Brucemore
4.5
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Brucemore is a living landmark that charts the history of Cedar Rapids. The 26-acre, park-like estate invites exploration of its history, gardens, grounds, and 21-room mansion. Each season, nature's changing beauty entices visitors to the estate offering new experiences. Concerts, theater, festivals, garden walks, holiday celebrations, and tours enliven the site and celebrate the heritage of the community.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
272 reviews
Excellent
187
Very good
71
Average
9
Poor
3
Terrible
2
DebCools
Mesquite, TX11 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
The mansion is being restored. This appears to be a major renovation. The roof is being fixed, and there is scaffolding on every side of the mansion. There are also many construction vehicles in the grounds. I was very disappointed as the photos looked beautiful. I'm certain it will be great when it's all done, but I wouldn't recommend stopping unless you learned that the construction has been finished.
Written September 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cenzt
Iowa5,821 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
Good trip. We arrived at approximately 12:45 pm and checked in for the guided tour that was supposed to start at 1 pm. We did have to book our tickets ahead of time on their website, as they do occasionally tend to sell out. The tour started promptly at 1 pm and the tour guide gave us an overview of the house itself and the numerous families that occupied it during its existence. We then went from room to room, with the tour guide explaining what each room was used for and pointing out interesting pieces of furniture and artifacts in each room. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and was able to answer any questions that we may have had. The guided portion of the tour lasted roughly an hour and a half and then we were free to explore the rest of the house on our own. Once we finished touring the inside of the house, we went outside where there was a small garden.
Tip: I recommend spending 1.5 hours here if you truly want to see everything.
Tip: I recommend spending 1.5 hours here if you truly want to see everything.
Written September 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Disneybus
Pittsgrove, NJ859 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Another glorious well preserved home with fascinating heritage through the Sinclair, Douglas, and Hall families. Our docent kept our small group together, was very interesting, and weaved the house story together with the ownerships. You'll hear about three particular items of interest. Brucemore’s organ in the main hall is one of only 92 residential organs ever constructed by the Skinner Organ Company and one of only six that remain unaltered in its original place - it's so large that the pipes replaced a second floor room. The Grant Wood (American Gothic painter) Sleeping Porch is decorated in a plaster relief depicting curving vines, flowers, birds, and animals, offering visitors the unique opportunity to see the artist’s versatility and skill. Howard Hall installed a man cave with a Western-saloon themed bar in the basement along with a Tahitian Room. We highly recommend the tour for the necessary insights. The property is massive, as seen as you drive up its road ending at the mansion. The landscaping however needs some work, partly due to some damage to a past derecho: a fund drive is underway for restoration of the prairie style gardens.
Written September 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fearless09033367557
2 contributions
Sep 2022 • Solo
We knew the inside tours were closed due to construction, but went anyway. The outside tour with Jerry was very informative and glad we did that. I wasn’t sure the tour of the grounds would be good but Jerry kept it interesting. A must see if you are in the area
Written September 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wanda H
Mascoutah, IL271 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
I truly wish we could have seen the inside of this house! The film was good and the walking tour around the outside was very nice. The docent was knowledgeable and easy to hear and understand. Would love to come back to see the inside though.
Written August 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joy V
Altoona, IA32 contributions
Feb 2022
We went in February and ended up with a private tour! Aside from the beautiful home, the history behind it is very interesting. Loved our experience here. Although the down side was that it wasn't the best time for walking around the grounds. We actually did that in the summer of last year, then returned for a tour of the house.
Written February 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard E
16 contributions
Sep 2021
Well preserved view into life for Cedar Rapids' wealthy in the late 1800s into the early 1900s. The house and grounds are well worth the visit...bring a picnic lunch and gardens.
Written September 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
traveltheworld012
Rochester, MN13,849 contributions
Mar 2020
We stayed at a B&B in Cedar Rapids (Belmont Hill) and the owners recommended that we pay a visit to Brucemore. We did, it was a very nice and bright sunny day in March, 2020 just right for walking the grounds and taking it all in. The original stables has been converted to the historical society offices upstairs. Downstairs is the ticket office, a gift shop area and a very informative small museum.
The big story of Brucemore, is unusual for a mansion of this caliber. The museum tells the story of three families: the Sinclairs who built it, the Douglases who transformed it, and the Halls who gave it to the community. The extreme wealth of these families allowed them freedom to pursue their cultural and philanthropic interests. Each of these families created a home at Brucemore which reflected their passions.
At Brucemore you can hear (and read about) the story of these families and their daily lives. From their home we can picture their comings and goings, hobbies, pets, individual tastes, and styles. The Sinclairs began as an immigrant family who started a meat packing business and made a fortune. Unfortunately, Mr. Sinclair died early. Mrs. Sinclair raised their six children alone (with servants to help) and eventually swapped homes with the Douglas family. The Douglas family really expanded the acreage and increased the size of the mansion. Lastly, owned by the Hall family. Mr. Hall was a big party guy and hobnobbed with celebrities and movie stars. Many of their photos can be seen at the museum. The Halls had a lot of animals here, including a few lions. Eventually, the estate was donated to a trust where is can be toured today. The group of servants individual homes are still there as well on the property. A very worthwhile visit. Cost of the guided mansion tour is $9/adult.
The big story of Brucemore, is unusual for a mansion of this caliber. The museum tells the story of three families: the Sinclairs who built it, the Douglases who transformed it, and the Halls who gave it to the community. The extreme wealth of these families allowed them freedom to pursue their cultural and philanthropic interests. Each of these families created a home at Brucemore which reflected their passions.
At Brucemore you can hear (and read about) the story of these families and their daily lives. From their home we can picture their comings and goings, hobbies, pets, individual tastes, and styles. The Sinclairs began as an immigrant family who started a meat packing business and made a fortune. Unfortunately, Mr. Sinclair died early. Mrs. Sinclair raised their six children alone (with servants to help) and eventually swapped homes with the Douglas family. The Douglas family really expanded the acreage and increased the size of the mansion. Lastly, owned by the Hall family. Mr. Hall was a big party guy and hobnobbed with celebrities and movie stars. Many of their photos can be seen at the museum. The Halls had a lot of animals here, including a few lions. Eventually, the estate was donated to a trust where is can be toured today. The group of servants individual homes are still there as well on the property. A very worthwhile visit. Cost of the guided mansion tour is $9/adult.
Written March 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg
Cedar Rapids, Iowa28 contributions
Sep 2019
This place is a must-see if you are in Cedar Rapids.Tucked away on a gorgeous piece of property just minutes from downtown is a complex of interesting buildings that have been constructed over a period of decades by a number of prominent civic figures. It is free to walk the spacious grounds which has a pool, a pond, an expansive front lawn and agricultural & botanical structures. A modest fee is charged for a wonderful guided tour through most rooms in the mansion. But first one can get oriented to the estate by visiting the ticket office/musum/gift store where the story of Brucemore is told through photos and short movies. I would highly recommend a visit.
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
brewColumbus_Georgia
Columbus, Georgia1,217 contributions
Oct 2019 • Solo
The grounds are just beautiful on this estate. Strolled the grounds at leisure and enjoyed all the color of fall. The stables are converted to gift shop and the young lady behind the counter is a gem! The house is having work done in back but is still open for tours. But the gift shop has movies about the people and the house and even some Hollywood productions- not to mention a lion named Leo! Loved it!
Written October 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary H
Lebanon, MO4 contributions
Cost of admission and days and hours please. Will be visiting Amana colonies, how much further?
Tom W
Katy, TX2,946 contributions
how much time dies it take to see the brucemore?
Tim M
18 contributions
It's around an hour tour of the house. The grounds and home are around an hour and a half to see everything. The grounds are very beautiful. I would recommend seeing the flowers that they have everywhere.
Elizabeth H
Iowa City, IA
Where is best parking for events?
mmzeran
West Burlington, IA12 contributions
We just parked on the grounds and walked into the house. It is a little ways to the house but certainly worth it. For a big event I'm sure you can park on the street or wherever you find. Just have to walk farther.
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Claim your listingBRUCEMORE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Brucemore
- Brucemore is open:
- Sun - Sun 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Mon - Fri 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Sat - Sat 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Hotels near Brucemore:
- (4.57 km) Belmont Hill Victorian Bed And Breakfast
- (9.90 km) The Hotel at Kirkwood Center
- (2.72 km) DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cedar Rapids Convention Complex
- (4.37 km) Hampton Inn & Suites Cedar Rapids - North
- (4.30 km) Best Western Plus Longbranch Hotel & Convention Center
- Restaurants near Brucemore:
- (0.87 km) Tornado's Grub and Pub
- (3.44 km) Emil's Hideaway
- (4.05 km) Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano
- (2.83 km) Need Pizzeria
- (2.88 km) Cobble Hill Restaurant