Glensheen Mansion — Attraction in Duluth

So before coming here I had no idea why this mansion was famous and who lived here before, but I knew this was a popular tourist destination so I gave it a go. I was amazed and I loved the experience and happy to give it a try. I would say that this tour is not for "everyone" just because in the end of the day is a house/mansion and yeah it does tell the story of the family Congdon and their time living there. So if you are not into art, history and houses (like my husband) I don't think you will like so much. Luckily I went with my mom. In general there is two prices one which the difference is one gives you access to the third flow and attic. Is it worth it? Again is up to you, I did pay the full price too see the entire house tour and I loved it. It is something me and my mom found fascinating. The tour was self guided and easy to follow. There were people in each floor to answer questions or anything we wanted to know. Very helpful and friendly people. Also as mentioned before I didn't know who were the Congdon so in this tour I could see a little bit of how was their lives, their personality and their taste. Them I found out later that there was a crime that happened in this mansion which I thought was interesting know there was nothing around this tour that indicated that. So I read a little and realized this was something they choose to do in order to the tourist learn more about Congdon family and their achievements than the one day murder event. There is free parking, and google points to the wrong entry gate lol just follow the signs. Also you cannot eat while inside of the mansion, no photos with flash or...

A Remarkable Visit to Glensheen Mansion

This is, by far, the cleanest and most well-preserved historical estate we’ve visited.

Over the past five years, we’ve traveled across the country exploring historic homes and landmarks. Glensheen Mansion stands out for its meticulous care and attention to detail. The woodworking throughout the home is intricate and beautifully maintained—and every surface is spotless. Not a trace of dust on the furniture or a smudge on the mirrors.

The informational plaques are well-balanced: informative without being overwhelming, allowing for smooth traffic flow and a relaxed pace.

As someone who is highly sensitive to mold, mildew, dust, and associated odors, I appreciated how clean the mansion felt. The only area that triggered some sensitivity was the lowest level, which had a musty smell. Fortunately, the exhibits in that area weren’t essential to the overall experience.

We appreciated the variety of tour options, from self-guided to fully guided. We opted for the self-guided classic tour this time and plan to return for the fully guided experience next.

The walking trails around the estate were a delightful surprise, and the view of Lake Superior from the estate beach was breathtaking. My daughters were absolutely enchanted watching the lake fog roll in from the boathouse—an unforgettable moment.

The website recommends allowing an hour for the classic self-guided tour, but I’d suggest at least two hours for a more comfortable and immersive visit.

10/10- we...

Went to the mansion looking forward to learning about its rich history. The house itself is interesting to walk through, however, the service was lacking. We paid for the full house self-guided tour in order to enter the attic (which was not worth the extra money). The reason I have taken off a few stars is because of the condescending experience we had with the staff. They were stationed around the mansion, but barely gave any input and mostly just watched you. A man finally asked us if we had any questions. Naturally, we were curious about the murders that had occurred. We asked where they happened in the house and were told that the staff are not allowed to discuss them (but you can buy a book in the gift shop about). The customer service was already lackluster from the beginning of our visit, and the tone of this interaction solidified the unwelcoming nature of their employees. This was surprising because we have toured in the past and were able to discuss the murders, without reprimand. Though it is not the only facet of this mansion, the murder case is a large attractor to it, so it seems odd to completely evade discussion of it. This interaction also contradicts what is said about the employees online, because it says that if you have a question about the murders, they will be equipped to answer them. Overall, the mansion was interesting to see, but the pricing did not seem worth it, and the customer service could...