Oldfields-Lilly House and Gardens
Oldfields-Lilly House and Gardens
4.5
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
146 reviews
Excellent
91
Very good
40
Average
13
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Florencetraveler11
Florence21 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Nice historic Mansion that was been nicely maintained. One of our favorite things we saw on our extended weekend trip to Indy. Went here specifically to tour the mansion. Tour was self guided, so you can tour as fast or slow as you want.
Written 25 April 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.
Brandon
Pittsburgh, PA463 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
The grounds were decoratedfor the holiday season and the inside matched as well. We were limited to the first floor and the basement area but it was nice to see the property and the vehicle in the garage. If you get a chance, stop and watch the informational video to get a better understanding of the heritage.
Written 27 November 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.
TJC
Indianapolis, IN202 contributions
Aug 2022
Grossly overpriced, such that its impossible for a family to visit. By the time we paid the admission, we were wiped out for the day. Nothing left for lunch during our outing.
This place has no accommodation for a large family.
Snooty folks working there made it even less attractive as a family experience. Their opinion of themselves is way too high. Perhaps they need staff that lives closer to the median income of America.
This place has no accommodation for a large family.
Snooty folks working there made it even less attractive as a family experience. Their opinion of themselves is way too high. Perhaps they need staff that lives closer to the median income of America.
Written 18 August 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.
Taylor B
Chicago, IL8 751 contributions
May 2022
Oldfields, also known as Lilly House and Gardens, is a 26-acre historic estate and house museum on the Newfields campus, a 152-acre property that also houses the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Beer Garden, the Garden of Newfields and the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park. Located at the corner of North Michigan Road and West 38th Street, three miles north of downtown Indianapolis, it is a rare example of a surviving American Country Place Era estate with its elaborate gardens and grounds. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 2003, it has been described as a Gesamtkunstwerk, a unified work of art that combines the arts of landscape design, gardening, architecture, interior design and decorative arts. Built between 1910 and 1913 by architect Lewis Ketcham Davis for the family of Hugh McKennan Landon, who occupied the house from 1913 to 1932 when it was sold to J.K. Lilly Jr., who renovated and expanded the estate throughout the 1930s and 1940s. The 22-room mansion has undergone historic restoration and currently reflects the 1930s era when the Lilly family occupied the residence. The property, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000, includes 10 buildings. But the house attracts most attention. Today, it features eight furnished rooms on the main level, including the stair hall, great hall, game room, library, drawing room, loggia, dining room and kitchen. Nearly 90 percent of the furnishings and objects are original to the house.
Written 25 May 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.
Jurgen B
Brussels, Belgium2 848 contributions
Dec 2021
The house is smaller than it seems and you can only see the first floor. No look to bedrooms or bathrooms, and that is bad. Moreover, they stupidly removed all the furniture to put tacky christmas decoration so you don't have an idea of how the house normally looks.
Written 5 January 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.
MK1861
Westfield, IN291 contributions
Dec 2021
Actually Newfields and we did the Holiday lights for the fourth year. Well done and Lilly House was beautifully decorated. Well worth the price
Written 1 January 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.
Andrea D
New Albany, Indiana, United States8 contributions
May 2020
I would be remiss if I didn't leave a five star rating for this place. Its absolutely beautiful and the gardens are wonderful! However, this used to be free. I was shocked when I learned they are now charging admission fees to view the art museum and Oldfields. Paying the fee is not the problem, we would always donate to both the art museum and Oldfields when we visited Indianapolis on occasion, its just sad that they would take that away from people who might not be able to afford the cost. Shame on you.
Written 17 April 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.
Gwen W
Murfreesboro, TN1 767 contributions
Sep 2020 • Couples
It was a beautiful day to wander the grounds da to see all of the gardens and landscaping surrounding the Lilly House. We love seeing old houses and this was no exception. We had a great tour guide that was very detailed in each room. We also ate at the Beer Garden and the food was excellent. We truly enjoyed our day there!
Written 6 September 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.
L L
Indianapolis, IN295 contributions
Dec 2019
We went here when we were viewing the Christmas lights in the grounds. The house was decorate with paper chains, paper ornaments, etc. Beautiful!!
We used to take our 3 girls to the grounds around the house on a regular basis. They loved running around the grounds and we had picnics in the grass around the Lilly pond. Highly recommend!!
We used to take our 3 girls to the grounds around the house on a regular basis. They loved running around the grounds and we had picnics in the grass around the Lilly pond. Highly recommend!!
Written 26 January 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.
Taylor B
Chicago, IL8 751 contributions
Jan 2020
My wife and I love to visit old homes, especially antebellum mansions in the Old South. So we were pleasantly surprised to discover Oldfields, better known today as the Lilly House and Gardens, in Indianapolis. Located at 4000 Michigan Road in the Newfields campus, adjacent to the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park, it is a 26-acre historic estate and house museum, an extraordinary example of the American country house movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Built between 1909 and 1913 by architect Lewis Ketcham Davis for the family of Hugh McKennan Landon, it was sold in 1932 to Josiah K. Lilly Jr., the late Indianapolis businessman, collector and philanthropist, who renovated and expanded the estate throughout the 1930s and 1940s. Today, the 22-room mansion is open to the public. It reflects the 1930s era when the Lilly family occupied the house. It includes a service wing, pavilions on the east and west sides with access to balconies from the second floor and a large terrace atop a garage and service area. Today, the house features eight furnished historic rooms on the main level, including the stair hall, great hall, game room, library, drawing room, loggia, dining room and kitchen. Nearly 90 percent of the furnishings and objects are original to the house and were used by the Lilly family. The upper level features historical and interactive exhibits detailing the American Country Place era, the development of a country estate and Indianapolis in the early 20th century. It also includes a sampling of Lilly's collections of books, gold coins, military miniatures and nautical items. The gardens and grounds, which featured a tennis court and greenhouse, are rare examples of a preserved estate landscape designed by Percival Gallagher. The estate was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 2003.
Written 15 January 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.
Terri M
Terre Haute, IN1 contribution
Does it cost to get in?
You nees to buy a general admission to the art museum. We paid $18 for adults and $10 for children. The cost includes the art museum, house and gardens.
courtneyelese11
Indianapolis, IN1 contribution
Do you have to book tours in advance?
john b
Valparaiso, IN862 contributions
No you do not. I just walked in. However, they do have tours. I missed the last one the day I went but check the schedule if you want to take the tour. If not you can just walk through..
The house is OK but far from great. Looks special from the outside and the grounds are wonderful. Worth the time.
abkissinger2017
Mansfield, OH
Is your location decorated with Christmas Lights?
Rikki360
Indianapolis, IN63 contributions
Yes very much so....and it is quite beautiful. Great for picture taking
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Claim your listingOLDFIELDS-LILLY HOUSE AND GARDENS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Oldfields-Lilly House and Gardens
- Oldfields-Lilly House and Gardens is open:
- Sun - Sun 12:00 - 17:00
- Tue - Wed 11:00 - 17:00
- Thu - Thu 11:00 - 21:00
- Fri - Sat 11:00 - 17:00
- Hotels near Oldfields-Lilly House and Gardens:
- (6.42 km) Bottleworks Hotel
- (6.54 km) Nestle Inn Bed and Breakfast
- (7.09 km) Conrad Indianapolis
- (7.05 km) The Westin Indianapolis
- (6.92 km) Fairfield Inn & Suites Indianapolis Downtown
- Restaurants near Oldfields-Lilly House and Gardens:
- (0.37 km) IMA Cafe
- (7.04 km) High Velocity
- (7.11 km) Conner's Kitchen + Bar
- (4.68 km) Long's Bakery
- (6.93 km) OP Italian