Molly’s Top 5 Must-See Features of A Glensheen Christmas Tour

When you head to Glensheen to take a Christmas tour, you will begin your journey in the ticket house. This brings me to #1 of the 5 things to know about the Glensheen Christmas Tour. The elf hunt! You can pick up “Glensheen’s Elf Book” for a just few dollars while you grab your tour tickets. The book contains a scavenger hunt for the little elves and other neat items in each room. There are 25 elves hidden around the mansion. I couldn’t even find them all myself, so make sure you bring the kiddos for another set of eyes!

Your tour begins in the Carriage House, which is utilized as our gift shop. This is #2 of 5 things to know before your Glensheen Christmas experience. While you wait for your tour, you can browse the holiday decor, locally made items, and Glensheen merchandise to find the perfect gifts for your loved ones. I recommend taking a look at the Glensheen pillow ornaments, they are the cutest! There is so much to see here, so I’ll let the photos do the talking.

So now for the legendary Christmas decor in the mansion itself, which is #3. There are 25 trees illuminating the inside the mansion. Glensheen’s staff spends an entire week literally decking the halls for the holiday season. The decor in each and every room makes for a cozy environment, sure to make you feel at home.

Now for #4, and my particular favorite. We have cookies! Once you make your way to the mansion’s kitchen you will see a tray of cookies and a recipe to take home with you. This was Clara Congdon’s original holiday cookie recipe, and son-of-a-nutcracker they are wonderful. Make sure you snag a cookie, locally made by Johnson’s Bakery, before heading down to the basement for the rest of your tour. Don’t tell anyone, but I may have had 3…

Finally, the new addition to Glensheen’s holiday experience: The Great Glensheen Outdoor Tacky Christmas display. The display is a family-friendly atmosphere, fun for people of all ages! After you exit the elegant mansion, you are free to roam the grounds and enjoy a brand new light display of the tackiest luminosities along the shores of Lake Superior. With extended tour hours throughout the season, a stroll through a unique light display is the perfect end to your date night with or without the family. I must warn you though, to keep your kiddos close, as you may come across a few sharks attacking Santa Claus or a wild unicorn amongst woodland creatures.