Get your Mayowood tickets HERE

Historic Mayowood History

Historic Mayowood is one of the top attractions in Rochester, drawing thousands of visitors each year!

A tour of Mayowood is to experience the personal lives of Dr. Charlie Mayo, co-founder of the Mayo Clinic, and his son, Dr. Chuck Mayo, and gives visitors an opportunity to celebrate their amazing achievements in medicine and human service.

The 23,000-square foot, thirty-eight room home was built in 1910 by Dr. Charlie and Edith Mayo. The home is built of concrete construction, the first of its kind in southeast Minnesota. Once a 3,300-acre country estate, the home has seen many changes over the years.

Indoors, original Mayo family artifacts tell the story of their many world travels and how the home was used as a house of hospitality to entertain the community and VIP celebrity guests.

Outdoors, this home is surrounded by a grand terrace overlooking the Zumbro River along with beautiful botanical gardens and an Oriental Tea House.

In collaboration, the home and property is owned and operated by Mayo Clinic, while the History Center of Olmsted County conducts public tours, special events, and owns much of the original family archival collection.

Today you're invited to explore Mayowood and immerse yourself in the lives and legacy of the famous Mayo Clinic doctors who helped change the world of medicine.

Please note that photography is not permitted inside the home or on the grounds.
 

ACCESSIBILITY

An elevator and two wheelchairs are available, and disability parking is located behind the house. Visitors who need these accommodations must stop at the main entrance first so staff can meet them at the rear entrance and direct them to the appropriate parking area.

To make your tour as pleasing as possible, during online ticket purchase, please use the notes section to let us know if you will need any of these services.

The tour includes stairs and visitors will be walking and standing much of the time. There are several designated areas to sit during the tour and guides are happy to point them out to visitors when asked.

Location
Admission Hours
Tickets
Group Tours
School Group Tours
Christmas Tours
Special Event Tours

Welcome to Historic Mayowood located at:
3720 Mayowood Road SW
Rochester, MN 55902

Parking is available at Mayowood and tickets may be purchased by clicking on the Tickets button above.

Directions if coming from West Circle Drive or Salem Road:

  • Turn onto County Road 25
  • Drive past Autumn Ridge Church on right
  • Turn left onto Mayowood Road
  • Once over the Zumbro River bridge, turn right and drive through the Mayowood entrance gate and up the hill to the parking lot
  • Alternate Salem Road Directions:
  • Turn onto Bamber Valley Road (County Road 8)
  • At stop sign turn right (Bamber Valley School on left after turn)
  • Drive past the Stone Barn Event Center on right
  • Take first left and drive through the Mayowood entrance gate and up the hill to the house parking lot

🚪 Tour Entrance

The entrance for Mayowood tours is located on the south side of the home.
Please note: There is no tour access via the Grand Staircase at the front of the building.

đźš— Parking

Visitor parking is available in the lower lot, located beyond the circular turnaround. Look for directional signage upon arrival.

♿ Handicap Parking & Accessibility

Accessible parking spaces are located behind Mayowood.
Guests needing assistance should stop at the tour entrance door and a staff member will be happy to help.

For additional assistance with directions, please call 507-282-9447

Historic Mayowood is privately owned by Mayo Clinic and is closed to the general public on non-tour days. The public is not allowed on the grounds without a pre registered tour ticket during business hours. Please adhere to the posted signs on the property entrance. Mayo Clinic requests that NO photos are taken at the home.

                                                                          

Regular season tickets are now available HERE (one hour guided tours).

We recommend tickets in advance. Tickets can also be purchased on-site day of, if space allows.

Adults (13 & up): $20
Children (3 - 12): $10
Children under 3: NOT RECOMMENDED

Sunday: 12pm—3pm
Wednesday: 10am—3pm
Thursday: 10am—3pm
Saturday: 10am—3pm

NO REFUNDS. Date and time changes ARE permitted, call 507-282-9447 to reschedule.
Gift certificates are available by calling 507-282-9447.

Photography is not permitted inside the home or on the grounds.

  • All Mayowood tours are conducted by professional tour guides and tours last approximately one hour.
  • Groups of 10 or more may email mayowood@olmstedhistory.com for group pricing and guidelines.
  • Visitors may purchase tour tickets by clicking on the tickets button above.
  • Historic Mayowood is privately owned by Mayo Clinic and is closed to the general public on non-tour days.


ACCESSIBILITY

An elevator and two wheelchairs are available, and disability parking is located behind the house. Visitors who need these accommodations must stop at the main entrance first so staff can meet them at the rear entrance and direct them to the appropriate parking area.

To make your tour as pleasing as possible, during online ticket purchase, please use the notes section to let us know if you will need any of these services.

The tour includes stairs and visitors will be walking and standing much of the time. There are several designated areas to sit during the tour and guides are happy to point them out to visitors when asked.

No food or drink will be permitted inside of the house. 

Tickets can also be purchased on-site day of, if space allows. NO REFUNDS.

​​​​​​Please note, all ticket sales are final. Each guided tour lasts about one hour. For directions to Historic Mayowood, click on the "Location" button above.

For Christmas at Historic Mayowood please click the "Christmas Tours" button above.

Group tours available upon request by emailing mayowood@olmstedhistory.com.



Select a Time and Date

Group Tours

School Group Tours

“A Traditional Christmas at Historic Mayowood” 

Historic Mayowood Christmas Tours 

Step back in time and experience a “Traditional Christmas at Historic Mayowood,” where history and holiday traditions come to life. This year, the History Center of Olmsted County and Mayo Clinic invite you to discover Christmas as it was celebrated by the three generations of Mayo families who once called Mayowood their home. The house is beautifully decorated to reflect the family’s unique customs, bringing the past to life with guided tours that share stories of celebrations during different periods in the home’s history.  

Guests who visit Mayowood this November will enjoy a taste of Mayo tradition. The recipe for “Emma’s Cookies” has been passed down through generations of the Mayo family members and were a favorite of Dr. Charlie and Edith Mayo. Baked with care by Mayowood cook Emma Braun (1875-1953) and filled with the nostalgic flavors of ginger, cinnamon, and molasses, they’re a warm reminder of Mayowood’s Christmas past.  

Historic Mayowood Christmas Tickets can be purchased online by clicking on the "Tickets" Tab above or on-site day of, if space allows. NO REFUNDS. 
 

Adults (13 & up): $30
Children (3 - 12): $15
Children under 3: NOT RECOMMENDED
 

November 2025 Schedule:

Sunday: 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm

Tuesday (November 25th only): 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm

Wednesday: 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm

Thursday: 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm

Friday: 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm

Saturday: 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm

**There will be no 4 pm tour on Saturday, November 30th.
 

December 2025 Schedule: 

Sunday: 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm

Tuesday:  10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm

Wednesday 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm

Thursday: 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm

Friday: 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm

Saturday: 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm


To schedule a large group or bus please email mayowood@olmstedhistory.com. 
Dates and times are subject to change due to inclement weather or special events.
Guided tours begin promptly at their scheduled time and last approximately one hour.  

Historic Mayowood Christmas tickets will include one visit to the History Center of Olmsted County to be used during regular business hours.

Please let guides know if anyone needs the handicap accessible entrance. Information on this can be found on our Mayowood admission page.

If you have questions, please call 507-282-9447 or email services@olmstedhistory.com or mayowood@olmstedhistory.com.

Special Event Tours: 

“A Mayowood Tradition: A 1951 Christmas Party” 
Historic Mayowood Christmas Specialty Tour 

  • November 29th & 30th (4pm)
  • December 6th, 7th, 13th & 14th (4pm)

Join the History Center of Olmsted County for a costumed interpretation of a Mayowood Christmas tradition, the Fellows Christmas Chorus hosted by Dr. Chuck and Alice Mayo. Guests will step back in time to the Christmas season of 1951, where the carolers have just finished their rounds through the city of Rochester, singing traditional Christmas carols on a crisp December evening. Now, you’re invited inside Mayowood, the festive home of Dr. Chuck and Alice Mayo where you’ll be greeted by one of these carolers who will guide you through the house. The pfeffernĂĽsse cookie bowl is full, and the staff are turning on the Christmas lights and setting the table. 

Specialty tour tickets are $45 a person and can be purchased online at olmstedhistory.com/events starting on November 2nd.