Glensheen Mansion
3300 London Rd, Duluth, MN
The Blue Ridge Mountains have the Biltmore Estate, and Lake Superior has Glensheen Mansion. A 39-room manor spread across 12 lakefront acres (almost 5 hectares), Glensheen dates from 1908, when it was the home of Chester Adgate Congdon, a mining magnate. Today, it’s open to the public for tours, hiking the trails, and experiencing what luxury was like in 20th-century Duluth.
Glensheen Mansion has barely changed in 110 years. Meticulously kept, even the furniture has barely moved in a century—yep, the furnishings are original. Visitors are allowed an inside look on guided tours, which explore from three to all five floors, depending on the tour you choose. Visitors can also stroll the English-style gardens and grounds, plus the boathouse, which offers great views of Lake Superior.
Glensheen is included on some Duluth self-guided driving tours—take one, and you’re likely to hear all about the notorious Glensheen murders.
Book your tickets online and in advance.
The Carriage House, the first floor, and the lower level of the mansion are accessible for both wheelchairs and strollers.
Children are welcome on tours and typically enjoy exploring the grounds, which include gardens, a hammock forest, and a beach area on Lake Superior.
Visitors can bring picnics to have in the grounds, but eating is not permitted inside the mansion.
Most visitors will reach Glensheen Mansion by car—there’s ample free on-site parking, and the views along Lake Superior make the drive a quick one. If you don’t have a car, taxis and rideshares are available. For those on foot, the Lakewalk—a popular city walking path—passes just behind the mansion.
Glensheen Mansion is typically open every day of the week, with hours from roughly 9am to 5pm (with reduced hours on Tuesdays). It’s advisable to arrive 15 minutes prior to the time listed on your ticket. The best time of year to visit is May through September, when the weather is warm enough to comfortably stroll the grounds.
Glensheen Mansion runs a number of summer events, typically on Wednesdays and weekends, that offer a fun (and free!) way to experience the manor’s ambiance and views. Check the calendar for happenings in the al fresco beer garden, live concerts on the pier, brewer talks, ice cream trucks, and more.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!