Reader favorites: 10 best historic home tours for the holidays

Photo courtesy of Liliboas // Getty Images

Ever wondered how George Washington spent his holidays or how Elvis "decked the halls?" These historic houses – selected as the 10 best by our readers – pull out all the stops for their holiday tours. 

Photo courtesy of Montclair History Center

No. 10: Crane House and Historic YWCA - Montclair, New Jersey

Israel Crane built Crane House for his wife in 1796. After a century as the Crane family home, the estate was purchased and transformed into headquarters for the African American YWCA. Visitors can experience the period decorations (designed by the Garden Club of Montclair) and learn about the holidays from the 1700s to the 20th century during a candlelight tour. Visitors can also register for a private tour.

Photo courtesy of Liz Jurey/Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans

No. 9: Preservation Resource Center Holiday Home Tour - New Orleans, Louisiana

The Preservation Resource Center’s Holiday Home Tour allows participants to tour six stunning properties in New Orleans' Garden District. The festivities include live music, book signings, talks with designers and a boutique featuring local artisans. Those looking to upgrade their tour can purchase tickets for the Enhanced Architectural Experience. 

Photo courtesy of Iowa's Photographer

No. 8: Brucemore - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

During the holiday season, Brucemore in Cedar Rapids, Iowa gets decked with 13 trees, thousand of lights and numerous garlands spread across its four floors. Holiday Mansion Tours take visitors through the historic home to see it as it would have looked for Christmas, including a feast laid out in the dining room, mantle arrangements and other seasonal cheer.

Photo courtesy of Gino de Grandis

No. 7: Filoli Historic House and Garden - Woodside, California

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.” The iconic mansion houses 17th and 18th century English antiques in a rich setting.

During Holidays at Filoli, visitors can stroll the illuminated grounds by night or see the decorated home by day. Snap a photo with Santa on weekends in December.

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Photo courtesy of Alex Rosenfeld Photography

No. 6: Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum - Norwalk, Connecticut

The historic Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum opens this holiday season with an exhibit featuring a festive holiday dinner party, elegant gowns and historic-era trees. 

Photo courtesy of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

No. 5: Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens - Akron, Ohio

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. In 1957, the Seiberling children gifted Stan Hywet to Akron.

On select days throughout the holiday season, Deck the Hall showcases the first floor of the manor house and grounds adorned with nostalgic decorations and more than a million holiday lights.

Photo courtesy of Wildwood Manor House

No. 4: Wildwood Manor House - Toledo, Ohio

This historic Georgian Colonial home, once owned by Toledo philanthropist R.A. Stranahan, is now part of a public park in Toledo. A team of volunteers decorate the 30,000-square-foot estate during Holidays in the Manor House. On select dates, visitors can take a self-guided tour of the home and enjoy a model train exhibit at Metroparks Hall.

Photo courtesy of Jason Willis Photography

No. 3: Meadow Brook Hall - Rochester, Michigan

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. By day, guests can take a self-guided tour of the festively decorated historic grounds or visit at night for Winter Wonder Lights, when the estate transforms into a breathtaking light show featuring music, seasonal treats and holiday magic.

Photo courtesy of Sue Hopkins

No. 2: The Stetson Mansion - Deland, Florida

One of Florida’s grandest estates, Stetson Mansion was built in 1886 for American hat maker John B. Stetson as his winter retreat. The High Victorian mansion is known for its parquet wood floors and original leaded glass windows. Each holiday season, the mansion is decorated with different trappings sourced from around the world.

Photo courtesy of Elvis Presley's Graceland

No. 1: Graceland - Memphis, Tennessee

"You don’t have to love Elvis to spend an afternoon in his grand house," says 10Best contributor Melanie Reffes. Every year, more than 600,000 people go to Elvis Presley’s former estate in Memphis. The Christmas season at Graceland kicks off with a lighting ceremony mid-November, after which visitors can tour the home decorated for the season with traditional lights, a life-size nativity scene and Santa. Presley family Christmas artifacts are on display during this special time of year.