A very peaceful and tranquil place that's great for spending the day, walking around the park, and having a picnic. The mansion tour was excellent, worth the $10 per person or free if you have the annual pass. The guide was very clear, understandable, and knowledgeable. Oh and also had a hint of entertainment, enough to get a chuckle out of us here and there.
We have a wonderful couple of hours walking around the estate. To bad the tours were all sold out. I was told it doesn't happen often. Weekends can get busy, especially in the fall on the weekends. Advanced reservations not available. Definitely going back to visit inside the mansion next year when the beautiful gardens are in bloom.
Great grounds to walk around--large fields to play in, and gardens to walk around, also a hike path along the Hudson. All that is free. To go in the house you need to buy a ticket for a specific time buy your ticket early!. A National Parks Pass covers the tour. The tour was informative and interesting.Visited onWeekendWait timeNo waitReservation recommendedNot surePrice for adult entry$6–10
A great stop to. A “quaint” home for the Gilded Age. Having been to some other Vanderbilt homes, the retreat feel is evident. Essentially the same as the day Fredrerick passed away. A $10 tour pass gets you in the door. The tour is quite informative and a great pace. You’re free to explore the floor before the guide gives you some information, lasting about an hour. The gardens are magnificent. You could easily spend a day walking the expansive grounds.
I have mobility issues. The staff was very accommodating and provided a wheelchair for the accessible lift entrance and elevator. The Ranger who assisted me was very pleasant, and knowledgeable about the home, the family, and the surrounding area. Our Guide was also knowledgeable, and his presentation was very informative. It was a beautiful, but chilly day. Thank you.
First of all, don't drive to fast or you might miss the entrance. You'll probably know it when you see it by the big stone pillars. I visited in February on a mild winter day, and this park was overlooking the river, so it was a little breezy. There are a lot of paths to walk on and take in the beautiful grounds. The main attraction would be the massive house that overlooks almost the whole property. I did not go inside, and I'm unsure if tours are offered to go inside due to visiting in the off-season. If you visit during the winter months like I did, there's still plenty to see and do. Parking was easy, and I arrived around 11am. The road is one way going to the parking lot and goes right by the mansion, so you'll see it before you even park. I plan to go back during a different season and see how different everything looks.
If you like historic architecture and interior design, tours are offered with a guide about every hour except 12pm confirm with the visitors center, and runs about 45 minutes. The first and second floor as well as the basement are open for viewing. Beautiful grounds and a great view across the Hudson River.
Visited in April 2022 from Toronto - many of the historic sites I wanted to visit had not yet opened for the season so I was glad to find Vanderbuilt offering tours. Would recommend buying tickets in advance! I didn't and the timing that I initially wanted was already sold out, so I had to go with an alternative timing. The building is one which does not appear as opulent as you might have expected on the outside the guide explained the story behind that, but the interior was much more impressive than the exterior. The park range was excellent, I enjoyed his sense of humour and he gave a great tour - I wished that it was longer! Well worth a visit. And make sure to budget extra time to walk around the grounds.
I love this area upstate. As a kid my family would vacation in the Catskills and I was married in New Paltz however I was not really familiar with Hyde Park. So glad I am now! This mansion is on several acres of beautiful public land. You have to pay to go in the mansion. Military people and family members are allowed at no cost. The surrounding area is a park with picnickers and dog walkers etc. Beautiful and serene.
Well preserved mansion and interesting story. Fredrick wasn't your typical over the top spender and it was nice to see that at least one of the Vanderbilts believed in saving money instead of just blowing it all. Even during the Victorian Era.Visited onWeekendWait timeNo waitReservation recommendedYesPrice for adult entry$11–15
