Castle Farms was built in 1918 as a model working dairy farm by the acting president of Sears, Roebuck & Co. Today, it offers guests the chance to stroll through nearly 100 years of history. Year round self-guided tours give visitors the opportunity to visit the buildings and gardens at their own pace, while summer guided tours offer a more in-depth tour full of stories and fascinating historical facts from a professional tour guide.
Families will find much to enjoy, including ponds for feeding fish and ducks, the Enchanted Forest full of gnomes, the Alphabet Garden with whimsical art, the towering Hedge Maze with overhead trains, and Norm the resident dragon. Castle Farms is home to Michigan's largest outdoor model railroad, a favorite for young and old alike. G, HO, and N-scale trains are represented in both whimsical and traditional displays. Open May-October, weather permitting, the railroad currently boasts over 70 trains and over 2500 feet of track.
Those looking for a leisurely day will enjoy the extensive museum quality collections featuring royal family memorabilia from around the world as well as the 1918 Museum. The museum is dedicated to the WWI era and showcases many items found in the Sears Roebuck catalog from that time. The acres of formal and informal gardens are a joy from late spring through fall and offer many photo opportunities.
Plan at least 2 hours for your visit, but many families spend the entire day on the grounds and bring a picnic lunch. An on-site Gift Shop will surprise you with unique items for the home, jewelry, scarves, kids' castle-themed fun, books by local authors, and fairy garden accessories.
Check out Castle Farms' calendar to see all the awesome events happening there throughout the year. Completely restored to its original splendor Castle Farms hosts tours, weddings, and charity and corporate events.
Hours and admission may be found here.
