Mary Todd Lincoln House Lexington: Self-Guided Tour Ticket
Walk Through the Childhood Home of Lincoln's Wife—On Your Own Time
You'll spend about an hour moving through Mary Todd Lincoln's childhood home at your own pace, reading about her life before the White House and the controversies that followed. The first floor is fully wheelchair accessible; the second floor requires climbing stairs but is documented in photos. Your ticket also includes a self-guided walking tour of downtown Lexington, and the museum sits near public transit.
1h
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Mary Todd Lincoln House
- Enter Mary Todd Lincoln House
- Tour girlhood home exhibits
- Learn about Mary Todd Lincoln's life
The Experience
"So she grew up here, in this house?" That's the question most people ask the moment they step into the Mary Todd Lincoln House in Lexington. The answer is yes—and it's the beginning of a story that doesn't fit the neat version most of us learned in school. Mary Todd was born into privilege, educated, politically sharp, and confident enough to hold her own in rooms full of powerful men. Then she married Abraham Lincoln, and everything that made her remarkable became the thing people used against her.
The self-guided tour of the house itself takes about an hour, and you move through it at whatever pace makes sense. The first floor is fully wheelchair accessible via a handicap lift, and staff can help you find it. You'll see the rooms where she grew up, the furniture, the details that tell you who she was before the White House, before the tragedy, before the decades of being misunderstood. The second floor has twenty-one steps—not accessible by wheelchair—but the museum keeps a photo album of the upstairs rooms available if you want to see it without climbing.
What makes this different from a guided tour is the freedom. You're not moving with a group or keeping pace with someone else's script. You read what you want, linger where something catches you, skip ahead if you need to. The Mary Todd Lincoln House is in downtown Lexington, and your ticket includes a complimentary self-guided walking route through the neighborhood, so you can see the streets she knew and grab lunch or coffee nearby. Public transportation stops close by if you don't have a car.
The museum is suitable for all fitness levels, and if you're traveling with small children, strollers and prams are fine. Service animals are welcome. It's the kind of place where an hour can feel like ten minutes or stretch into two, depending on how deep you want to go into her story.
What’s included
Your ticket includes self-guided access to the Mary Todd Lincoln House for approximately 60 minutes, a complimentary self-guided walking tour of downtown Lexington, and full use of the museum's photo album for areas you cannot access. Wheelchair accessibility assistance is available on request from staff.
Operated by Mary Todd Lincoln House
Is this one for you?Right for anyone interested in American history or first ladies who wants to explore at their own pace without a guide or group schedule. The self-guided format works especially well if you're traveling with young children, moving slowly, or prefer to read and reflect without time pressure.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
How long does the self-guided tour take?
The house tour is approximately 60 minutes. The downtown walking route can be done in addition, at your own pace.
Is the Mary Todd Lincoln House wheelchair accessible?
The first floor is fully wheelchair accessible via a handicap lift. The second floor has 21 steps and is not accessible by wheelchair, but a photo album of the upstairs is available at the museum.
What's included in the ticket?
Self-guided access to the house (60 minutes) and a complimentary self-guided walking tour of downtown Lexington.
Can I bring children?
Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. Service animals are also allowed.
Is there parking or public transit nearby?
Public transportation options are available near the museum. Check local transit schedules for routes to downtown Lexington.
Do I need to book a specific time slot?
This is a self-guided tour, so you can typically enter during museum hours without a reservation, though it's wise to check ahead for any special closures or events.
Mary Todd Lincoln House Lexington: Self-Guided Tour Ticket
1h · EN
from US$ 16.35 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.63128 reviews
