The Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum is a restored 1871 French Victorian mansion on Memphis‘s historic “Millionaire’s Row,” furnished throughout in period antiques.
This guide was updated in August 2026. Adult admission is now $16 — several major booking platforms, including Viator’s own listing, still quote the previous $15 rate. You can book your self-guided tour in advance through Viator.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 680 Adams Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 |
| Hours | Wednesday–Sunday, 12pm–4pm; last admission 3:30pm |
| Closed | Mondays, Tuesdays, and all major holidays |
| Adult admission | $16.00 |
| Senior admission (65+) | $13.00 |
| Child admission (6 and up) | $11.00 |
| Nearest transport | Free museum parking at Washington Avenue and Orleans Street |
| Typical visit duration | About 1 hour |
Why book Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum tickets?
- 🏛️ A restored 1871 mansion: Home to two of Memphis’s most prominent Victorian-era families, the Woodruffs and the Fontaines.
- 🎟️ Prices recently updated: Adult admission is $16, above the $15 rate several travel sites still list.
- 🌿 The Handwerker Gingerbread Playhouse: A whimsical storybook-style playhouse tucked in the garden behind the mansion.
- 📜 QR-coded self-guided tours: Scan codes throughout the house to dig deeper into each room’s history at your own pace.
- 💰 Free parking on-site: Right at the corner of Washington Avenue and Orleans Street.
Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum opening hours
Self-guided tours run Wednesday through Sunday, 12pm to 4pm, with last admission at 3:30pm. The museum is closed Mondays, Tuesdays, and all major holidays. For 2026, the museum has also published an extensive list of additional closure dates for holidays, private events, restoration, and exhibit changes, including August 8; September 5, 11, and 19; October 3, 10, 17, and 23–24; all of November 7–29; and December 5 and 24–27. Given how many dates are affected, it’s worth checking the official closure calendar before finalising your plans.
Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum ticket prices
Tours are self-guided only, unlike several other US historic house museums such as the Aiken-Rhett House in Charleston and Riverview at Hobson Grove in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which run guided tours.
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $16.00 |
| Senior (65+) | $13.00 |
| Child (6 and up) | $11.00 |
The official site doesn’t list a separate price for children under 6, though tours are generally not recommended for children under age 5. Group tours are available at special rates by calling ahead. Book in advance through Viator to lock in your preferred time slot.
How to get to the Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum
The museum sits at 680 Adams Avenue, in Memphis’s Victorian Village Historic District, close to public transportation and an easy walk from several other historic homes on the same street.
Parking at the Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum
Free museum parking is available at the corner of Washington Avenue and Orleans Street. The parking gate closes daily at 4pm, so plan to move your car before then.
How long to spend at the Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum
Most self-guided visits take about one hour, covering all three floors of the house.
Accessibility at the Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum
The first floor of the Woodruff-Fontaine House is handicapped accessible, with accessible bathroom facilities available in the Carriage House. Since the full tour covers all three floors, and there is no elevator, the upper floors are not accessible to guests who cannot use stairs.
What to see at the Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum
The period-furnished rooms across all three floors bring Victorian-era Memphis to life, from formal parlours to family bedrooms, decorated as they would have appeared during the Woodruff and Fontaine families’ residence.
A notable collection of Victorian-era clothing and textiles, including bridal wear and undergarments of the period, offers a closer look at daily fashion of the era.
QR codes placed throughout the house let visitors scan for extra historical detail on demand, adding depth to the self-guided format.
The Handwerker Gingerbread Playhouse, in the garden behind the mansion, is a whimsical, storybook-style structure that’s become one of the property’s most photographed features.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Check the 2026 closure calendar | Several specific dates are closed for private events, restoration, or exhibit changes. |
| Wear comfortable shoes | The self-guided tour covers three floors, with no elevator between them. |
| Budget about an hour | Most self-guided visits take around 60 minutes. |
| Save personal photo sessions for another time | Photography is allowed during tour hours only, with no flash and no dedicated photo sessions without prior arrangement. |
| Park for free, but watch the gate | The lot at Washington and Orleans is free, but the gate closes daily at 4pm. |
Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the opening hours? | Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm to 4pm, with last admission at 3:30pm; closed Mondays, Tuesdays, and major holidays. |
| How much does admission cost? | $16 for adults, $13 for seniors 65 and up, and $11 for children 6 and up. |
| Is the museum wheelchair accessible? | The first floor is accessible, with accessible restrooms in the Carriage House, but there’s no elevator to the upper floors. |
| Do I need to book in advance? | It isn’t required, but booking ahead secures your preferred time slot. |
| How long does the tour take? | About an hour, and all tours are self-guided. |
Things to do near the Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum
The James Lee House, a few doors down on the same historic street, is a Victorian mansion now operating as an upscale bed and breakfast.
The Mollie Fontaine Lounge, just across the street, transforms another Victorian mansion into a cocktail lounge with live music.
The National Civil Rights Museum, about 10 to 15 minutes away, is built around the former Lorraine Motel, the site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.
Beale Street, roughly 10 to 15 minutes away, remains Memphis’s best-known strip for live blues music, bars, and restaurants.
The Peabody Hotel, also close by downtown, is famous for its twice-daily March of the Peabody Ducks through the lobby.
What to visit tomorrow
Graceland, about 15 minutes away, is Elvis Presley’s former Memphis home, now one of the most visited historic house museums in the country.
The Davies Manor Historic Site, in nearby Bartlett, roughly 25 to 30 minutes away, preserves Shelby County’s oldest home, a two-story log-and-chink pioneer house on 32 acres.
Rowan Oak, in Oxford, Mississippi, about 1.5 hours away, is the former home of novelist William Faulkner, now maintained by the University of Mississippi and open for tours.
More Memphis travel
Other Memphis travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- What to know before visiting the Memphis Botanic Garden.
- Shelby Farms Park, Memphis: Guide to access, activities and opening hours.
- Plan your visit the music heritage attractions of Memphis: Sun Studio, Memphis Rock ‘N’ Soul Museum, Memphis Music Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music.
- Gettting to Memphis: Guides to the Dallas to Memphis drive, Houston to Memphis drive, Nashville to Memphis road trip, Little Rock to Memphis drive and Louisville to Memphis drive.
- Where to stop on the Memphis to Austin drive and Memphis to Oklahoma City drive.
