

The project was chronicled on Fixer Upper: The Castle .

“Experience a one-hour, guided walking tour through the design and history inside of one of Chip and Jo’s oldest Fixer Uppers yet, the only Fixer Upper available for touring,” Magnolia wrote in a news release.

Tours resume on November 1, and will be available daily Monday to Saturday.

According to Magnolia, the cost is $50 per ticket, children under the age of 4 get in free, and groups of six or more get a 10 percent discount.

A portion of profits will be donated to The Cove, a local non-profit benefiting the homeless youth of Waco.

Magnolia Castle in Waco, Texas

Hear ye, hear ye

Royal renovators chip and joanna gaines reopen their waco castle for tours.

A year after closing the 400-pound, solid-oak door to their Waco castle, Texas' Fixer Upper king and queen Chip and Joanna Gaines are reopening it to the public.

According to a release, tours of the century-old "Cottonland Castle" will resume November 1. One-hour, guided walking tours that explore its design and history will be offered Mondays through Saturdays, for a limited time.

The regal three-story, 6,700-square-foot residence in the heart of Waco was modeled after a Rhine River castle in Germany. Construction was started in 1890 and finished in 1913. The Gaineses purchased the structure in disrepair in 2019 and spent three years planning and executing a renovation, which they made the focus of a special Fixer Upper series on Magnolia Network in fall 2022.

The four-bedroom castle opened for tours for three months before the TV special aired - the first and only time a Chip-and-Jo TV fixer upper has been opened to the public. Hour-long expeditions took visitors through every room, nook, and cranny — from turret to toilettes and all seven fireplaces.

Chip and Joanna Gaines still have the keys to their castle.

CultureMap was among the first media outlets to step inside and revealed seven spectacular surprises behind the castle walls.

Last year's tours were also an open house of sorts. The Gainses had planned to sell the property after the TV special aired. In June 2023, it was listed through their Magnolia Realty for $2.9 million and was also offered on auction .

But they kept the keys to their castle, and it's now part of the Magnolia portfolio.

"After restoration, the property went to auction where the buyer and Magnolia mutually agreed not to close," a release says. "The Castle's story continues with Magnolia through limited-time home tours."

According to the Waco Tribune-Herald , Magnolia obtained a special permit from the city of Waco in late September to resume operations as a "house museum" for at least six months, until April 17, 2024.

The release from Magnolia does not specify when tours will end or what will happen next with the castle. But an FAQ on the tour website still says, "Chip and Jo plan to sell this home to someone looking to live in Waco’s beautiful Castle Heights neighborhood."

The home is still staged exactly how it was on the show, they say.

Tour tickets are now available online , in timed intervals from 9 am-12:30 pm, Monday-Saturday, November 1, 2023-January 31, 2024. Tickets are $50 (children under 4 free), with a 10 percent discount for groups of six or more. A portion of sales will be donated to The Cove, a Waco nonprofit that supports homeless youth.

The castle's official address is 161 S. 33rd Street, in the historic Castle Heights neighborhood of Waco, about 2.5 miles southwest of the Magnolia Silos complex.

By pure coincidence or genius marketing (and with Magnolia, it's always the latter), the Gaineses' fixed-up Hotel 1928 also officially opens for reservations on November 1. The 33-room, luxe boutique hotel sits in the historic Grand Karem Shrine Building in downtown Waco and is named for the year in which it was completed. Rates start at $375 per night.

Hotel 1928 will get its own weekly TV series, Fixer Upper: The Hotel , beginning 8 pm November 8 on Magnolia Network. Watch a trailer here .

Owners of popular Cafecito in Fort Worth open new cafe with trendy bowls

Fun new openings and special dishes stir up this fort worth restaurant news, stunning new tapas restaurant tops this week's 5 hottest fort worth headlines, viewing parties galore, 15 best eclipse watch parties and events across central texas on april 8.

Let's say you've made your travel plans for the April 8 total solar eclipse, and are headed to the hottest destination for eclipse watchers: Central Texas and the Hill Country, including cities such as Uvalde, Kerrville, Fredericksburg, San Antonio, and Waco.

But where exactly do you go to witness the event?

We've compiled the ultimate list of eclipse viewing parties and events with tickets still available as of publication time: from the Hill Country to Austin to San Antonio, from wineries to hotels to BBQ joints.

Here's our list of where to see the eclipse:

Eclipse events in the Hill Country

Kuhlman Cellars 18421 East US 290, Stonewall This Hill Country winery is hosting an Eclipse Party from 10 am to 4 pm, featuring a continental breakfast, Italian lunch, fun activities, and a live jazz performance from 12-3 pm. Guests will receive eclipse glasses, a commemorative sticker, and two complimentary glasses of wine in a custom Tossware keepsake glass. Attendees can take advantage of the wide open spaces at the estate to experience the eclipse, embark on vineyard tours, take blind tasting classes, and sample new wines. Tickets for the Eclipse Party are $200 for winery members, $225 for non-members, and $50 for children and young adults between 2-18 years old. Parking passes are $25 per car, and camping is not allowed on the estate. Book online via visit.kuhlmancellars.com .

UtopiaFest 1555 Lemond Rd, Utopia The final installment of the long-running UtopiaFest will take place from April 5-9 at the Four Sisters Ranch in Utopia, Texas. Scheduled performances on April 8 include Ghostland Observatory, The Texas Gentlemen, Sir Woman, South Congress Cowboy, and more. Passes for people, dogs, glampsites, RVs, and more are available via utopiafest.com .

Bay View Restaurant & Bar 4401 Cottonwood Dr, Cottonwood Shores This waterfront restaurant nestled near Marble Falls is offering a special Total Eclipse package featuring Bay View-branded eclipse glasses, a signature beverage or cocktail, and a special lunch menu selection. Tickets are $35 per person, and children and young adults under 21 will be admitted free of charge. There are limited reservations available, which can be booked via OpenTable .

Camp Lucy 3509 Creek Rd, Dripping Springs If you're looking for the ultimate all-weekend-long party, look no further than this popular resort venue in Dripping Springs. Camp Lucy's festivities begin Sunday, April 7 with a special "Stargazing and Space Exploration" presentation by NASA senior research astrophysicist Dr. Michael McElwain beginning at 7 pm. Food will be provided by food trucks from 6-9 pm. Starting at 10 am on April 8, Camp Lucy will open its viewing area at Ian's Chapel for guests to check in and wait for the partial eclipse to begin at 12:16 pm. Dr. McElwain will share two presentations throughout the day for eclipse enthusiasts. Solar glasses and a beer and wine bar with a specialty cocktail will also be available for guests, and there will be live music from Nathan Strubhart. Tickets are $197 per person, and can be purchased via Eventbrite .

Desert Door Distillery 211 Darden Hill Rd, Driftwood There's still time to nab early bird general admission to Desert Door's eclipse party that begins at 10 am. Austin-based tarot readers Sight and Sound Tarot will be on-site from 11-3 pm in the Rackhouse, and Nowhere Trio will perform from 1-4 pm. Admission includes parking, a free pair of eclipse glasses, entry for a special eclipse giveaway, one free cocktail, and more. Early bird tickets are $50 per person, and will increase to $60 starting March 18. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite .

The Salt Lick BBQ 18300 Farm To Market Road 1826, Driftwood Is it really a true celebration without barbecue? The original Driftwood Salt Lick BBQ location is hosting a celestial-themed party from 10 am to 4 pm, with special performances by Austin-based soul band Tomar and the FCs from 11:30 am to 1 pm, and Dale Watson and His Lonestars from 2-3:30 pm. Local beer, wine, and a selection of non-alcoholic options will be available for guests, as well as the Salt Lick’s "Sloppy Nachos,” sausage wraps, and chopped beef sandwiches. Entrance fees are $25 per vehicle, which includes admission for all passengers. There are a limited two vehicle passes per customer, and RVs, buses, and oversized vehicles are prohibited. Tickets can be purchased via saltlick.ticketbud.com .

Eclipse events in the Austin area

Hilton Austin 500 East 4th St., Austin The public is invited to the rooftop pool deck at the Hilton Austin from 12:30-3:30 pm to be a part of the hotel's Eclipse and Sips viewing party, no reservations necessary. Guests can try one of the themed cocktails and mocktails like the Lunar Lemonade, Solar Sunrise, and Total Eclipse Elixir while watching the solar event with their complimentary eclipse glasses, courtesy of the Hilton. While you're there, you can also enjoy the panoramic views of downtown Austin.

Vampire Weekend at Moody Amphitheater 1401 Trinity St, Austin Rock band Vampire Weekend will be taking the stage while Central Texas is shrouded in darkness on April 8, with the concert beginning at 12 pm. It's hard to say what song the band will play for the one minute and 44 seconds of full eclipse, but it should be towards the end of the set — probably "A Punk" if they're going for impact via popularity. Concert tickets can be found on Ticketmaster .

Fusebox Festival 701 W. Riverside Dr, Austin The famous fringe performing arts event Fusebox Festival is returning to Austin from April 7-14 for a monumental celebration of its 20th anniversary. In partnership with Simons Foundation, The Long Center, and Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, the festival will host a free viewing party on the Long Center Lawn and H-E-B Terrace beginning at 11 am. The team at Radiolab record a special episode from the Long Center, there will be music by Austin composer Graham Reynolds, and many more activities for the public to participate in. Attendees can RSVP via my.thelongcenter.org .

The Fieldhouse at the Crossover 1717 Scottsdale Dr, Suite 160, Leander Beginning at 11 am to 3 pm, The Fieldhouse at the Crossover will host the ultimate eclipse party with five signature drinks, and a raffle for one lucky patron to win a 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse car. A portion of the proceeds from each $8 raffle ticket will benefit the son of a Fieldhouse team member who will undergo a kidney transplant in December. DJ Paul Seacrest will provide entertainment for the event, and food will be offered through the Fieldhouse food truck park. Admission is free, and raffle tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite .

Meridian 98 Rooftop Restaurant at Sonesta Bee Cave 12525 Bee Cave Parkway, Bee Cave Meridian 98 inside the Sonesta Bee Cave hotel is opening early on April 8 just to welcome visitors and locals alike to experience the celestial event while indulging in eclipse-inspired dishes and drinks. Eclipse glasses will be provided to the first 100 attendees with the purchase of a cocktail, such as the Solar Eclipse specialty cocktail or the Galaxy Martini. Soul artist Tejas Bohemio is scheduled to perform from 1-4 pm. Limited spots are still available, reservations can be made by calling the restaurant at (512) 483-5900.

Eclipse events in San Antonio

Six Flags Fiesta Texas 17000 IH-10 West, San Antonio If you're looking for the ultimate family-friendly viewing experience, Six Flags Fiesta Texas will have reduced operational hours on April 8 from 11 am to 4 pm for park guests to watch the eclipse, followed by a spectacular drone show and fireworks during the period of totality in San Antonio. The drone and firework show is not included with regular park admission, and souvenir packages will be sold separately for an additional $9.99-$49.99 per person. More information can be found on sixflags.com .

The Moon's Daughters at Thompson San Antonio - Riverwalk 115 Lexington Ave, San Antonio No Sunday brunch will be able to top this spectacular solar brunch at The Moon's Daughters on the 20th floor of the Thompson San Antonio - Riverwalk hotel. From 11 am to 1:30 pm, hotel guests and the public can watch the eclipse from the indoor/outdoor rooftop lounge and bar that overlooks the city. The brunch will include live entertainment, themed cocktails, and complimentary solar glasses. Tickets are $99 per person and can be booked via hyattexperiences.com .

La Cantera Resort & Spa 16641 La Cantera Pkwy, San Antonio This award-winning spa resort is teaming up with The University of Texas at San Antonio's Department of Physics and Astronomy to provide a fun and educational eclipse event for guests. UTSA students and staff will be on-site at the resort with telescopes for party attendees to use for viewing the eclipse, and will answer questions regarding the eclipse. Eclipse glasses will be provided for all guests, and adults will receive one complimentary cocktail during the event. Light bites and lunch offerings will be available, and Finding Friday will provide entertainment for the afternoon. Tickets are $130 for adults and children ages 12 and up, and $60 for children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased via squadup.com .

Natural Bridge Caverns 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio Natural Bridge Caverns will have three different eclipse viewing packages for guests: The Moon Shadow Package ($32.99 per person) which will include event parking, access to the eclipse viewing area, eclipse glasses, and discounts for cavern tours; The Dark Sky Package ($44.99 per person) which includes perks in the Moon Shadow Package, one lawn chair per person, and a souvenir water bottle; and the Totality Package ($199.99 for a minimum of two guests, max four) which includes one reserved picnic table and two lounge chairs, access to a VIP lunch buffet for up to four guests, up to four eclipse glasses and water bottles, and VIP event parking. Tickets can be purchased on naturalbridgecaverns.com .

The Cottonland Castle

castle tour waco

Top ways to experience The Cottonland Castle and nearby attractions

castle tour waco

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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castle tour waco

The Cottonland Castle - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

  • (1.45 mi) Home2 Suites by Hilton Waco
  • (0.39 mi) 5 Min. From Magnolia Silos and Newly Updated!
  • (1.27 mi) Hotel 1928
  • (0.51 mi) The Haley House
  • (1.94 mi) La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Waco Downtown - Baylor
  • (0.42 mi) La Fiesta Restaurant & Cantina
  • (0.40 mi) Guess Family Barbecue
  • (0.52 mi) Katie's Frozen Custard
  • (1.61 mi) Magnolia Table
  • (1.53 mi) George's
  • (1.54 mi) Brazos Tours
  • (1.75 mi) Balcones Distilling
  • (2.52 mi) Waco Tours
  • (1.42 mi) Savage Finds - Waco Tours
  • (2.04 mi) Waco Escape Rooms

Chip and Joanna Gaines are auctioning off the 130-year-old castle they renovated. Take a look inside.

  • Chip and Joanna Gaines are auctioning off the castle they renovated in Waco, Texas.
  • Called the Cottonland Castle, the historic home has four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms.
  • The "Fixer Upper" stars blended modern design with the castle's historic architecture. 

Chip and Joanna Gaines bought a castle in 2019.

castle tour waco

As Joanna shared in a blog post , Chip had wanted to buy the Waco, Texas, property, called the Cottonland Castle, for over 20 years before they finally purchased it in 2019.

They spent the next several years restoring and renovating it, as they documented for their Magnolia series, "Fixer Upper: The Castle." 

They completed the renovation in 2022, and they allowed groups to tour the property for $50 per ticket before the show aired later that year.

Now, the Gaineses are auctioning off the house.

castle tour waco

Chip and Joanna's company, Magnolia Realty, is partnering with Concierge Auctions to auction off the castle from July 20 to July 27.

They said in a statement that they hope the person who buys the property will turn the castle into "a well-loved home once again," according to The Wall Street Journal . 

Take a look at the home before it officially goes on sale. 

The castle was first purchased in 1890.

castle tour waco

According to the Concierge Auctions listing, the original buyer abandoned the castle after beginning work on it in 1890, and it was abandoned again by a second owner in 1908. 

Alfred Abeel then bought the property in 1913, and he worked with architect Roy E. Lane to finish construction on the home, keeping German castles in mind with its design, as stated by Concierge Auctions. 

Different buyers owned the property throughout the 20th century, and it fell into disrepair after becoming a historical site in 1977. By the time Chip and Joanna bought the property, it needed a lot of work. 

The 6,176-square-foot house sits on just over 1.5 acres of land.

castle tour waco

The castle boasts four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms. 

It also features a tower, as any castle should. 

The dining room features restored paneling on the walls, as well as historic wallpaper. 

Chip and Joanna wanted to maintain original aspects of the house while making it work for a modern dweller.

castle tour waco

For instance, Joanna explained in "Fixer Upper: The Castle" that the kitchen was originally in the basement, which she didn't think would work for someone today.

The kitchen now sits on the main floor, so it's more functional. But they maintained the original mahogany paneling on the walls, blending old and new.

The area also features a butler's pantry with additional appliances.

The couple transformed every room in the house.

castle tour waco

The basement was also completely refinished, and it now includes an entertainment room, guest room, laundry room, and game room (photographed above). 

The castle also boasts seven fireplaces.

The primary bedroom includes the castle's original flooring.

castle tour waco

The upstairs is home to a built-in library as well as three of the home's four bedrooms. 

According to the Concierge Auctions listing, the Gaineses also maintained the home's original windows, which include built-in seating. 

The auction will be no-reserve, so there will be no minimum price the castle has to sell for.

castle tour waco

Although there's no minimum, the listing does state that the bidder must provide a deposit of $100,000 when they purchase the castle.

You can learn more about the castle here .

castle tour waco

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castle tour waco

Joanna Gaines’ Latest Fixer Upper House: The Castle 1/2

Recently, I toured Chip and Joanna Gaines’ latest Fixer Upper house. It happens to be a historical castle in downtown Waco, Texas. I have lots of information and photos of the newly renovated home to share. So, head over for part two of the tour, here , to take a look at the second floor of bedrooms & bathrooms, plus the massive basement. And to find out what the castle inspired Joanna Gaines to design which will be available to purchase in October 2022.

But first, let’s start the tour with this fixer upper house’s property, castle exterior and main level which includes the kitchen, dining and living spaces. At the end of this post, you can read about the future of this newly restored castle.

side of castle restored by Chip and Joanna Gaines

The Castle’s Property

This house mimics a small German castle with the exterior constructed of mostly white sandstone and partly limestone. Construction began in 1890 with several different owners, and not much progress. It was not complete until 1913 when home owner and Civil War Captain Alfred Abeel hired Waco architect Roy E. Lane to oversee the project. Lane built another Waco landmark that locals will immediately recognize, the Alico building.

front of castle restored by Chip and Joanna Gaines

Nine foot tall oak doors weighing four hundred pounds secure the entrance of the home. I guess if you are a civil war captain, security is of the upmost importance. A tower and two small balconies with machicolations, or openings in the flooring of the corbels, add character to the castle. The front of the home also shares the graceful arch of bay windows in the drawing room and second story primary bedroom.

Behind the castle, a stone built garage and second tower stand. This detached building served as a used car dealership called ‘Castle Cars’ for several decades. Growing up near Waco, we assumed the tower was simply a gimmick to attract customers. However this space was original to the property and acted as the living quarters for the servants of the Abeel family.

garage area

The Castle is secured by a stone wall fence around the perimeter of the property. It was originally built on the ‘outskirts of town.’ Now, this whole area is split between residential and commercial property as what we, Wacoans, refer to as ‘downtown’ and the Castle Heights neighborhood.

How it Became a Fixer Upper House

In 1941, the Abeel family sold the castle to Waco’s first female pharmacist, Irene Pipkin, and her family who lived in the home for many years. After her death, her widowed husband gave the home to a local Methodist church. However, the cost of upkeep became too much to bare, so the castle sold yet again to a new family who lived in it for twenty years. After 1991, it sold many times with new owners hoping to bring the property back to life each time. However, maintenance and restoration costs, followed by trespassers onto the property, left the house in despair.

For years, Chip and Joanna Gaines longed to make this one hundred year old castle their latest fixer upper house. However, they didn’t have the opportunity to purchase the property until 2019. For the next two years, speculation floated around Waco about what Chip and Joanna would do with this Waco landmark. Some thought that it would become their offices for Magnolia or a non-profit group, or a short term rental like a bed and breakfast style inn. Chip and Joanna Gaines ultimately chose to restore the castle into a home, as originally built. Today, it is a beautiful mix of both historical architectural charm and modern conveniences.

The Sun Room Addition

From the back of the castle, notice the black exterior windows on the left. Chip and Joanna Gaines actually enclosed what was a concrete slab into the beautiful addition it is today. This light filled sunroom is one of my favorite spaces. Because the Gaines sourced European antique tile, the already worn, lived in tile looks original to the home. Not reproduction nor aging techniques created this perfectly imperfect patina.

castle tour waco

The Garden Shed

To the right of the castle, sits a garden shed. If you have visited the garden area at the Silos, you know that Joanna and her team of gardeners have amazing green thumbs. Therefore, the bountiful of flowerbeds and potted pants surrounding this garden shed did not disappoint. Under large shady trees in the yard, this garden shed still boasts the original shingle roof, but has been refreshed with new paint and lighting.

castle tour waco

Tour of the Main Level

Drawing room.

Right off the front entry way is the drawing room. I was today years old when I found out that it is not the room where people draw or paint… it is a room where guests can ‘withdraw’ into a more private setting, maybe from a dinner party. This space hosted potential candidates for marriage to the Abeel’s son, who later built a home for his wife and himself right next door.

The castle originally had eight fireplaces including this showstopper with plenty of ornamental moulding. While central heat and air conditioning were updated in the home, the original radiators remain on both sides of the beautifully restored fireplace.

before picture of drawing room

Do you notice all the beautiful woodworking detail in this room, too? Some of the wood moulding was destroyed over time. Therefore, the Gaines hired a talented wood craftsmen for the restoration process.

after picture of drawing room

Dining Room

The dining room originally included a French Caen stone fireplace and Honduran mahogany paneling. These were revitalized, while paint, wallpaper, flooring and lighting were added. The restoration and furnishings are so beautifully done that it is hard to distinguish between what is and is not original to the home.

original stone fireplace

Kitchen and Butler’s Pantry

Behind the dining room lies the kitchen. This room held the eighth fireplace, but Chip & Joanna Gaines removed it during the renovation. In its place, sits a La Cornue Château premium range, the same kind that Joanna Gaines uses on her cooking show, Magnolia Table . Craftsmen have built these ranges by hand with copper, brass and steel in France since 1908, so the style fits well with the period of the home. The small doors to the right of the stove once served as a ‘dumb waiter,’ but have been conveniently converted to a spice cabinet. A built-in hutch that was original to the home to hold dishes and serving pieces is not shown.

original fireplace in castle

I am not sure if it is the pantry staples filling glass canisters on endless open shelves or the large windows filling this room with light, but the butler’s pantry makes me want to cook three square meals a day… I mean if and only if I lived here. The kitchen island is a $125 local antique find that Joanna Gaines had a marble top fitted for. Now, it’s priceless! Again, the windows, crown molding and fireplace may be the only original architectural features in this room. However, Chip and Joanna Gaines have proved that they can take on any age, size or style of a fixer upper house.

butler pantry in castle

More Fixer Upper House

Additionally, a restored half bathroom sits tucked away on the main level. While a small sitting area made its home in the tower portion of the castle. I do not think that anyone could have done a better job of restoring this one hundred year old castle than Chip and Joanna Gaines, and their talented team of craftsmen, designers and skilled workers. It is the perfect mix of history, architectural detail and modern conveniences.

fixer upper house bathroom

The Future of this Fixer Upper House

Take a tour of the castle.

If you love all things Fixer Upper, Chip & Joanna Gaines or Waco, Texas, purchase tickets to tour The Castle, here . It’s an hour long tour with plenty of time to take photos and awe at the craftsmanship. The Castle is open for tours through the end of October, which coincides with the 2022 Magnolia Silobration.

Watch Fixer Upper: The Castle

However, if you are not local or visiting Waco this Fall, don’t worry. You can watch the entire restoration process in a special six part series called Fixer Upper: The Castle on Magnolia Network. All of the furniture and decor currently featured in the home will be the same as what you see on the show when it airs in October 2022. Plus, many new pieces staged in the castle are for sale at Magnolia.com .

For Sale by Magnolia Realty… coming soon!

Our tour guide told us that the Cottonland Castle will be listed for sale in late October 2022. What a dream come true for the family that calls this place home!  At the time of the sale in 2019, Zillow listed the home for $425K. However, it appraised around $350K. Currently appraises at $1,127,470 for tax purposes. But, I predict the Gaines will sell it for closer to $2 million. I mean it is a castle, a piece of Waco history and a Fixer Upper house renovated by the queen of home design, Joanna Gaines.

Lastly, be sure to subscribe to my blog for more of what’s happening in Waco, Texas! Like this photographic tour of the Silos or the Magnolia Market Summer 2022 displays!

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4 thoughts on “ Joanna Gaines’ Latest Fixer Upper House: The Castle 1/2 ”

Absolutely stunning! Thank you for sharing it.

I love being able to share about Magnolia! Chip and Jo did an amazing job on the restoration and update of modern conveniences. Thanks for stopping by the blog!

My sister and I want to make reservations, to see everything Chip and JoAnn and Waco. How and when to make reservations.

Beautiful! I’d like the paint name of the main bedroom please…

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See 10 Texas castles, plus one in Waco for sale by TV fixer-uppers Chip and Joanna Gaines

castle tour waco

Chip and Joanna Gaines of "Fixer Upper" TV fame have put their celebrated Texas castle up for sale in Waco.

The auction bidding for Cottonland Castle, sometimes called the Waco Castle, will open at 4 p.m., July 20.

Stone replicas of European castles are scattered all over the state — at least five can be found in Austin — but this one is dusted with the enchantment of that celebrity couple who is transforming Waco into a national tourist spot.

If you can't afford to bid on Cottonland Castle , plenty of castle-like structures around Texas are worth lingering views from the curb. Some are open for tours or can be leased for special events. (More on those options below.)

What's for sale in Waco?

Many of Gaineses' early fixer-up projects were fairly modest redos. As time went by, however, the couple took on larger enterprises, such as their downtown Waco lifestyle center known as Magnolia Market .

According to Magnolia Realty, this mansion at 3300 Austin Ave. in the Castle Heights neighborhood includes four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms as part of more than 6,000 square feet of floor space.

Its history is quite complicated. For one thing, it didn't start as a castle.

During the cotton boom of the late 19th century, Waco was a center for all aspects of the cotton business. Significant buildings shot up all over the city.

In 1890, stone contractor John Tennant started to craft a new home out of leftover stone from a downtown project. He sold the unfinished house to cotton broker Ripley Hanrick in 1906, but continued to work on it himself. Together, they abandoned the mansion in 1908.

More: Where the locals say to eat and drink in Waco

Civil War veteran Capt. Alfred Abeel purchased it in 1913 and hired developer Roy E. Lane to finish the frame and add more castle-like elements, modeled after a small German castle on the Rhine.

"In 1941, Irene Pipkin, whose family owned the Pipkin Drugstores, purchased the home and moved in with her daughter and son-in-law," writes Amanda Sawyer on the wacohistory.org website. "When she passed away, the castle passed to her daughter, Pauline Pipkin Garrett, Waco’s first female pharmacist. Pauline and her husband Barney Garrett resided in the home for many years."

Cottonland next passed through the hands of the Austin Avenue Methodist Church, which used it as a youth center, the Jack Schwan family and others. Yet almost every owner found it too costly to maintain.

Chip and Joanna Gaines purchased it in 2019 and completed the remake in 2022.

They aired the renovation process on  Magnolia Network  last year, then opened the place up for tours. "Now, they’re ready for someone new to write the next chapter in this historic home’s story," according to the Magnolia Reality site.

Five castles in Austin

Kids dream of living in castles. When they grow up, they discover that the original medieval fortresses were often dark, dank, drafty and hard to keep up. Castles in Texas, built more recently, tend to comport with modern standards of comfort, health and upkeep, which is not cheap.

If you are new to Austin, you might not already know these landmarks:

  • Bouldin Castle (715 W. Mary St.): Built of limestone, this castle began as San Jose Catholic Church, then served as an Orthodox church before being outfitted with a turret, moat (actually a lap pool), dungeon (really an underground studio) and banquet hall . I've been to some parties here and the interiors are quite lovely.
  • Castle Hill (1111 W. 11th St.): Perhaps Austin's most visible castle , this former military academy perched high on a hill above Shoal Creek has served many roles, now the offices of Castle Hill Partners, a private investment firm. The Austin History Center Association held a reception there not long ago and I can confirm that it has been decorated expertly and sensitively.
  • Chateau Bellevue (708 San Antonio St): Like the Cottonland Castle, this 1874 landmark mansion was not originally built in a castle style. Most of that look was added by a later owner. For almost a century, it has been home to the Austin Woman's Club. For a while, it was also a dormitory. I've attended many events here and always jump at the chance to return.
  • Formosa (304 E 44th St.): Although small compared to other Austin castles, this studio for sculptor Elisabet Ney must have towered over the raw land north of Hyde Park when it was built in 1892. Now the Elisabet Ney Museum — packed with Ney's art — it by far is the easiest of these Austin castles to access.
  • Pemberton Castle (1415 Wooldridge Dr.) A Dallas class recently wrote a full report on Samuel Edward Gideon and his fantastical private home that began in the 1890s as a farm cistern, turned into a sales office for the Pemberton neighborhood in the 1920s, then was transformed into a castle by UT architecture professor Gideon during the 1930s and '40s.

Central Texas: Take a grand tour of Lyndon B. Johnson's historic offices

Five castles elsewhere in Texas

Some Texas castles are located on private land far away from preying eyes. I picked five that normally can be reached easily by the public. (Falkenstein Castle is temporarily closed.)

  • Bishop's Palace (1402 Broadway, Galveston): At 19,082 square feet, this definitely is a palace. Built between 1887 and 1893 for the Gresham family, the mansion survived the 1900 hurricane. The Catholic Diocese of Galveston purchased it in 1923 as a residence for the bishop. Tours of the museum go back to 1963, which is around the time I first gawked at its Victorian interiors. The Galveston Historical Foundation now gives self-guided tours daily.
  • Castle Avalon (10900 Texas 46, New Braunfels): Used as an events center, especially for weddings, this castle is named for an island from the King Arthur myths. I've never been there, but it looks pretty romantic in images.
  • Falkenstein Castle (7400 Park Road 4 South, Burnet) Currently not open for public tours or drive-up traffic, this is one of several extravagant Hill Country castles. It was modeled after drawings by scene designer Christian Jank for Ludwig II, who also commissioned the famous Neuschwanstein Castle.
  • Lambermont Estate (950 E. Grayson St, San Antonio) Yet another events venue, this castle was built in 1894 as the residence of Edwin Holland Terrell and his family. Terrell had served as American ambassador to Belgium during the 1890s and he commissioned architect Alfred Giles — who added the castle elements to Chateau Bellevue in Austin — to design his home in the Belgian mode.
  • Newman's Castle (Off Old Highway 36) Mike Newman dreamt up this castle and bakery near Bellville. The castle handles parties, weddings, wine tastings and other special occasions. It is open for tours six days a week with advance reservations.
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Chip and Joanna Gaines to Sell Waco Castle They Renovated at Auction

The Magnolia founders documented the overhaul of the 100-year-old Texas landmark on 'Fixer Upper: Welcome Home - The Castle'

Erin Clack is a Staff Editor for PEOPLE. She has been writing about fashion, parenting and pop culture for more than 15 years.

Chip and Joanna Gaines are officially letting go of one of their biggest projects ever.

Next month, the Magnolia founders will auction off the 100-year-old Waco, Texas, castle they renovated on their 2022 spin-off show Fixer Upper: Welcome Home - The Castle . Bidding on the historic property — which the Gaineses purchased in 2019 for an undisclosed amount — opens July 20 and ends July 27, according to the Wall Street Journal .

The couple said in a statement that they hope the sale will make the local landmark, known as  Cottonland Castle , “a well-loved home once again.” As for the price? That remains to be determined. But the auction is "no reserve," meaning there's no predetermined minimum bid.

“The castle is historic and it also has been redesigned and renovated, and so the value of the property is very difficult to define,” explained Laura Brady of Concierge Auctions, which is partnering with the Gainses' own Magnolia Realty on the sale. “It’s going to be worth what the highest bidder is willing to bid.”

The 6,000-square-foot castle sits on nearly 1.6 acres and features four bedrooms, plus a library, a conservatory, a card room and a tower, per WSJ .

Over the past three years, Chip, 48, and Joanna, 45, transformed the old castle from a state of severe disrepair into a showpiece blending historic details such as intricate millwork and diamond-paned windows with luxurious updates, such as Honduran mahogany paneling, Caen stone and Carrara marble.

Lisa Petrole

In an exclusive first look at Fixer Upper: The Castle ahead of the show's premiere last October, the pair expressed their excitement about tackling such a unique project.

"This castle is one of the most impressive properties in the entire Waco, Central Texas area and I've wanted it for two decades now," Chip said at the time. "The plan for the castle is to bring this beautiful property back to its original state."

They also shared the challenges they encountered as they worked on the structure. For one, the project turned out to be much bigger than they originally thought. "We're keeping all the paneling, we've got to fix this plasterwork," Joanna explained as the camera panned to a crumbling ceiling.

The couple's main focus was to make the castle feel accurate to the original time period it was built. "Getting the same exact stone from 100 years ago has been a challenge," Joanna admitted. And materials aren't the only hurdle. After encountering a water leak, Chip joked, "I would say this is more like zero steps forward, 12 steps back."

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As the project progressed, however, the couple's confidence grew. "When we bought this place it was a figment of our imagination," Chip noted in the clip. "But this house is coming together."

Now that the keys to the castle will soon be handed over to the new owners, Chip and Joanna are diving into their next big project .

In April, the pair announced a new show on Magnolia Network,  Fixer Upper: The Hotel,  which will premiere in November 2023. The six-episode series will follow the Gaineses as they renovate a historic building in downtown Waco, built in 1928.

To honor the history of the nearly 100-year-old building, their new project will be called Hotel 1928. Since the boutique property is located right by their shopping and dining destination, Magnolia Market at the Silos, it will give fans a chance to book lodging that's been decked out by  Chip  and  Joanna during their visit to the tourist hotspot.

According to a release, the hotel will consist of four floors and feature 33 guest rooms, along with a restaurant, a rooftop terrace, an event space and a ballroom.

"Y'all, we're going to have a hotel in downtown Waco, Texas!" Chip said in a trailer for the show.

"When you think about a 50,000 square-foot hotel remodel — I mean this is the big leagues," he added. "This is what you dream about."

IMAGES

  1. You Can Tour the Historic Waco Castle from Chip and Joanna Gaines' New

    castle tour waco

  2. My Waco Castle Experience

    castle tour waco

  3. The Cottonland Castle (Waco)

    castle tour waco

  4. My Waco Castle Experience

    castle tour waco

  5. Inside Chip and Joanna Gaines' 129-year-old castle in Waco, Texas

    castle tour waco

  6. Take a Look Inside the Waco Castle Renovated by Chip and Joanna Gaines

    castle tour waco

COMMENTS

  1. Magnolia Tours

    Enjoy an hour-long guided tour through Chip and Jo's renovation of the one-of-a-kind home featured on Fixer Upper: The Castle. Knowledgeable tour guides share the history, design inspiration, and behind-the-scenes details inside this century-old castle in the heart of Waco, Texas. 1 hour long. 10 guests per tour.

  2. You Can Tour the Historic Waco Castle from Chip and Joanna Gaines' New

    According to Insider, the one-hour tours will run from July 21 to October 26, Monday through Saturday. Tickets cost $50, though children seven years old and younger get in for free. Plus, 20% of profits will be donated to The Cove, a local non-profit benefiting the homeless youth of Waco.

  3. Tour Chip & Joanna Gaines' Renovated Castle: Price, Dates

    Aug 18, 2022. Chip and Joanna Gaines have opened the doors to their biggest project to date. The Fixer Upper stars renovated a nineteenth-century castle (known as "Cottonland Castle") in Waco ...

  4. About Magnolia Castle Tours

    Chip wanted a shot at restoring this historical Waco landmark to its full glory and, for nearly 20 years, he put in offers whenever the castle was relisted. When Chip and Jo finally bought it in 2019, Jo embraced the challenge of designing a home that celebrates the castle's original character but also gives it a new story.

  5. Chip and Joanna Gaines offer tours of their Waco castle

    Tours of the Castle in Waco are available Monday to Saturday. Fixer Upper couple Chip and Joanna Gaines plan to sell The Castle, a more than century-old home in Waco that the couple completed ...

  6. Cottonland Castle

    In 2019 Cottonland Castle was purchased by Chip and Joanna Gaines and completely redone from top to bottom. Tours were offered for several months in 2022; then it was put up for auction. It was reported that the Gaineses decided to keep the Castle and open it for tours, but information on these is not yet available. 161 S 33rd St, Waco, TX 76710.

  7. How Chip and Joanna Gaines Restored a 1900s Castle in the Heart of Waco

    For Chip and Joanna Gaines, the veritable renovation royals of Waco, Texas, that property is Cottonland Castle. The 1913 stone manor house, originally modeled after a small German castle along the ...

  8. Tour the Castle

    Tour the Castle. Enjoy an hour-long guided tour through Chip and Jo's renovation of the one-of-a-kind home featured on Fixer Upper: The Castle. Knowledgeable tour guides share the history, design inspiration, and behind-the-scenes details inside this century-old castle in the heart of Waco, Texas. 20% of net profits from castle tours will stay ...

  9. Inside the Waco Castle

    You'll start at. 161 S 33rd St. 161 S 33rd St, Waco, TX 76710, USA. Where to Park: • 161 S. 33rd Street Waco, Texas 76710 • All guest parking is located in the lot behind the castle. Please note: • Please arrive 15 minutes early. • Guests will climb three staircases. • Bathrooms in the home aren't for guest use.

  10. 'Fixer Upper' Fans Can Tour Chip and Joanna Gaines' Castle in Waco

    The Gaineses began renovating the castle in Waco, Texas, in 2019 after Chip had spent years coveting it, as Joanna wrote in a blog post. It was originally completed in 1913 and fell into disrepair ...

  11. The Castle: A Restoration Story Blog

    The Castle: A Restoration Story. by Joanna Gaines. Published on July 15, 2022. In 2022, Chip and Jo completed the renovation of a century-old castle in the heart of Waco, Texas, and we're opening up its doors again—just for you! Book a castle tour here and watch the full restoration story unfold on Fixer Upper: The Castle.

  12. Magnolia's Fixer Upper Castle tours return this November

    WACO, Texas - The story of a century-old castle in Waco continues this fall with Magnolia's castle tours.In 2022, Chip and Joanna Gaines completed the renovation of the historic property located ...

  13. Take a tour of Chip and Joanna Gaines' Cottonland Castle in Waco

    0:01. 1:23. Cottonland Castle, modeled after a Rhine Valley castle, will once again reopen for tours starting on November 1. Owned and gut-renovated by Waco's most famous residents, Chip and ...

  14. The Castle Featured on Fixer Upper Spinoff Is Open for Tours

    You Can Tour Chip and Joanna Gaines' 100-Year-Old Waco Castle Featured on 'Fixer Upper' Spinoff. The Magnolia Network stars documented the total renovation of the nineteenth-century castle on ...

  15. Royal renovators Chip and Joanna Gaines reopen their Waco castle for tours

    According to a release, tours of the century-old "Cottonland Castle" will resume November 1. One-hour, guided walking tours that explore its design and history will be offered Mondays through Saturdays, for a limited time. The regal three-story, 6,700-square-foot residence in the heart of Waco was modeled after a Rhine River castle in Germany.

  16. The Cottonland Castle

    In 1913, Captain Alfred Abeel purchased the property and enlisted Roy E. Lane to transform it into a three-story castle. Between 1913 and 2019, the property changed hands a total of five times, falling into a state of disrepair. ... Was able to stop and take pictures on the Waco Fixer Upper tour with Brazos Tour. Loved being able to get these ...

  17. Chip, Joanna Gaines keeping Waco castle, to resume tours

    Magnolia is keeping the Cottonland Castle on Austin Avenue, with plans to resume tours. After an auction last month, Magnolia and a prospective buyer agreed not to close a sale.

  18. Magnolia castle on Austin Avenue to open for tours, hit the market

    Magnolia will open the castle on Austin Avenue to guided, hourlong tours on weekdays between July 21 and Oct. 26. Rod Aydelotte, Tribune-Herald. Carl Hoover. The thousands of curious sightseers ...

  19. Photos: Inside Chip and Joanna Gaines' Renovated Castle in Waco

    Chip and Joanna Gaines bought a castle in Waco, Texas. ... They completed the renovation in 2022, and they allowed groups to tour the property for $50 per ticket before the show aired later that year.

  20. Joanna Gaines' Latest Fixer Upper House: The Castle 1/2

    Take a Tour of the Castle. If you love all things Fixer Upper, Chip & Joanna Gaines or Waco, Texas, purchase tickets to tour The Castle, here. It's an hour long tour with plenty of time to take photos and awe at the craftsmanship. The Castle is open for tours through the end of October, which coincides with the 2022 Magnolia Silobration.

  21. Chip, Joanna Gaines' castle project in Waco one of many Texas castles

    0:04. 1:17. Chip and Joanna Gaines of "Fixer Upper" TV fame have put their celebrated Texas castle up for sale in Waco. The auction bidding for Cottonland Castle, sometimes called the Waco Castle ...

  22. Events in Waco, Texas

    The Silos 601 Webster Ave Waco, TX 76706. hours 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM *Eclipse will begin at approximately 1:38 PM. GET TICKETS Opens in new tab. Moved to ...

  23. Chip and Joanna Gaines to Sell Waco Castle They Renovated at Auction

    Next month, the Magnolia founders will auction off the 100-year-old Waco, Texas, castle they renovated on their 2022 spin-off show Fixer Upper: Welcome Home - The Castle. Bidding on the historic ...

  24. 219 Castle Ave, Waco, TX 76710

    Zillow has 16 photos of this $449,900 3 beds, 2 baths, 2,609 Square Feet single family home located at 219 Castle Ave, Waco, TX 76710 built in 1925. MLS #219113.