Vanderbilt Mansion is the perfect example of Gilded-Age extravagance in the Hudson Valley. Located in Hyde Park, the estate has been owned by a variety of prominent New Yorkers. It is a great location for many activities. The mansion is open for tours and the grounds provide a vast area for hiking and picnicking.
Best and Worst Time to Go to the Vanderbilt Mansion
The grounds are open every day from sunrise to sunset with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. While the grounds are vast enough to accommodate large crowds with ease, the house is popular with tour groups and can become very crowded. Tours begin at 10:00 a.m. and the last tour is at 4:00 p.m. The early or last tour would be best to avoid large groups.
Must See/Do at the Vanderbilt Mansion
The full tour of the house is a must. Visitors are treated to a knowledgeable guide who provides a wonderful overview of the time period as well as the background of those who previously lived in the house. The site also hosts seasonal events and the Christmas at Vanderbilt program is an extremely popular attraction. This program usually runs from November through December with the house and the grounds decked out in historical holiday cheer.
Admission to the Vanderbilt Mansion
The grounds are free all year round. Admission for the house tour is $10 per person with children under the age of 15 free. There is usually no extra fee for special events.
Parking and Public Transportation to the Vanderbilt Mansion
The site hosts a large parking lot with spots available for cars, buses, and RVs. Visitors can also use Metro-North to arrive at the Poughkeepsie Train Station. From there, they can take a taxi to the historic site or at certain times of the year can utilize the Roosevelt Ride Shuttle. The ride shuttle takes visitors to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Home and Library and there is shuttle service from this site to Vanderbilt.
Food at Vanderbilt Mansion
There are no on-site food vendors at Vanderbilt. Visitors can bring their own food to eat on the grounds but no food is allowed in the house itself. For those wishing to eat before or after their tour, there are plenty of good restaurants within the vicinity. The Eveready Diner is a local favorite and provides a wide selection of choices to satisfy any appetite. The Hyde Park Brewing Company is also a fine choice for food and drink.
Insider Tip for Visitors to the Vanderbilt Mansion
After touring the house, visitors are also able to explore the vast grounds. There are plenty of hidden treasures on the Vanderbilt property. The Italian Gardens on the south side are beautiful to behold during the spring and summer months. For those on the more adventurous side, a short walk down the hiking trails will bring visitors to Bard Rock on the banks Hudson River. Visitors can expect to gain a beautiful view of the river front.
Author's Bio: Krista Miller, a 26-year Poughkeepsie area resident, is excited to bring her knowledge of the area to all those interested. She is a board member at a small, local museum and enjoys learning as much as she can about the history of the Hudson Valley.