USA TODAY 10Best
10 best historic home tours that are decked out for the holidays
Best Holiday Historic Home Tour (2023)
Have you ever wondered how historic figures spent their holidays or how iconic celebrities decked the halls? You can learn firsthand at these 10 historic houses across the U.S. — nominated by an expert panel and voted as the best by readers — as they pull out all the stops for their holiday tours.
- Biltmore - Asheville, North Carolina
- Filoli Historic House and Garden - Woodside, California
- Trail End - Sheridan, Wyoming
- Newport Mansions - Newport, Rhode Island
- Brucemore - Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Glensheen Mansion - Duluth, Minnesota
- Meadow Brook Hall - Rochester, Michigan
- Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens - Akron, Ohio
- The Christmas Mansion, formerly Stetson Mansion - DeLand, Florida
- Graceland - Memphis, Tennessee
No. 10:
On Christmas Eve of 1895, George Vanderbilt officially opened his 250-room French Renaissance chateau in Asheville, North Carolina, to family and friends. Vanderbilt passed away in 1914 at the age of 51, but Biltmore is still owned by his descendants and is the largest privately owned home in the country. A variety of tours offer a glimpse into America's Gilded Age, with special emphasis this time of year on Biltmore Christmas traditions.
Photo courtesy of Mike James
No. 9:
Filoli was built for prominent San Franciscan William Bowers Bourn and his wife in Woodside, California, in 1917. The unusual name was created by combining the first two letters from the keywords of Bourn's credo: “Fight for a just cause; Love your fellow man; Live a good life.” During Holidays at Filoli, visitors can stroll the illuminated grounds by night or see the decorated home by day in a Gilded Guide tour with the curator.
Photo courtesy of Trail End Site Staff
No. 8:
The John Kendrick Mansion, better known as Trail End, is an early 1900s Flemish Revival-style home showing off the life of Western cattle barons. It's a splendid house to tour at any time, but if you arrive during the festive season, you can enjoy figgy pudding and holiday decorations at the Holiday Open House or take an intimate tour by electric candlelight — complete with live actors — during Christmas with the Kendricks.
Photo courtesy of Melissa Ostrow/Courtesy of The Preservation Society of Newport County
No. 7:
Perfect for history buffs and lovers of architecture, Holidays at the Newport Mansions offer the chance for visitors to see three historic estates — The Breakers, Marble House, and The Elms — decked in holiday splendor. Nearly 30 Christmas trees and hundreds of garlands, fresh florals, and poinsettias adorn these Gilded Age houses.
Photo courtesy of Iowa's Photographer
No. 6:
During the holiday season, Brucemore in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is decked with more than a dozen trees, sparkling lights, and numerous garlands spread across three floors. Holiday tours take visitors through the historic home to see it as it would have looked for Christmas, including mantle arrangements and other seasonal cheer.
Photo courtesy of Glensheen Mansion (Mike Mayou)
No. 5:
Duluth's Glensheen Mansion is a 20,000-square-foot masterpiece of Jacobean architecture, set on the shores of Lake Superior. It's a stunning property to visit at any time, but their holiday tours are especially poignant, as the house offers Christmas candlelight tours, with the whole mansion enhanced by the glow of 27 illuminated Christmas trees. This tour allows guests to go self-guided, and you'll have access to the first, second, and lower level of the storied Glensheen historic home.
Photo courtesy of JMW Creative
No. 4:
A National Historic Landmark, Meadow Brook was built by Matilda Dodge Wilson, widow of auto pioneer John Dodge. Constructed in Rochester, Michigan, between 1926 and 1929, the 110-room Tudor mansion houses original family art and furnishings. During the day, guests can take a self-guided tour of the festively decorated historic grounds. Visit at night for Winter Wonder Lights, when the estate transforms into a stunning light show that features music, seasonal treats, and festive magic.
Photo courtesy of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
No. 3:
Stan Hywet Hall, Akron, Ohio's first and largest National Historic Landmark, is the nation's sixth-largest historic home open to the public. The Tudor mansion was built by Goodyear Tire & Rubber co-founder F.A. Seiberling between 1912 and 1915. On select days throughout the holiday season, their Deck the Hall event showcases the Manor House and grounds, which are adorned with nostalgic decorations and more than a million holiday lights.
No. 2:
One of Florida’s grandest estates, The Christmas Mansion, formerly Stetson Mansion, was built in 1886 for American hatmaker John B. Stetson as his winter retreat. The High Victorian property is known for its mosaic parquet wood floors and original leaded glass windows. And each holiday season for the past 12 years, the mansion's 10 rooms have been adorned with completely different decorations sourced from around the world. Festive tours run from early November to late January.
Photo courtesy of Elvis Presley's Graceland
No. 1:
Every year, more than 500,000 people go to Elvis Presley’s former estate in Memphis. The Christmas season at Graceland kicks off in mid-November and allows visitors to tour the home decorated for the season with traditional lights, a life-size nativity scene, and Elvis' Santa. Presley family Christmas artifacts are also on display during this special time of year.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Nikky J
NikkyJ is a theme park super fan, Author of The... Read More
NikkyJ is a theme park super fan, Author of The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide, the founder and owner of ThemeParkHipster.com, a wishful Food Critic, coffee enthusiast, and a lover of life! She currently resides in Orlando, Florida where she enjoys spending time with her husband and two little girls while discovering the beautiful attractions of Florida. You can watch her on YouTube or listen to her podcast.
Nikky J
NikkyJ is a theme park super fan, Author of The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide, the founder and owner of ThemeParkHipster.com, a wishful Food Critic, coffee enthusiast, and a lover of life! She currently resides in Orlando, Florida where she enjoys spending time with her husband and two little girls while discovering the beautiful attractions of Florida. You can watch her on YouTube or listen to her podcast.
Skye Rodgers
Skye is a freelance writer that adopted Tampa as... Read More
Skye is a freelance writer that adopted Tampa as her hometown over a decade ago and never looked back. As a native of Canada, Skye has happily embraced the no snow climate, and in her spare time enjoys nothing more than basking on the white sand beaches of the Gulf with rum runner in hand. Living in such a dynamic and up-and-coming city as Tampa provides plenty to write about, and Skye spends much of her time exploring new attractions and discovering hidden treasures for her readers. You can connect with Skye via her Facebook page @BestofTampa.
Skye Rodgers
Skye is a freelance writer that adopted Tampa as her hometown over a decade ago and never looked back. As a native of Canada, Skye has happily embraced the no snow climate, and in her spare time enjoys nothing more than basking on the white sand beaches of the Gulf with rum runner in hand. Living in such a dynamic and up-and-coming city as Tampa provides plenty to write about, and Skye spends much of her time exploring new attractions and discovering hidden treasures for her readers. You can connect with Skye via her Facebook page @BestofTampa.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards... Read More
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
