James J. Hill House, Minneapolis (must see)

Of all the grand residences that sprang up during Summit Avenue’s first building boom, none can rival the James J. Hill House in fame or sheer audacity. Built in 1891 in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, it replaced the relatively humble home of Edward Duffield Neill with a sprawling 36,000-square-foot showpiece. This five-story behemoth, owned by none other than railroad magnate and “Empire Builder” James J. Hill, claimed three lots and arguably the best view in Saint Paul. Back then, it cost Hill $931,275—about $22 million today—to turn his vision into reality. These days, it’s the Minnesota Historical Society that holds the keys, and they’re happy to let you peek inside on tours from Wednesday through Sunday.

The Hill House isn’t just a mansion; it’s a Gilded Age spectacle, channeling the grandeur of Rhode Islands’s finest estates. Its 42 rooms are filled with mahogany and oak woodwork, hand-carved to the nines. Imagine 16 glittering cut-glass chandeliers, a two-story art gallery with a skylight overhead, and a reception hall so vast it runs 88 feet long. Oh, and don’t forget the three-story pipe organ that was, in its day, a literal showstopper.

But this isn’t just a frozen-in-time museum piece. Local artists regularly showcase their work here, often drawing inspiration from Minnesota’s natural beauty. Special events—like concerts—make the mansion feel as lively as it must have been in Hill’s time. Before you leave, pop into the museum shop to pick up books on the house’s fascinating history or souvenirs to commemorate your visit.