Adventure Collective
Cultural & Architectural Tour at Alden Dow Home and Studio - Midland

Cultural & Architectural Tour at Alden Dow Home and Studio

Midlandeasy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

1–2 hours

Fitness Level

Basic mobility required, comfortable walking shoes recommended

Overview

Discover the innovative design of Alden Dow's home and studio in Midland, Michigan. This tour offers a glimpse into groundbreaking mid-century architecture set within a stunning natural landscape.

Midland, Michigan

Public Tour

Reservations Required | Adults $20 | Seniors $18 | Students $8 (8 years + only)| Tuesday - Saturday

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Adventure Photos

Public Tour photo 1

About This Adventure

Experience the awe of color, shape and texture blended with nature on a public tour of the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio.


2025- Pricing Adults - $20.00 Seniors - $18.00 (adults 60 and over) Students - $8.00 (8 years old through traditional college age of 23) No Children under 8 years old permitted. No Exceptions!


Duration

1 Hour to 1 Hour 30 Minutes


About

Upon opening the front door to this unconventional world, you begin to wonder “how” and “why” and at once you are filled with possibilities. From a low and sheltered entry, the reception area soars… natural light, spring green and crab-apple pink bathe the space and quizzically makes it way down to his Floating Conference Room…situated eighteen inches below the pond. All this and you’ve only walked in.


Alden B. Dow Home and Studio Policies and Procedure:

• The individual who make the reservation is asked to review the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio Policies and Procedures with all the guests in their party. By checking the box, that individual guarantees they have reviewed the policies and each person in their party has agreed to them.
• Guests are encouraged to leave personal items such as coats, backpacks and purses in their vehicles as they are not allowed to carry them on tour. Please utilize pockets to carry personal items and cash or credit cards for additional purchases.
• You must already be registered for a tour. • We ask that guests arrive no more than 15 minutes before the start time of their tour. • The Home and Studio is integrating educational programming back into our schedule. There is a possibility that a program may be running simultaneously with tour times and students will be in the building. • Children must be 8 years old to attend tour. No exceptions. • Student Age pricing is 8 years to traditional college age of 23 years old. • Parking: Tour parking is behind the Post Street School. • Photography or Video recording: Guests may take their phones on tour but there are NO PHOTOS, video or recording of any kind on the interior of the building or objects in the building. This includes the screen porch. We ask guests to please silence their phones and keep them in their pockets while inside the building. Photos are allowed outside the building during the tour and in front of the building before and after the tour. • As a National Historic Landmark, the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio not required to follow ADA guidelines. It is not wheelchair accessible. • We provide a secured closet to lock up purses, backpacks and other personal belongings that are not allowed to travel through the Home and Studio. • Length of tour is approximately an hour to an hour and thirty minutes. • Valid College ID required at check-in. • Senior Age pricing is 60 years or older. • 24 hour cancellation notice required for full refund or rebooking.

Adventure Tips

Respect preservation efforts

Follow designated pathways and avoid touching exhibits to help preserve the historic site.

Arrive early or late in the day

Visit during off-peak hours for a quieter experience and better photo opportunities.

Bring a notebook or sketchpad

Capture design ideas or sketch features that inspire you during the tour.

Check for special events or guided tours

Look up scheduled programs to enhance your visit with expert insights.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Michigan white-tailed deer
  • Eastern red fox

History

Alden Dow’s innovative designs marked a shift in American residential architecture during the mid-1900s, making his home a living museum.

Conservation

The site actively maintains sustainable landscaping practices and uses environmentally friendly materials whenever possible to ensure long-term preservation.

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Adventure Hotspots in Midland

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Comfortable walking shoes

Essential

Necessary for exploring the home and surrounding property comfortably.

Camera or smartphone

Essential

Capture architectural details and scenic views during your visit.

Notebook or sketchpad

Helpful for jotting down observations and design ideas inspired by the architecture.

Water bottle

Stay hydrated during your tour, especially on warmer days.