Cottonland Castle
3300 Austin Ave, Waco, Texas
Cottonland Castle began as an unframed home built in 1890 and was transformed to mimic a castle along Germany’s Rhine River. The white sandstone and limestone exterior gave the Castle Heights neighborhood its name. Cottonland Castle eventually fell into disrepair until it was renovated on the television show Fixer Upper: The Castle and opened to the public for tours.
Purchased in 2019, Cottonland Castle is one of the largest projects that renovators Chip and Joanna Gaines did in Waco. They completed renovations in 2022, which you can see on a paid, guided tour. Seeing this home is an unusual opportunity because most Waco homes on Fixer Upper are private residences without tours. The Gaines have plans to sell the castle to a private owner, so you should jump on the chance to see it.
Kids aged 3 and younger can tour the castle for free with a paid adult.
Some furnishings in the castle are available for purchase.
Visitors must be able to walk three sets of stairs inside the castle.
Cottonland Castle is located in the Castle Heights neighborhood of Waco at 3300 Austin Avenue. It is 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) away from Magnolia Market. Driving is the easiest way to arrive. The Nos. 1 and 2 bus lines stop one block north of the Castle, which is the cheapest option. Rideshares and cabs will cost more but save time. You could also cycle directly from the Waco Convention Center to the Cottonland Castle while staying on Austin Avenue.
The Cottonland Castle is private property in a residential neighborhood, so if you want to view the exterior, you must do it from the sidewalk. To tour the castle, you need to purchase tickets in advance. Limited spots are available each day; aim to arrive 15 minutes before the tour starts to ensure you don’t get caught in traffic.
Cottonland Castle was named for Waco’s booming cotton industry at the turn of the 20th century. You can learn more about how cotton transformed the city with a visit to the Taylor Museum of Waco & McLennan County History. It features an exhibit on the Texas Cotton Palace, the former site that celebrated Waco’s cotton industry and culture.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!