Tours

Second floor is available on Extended tours.

Before You Visit

We are truly excited to share the Graycliff with all of our guests. The Pavilion Shop at Graycliff is open from 10 AM to 4 PM every day except Monday, and more information on our tours and events can be found below, or by calling us at 716-947-9217.

Please review our helpful frequently asked questions page before you visit, for answers to the most common questions.

For more information, please call (716) 947-9217

General Tour Information

Graycliff will be offering Standard and Extended tours six days a week: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday through Sunday! Advanced reservations are strongly recommended to avoid disappointment and can be made by clicking the buttons below the tour descriptions.

Beginning December 1st, through March 31st, 2024, Graycliff will be offering our seasonally-adjusted Winter Tours Friday through Sunday. 

Besides our Standard and Extended tours, there may be additional seasonal tours available, plus a host of exciting events year-round.

Graycliff Winter Tours

Though designed as the Martin family summer home on Lake Erie, Graycliff is open for tours year round. Our “Winter Tour,” which runs through March, is a seasonally-adjusted experience at a reduced rate. On this tour, you and your party will lightly explore the grounds before touring both floors of the beautifully-restored main house. This tour lasts 75 to 90 minutes, and is a great way to take in the beauty of Wright’s ambitious summer home during an unexpected time of year.

A portion of this tour will take place outside. Please dress appropriately for the weather, which includes proper footwear on snowy days. Reservations are required.

Call to reserve
(716) 947-9217

Date with Frank

Join us at Graycliff the afternoon of Saturday, February 10th and 17th, for an enchanting experience, where you’ll hear Isabelle & Darwin’s love story, and Wright’s captivating journey with his many loves. This unique two-hour tour showcases the contrasting tales of Wright and the women in his life, along with the Martin’s love, all intertwined with the rich history of Graycliff. Tickets are $45/person ($35 for Graycliff Members).

Reservations are required for this very limited thematic tour. The tour will begin at Graycliff at 2:30pm on February 10th and 17th, in the M&T Pavilion, and lasts approximately two-hours.
 
Reservations can be made by clicking the button below, or calling Graycliff staff at 716-947-9217.

Planning Your Three-Season Vegetable Garden Workshop

Join Graycliff Head Gardener, Emma Hahn, for this special workshop on March 23rd, at 10:30am. Emma will teach participants how to plan three seasons of harvest in their own vegetable garden, from early spring to late fall. She will cover direct sowing versus transplanting, companion planting, spacing and timing, and more—all to maximize harvests and health over a long season.

This session will run 60-90 minutes and take place inside Graycliff’s Foster House Garage. Participants will use paper and pen to plot out of gardens in an indoor setting, materials will be provided. Only guests 16 and up will be admitted at this time.
 
Graycliff members, log into your account to save $10.

Call to reserve
(716) 947-9217

Our 2024 Tour Season Begins Tuesday, April 2nd!

Join us as we kick off our 2024 tour season on Tuesday, April 2nd! We will once again be offering our one-hour Standard and two-hour Extended tours Tuesday through Sunday. Reservations are required for all guided tours, and may be made by clicking the links below, or calling Graycliff Staff at 716-947-9217. 

Standard Tour

Be a guest of the Martin family, and enjoy a one-hour tour of the gardens, grounds and first floor interior of the main house! You’ll examine the history of Graycliff, from Wright’s design, and the Martin’s time on the property, through today, while you explore the spaces used to entertain the family and guests. Reservations are required.

Call to reserve
(716) 947-9217

Extended Tour

Enjoy Graycliff as the Martin’s intended! You’ll experience a two-hour tour of the gardens, grounds, both floors of the main house, and the second floor of Foster apartment. Examine the history of Graycliff, from Wright’s design, and the Martin’s time on the property, while you explore the private, living, and guest spaces of the property. Reservations are required.

Call to reserve
(716) 947-9217

Spring Strings: An Intimate Sunset Concert

On the evening of Thursday, April 11, we invite you to an intimate concert event at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Graycliff. “Spring Strings” will allow attendees the opportunity to experience a string trio performing inside the impressive living room space of Graycliff’s main house.

Led by violist Joshua Lohner, a multifaceted musician who joined the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in 2022, the program will include classics from the string trio repertoire including Mozart and Schubert.
 
Doors open at 6pm, allowing for time for a self-guided tour of the first floor of Graycliff’s main house (with docents on hand to answer questions), before the concert begins at 6:30pm. 

Call to reserve
(716) 947-9217

Summer Solstice
Garden Party

We hope you will join us at Graycliff for our first annual Summer Solstice Garden Party on the evening of Saturday, June 24.

It is believed that Frank Lloyd Wright intentionally designed the corner window in the “view room” of Graycliff’s main house to perfectly frame the setting sun around the summer solstice. We are excited to welcome the public to the property during this very special time of year and have the opportunity to celebrate Graycliff’s magic together.
 
Tickets are $75, with the option to purchase a pair of tickets for $125 when using code SOLSTICE. Graycliff Members can purchase individual tickets for $65. 

Mother's Day Weekend
at Graycliff

Celebrate the maternal figure in your life, with a full weekend of tours and events for Mother’s Day!  On May 10th and 11th, we have a full slate of Standard and Extended tours available to choose from. On Mother’s Day itself, we have a whole day of our Open House (self-guided) tours, from 10am to 4pm!

Interested in more than just a tour for mom? Join us for a Martin House / Graycliff Experience tour on Friday, May 10th, that allows her to take in the complete story of one family, one architect, and two houses! Spend family time at Graycliff on Saturday, May 11th with younger kids, on our Graycliff for Kids tour! This family tour is an age adjusted tour, perfect for five to nine year olds, that explores what is architecture, who is Frank Lloyd Wright and what makes Graycliff so special! Additionally, we’ve partnered with our friends at Pour & Penchant on Saturday, May 11th for a Candle Making Workshop and Tour. Guests will pour a custom 10oz candle, and tour both floors of the main house. Tickets for the great workshop will be available soon!

Best of all, everyone gets a special discount in the Pavilion Shop at Graycliff Mother’s Day weekend, perfect for the last minute gift or to treat yourself!

Advanced reservations are required for all tours and events, except the Open House (self-guided) tours on Mother’s Day, May 12th. Please call Graycliff Staff at 716-947-9217, or click the button below to make your reservations!

One Family. One Architect. Two Houses.

The Martin House / Graycliff Experience allows guests to take in the complete story of Frank Lloyd Wright and the Martin family. Explore the city and summer estates in just one day during this joint tour package. The special day begins with a two-hour tour of the Martin House, where a boxed lunch will be waiting at the tour’s conclusion. 

Participants will then enjoy the 30 – 40-minute drive along Lake Erie to Graycliff, where a docent will be waiting to lead the next leg of the journey. At Graycliff, you’ll enjoy a two-hour tour of the property, followed by a special sweet treat!

Your ticket includes a two-hour tour of both sites and a boxed lunch provided at the Martin House to enjoy on site or take on the road, and a sweet treat provided at Graycliff.

Participants will self-drive to each location, and directions will be provided for the approximately 30 – 40-minute drive along the lake. Tour times are fixed at each location, and will start on time.

Graycliff for Kids

Join us for our Graycliff for Kids tour! This age adjusted tour will take kids and their families through the gardens, grounds, and first floor of the main house as they learn the basics of organic architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright, and what makes Graycliff so special! 

Graycliff for Kids lasts 60 to 75-minutes, and is $18 per adult, with children 5 to 17 free. This tour is a kids and family focused tour, geared towards children aged 5 to 9. All guests must be registered and space is limited to 18 guests.
 
Please note: The Graycliff for Kids tour content adjusts to meet the kids on the tour and their interests while touring. As a result, the content covered in the tour, and areas visited while touring are flexible.

Sunset Yoga

Sunset Yoga at Graycliff offers the opportunity to connect with nature and celebrate the summer sun on Graycliff’s historic grounds with three opportunities each month, July through September.

July 18- Open House Tour 6:30-7, 7pm yoga start
Aug 15- Open House Tour 6-6:30pm, 6:30pm yoga start
Sept 19- Open House Tour 5-5:30pm, 5:30pm yoga start
 
Tickets are $25/person, Graycliff members save $5 when they log into their account. This event is open to all levels of yoga comfort and experience.

Call to reserve
(716) 947-9217

Psychic Mediumship Experience

Join us for a new way to experience Graycliff and Psychic Medium, Ivy Rivera this fall! Ivy will give a brief introduction to psychic mediumship, and then you’ll explore both floors of the main house on your own to see if you can discover Graycliff’s past inhabitants. Included is a hard cider tasting with Clarksburg Cider, where you’ll have the chance to sample a variety of their fantastic hard ciders.

Tickets are $30/person, Graycliff members save $5 when they log into their account.

Call to reserve
(716) 947-9217

Graycliff for Kids

Join us for our Graycliff for Kids tour! This age adjusted tour will take kids and their families through the gardens, grounds, and first floor of the main house as they learn the basics of organic architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright, and what makes Graycliff so special! 

Graycliff for Kids lasts 45 to 60-minutes, and is $18 per adult, with children 5 to 17 free. This tour is a kids and family focused tour, geared towards children aged 5 to 9. All guests must be registered and space is limited to 18 guests.
 
Please note: The Graycliff for Kids tour content adjusts to meet the kids on the tour and their interests while touring. As a result, the content covered in the tour, and areas visited while touring are flexible.

Call to reserve
(716) 947-9217

Wright Rocks!
A Geology Tour with Penn Dixie

Join Graycliff and Penn Dixie on May 20th, July 15th, or September 16th, for a special geological tour of the site and discover the history of the land, the architecture, Wright’s material choice, and more to show why Wright Rocks!

Even better, after your tour, guests will receive a pass to visit and dig at Penn Dixie during the 2023 season! You’ll be able to dig, find, and keep fossils you discover on the 54 acres of Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve.
 
$45 per adult, and $15 for students, includes tour of Graycliff and ticket to Penn Dixie.

Call to reserve
(716) 947-9217

Shakespeare on the Lake: Romeo & Juliet

Graycliff is pleased to present Shakespeare on the Lake in collaboration with SUNY Fredonia’s Department of Theater and Dance, and Venture Productions. On the afternoon of Saturday, September 23, join us for a very special presentation of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet on Graycliff’s historic lakeside lawn. The interpretation of Shakespeare’s classic will be reimagined for this special setting. This is sure to be a memorable afternoon not to be missed!
 
$50 per adult, and $25 for students. Doors at 2pm, show starts at 2:30pm. Run time is 2.5 hours, presented in two acts with a 15-minute intermission.

Call to reserve
(716) 947-9217

Graycliff Garden
Education Series

Graycliff’s Garden Education Series, led by Graycliff Head Gardener Emma Hahn, is meant to be a resource for residential gardeners interested in learning about how to manage and care for their various plants. Each session has a different focus and have been scheduled to make use of Graycliff’s historic gardens. Cost is $30/gardener (Graycliff Members save $10, please login for your member benefits) and space is limited to 15 participants per session. Each session will run 60 to 90 minutes. The full 2023 schedule is below. 

 

Please contact Graycliff Staff at 716-947-9217 with any questions, or to reserve your spot over the phone.

Call to reserve
(716) 947-9217

Private Winter, Standard & Extended Tours

Want a special way to experience Graycliff? Book a Private 90-minute Winter, one-hour Standard or two-hour Extended tour! A private tour allows your small group to take in the beauty of Graycliff at a day and time of your choosing, with your own Docent. 

Private tours start at $150 for up to four people. Reach out to Ryan Gravell, Director of Operations, to book today!

Call to reserve
(716) 947-9217

Are You a Member of Another Organization?

Graycliff participates in the Time Travelers, Frank Lloyd Wright Reciprocal, North American Reciprocal Member, Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums, and Empire State Museums Reciprocal programs. Members of participating institutions with select levels may be able to tour Graycliff at no charge, or for a reduced rate, on select tours and receive a 10% discount in the Pavilion Shop.

To book a tour, please call Graycliff staff at (716) 947-9217 with your membership information in hand. 

More information can be found here.

Group Tours

Bring your group of 10 or more for a tour of Graycliff! We offer a variety of classic tour options, or let us customize a tour package just for your group. 

The Standard tour is a one-hour tour of the gardens, grounds and first floor interior of the main house! Your group will examine the history of Graycliff, from Wright’s design, and the Martin’s time on the property, through today, while you explore the spaces used to entertain the family and guests.

The Standard tour is $22 per person for groups of 10 or more. 

The Standard Plus tour is a 90-minute tour of the gardens, grounds and both floors of the main house! Your group will examine the history of Graycliff, from Wright’s design, and the Martin’s time on the property, through today, while you explore the families entertaining and living spaces.

The Standard Plus tour is $32 per person for groups of 10 or more. 

Enjoy Graycliff as the Martin’s intended on the two-hour Extended tour. Your group will experience a two-hour tour of the gardens, grounds, both floors of the main house, and the second floor of Foster apartment. Examine the history of Graycliff, from Wright’s design, and the Martin’s time on the property, while discussing questions your group may have about Wright, the Martin’s, or the property history!

The Extended tour is $42 per person for groups of 10 or more. 

The Garden Tour of Graycliff is a 90-minute experience which focuses on the history and restoration journey of our historic gardens and grounds, and also includes a tour of the first floor of the main house. The Garden tour covers the details of Ellen Biddle Shipman’s involvement in the design for the landscape that was initially outlined by Frank Lloyd Wright, and is led by a docent who has specialized knowledge related to the plant life on the property. This tour is offered May to October.

The Landscape tour is $32 per person for groups of 10 or more. 

The Martin House / Graycliff Experience allows groups to take in the complete story of Frank Lloyd Wright and the Martin family. The tour includes a one or two-hour tour of both sites, a boxed lunch provided at the Martin House to enjoy on site or take on the road, and a sweet treat at Graycliff following your tour.

Please contact us for pricing information and availability.

One family. One architect. Two houses.

In a twenty-year span, Darwin & Isabelle Martin called upon Frank Lloyd Wright to design two architectural wonders: the Martin House, located in the Parkside neighborhood of Buffalo, and Graycliff, in nearby Derby, NY, on the bluffs of Lake Erie. The two sites offer a variety of tours which can be combined to offer a wonderful Wright-inspired group itinerary.

Please contact us for information, options, and availability.

Museums are even better together! We have worked with many other Western New York culturals, including: Explore Buffalo, the Roycroft Campus, Tifft Nature Preserve, Penn Dixie Fossil Park, and more. Let us create a one-of-a-kind joint tour package just for your group.

Please contact us for information, options, and availability.

Ready to book your group of 10 or more, or looking for more information on group tours? Contact us by filling out and sending the form below. Please include the tour type you would like, tour date and time, and approximate number of guests. Or contact Ryan Gravell by email or phone at 716-942-9217 today!