https://olmstedhistory.com/events   

             Mayowood is now CLOSED and will open in April 2025

Mayowood History

The Mayowood Historic Home 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
Christmas Tours
Special Event Tours
Tickets

Welcome to 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

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

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. Walk-ins are welcome ONLY if tours are not full.

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

April 2, 2025 - June 29, 2025

Sunday:             12pm - 3pm
Wednesday:     10am - 3pm 
Saturday:          10am - 3pm

Closed Easter Sunday

July 2, 2025 - October 23, 2025  

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

NO REFUNDS.  Date and time changes ARE permitted, call 507-282-9447 or email mayowood@olmstedhistory.com 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 11 or more may call 507-282-9447 or email mayowood@olmstedhistory.com for group pricing and guidelines.
  • Visitors may purchase tour tickets by clicking on the tickets button above.
  • 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.

Keeping Us All Safe: COVID Precautions

Masks are optional.

Social distancing is encouraged.

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

If you are feeling sick, have flu-like symptoms, or have been in contact with someone who has recently had COVID-19, please visit us another time.

Watch for 2025 Christmas tours coming in the fall of 2025.


Mayowood Christmas Tours must be reserved and begin directly at Mayowood at the specified times below.
Walk-ins accepted if space is available. NO REFUNDS. You may also call 507-282-9447 to reserve.

Mayowood Christmas 2025

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

November 2025 Schedule: 

Sunday: 11am, 12:00 pm, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00 pm

Tuesday (November 25th only): 10am, 11:00 am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 2:00 pm, 3pm

Wednesday: 10am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00pm, 2:00 pm, 3pm

Thursday: 10am, 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 2:00 pm, 3pm

Friday: 10am, 11:00 am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 2:00 pm, 3pm

Saturday: 10am, 11:00 am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 4 pm

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

December 2025 Schedule:

Sunday: 11am, 12:00 pm, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00 pm

Tuesday:  10am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00pm, 2:00 pm, 3pm

Wednesday 10am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00pm, 2:00 pm, 3pm

Thursday: 10am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00pm, 2:00 pm, 3pm

Friday: 10am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00pm, 2:00 pm, 3pm

Saturday: 10am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00pm, 2:00 pm, 3pm

Reservations are required and all ticket sales are final.  Walk-in available ONLY if space is available. There are NO discounts or refunds.
To schedule a large group or bus please email mayowood@olmstedhistory.com or call 507-282-9447. 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.  

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.

2024 Candlelight tours at Mayowood- are now CLOSED
Come experience the glitz and glam of Christmas at Mayowood at night! We will be touring the house afterhours, with everything but the Christmas lights turned off! Experience the magic of our Christmas lights during this unique experience.
These tickets are only available on special dates and times, get your tickets here.
 

Mayowood gift certificates are available by calling 507-282-9447.

Special Event Tours: 

Special Event Tours require reservation and begin at Mayowood unless otherwise noted.

Mayowood by Candlelight: 
November 30th, December 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th and 15th
$50 per ticket. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. NO REFUNDS.

Immerse yourself in the enchanting glow of Historic Mayowood as it's transformed into "Christmas Around the World" for the holidays. Admire the elegant décor adorned with seasonal decorations from around the globe during this special lights-out tour. Carry your own decorative candle while adding to the gliz and glam of this historical home. This is truly a magical experience you will not want to miss.

Tickets for this amazing holiday tour are at olmstedhistory.com/events


Mayowood was once a 3,300-acre estate outside of Rochester, established by Dr. Charles H. Mayo, co-founder of Mayo Clinic. The centerpiece of the property is the 38-room home, completed in 1910, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. In collaboration, the home and property are now owned and operated by Mayo Clinic; the History Center of Olmsted County conducts public tours, special events, and owns much of the original family collection.

Tickets can be purchased by clicking on the "Select Date/Time to begin" button below.  Walk-ins are welcome depending on tour capacity. Please note, all ticket sales are final. Each guided tour lasts about one hour. For directions to 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 services@olmstedhistory.com

Select Date/Time to begin