Wellington Inn at Christmastime

Discover the beauty of the Wellington Inn at Christmastime

If you’ve ever wandered down historic 6th Street and Washington in Traverse City and wondered what it would be like to live in those huge Victorian homes then this is for you. The Wellington Inn is opening their doors to the community for the 11th season in a celebration of old fashioned Christmas spirit. I stopped by the Inn this week for a behind-the-scenes peek at what’s to come this weekend and next during their annual Inn at Christmastime extravaganza.

Located at the corner of Wellington and Washington, just blocks from downtown Traverse City, is the Antiquities Wellington Inn. Built in 1905 this neo-classical mansion is owned and operated as a Bed & Breakfast by Barb and Hank Rishel. Passionate about preserving and sharing the history of Traverse City’s turn-of-the-century culture they have painstakingly decorated the inn in period furnishings. But the inn is never more beautiful than during the holiday season.

For the last eleven years the Rishels and their housekeeping staff spend a month decorating the inn in festive trimmings. From the grand front porch to the third floor ballroom each room is decked from bedpost to banister in colorful themes. They invite you to get in the holiday spirit with a tour through time and tradition.

Open the door to another place in time this holiday season.

The Wellington Inn will open their doors on Sunday December 8th & 15th from 1–5pm. Docents will be stationed throughout the inn sharing the history of the family who built it, the life they led, showcased in the details that surround you in every room. Your self-guided tour will end in the grand ballroom with cookies and hot mulled cider.

The cost is $10 at the door. These photos are merely a preview of the beauty that awaits inside the Wellington Inn at Christmastime.