Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens is the grand estate of the Seiberling family in Akron, a short drive south of Cleveland, and one of the best historic house visits in northeast Ohio. The Guided Manor House Tour lasts about an hour and a half and includes self-guided access to the gardens, the Gate Lodge and the Corbin Conservatory, while the Nooks and Crannies Tour, also about 90 minutes, covers back-of-house spaces, hidden passages and staff quarters and includes stairs and narrow passages. Self-guided options are available for the manor house and for the grounds alone. The Gate Lodge holds an exhibit called Henrietta Seiberling: A Spark for a Movement, which takes visitors back to 1935, the year Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in the lodge.
Days and tours
The estate is open Tuesday through Sunday only. Guided manor house tours start on the half hour from 10:30am, with the Nooks and Crannies tour offered at 11am, 1pm and 3pm, and the self-guided manor house and the Gate Lodge open from 10am to 5pm. The gardens, Gate Lodge and Corbin Conservatory are open from 10am to 6pm with last admission at 5pm.
A Garden History Tour runs from May to September, covering the West Terrace and Overlook, the English Garden and the restored Lagoon. Admission discounts are offered for youth, students, seniors on Tuesdays, military and first responders, and members.
Events and seasons
Stan Hywet runs special events through the year, including an Easter egg hunt, a Father's Day car show, Ohio Mart, Murder in the Mansion and Deck the Hall, the holiday display, and discounts generally do not apply to events. Spring to autumn is the best time for the gardens, while the winter holiday season brings the decorated manor. Check the tours and admission page for current tour times and ticket prices, since they vary by tour and season.
How it fits a trip
Stan Hywet is a half-day outing from Cleveland by car, and it pairs naturally with a day in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which lies between the two cities. It suits history and architecture fans and garden lovers, and the Nooks and Crannies tour is the better choice for repeat visitors or those interested in how a large household ran. Plan about two to three hours if you want both the house and the gardens, and note that the estate is a short drive from Akron's downtown.
What to expect
The experience
A guided or self-guided tour of a historic manor house, plus gardens, a Gate Lodge exhibit and a conservatory.
Best time
A Tuesday to Sunday morning from spring to autumn, or the holiday season for the decorated house.
How long
Two to three hours for house and gardens.
Tips
Choose between guided, self-guided and Nooks and Crannies tours, and check the days since the estate is closed Mondays.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History and garden lovers who want a grand house visit near Cleveland.
- Families
- The grounds suit children, while the guided tours suit older children comfortable with 90 minutes of walking and standing.
- Couples
- A garden walk and manor tour, followed by a meal in Akron.
- Pair with
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park or Hale Farm and Village on the same day.
- Time needed
- Half a day, including the drive.
Good questions
What days is Stan Hywet open?+
The tours run Tuesday to Sunday only.
How long is the guided tour?+
The Guided Manor House Tour is about 1.5 hours, and admission includes self-guided access to the gardens, Gate Lodge and Corbin Conservatory.
What is the Nooks and Crannies Tour?+
A roughly 90-minute tour of back-of-house spaces, hidden passages and staff quarters, with stairs and narrow passages.
Can I visit just the gardens?+
Yes, there is a ticket for the gardens, Gate Lodge and Corbin Conservatory, open until 6pm with last admission at 5pm.
Are there discounts?+
Discounts apply for youth, students, seniors on Tuesdays, military and first responders and members, but not for special events.
