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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."

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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Hear ye, year ye

Chip and joanna gaines' new fixer upper castle is opening for tours in waco.

Sound the trumpets! Texas' king and queen of home renovations, Chip and Joanna Gaines , are opening the doors to their castle and letting peasants traipse in.

Okay, so it's not a real royal castle — it's a historic castle-style home in Waco that they've just renovated — but the invitation still stands.

For the first time ever, the public will get to step inside a Fixer Upper property before it's featured on the Gaineses' home-reno show. According to Magnolia Network, the castle's painstaking and Herculean renovation will be the subject of the eight-episode special Fixer Upper: Welcome Home – The Castle , airing in September.

But before the show airs, the couple is offering intimate guided tours of the century-old structure in Waco's posh Castle Heights neighborhood, July 21 through October 26, 2022.

The Gaineses told The Insider that the tours will give Fixer Upper fans a look at every room in the castle and will focus on Joanna's approach to designing the house. The project, they said, has reminded them of the power of "beauty in unexpected places."

"For nearly 20 years, we dreamed and imagined what it would be like to breathe new life into this abandoned, century-old castle," they told the magazine. "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,"

A Magnolia representative calls the castle "the most historic restoration project that Chip and Jo have ever done."

The three-story, 6,700-square-foot castle — located at 3300 Austin Ave. — became known around Waco as the Cottonland Castle. According to the Waco Tribune-Herald , construction started in 1890 and was completed in 1913. "[The] finished residence, modeled after a German castle on the Rhine River," the Trib says, "included a tower, servants’ quarters, eight fireplaces and interior touches such as Italian Carrara marble, Honduran mahogany paneling and Caen stone from France, according to the wacohistory.org account."

Joanna wrote in a blog post that she and Chip had been eyeing the property for a long time. "We’d drive by often, and Chip never ceased dreaming aloud about how fun it would be to restore the house to its former glory," she wrote. "Sure, he had heard rumors of the water damage inside and the serious plumbing problems and the tangles of knob- and-tube wiring. But those things couldn’t keep this dreamer from dreaming and imagining what it would be like to breathe new life into the old place."

The Gaineses bought the property in 2019. According to the Trib , the price they paid was not disclosed, "but the property was listed at $425,000 and had a tax appraisal of $350,700 at the time. It is now appraised at $1,127,470 for tax purposes."

The public tours are also an open house of sorts. Eventually, a Magnolia representative says, the castle will be made available for purchase. Tour attendees will get to see the home staged exactly how it will be shown on the show this fall, the website says.

Tour tickets are $50 per person (kids age 7 and younger are free), with 20 percent of proceeds benefiting The Cove nonprofit organization; they're on sale now. (Note that home does not have an elevator and requires guests’ ability to access three staircases, they say.)

For more information and tickets, visit the website .

Jo and Chip in front of a Caen stone fireplace in the Cottonland Castle.

We will not share or sell your email address., this week's hot headlines, safest north texas cities top this week's 5 most-read dallas stories.

Editor's note: A lot happened this week, so here's your chance to get caught up. Read on for the week's most popular headlines. Looking for the best things to do this weekend? Find that list here .

1. 7 affordable Dallas neighbors rank among America's list of safest cities . Crime may be a concern for some Texans, but the Dallas-Fort Worth area has it pretty good: Seven cities across North Texas – McKinney, Frisco, Grand Prairie, Plano, Carrollton, Richardson, and Denton – were named the safest and most affordable cities to live in the U.S., as declared in a new report by GoBankingRates.

2. Video captures SUV mowing down 2 bicyclists near Dallas Fort Worth Airport . A horrifying encounter near Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport between car and bicycle has made international news. The encounter, which took place on June 17, involved two bicyclists, who were rammed by an SUV and thrown off their bikes to the ground, before one was run over by a car — with the entire scene caught on video .

3. Dallas Tex-Mex master to open Eddie's Cocina & Cantina in El Fenix space . A much-respected Dallas Tex-Mex restaurant is expanding: Eddie’s Cocina & Cantina , the popular eatery from legendary restaurateur Eddie Cervantes, is opening at 5622 Lemmon Ave., in the Lemmonwood Shopping Center at the corner of Inwood Road.

4. 8 Dallas-based companies hailed best places to work by U.S. News . Eight Dallas-based companies are sharing the spotlight in U.S. News and World Report's collection of the "Best Companies to Work For" in 2024-2025.

5. Raising children in Dallas is surprisingly affordable, study finds. For those considering starting a family, it's important to know the financial realities of raising a child. In Dallas-Fort Worth- Arlington, the annual costs of raising just one child can add up to nearly $22,000 per year.

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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 their upcoming series Fixer Upper: Welcome Home - The Castle

Chip and Joanna Gaines are welcoming Fixer Upper fans inside their latest renovation project — a 100-year-old castle !

Magnolia will offer one-hour guided tours of the newly renovated Cottonland Castle — which is featured on the upcoming show, Fixer Upper: Welcome Home - The Castle — in the couple's hometown of Waco, Texas.

"The guided, walking tour will focus on both the rich history of the castle itself and the design elements of the renovation," according to a press release from the company.

Magnolia Chief Brand Officer Kate Barton called the tour "a unique opportunity" for Fixer Upper viewers.

"We're happy to help preserve this iconic piece of the city's history," she shared. "And we are so excited to welcome guests and locals alike to experience the oldest, most challenging restoration project Chip, Joanna and team have ever completed."

Tours will run regularly Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and tickets are $50. Twenty percent of the tour profits will be donated to The Cove, a drop-in center that provides a safe space for high schoolers experiencing homelessness.

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On the eight-episode limited series Fixer Upper Welcome Home - The Castle, which premieres in September on the Magnolia Network, Chip and Joanna carefully navigate preserving the historic property's integrity and beauty.

In the winter 2019 issue of Magnolia Journal , Joanna opened up about purchasing the 1913 property, saying it was their dream to restore the structure in downtown Waco, but the journey to purchasing the castle was lengthy.

"For nearly two decades, Chip watched and waited, persistently putting in offers whenever the castle was re-listed — each one passed over for someone else, while very few improvements appeared to be made," Joanna shared.

Joanna admitted she didn't initially see the allure for the opportunity, but her husband persisted, writing, "Chip saw the beauty and potential in this place years earlier than I did, but he never gave up, and because of that, we now get to make this castle beautiful again."

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Magnolia Castle Tour Highlights

Hi Friends! 

I hope you all had a great weekend!

A couple of weeks ago (as some of you know), I spent a few days down in Waco visiting one of my favorite spots – Magnolia and the Silos. During my trip, I ventured to the Magnolia Castle with my mom and girlfriends and discovered firsthand why this place is so special! The castle was my favorite part of our Waco trip!

If you can’t view the photos on this blog, click here .

Although the castle first began to be built in 1890, it didn’t reach any sort of completion until 1913. From this time to 1977, the property and castle structure thrived and in 1977, under the guidance of its owner, the castle received historical designation. Unfortunately, during the 1990’s until 2019, the castle wasn’t well maintained, causing damage and the need for great repair. That’s when the heroes of our story (hint, that’s Chip and Joanna) stepped in and purchased the castle. And, of course, their main mission: to restore the castle to its intended glory! To learn more about the castle and the story behind its renovation, click here .

Although I had seen enough pictures, watched plenty of videos, and dreamed plenty of dreams to feel like I had been there already, I realized quickly that there was no way everything I viewed or dreamed could capture the magnificence of the castle and the experience it gives you!

One thing that left a big impression is that the design throughout is careful to maintain the integrity of the original structure, even its earliest iterations from 1890. While I love the style we now so quickly associate with the dynamic Gaines duo (who doesn’t love all things Magnolia?!), I appreciate that this project displays the value of keeping the history of the castle in tact, even down to the design elements and choices. Here are a few of my favorite photos that I took during our trip.

It was not surprising to find special moments around every corner, but as soon as I walked into the dining room I was just amazed! The level of detail is outstanding, and I LOVE that the vibe is completely moody! From the wallpaper selection to the painted black ceiling, guests at this table must feel completed enraptured by the moody colors and the dark atmosphere, exhibiting the perfect touch of ambiance.

Because the style of the castle is so very different from the many projects completed by Magnolia, during the process, Joanna Gaines developed a full line of paint colors to complete every room. Though encompassing a range of colors, including a family of white tones, this line is rich and full of deep tones, giving a beautiful nod to the history and story of this enchanting structure. Check out the full line here .

Also, while we were there, we ate at a fabulous Italian restaurant nearby. Characterized by authentic Italian cuisine, Moroso more than delivered on service and taste! It is an ABSOLUTE MUST when visiting Waco! Below our some pics of the yummy dishes we ordered: Ravioli Di Zucca, a delicious butternut squash ravioli with sage, & classic wood fired pizza, Margherita style!

I want to give my girls a big shout out for being my traveling buddies and happy companions during our visit and tour of the castle! I would do it again in a heartbeat!

And in case you missed it, this is not my first trip to Waco, in fact it is my 7th trip : ) In a recent blog post, I shared all about our stay at the   Gathering Oaks Retreat Center and announced that I’m considering doing ladies Waco Trip for any FunCycled fan in early 2025 and renting out the whole retreat center!!  To read the full blog, click here . AND If you’d be interested in learning more about this, and being on the email list for more detailed information,  please fill out this form .

Thank you all for following along! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture. 

If you’ve enjoyed this post, please like FunCycled on   Facebook ,  Instagram  and  Pinterest  if you don’t already. Keep up to date on the newest finds, vote on colors and give your input on our creativity. We share fun tutorials, great before and after, and new design inspirations. 

We offer interior design, kitchen cabinet painting, and custom built tables, barn doors, and repurposed furniture. Thank you, again, for working with us and for taking the time to spread the word about what we do. 

Happy FunCycling Friends,

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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.

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

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 Joanna Gaines, guests can book an hour-long tour of the more than 6,000 square foot home. Tickets are $50 per person, with children under 4 free. 

For over two decades, Joanna Gaines said she watched her husband “persistently put in offers whenever the castle was relisted—each one passed over for someone else, while very few improvements appeared to be made.” 

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

Eventually purchased by the Gaines in 2019, the four bedroom castle has been lovingly restored to its former glory when it was originally built with luxurious finishes, including French Caen stone, Italian Carrara marble, and Honduran mahogany paneling. 

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

The Gaines will become the next in a long line of former owners as they offer the home for sale, hopeful it will become a family home once more.

More: HGTV stars Chip and Joanna Gaines list popular Magnolia House for $995,000

'Fixer Upper' fans will be able to tour the castle Chip and Joanna Gaines are renovating before their new spinoff airs

• Chip and Joanna Gaines are renovating a castle in Waco, Texas.
• They're offering guided tours of the castle for $50 per ticket from July to October.
• The renovation will be featured on "Fixer Upper: Welcome Home - The Castle." 

For the first time ever, Chip and Joanna Gaines are letting their fans see a "Fixer Upper" renovation in person. 

On May 18, the Gaineses announced they would be renovating the Cottonland Castle for their upcoming spinoff series "Fixer Upper: Welcome Home - The Castle."

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 in 1991, according to Magnolia. 

"We'd drive by often, and Chip never ceased dreaming aloud about how fun it would be to restore the house to its former glory," Joanna wrote. 

"No doubt about it, this is a fixer-upper unlike any other we've ever tackled," she went on to write. "Even though we haven't the slightest idea of what it will become, what Chip did know all along, deep in his bones, and what I have learned to see too, is this: 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."

The series about the renovation will air in September on the Magnolia Network, along with a slate of other new shows.

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But before the show premieres, the Gaineses will be offering "intimate guided tours" of the castle, as a representative for Magnolia exclusively told Insider.

The small group tours will give "Fixer Upper" fans a look at every room in the castle. The majority of the tour will focus on Joanna's approach to designing the house, though visitors will also learn about its history. 

Chip and Joanna told Insider that the project has reminded them of the power of "beauty in unexpected places."

"For nearly 20 years, we dreamed and imagined what it would be like to breathe new life into this abandoned, century-old castle," they said. "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 Gaineses added.

The tours will run from July 21 to October 26, Monday through Saturday, and tickets will cost $50, though children 7 years old and younger can attend for free.

Tickets are available for purchase today on the Magnolia website.

"For the first time ever, we're offering 'Fixer Upper' fans an opportunity to tour one of the homes from the show in person," Magnolia's chief brand officer, Kate Barton, said. "We are excited to have guests come to Waco and see in person the most historic restoration project that Chip and Jo have ever done."

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