Once upon a time, a wealthy entrepreneur built a breezy, summer retreat for his wife—a woman who loved flowers, nature, and spending time with her family. The property that resulted became much more than a home away from home.
Graycliff is one of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s most stunning examples of organic architecture as it blurs the distinction between man’s creation and nature’s generosity.
Fast forward to today, and 95 years later Graycliff stands majestically on the shore of Lake Erie as a monument to one of the greatest American tales ever told—just 20 minutes from downtown Buffalo!
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Here are the top 5 things to do when you visit Graycliff this summer, starting with celebrating the Summer Solstice.
1. Celebrate the Summer Solstice
If you’re looking for a way to celebrate the Summer Solstice, Graycliff has a whole weekend of programming planned, including fun for the whole family! Here’s what to expect:
- Friday, June 18: Opening Night of The Market at Graycliff from 4 to 8 p.m. – free and open to the public, with self-guided tours of the historic grounds available for only $10/person- no advance registration required
- Saturday, June 19: Twilight Adventure With Graycliff & Tifft Nature Preserve starting at 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. —family-centric program that requires advance registration
- Sunday, June 20: Solstice Yoga & Celebration of the Sun With Yoga Parkside at 6:30 —21+ program that requires advance registration
2. Shop The Market at Graycliff
Graycliff has invited a selection of exciting local vendors out to the site on Friday nights from 4 to 8 p.m. starting on June 18 and running through July 30. This weekly market is an opportunity to shop local and spend time on Graycliff’s recently restored historic grounds. There will be a different food truck every week plus, it’s a chance to explore the property and get inside the first floor of the main house for just $10 a person. You are also welcome to come out just for the vendors and food, which will be set up this year in Graycliff’s parking area.
Children 17 and under are free of charge and children 5 and up are welcomed inside the main house. Graycliff members, at all levels, are always free of charge.
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3. Tour Graycliff and Tifft in One Night
Graycliff and Tifft Nature Preserve are teaming up to create a family-friendly experience called Twilight Adventure. This brand-new collaboration, happening on June 19, is a chance to bring the kids out and explore both places in the same evening!
Your evening will start with a family-centric 45-minute tour of Graycliff that explores the historic grounds and first floor of the main house at Graycliff. Then you’ll drive to Tifft Nature Preserve to enjoy the sunset on a guided informative one-hour twilight hike. Plus, there will be a food truck onsite at Graycliff so you can grab a bite in between!
You have two options. The first one starts at 5 p.m. at Graycliff with the twilight hike at Tifft beginning at 7 p.m. and the second option starts at 6 p.m. at Graycliff and 8 p.m. at Tifft. Either way, make sure to book your experience in advance. Tickets are $17/adult $12/child, with a savings of $2/ticket for Graycliff and Buffalo Museum of Science Members.
4. Take a Sunset Yoga Class
Once a month this summer, Graycliff is teaming up with Yoga Parkside to create a unique opportunity to connect with nature and celebrate the summer sun on Graycliff’s historic grounds.
The experience will start with time to explore the first floor of Graycliff’s main house from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., then Megan Callahan of Yoga Parkside will lead a 75-minute yoga class timed with the setting of the sun and with inspired live music.
This monthly Sunset Yoga Series with Yoga Parkside is happening on June 24, July 22, and August 26, and is open to all levels of yoga experience. If you’re interested, make sure to book your class in advance.
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5. Plan an Extended Tour
If you’re looking for an in-depth and complete experience of Graycliff, this is it! When you book a Public Extended Tour of Graycliff, you’ll get to see the whole property, including both floors of the main house as well as the Foster House. You can book a public tour online, or a private tour by calling 716-947-9217. To allow for a safe, compliant, and, more comfortable experience, for all public tours, guests 12 and up will need to show proof of COVID vaccination status upon arrival.
Graycliff
6472 Lake Shore Rd, Derby, NY
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