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Historic Mayowood

3720 Mayowood Road SW · Rochester, MN

Why you should go…

Mayowood is the country estate Mayo Clinic co-founder Dr. Charles H. Mayo and his wife Edith built in 1910 on Mayowood Road southwest of Rochester. The 38-room house is shown only by guided tour, run on the hour by the History Center of Olmsted County, and is largely furnished as it was during the family's time, with original artifacts and stories about the Mayo family. Mayo Clinic owns the property; the History Center manages the tours. Tours run Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday in spring, add Thursdays July to October, and switch to decorated Christmas tours from late October to mid-December.

  • #mayo clinic
  • #historic mansion
  • #guided tour
  • #rochester
  • #house museum

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Historic Mayowood, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Museums
    History Buff

    History Center of Olmsted County

    Under $25

    A regional history museum and archive covering Rochester and Olmsted County, Minnesota.

    1.0 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Wabasha

    Free

    A Mississippi River town in southeastern Minnesota and home to the National Eagle Center.

    36 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Niagara Cave

    Under $25

    A 200-foot-deep limestone cave near Harmony with an underground stream and 60-foot waterfall.

    40 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Winona

    Free

    A Mississippi River bluff town in southeastern Minnesota known for its lakes, limestone bluffs, and historic downtown.

    44 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Museums
    Free

    Schubert Club

    Free

    Free music museum at Landmark Center in Saint Paul with hands-on instrument galleries and a historic keyboard collection.

    71 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Family Favorite

    Science Museum of Minnesota

    $25–$50

    Hands-on science playground on the Mississippi bluff with dinosaurs, a giant Omnitheater and endlessly pushable buttons.

    72 mi awayMore like this