Good trip. We arrived at approximately 3 pm and made our way inside the building to check in for our tour. We bought our tickets ahead of time on their website. We were greeted by an employee, and then seated in one of the rooms, while we waited for the tour to start. The tour lasted for approximately an hour and the tour guide was very knowledgeable about the history of the house, as well as the people who lived inside of it. The tour guide started off by giving us some introductory information on James Hill and how he managed to accumulate his wealth. We then went from room to room, while the tour guide pointed out interesting pieces of furniture and decor, and explained their significance. We also were allowed to go up to the attic, where we saw some additional bedrooms and storage space. After the guided portion of the tour was over, we were given time to tour some of the rooms that weren’t included in the guided portion of the tour. There were employees located throughout the house, eager to answer any questions that we may have. There were also informational plaques located in some of the rooms, detailing the significance of the room, as well as providing information on the items located inside. The house was enormous and the detail that went into building it was truly exquisite. Tip: I recommend spending 2.5 hours here if you truly want to see everything.

Slightly sinister exterior houses an impressive interior though the design itself is a little strange (huge hallway purpots to be (and apparently was used as) a ballroom. Impressive woodwork, stained glass and a rather thorough exploration provided both by the 60 minute guided tour and ability to wander through (most) rooms at your leisuree afterwards. (There are a few to which you may not return / the guide does generally make note of them) No expense spared on tech of the day and the heating plant - how could it be called anything less given sheer scale) is impressive. There's a large art gallery inside, but if the Hills collected anything 'important' it's not there anymore. One disappointment - there isn't all that much furntiure - house says they will only place original pieces (and are working to get some back) but I think that insistance is misplaced. .Approximate equivalents would be fine and would give the place more character. Apparently succeessor generations were ready to give up the house, but not necessarily their furniture :) On a hot summer's day some rooms will be warm, but tribute to thick walls, etc., not stifling.

Interesting house. If you go there, take the guided tour instead of the self guided. The guide does take you into some areas that are blocked off to the public, even though they told us that the tour was the same, when we bought our ticket. One thing that I didn’t like was that the tour covers 3 floors and the basement. Despite having a guide, she didn’t show us everything on each floor. She would say, “you can come back on your own after the tour to see the other rooms. Why would they not show you everything, while you are right there? Instead expect you to climb the stairs again! Also, there were several rooms that were unavailable. It was very dark in most of the rooms so hard to take pictures.

We planned our arrival for one of the guided tours that are scheduled every 30 minutes only to find out they were short-staffed that day and only offering them once an hour. While we waited, we walked to the nearby Cathedral of Saint Paul and returned 20 minutes later. Our guide was very helpful in explaining the history of the house and the family that built it. The house has beautifully carved woodwork and elaborate furnishings. The locomotive boilers in the basement that were used to heat the house were massive. The tour was worth the $12 admission.