See the Mushroom Houses of Charlevoix, Michigan! We have compiled everything you need for a successful self-guided tour of these unique structures. It’s whimsical architecture at its best!
Imagine little earthy houses sprouting like mushrooms right from the mossy ground of Northern Michigan. These wonderful little homes designed by Earl Young (a homegrown and self-taught architect) can only be found in the beautiful town of Charlevoix, Michigan.
Seriously. These whimsical structures look like something straight out of a fairytale, and are often referred to as Mushroom Houses or Hobbit Homes.
A tour of these unique dwellings is certain to inspire children of all ages to dream wonderful and fantastical things.
Self-Guided Mushroom House Tours
Our tour is split into two parts – a walking tour of the Park Avenue area and a driving tour of the Boulder Park area.
IMPORTANT! The Charlevoix Mushroom Houses are all privately-owned residences. Please respect the privacy of the owners. Do NOT walk on their property. Do NOT try to enter their homes. Do NOT knock on their doors. You are welcome to take pictures from the road or sidewalk.
Table of Contents
There is a lot of information in this post. Feel free to use these links to quickly jump between sections as needed.
Architecture Details to Pay Attention
Park Avenue Area Walking Tour Instructions and Map
Helpful Resources
Before you go, gather up all the materials you will need.
- Print this guide (with maps and instructions)
- Have directions/map on hand
- Bring your camera
- Visit the Harsha House Museum at 103 State Street and purchase A Guide to Earl Young Structures. This small 4 x 6 guide book may be tiny in size but it is chock full of interesting details about, both, the architect and the buildings. Additionally, it provides pictures which let us know with certainty that we were indeed admiring the correct structures. This book cost only $5 at the time of our last visit.
- Get the Charlevoix Historical Society brochure which includes a map. You can download/print this online here or grab one of these free brochures at the Charlevoix Visitor Center located at 109 Mason Street. (These brochures might also be available at the Harsha House Museum.)
- Read our other article about the unique architecture of the Mushroom Houses.
RELATED: You may also be interested in a guided tour offered by Mushroom House Tours. We have not been on this tour ourselves but we have seen tour guides taking people around in a vehicle that looks much like an extended golf cart with seat belts. I have overheard some of the interesting facts they share, and from what I have observed, I think this professionally guided tour would be worthwhile and interesting.
Mushroom House Architecture Details
Earl Young’s structures, lovingly referred to as Mushroom Houses or Hobbit Homes, are special because of all their interesting small details.
READ MORE: Distinctive Characteristics of the Charlevoix Mushroom Houses
In general, pay attention to the following:
- Rounded shapes of the homes including the roofs, doors and windows
- Beautiful stonework including the types of local stones used (even boulders pulled right from Lake Michigan)
- Unique mortar colors
- Chimneys with interesting shapes and details
- How the homes were often built right into the surrounding landscapes
Mushroom House Favorites
While all of the Mushroom Houses are wonderful, our family had a few definite favorites.
Park Avenue Area Favorites
Thatch House – Formerly called Sunset Villa, you cannot miss this large home with its lovely stone work and a distinctive oversized thatched roof. This impressive structure at 304 Park Avenue was the first Earl Young creation we saw during our walking tour, and wow, it is magnificent!
The Half House – Appropriately called the Half House, the structure at 302 Park Avenue looks like someone cut a cute little mushroom house right in half. It is said that this home was built by the imaginative Earl Young as a wedding gift for his daughter. Can you imagine receiving such a charming gift?!?
Abide – I fell in love with this adorable little cottage located at 310 Park Avenue. I’m captivated by its rounded windows with red trim and the way it is tucked in snugly between the trees. It just looks cozy and relaxing.
The Mushroom House – This mushroom house located on the corner of Grant and Clinton is the most photographed of all the homes built by Earl Young. It embodies many of the homegrown architect’s iconic architectural features. Shaped like a button mushroom, this home features rounded shapes, a wavy and rounded roofline, a covered entrance, a frosted chimney and more. Additionally, check out the leaded glass windows. These windows were imported from a Polish castle especially for this house.
Boulder Park Avenue Favorites
The Sucher House – The Sucher House is located on Park Avenue near Lake Shore Drive. Like all of Young’s masterpieces, it is a beautiful and unique building. Sometimes called Thirds House, it features 3 chimneys and 3 front windows. Additionally, it is said that when looking out its back window you will see 1/3 grass, 1/3 water and 1/3 sky. Despite these interesting details, I really fell in love with its lovely views of Lake Michigan and the meandering limestone fence wandering through the property.
Boulder Manor – This magnificent large home is located on Lakeshore Drive. It is beautifully framed by a handful of birch trees and has a number of interesting details that adds to its charm. Two of my favorite details are the beautiful stonework surrounding the arched front window and how the front entrance is carefully hidden behind boulder-clad arches to the right of the front window.
The Boulder Manor Playhouse – Oh, how I wanted to be a kid again so I could play in this cute playhouse behind Boulder Manor! It is said that Earl Young built this little stone playhouse to keep his daughters and their friends happily occupied while he worked on building the big house. This beautiful small stone structure is complete with a little fireplace and scaled down kid-sized furniture. And of course, the tiny house includes many of Young’s distinctive architectural trademarks such as beautiful stonework, arched windows and doorway, exposed rafter tails and a whimsical walkway.
The Owl House – On Boulder Avenue, you will find this stone cottage featuring two large semi-circle front windows with a centered windowbox between them. It strikes a resemblance to the face of an owl, and thus, this charming structure was nicknamed the Owl House. Its beautiful stonework and whimsical design give it a fairytale-like quality that we were drawn to. Plus, it really does kind of look like an owl.
Mushroom House Walking Tour
Park Avenue Area Walking Tour Instructions and Map
Eleven mushroom houses can be found along a triangular block in the Park Avenue area consisting of Grant Street, Clinton Street and Park Avenue.
It is less than a half-mile walk around the block. We recommend you find a place to park, and then wander this portion of the Mushroom House tour by foot.
Click here to print our self-guided tour map and directions (PDF document).
1 | 103 Grant Street – THE Mushroom House
2 | 101 Grant Street
3 | 300 Park Avenue – The Pines
PRO TIP: Across the street on Park Avenue, you will see a large boulder on display. It is a proper representation of the types of boulders architect Earl Young loved to include in his structures. It is also a great photo opportunity.
4 | 302 Park Avenue – Half House
5 | 304 Park Avenue – Thatch House (formerly called Sunset Villa)
6 | 306 Park Avenue – Earl Young’s 2nd personal residence
7 | 308 Park Avenue – Betide
8 | 310 Park Avenue – Abide
9 | 316 Clinton Street
10 | 305 Clinton Street
11 | 303 Clinton Street
CLICK HERE TO PRINT THESE INSTRUCTIONS AND MAPS. (PDF document).
CLICK HERE FOR WALKING INSTRUCTIONS FROM GOOGLE MAPS.
Where to Park for your Mushroom House Walking Tour
You can usually find street parking right there on Grant Street, Clinton Street or Park Avenue.
You could also consider parking at the nearby Michigan Beach Park at 95 N Grant Street. It is a short 2-block walk to the first Mushroom House on our tour.
SIDE NOTE: Michigan Beach Park is my favorite place to look for Petoskey Stones.
You could even consider parking along Bridge Street. It is a short ¼-mile walk from Bridge Street to the start of our Mushroom House tour. (We like to treat ourselves to ice cream at the Kilwins right there on Bridge Street immediately after the walking portion of our tour.)
Mushroom House Driving Tour
Boulder Park Driving Tour Instructions and Map
After completing the walking portion of the Self-Guided Mushroom Houses Tour, hop back into your vehicle. The remainder is a driving tour of the Boulder Park area.
Boulder Park Driving Instructions
As you follow these instructions, be on the lookout for the twelve Earl Young structures of Boulder Park.
PRO TIP: Watch for a Boulder Park sign along Lakeshore Drive. Not surprisingly, the words are actually affixed to a large boulder.
Follow Park Avenue toward Lake Shore Drive. Watch for houses 1 and 2 on Park Avenue right before Lakeshore Drive.
Curve right onto Lake Shore Drive. Look for Boulder Manor (#3).
Turn left onto Western Road. Check out house 4.
Turn left onto Boulder Ave. See houses 5 and 6.
Turn right on Eastern Road. See house 7.
Make a left on Lakeview Ave and check out house 8.
Follow the curve back onto Boulder Ave. Get another view of Boulder Manor. Then, check out houses 9 through 11 all in a row.
Turn right onto Eastern Road to head back to Lake Shore Drive. View house 12.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THESE DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS ON GOOGLE MAPS
1 | Sucher House
On Park Ave. Also referred to as Thirds House.
2 | Red Sandstone House
On Park Ave across from Sucher House
3 | Boulder Manor
Address is actually on Boulder Ave but can be seen from both Lake Shore Drive and Boulder Ave.
4 | Panama House
On corner of Western Road and Lakeshore Drive
5 | Green Mortar House
On Boulder Ave between Western and Eastern
6 | Chalet House
On Boulder Ave between Western and Eastern
PRO TIP: Don’t miss the row of mailboxes inspired by Earl Young’s architecture and stonework. These mailboxes can be found on Eastern Road.
7 | White Mortar House
On Eastern Road
8 | Enchanted Cottage
On Lakeview Ave
9 | Pagoda House
On Boulder Ave
10 | Owl House
On Boulder Ave
11 | Red Mortar House
On Boulder Ave
12 | Lakeshore Drive House (not pictured)
On corner of Eastern Rd and Lakeshore Drive
Other Earl Young Structures
Two More Mushroom Houses
Earl Young built two other homes – A-Frame House and Castle House – that are not included on this tour. Both of these homes are on Thistle Downs Drive (also located in Charlevoix but on the other side of the channel).
It is my understanding that cars are not permitted along that part of Thistle Downs Drive. It is pedestrian traffic only.
We have not had the pleasure of seeing either of these homes in person. If you go, please tell us about them. We would love to hear about it and see pictures.
Earl Young’s Commercial Structures
After our driving tour of the Mushroom Houses, we drove back to Bridge Street and headed toward the channel in order to get a closer look at Earl Young’s commercial structures, the Weathervane and the Lodge.
Inside the Mushroom Houses
Since most of his structures are privately owned residences, we did not see inside any of the homes. However, I have heard that their interiors are just as magical as their exteriors. The windows, arches and fireplaces are supposedly phenomenal.
While you are in town, pay a visit to the Weathervane to get an idea of just how marvelous an Earl Young fireplace can be.
I spent $22 in a Charlevoix gift shop to purchase a copy of the Mushroom Houses of Charlevoix book by Mike Barton. I’m glad I did because the pictures in it are gorgeous. These homes are just as beautiful inside as they are outside. Click here to view these pictures online. I bet you will enjoy his pictures as much as I did.
Hobbit Houses for Rent
If you just can’t get enough of these unique dwellings, why not stay in one for your next vacation?
Book a stay in the Half House.
Or, check out one of these other Mushroom House Rentals including the Thatch House and other Earl Young creations along with a whimsical structure designed and built by Earl Young’s daughter.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
- Distinctive characteristics of the Earl Young Mushroom Houses
- Fun things to do in the nearby town of Petoskey
- Ride the historic Ironton Ferry in Charlevoix
- Visit the nearby Lavender Hill Farm
- Beauty and Adventure: A Northern Michigan Fall Color Tour
What Do You Think of the Mushroom Houses?
You already know that I love these whimsical dwellings. Now, I would love to hear what you think of them.
- Would you enjoy a tour of the Charlevoix Mushroom Houses?
- Which Mushroom House is your favorite?
- Which of their architectural features do you find most interesting?
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I think the Half House is my absolutely favourite (though they’re all charming) – it’s just so whimsical and imaginative!
Besides the adorable little playhouse, the Half House is probably my favorite, too. Although, I am also in love with that beautiful meandering fence at the Sucher House!
Wow, how cool!!
I had no idea Charlevoix had all these cute little houses or was known for them!! I’m from Michigan and we went to Charlevoix a lot when I was little… it must have gone over my head. I need to go back now!
If you want the full mushroom house experience on your next trip, I have heard that one or two of them are available as travel rentals. That would make for a unique vacation!
They do look quirky and inviting, though I’d worry they might be dark inside?
I have wondered about that myself. The insides are filled with all sorts of neat features like fireplaces designed with boulders as a focal point, glass windows imported from European castles, whimsically-shaped door frames, and rugged wooden ceiling rafters. But you’re right, it seems like it would be a little dark inside.
oh my gosh- this is absolutely adorable and makes me want to visit Michigan simply to see this. We’re taking the Lake Superior Circle Tour this September and it looks like we may be able to stop by here, as we plan to go to Mackinac Island. I think I will add this to our itinerary. Love it!
Lake Superior Circle tour? How fun will that be!?! We have done portions of it through Michigan’s upper penninsula and parts of Minnesota. My favorite stops included Split Rock Lighthouse near Two Harbors, MN and the pictured rocks boat tour in Munising, MI. If you end up visiting the mushroom houses in Charlevoix, be sure to let me know what you think.
How fun! We’ll definitely look into the rental idea you mentioned in the comments. That would be an awesome way to really experience a mushroom house! There are a few more places we’d like to visit not far away. Looks like it’s time to take a UP trip!
Wouldn’t that be fun to stay in a mushroom house?!? If you do it, I hope you share your experience. And yes, there is so much neat stuff to see and do nearby – Ernest Hemingway’s old haunts, Petoskey Stones, chocolate factory tours, the Wright Brothers storefront facade , Headlands International Sky Park, and of course, the UP. (So much to see and do in the UP!!!!) Hmmmm. Maybe I need to schedule another trip in that direction soon. 🙂
Thanks for the article. It’s dear to my heart because my mom was one Earl Young’s daughters friends, who played in the boulder house playhouse. She would also have sleepovers there. She’s 88 now, but whenever she talks about it, she gets a gleam in her eye. He was an amazing man.
Oh, wow! Thank you for sharing that story! I bet your mom and Young’s daughters had a blast playing in that adorable little playhouse. What great memories they must’ve made together there!
these houses are awesome! When googling I saw some VRBO posts for these- apparently you can rent some out!
I’ve seen that there are a couple available as vacation rentals. Wouldn’t that be a neat experience? I would love to see one of these adorable houses from the inside.
Fascinating! I’ve never heard of them, but am so intrigued by them!
They are fascinating, aren’t they? I’m a little obsessed with them! My husband and I did this self-guided tour a few years ago. Then, we brought the kids and did the tour again a couple years later. I notice new little details on each and every visit!
This isn’t the first article I’ve read about these intriguing homes, but it is the most inspirational and complete. I sooooo want to visit and I love that you rent some! ~ Sage Scott, the Everyday Wanderer
This is so cool, I love it. I would love to rent a home and stay!
Wouldn’t that be fun to stay overnight in a Mushroom House? Admire the whimsical and architectural details inside and out and right up close… #DreamComeTrue
These little houses look so cute. For sure need to add this to a Michigan trip!
Aren’t they adorable??? And, some of them are available as vacation rentals. Wouldn’t that be a cool experience?
This is so fun! Thanks so much for the instructions and maps. This has now gone on my bucket list.
So much fun! We’ve done the tour twice now because we think they are so neat.
How cool and fun! I think it’d be neat to stay in one!
These mushroom houses are so charming! I’ve bookmarked this post 🙂
I lived an hour south in Traverse City for most of my life. I used to love to do drive by’s of the Mushroom houses, and show them off to visiting friends. We always ate at “The Weathervane Inn. I never knew that there are rentals available. On my bucket list for next trip home. Thanks for the walk down memory lane.
My father and Grandfather were the stone masons that did the unique stonework from mid-1940 to mid 1960❤️
Wow! Such beautiful craftsmanship! Thank you for sharing this fascinating detail from your family’s history. I would love to hear more about it if you ever wanted to chat.
The Charlevoix Historical Society published a biography about Earl Young written by David Miles last year. The book is wonderful and shows many colored photos of the Mushroom Houses inside and out. The book may be purchased at Harsha House, 103 State Street, Charlevoix.
Fantastic! Thank you for sharing that information. I didn’t know about this book yet. I will definitely check it out.
Hi–My name is David Miles, Curator of the Charlevoix Historical Society Museum at Harsha House. A friend in California just sent me this site, and someone put in a tremendous amount of time and energy to create it. I want to thank you for mention of the availability of the Earl Young walking and driving guidebook available at the museum. I would also like to inform you that the Historical Society offers walking tours of the Park Avenue houses and the exterior of the Weathervane Inn Restaurant. We need hopefully 48 or more hours advance notice, no more than 24 hours in a pinch, to line up a guide. Our contact is (231) 547-0373, or email info@chxhistory.com. Rates are 1-5 people, flat rate $65. 6 or more $12 per person, children ages 12 and under free. We also have produced a 171-page hardcover biography of Earl Young’s life and creations, illustrated by over 390 images. It was named by the Library of Michigan as one of its Notable Books of 2020, and in 2021 the Historical Society of Michigan honored it with a State History Award. Thanks again for such a beautiful effort that can only bring more people to Charlevoix to discover the amazing creations of this amazing man. Go to http://www.chxhistory.com for more information. Stop by if you are again in the area, 103 State Street.
Thank you for compiling this. My family stopped here and did the walking and driving tour. We are on our way to the UP to find yooperlite rocks.