Top-rated for creating memorable stays with your pets.
Centrally-located
You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
Sleeps 12•4 bedrooms•5 beds
Popular amenities
Onsite parking available
Dogs and cats allowed
Kitchen
Washing machine
Air-conditioning
Barbecue
Explore the area
Empire, MI
beach near Village Park
Place, beach near Village Park
5 min walk
Philip A. Hart Visitor Center
Place, Philip A. Hart Visitor Center
10 min walk
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Place, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
13 min walk
Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
42 min drive
Rooms & beds
4 bedrooms (sleeps 12)
Bedroom 2
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 3
1 Double Bed
Bedroom 4
1 Queen Bed
Common area 1
1 Double Futon
Common area 1
1 Queen Bed
2 bathrooms
Bathroom 1
Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only
Bathroom 2
Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only
Upstairs
Toilet · Shower only
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
About this property
Welcome to our farmhouse! Come and enjoy Empire. You will be happy you did.
Cozy farmhouse situated in Village of Empire with easy access to the beach and Village amenities. Short drive to Glen Arbor and the most popular access points for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Short drive to nearby golf courses within 30 minutes of Traverse City, Leeland and other popular destinations. Two bathrooms, both with showers, window AC units in upstairs bedrooms with ceiling fans. The kitchen is fully equipped. There is porch side room for bikes and other gear. Sleeps 10
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Events allowed: family gatherings and birthday parties
Disclose how the house will be used in advance.
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Pets
Pets allowed: dogs and cats (limit 1 total)
Please tell me about your pets and flea treatment.
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Hang, or wash/dry, wet towels. No wild parties. Tell me about your pets' character in advance. Don't put grills against the house.
Dogs and cats are allowed but must be treated for fleas and ticks. Please ask me about pets when booking.
The green garbage bags under the sink are pre-paid for early Tuesday morning trash pickup. The bags can't go out Monday night due to the critters.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 2744271vb
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings and birthday parties) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 10
Note from host: Disclose how the house will be used in advance.
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Empire
Located in Downtown Mmpire, a neighbourhood in Empire, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a lake. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Lake Michigan. Travelling with kids? Consider Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum and Burnett Park. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and mountain biking.
Philip A. Hart Visitor Center - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
Empire Bluff Trail - 3 min drive - 1.8 km
Getting around
Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 43 min drive
Restaurants
Shipwreck Cafe - 7 min walk
Joes Friendly Tavern - 1 min walk
Empire Village Pizza & Spirits - 8 min walk
Little Finger Eatery - 1 min walk
Moon Dog - 8 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Welcome to our farmhouse! Come and enjoy Empire. You will be happy you did. pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 1 total).
How much does it cost to stay at Welcome to our farmhouse! Come and enjoy Empire. You will be happy you did.?
As of 31 July 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Welcome to our farmhouse! Come and enjoy Empire. You will be happy you did. on 4 November 2026 start from NZ$1,285, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Welcome to our farmhouse! Come and enjoy Empire. You will be happy you did.?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Welcome to our farmhouse! Come and enjoy Empire. You will be happy you did.?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Welcome to our farmhouse! Come and enjoy Empire. You will be happy you did.?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Welcome to our farmhouse! Come and enjoy Empire. You will be happy you did. located?
This family-friendly Empire holiday home is located on a lake, within a 10-minute walk of South Bar Lake and Lake Michigan. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is 0.6 mi (1 km) away.
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Excellent house and so close to the beach! We walked to the beach and a short drive to hikes. Lots of kid toys and a huge yard. Host was very friendly and helpful.
The house was clean and comfortable with the charm of an older farmhouse, but it felt updated just enough. Francis was responsive and easy to work with. The beds were comfortable with plenty of room for a larger party. Back yard was great for our dog to run around in. We loved it and would easily stay there again.
Robin B.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 11 June 2026
I really appreciate the positive comments and am happy to extend this service to all of my guests.
This was perfectly located for our Sleeping Bear Dunes trip and there was way more space thsn we needed for a mom and 10 year old! Good communication from owner. We felt safe and comfortable and loved the walkability to everything in town!
Hands down an amazing place to stay. Centrally located to meet all the needs of our group. House was clean, comfortable and fully stocked. The communication with owners was very easy. If we ever return to Empire, this is where we will stay.
Lovely home, comfortable for our whole group, well-stocked kitchen. Loved the proximity to town and the beach, my daughter loved the playground on the beach.
Melissa B.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 29 June 2023
So glad you enjoyed your stay. I always feel happy when people enjoy Empire. Best, Francis
The host was very accommodating. The property was clean and beautifully appointed. The kids played a lot of games. It was pet-friendly and very conveniently located in Empire.
The house was the perfect place to enjoy the town and surrounding areas. Walk to the beach was such a nice bonus! Francis was a friendly and helpful host. Great stay all around!
The house was spacious and worked well for our family. We loved the fenced in yard for our pups. The location was absolutely perfect. We had fun walking to get ice cream and then walking down to the beach and watching the sunset every night. Thank you for your hospitality, and we cannot wait to be back!
Our stay was wonderful. The house was the perfect size with more than enough room. The hosts responded right away to any questions. The place had literally everything we needed!
The house was well equipped with everything we needed for our stay. It is within walking distance to the beach and restaurants. It is also within easy driving distance to beaches and parks in northwest Michigan.
We loved our stay at the farmhouse! Francis was excellent in responding whenever we had questions. The location was perfect. We loved being able to walk to the beach and downtown Empire, which were so close to the house. If and when we come to Empire again, we would be happy to rent this property again.
We came up to see the fall colors and the sleeping bear dunes. This was in a perfect spot and everything we wanted was so close. It's walking distance to a great beach and park for the kiddos. We walked down every night to watch the sunset. The cabin was perfectly cozy.
This was my second stay at the Empire Farmhouse and it was wonderful! The owner is very responsive and the house is welcoming, comfortable and clean -- with all amenities. The location is hard to beat - around a corner and 5-10 min walk to the beach. We will be coming back!
Awesome! Spacious house and quick walk to beautiful Empire Beach!
We had a group of 5 adults and 3 kids and the house had plenty of room for everyone to sleep, spread out and relax. You can't beat the location! The beach is such a quick walk, which is where we spent every afternoon, and even walked back at night because it was so close to watch four nights of spectacular sunsets. Location is prime for all adventures in the Sleeping Bear Dunes. We would definitely stay again!
Loved the house from the minute we walked in...in the heart of everything lots of room for all of us n getting ready for my daughter's beach wedding...loved it and would stay again
Francis was an amazing host! Communication was great which is a big for me. Love the little history that came with the house as well. Felt right as home 😊 We will definitely be back!
Gladys B.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
About the host
Hosted by Francis Dezelski
Why they chose this property
Helpful Hints (and quirks of an old farmhouse!)
Wifi Contact Host
Need more…? Extra pillows can be found in the green chest located in the middle bedroom off the living room on the main floor. Extra linens are stored in the laundry room shelves. Extra towels and facecloths are stored in both bathrooms (check the basket upstairs and the cabinet above the toilet downstairs).
Kitchen/Dining Area The switch for the garbage disposal is under the sink. The switches on the exhaust hood above the stove should be gently pushed up or down. Only use the two buttons on the left (light and fan). When opening the freezer chest, please do not use the front handle. Open the chest by pulling on the sides of the door. The dishwasher was recently serviced. If there are any draining issues or problems, please call or text us (see contact info). Be attentive when opening any windows, but especially the window in the dining area. This window does NOT stay open. To avoid injury, please don’t open.
Front Porch Please use caution on the front deck. The brick wall around the porch may have some loose bricks.
Back Deck/Patio The barbeque must be used on the patio, not on the deck or near the house. Please watch your step around the patio area for sharp roots where bushes were trimmed or cut. (Thanks for your patience as we continue landscaping projects!)
Trash/Recycling Please note that there is no routine trash pick-up. Trash should be bagged and left in the storage room upon departure. Recyclables can be left at the Village of Empire recycling station near the Catholic Church.
Basement Please avoid entering the basement (door in dining area) unless necessary (such as switching circuit breaker).
Storage Room The storage room can be used to store your bikes or beach gear. The key for the storage room is found in the top drawer of the wooden hutch in the kitchen/dining area.
What makes this property unique
Empire Beach & Village Park
Attractions Empire Museum (11544 LaCore Street) is open six days/week (closed on Wednesday) during the months of July and August from 1-4 pm. To find out more: http://empiremimuseum.org/
Food and Dining Tiffany’s Ice Cream/Little Finger Eatery (a hop and a skip away at 10213 W. Front Street) offers delicious Michigan-made ice-cream, fresh waffle cones, and soft serve, espresso and coffee, and specialty wraps. Open 7 days a week, 11am - 9pm.
Joe’s Friendly Tavern (across the street at 11015 W. Front Street) is a family friendly establishment offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Open 7 days/week, 8 am - 10 pm. View full menu here: https://www.joesfriendlytavern.com/
Empire Village Inn (11601 Lacore Road; short walking distance) offers dine-in and carry out. Ample menu includes starters, salads, sandwiches & wraps, burgers, and specialty pizzas. View full menu here: https://www.empirevillageinn.com/
Shipwrecked Café (11691 Lacore Road; short walking distance) offers take-out of soup, salads, sandwiches, and snacks.
Public Library The Glen Lake Community Library is just a short walk away on Front Street (10115 W. Front Street)
In case of a police, fire, or medical emergency: call 911 For non-emergency concerns: call 231-256-8800
Tidy up the living spaces (cleaning staff will thoroughly clean the house but keeping the house tidy and arranged as you found it, is very helpful!) Leave the parking permit on the kitchen table. Close and lock all windows and doors. Discard all perishables in the refrigerator unless they are of long duration and may be helpful to the guests (condiments, etc.) Leave extra non-perishables and paperware, supplies, etc. in the pantry for the next guests. Gather all trash and recyclables and deposit in the storage room. Sign the guest book on the red side table in the living room. Kindly observe the check -out time of 10:30 am.