We invite you to visit our beautiful Castle and gardens, discover the story of this historic property built in 1918, and learn fascinating details about its restoration. Check out our wine selections to sip and savor in the 1918 Cellars Wine & Bistro at Castle Farms. Step back in time with a visit to Castle Farms, one of Northern Michigan's premier historical attractions, as well as a celebrated wedding venue.
Step back in time with a visit to Castle Farms, one of Michigan's premier historical attractions, as well as a celebrated Northern Michigan wedding venue. Located in the beautiful resort community of Charlevoix, Castle Farms offers families the chance to explore acres of gardens, discover dragons, and experience Michigan's largest outdoor model railroad.
Step back in time with a visit to Castle Farms, one of Michigan's premier historical attractions, as well as a celebrated Northern Michigan wedding venue. Located in the beautiful resort community of Charlevoix, Castle Farms offers families the chance to explore acres of gardens, discover dragons, and experience Michigan's largest outdoor model railroad.
Reviews (18)
Grace D.
Aug 16, 2021
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Seriously overpriced tourist destination. My daughter and I would have liked to walk through the gardens. 20 minutes tops. But at 15 dollars each and then 10 dollars each for her 3 toddlers we felt it was way too expensive. The money supposedly goes to support the grounds but a flat fee for families would attract a lot more people.
Noelle F.
Aug 08, 2021
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Jackie V.
Jul 14, 2021
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My daughter had here wedding at Castle Farms this past weekend. The experience was beyond our expectations. The grounds were beautiful, the wedding coordinator was helpful, and they work with many good quality experienced vendors. We loved that there were things to do and see for the guests on the property. About the only thing I can say to improve is to have the trains running after the ceremony so guests could enjoy them.
Stacie B.
Jul 07, 2021
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After having visited the area many times this was on our list as a fun venue to check out, and this trip we had great weather and a free day so we headed toward the castle.
The directions are easy to follow and upon arriving the huge parking lot has good directions of where to park and how to proceed to the main entrance. A friendly lady greeted us and we chose to pay $15 for an adult self-guided tour which we felt was reasonable for the size of the castle. They gave us a self-guided tour sheet with tons of directions and explanation.
There are wonderful narrated movies along the way whee you
The directions are easy to follow and upon arriving the huge parking lot has good directions of where to park and how to proceed to the main entrance. A friendly lady greeted us and we chose to pay $15 for an adult self-guided tour which we felt was reasonable for the size of the castle. They gave us a self-guided tour sheet with tons of directions and explanation.
There are wonderful narrated movies along the way whee you
Darla B.
Jun 03, 2021
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Darla B. ·
2.0
**bride *** beware***The setting and gardens are beautiful.. but the Administration of the venue is AWFUL!!! They will comply with all your wishes, AT ADDITIONAL COSTS!! Castle Farms took our thousands of dollars in good faith January 2020, then when it came down to the details =$$$$. With Michigan state orders, we were prepared to entertain our guests in a TENT to abide my State restrictions. Only to find out that 5 days before the States restrictions were lifted... other guests could have their event INSIDE AND EXCEED THE GUEST LIMITS FOR INDOOR ENTERTAINING!! You want to use
2.0
**bride *** beware***The setting and gardens are beautiful.. but the Administration of the venue is AWFUL!!! They will comply with all your wishes, AT ADDITIONAL COSTS!! Castle Farms took our thousands of dollars in good faith January 2020, then when it came down to the details =$$$$. With Michigan state orders, we were prepared to entertain our guests in a TENT to abide my State restrictions. Only to find out that 5 days before the States restrictions were lifted... other guests could have their event INSIDE AND EXCEED THE GUEST LIMITS FOR INDOOR ENTERTAINING!! You want to use
Sheryl B.
May 27, 2021
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Chelsey G.
Oct 25, 2020
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Kanika M.
Oct 16, 2020
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Our visit was on Friday, 10/9 at 2pm. It was four of us ladies and it was the first stop on our girlfriend's 40th birthday weekend. The grounds are stunning! It's so peaceful and the landscaping is so well manicured. I can only imagine the special events that take place here. It makes me want to get married all over again lol We arrived early for our lunch reservation so we did a self guided tour of the castle grounds and sat for a bit in the gazebo near the water. We could've stayed there all day had it been a tad bit warmer or less of a breeze. It was so calming. The castle was
Native Q.
Jul 26, 2020
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I always been fascinated with Castles and Castle Farms is one of the most amazing castles that I've seen. I rode on the tram with G (driver), really considerate type of guy. I liked how he sanitized the whole tram before the ride, and he drove at a good pace so we could take pics on the tour. Castle Farms welcome center was ran by two fine women who were very helpful and courteous. I found out today that they host weddings too. What I enjoyed the most was photographing all of the hot spots!
Natalie L.
Jul 22, 2019
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In my experience, the people here go the extra mile. My husband, daughter and I were all in a wedding held here over the weekend, and as far as I could see, everything went off without a hitch - other than the bride and groom getting hitched!
The wedding coordinator, Alex, was awesome. Our bride had a few fun, non-traditional aspects that she wanted to incorporate into the ceremony that could have thrown a coordinator off, but I never heard Alex tell her she couldn't do something or make fun of her ideas, she simply figured out how to make it work. I loved that!
But there was an added
The wedding coordinator, Alex, was awesome. Our bride had a few fun, non-traditional aspects that she wanted to incorporate into the ceremony that could have thrown a coordinator off, but I never heard Alex tell her she couldn't do something or make fun of her ideas, she simply figured out how to make it work. I loved that!
But there was an added
Phyllis N.
Sep 01, 2018
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We had a very in depth guided tour of this unique attraction during our August Michigan trip. It is always uplifting when personal fortune is used to preserve an interesting architectural work. Mrs. Mueller is to be commended for the extensive and accurate renovation she undertook here. Now this is a venue that all of us can enjoy and use, and ..hopefully..the revenues from events will support the site in years to come.
We enjoyed learning the history here, and the art and statuary, but the gardens were the most striking. These careful and well kept plantings grace and uplift the starkness of
We enjoyed learning the history here, and the art and statuary, but the gardens were the most striking. These careful and well kept plantings grace and uplift the starkness of
Brooke G.
Oct 24, 2017
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I got married here on 10.03.17 and my wedding was literally a fairytale. First of all, the venue is GORGEOUS. Walking down the aisle and saying our vows with the views of the castle was the most amazing experience. My coordinator was Autumn. Autumn was seriously AMAZING! I planned this wedding from California by myself and she was always quick to respond or answer questions. She was so awesome at rehearsal and wedding day as well. She helped with soooo much and it was nice to just relax and enjoy my wedding day. The day was even better and more dreamy than I ever imagined it. I don't even
Kira B.
Feb 22, 2017
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UPDATE 3/5/17: We did receive a new signed check. I would like to respond to the comment that Castle has now posted on all my reviews. The reason we did not notify Castle of our concerns was because we were on our honeymoon. I feel as though Castle may have forgotten that people do tend to take those after their wedding and that the last thing we wanted to do is express our "concerns" after an awful vendor experience. My reviews were also not negative, they were honest. And I don't know about any other bride out there, but I didn't want one of the most important events in my
Jody K.
Oct 10, 2015
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After reading the reviews & really wanting to go somewhere different, I decided to go to Castle Farms. So glad I did! I think it's a little overpriced for admission to a place where you walk around on your own (although you get $1 off with AAA), but still, it was so interesting. I spent 3 hours wandering around! They take a lot of pride in their trains, and while the actual trains are cool, the toys on wheels are kind of silly. But I did like how you could walk through the whole area; it kind of reminded me of the trains on MisterRogers' Neighborhood from when I was little.
The duck
The duck
Carolyn B.
Aug 14, 2015
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When we visited Charlevoix, MI we decided to tour Castle Farms. It started out as a dairy farm for the head of Sears. He would buy farm machinery that he would sell in the catalog and could showcase how well they worked at his place. Built in the early 1900's, it was fashioned after what barns and castles in Normandy, France were like at the time. After the farm closed, it fell into disrepair, but re-emerged as an art gallery, and once as a music theatre and summer concert venue. Finally, it was purchased by the present owners and brought back to the estate you see today. All told, Linda
Amy G.
Jul 08, 2012
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Others have reviewed Castle Farms as a wedding or corporate event venue, but this review is as a visitor attraction.
We have been coming to Charlevoix for the past seven summers. We've always driven by Castle Farms and wondered what was within its gates. We put it on our list of things to do this year, and we ALMOST put it off until next summer, but thankfully we had a chance encounter with the owners husband, Richard Mueller at Juilerette's on the morning we were headed home. Richard happened to pass our table and struck up a conversation with our young son. He was wearing a "
We have been coming to Charlevoix for the past seven summers. We've always driven by Castle Farms and wondered what was within its gates. We put it on our list of things to do this year, and we ALMOST put it off until next summer, but thankfully we had a chance encounter with the owners husband, Richard Mueller at Juilerette's on the morning we were headed home. Richard happened to pass our table and struck up a conversation with our young son. He was wearing a "
Caroline M.
Sep 05, 2010
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Castle Farms is a dreamy venue straight out of a fairy tale.
Ideal for a wedding and/or reception, Castle Farms is nestled between Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix. In nearby downtown Charlevoix, there are plenty of quaint hotels and bed and breakfasts for guests making the trek from out of town.
For my friend's wedding reception, they held a cocktail hour in the main courtyard. There is easy access right off the main courtyard to the women's bathroom which also has a cozy little powder room attached to it-perfect for a quick breather or touch-ups for the bride and her bridal party
Ideal for a wedding and/or reception, Castle Farms is nestled between Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix. In nearby downtown Charlevoix, there are plenty of quaint hotels and bed and breakfasts for guests making the trek from out of town.
For my friend's wedding reception, they held a cocktail hour in the main courtyard. There is easy access right off the main courtyard to the women's bathroom which also has a cozy little powder room attached to it-perfect for a quick breather or touch-ups for the bride and her bridal party
Eric M.
Mar 22, 2009
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No, you do not need to be a fan of Medieval Times to have a great party/wedding here. Although the place looks like a giant castle, all types of events could be held here.
Some friends of mine just held their wedding here and it's a great place. The ceremony was in a great hall lined with windows. I was told there is also an upstairs room for ceremonies as well, not much natural light in their though. Behind the ceremony was a giant chess set you could play with. There were giant thrones for photos and outside a miniature train set up as well.
The room where the reception was held was great
Some friends of mine just held their wedding here and it's a great place. The ceremony was in a great hall lined with windows. I was told there is also an upstairs room for ceremonies as well, not much natural light in their though. Behind the ceremony was a giant chess set you could play with. There were giant thrones for photos and outside a miniature train set up as well.
The room where the reception was held was great