It was an absolutely amazing time, you can walk around the gardens for free and if you want a tour, it's only $10 per guest unless you're under 15 or have a national park pass (otherwise it's free), and it was truly incredible; when you walk through the doors you feel as though you're stepping through time, and our tour guide was so kind and answered any questions to the best of her abilities

Never do i ever get tired of my visits. The splendor of the guilded age is almost entirely encapsulated in this one mansion. Plush furniture, opulent decorations, the finest wood and stone work, you can almost feel the personal touch of mr and mrs vanderbilt.

+4

Very beautiful museum grounds and inside. The tour guide park ranger so funny and informative as well. They have done nice job in telling the story of Vanderbilt family in an interesting way. The mansion is gorgeous and you get chance to explore without them rushing you and same for grounds you have lot of free time to explore without people bothering or rushing you. We found it quiet and nice spot compared to most mansions in Newport for example. It’s beautiful serene spot with nice views.

+3

We did part of the Vanderbilt Mansion loop, on a gloomy fall day, and we didn't see many others on the trail. We took our dogs and they really enjoyed the scents and scenery. We didn't do the mansion tour, so we can't comment on that. However, we would definitely recommend it for a nice light hike with your pups!

You can only buy tickets on site so you might come early to get your timed tickets to ensure you get in. They are very busy but the guide is terrific and full if interesting details about the house and family. A must see mansion f you are in the area and terrific grounds ... the view of the Hudson is amazing.

Loved the mansion tour and walked around the grounds! It's a beautiful property with something for everyone. We saw many people hanging out and reading or just taking in the views. The self-guided garden tour was my favorite! The flowers were stunning!

The guided tour was amazing! They really make the history of the place come alive! The grounds are sublime with ancient trees. You must meet the 190+ year old Ginko tree!

Beautiful gardens & view of the Hudson Valley. The Vanderbilt Mansion is jaw-dropping! Original furniture and amazing tapestries! Limestone, marble, and exquisite artist carvings make this majestic "country home" of the Gilded Age a MUST SEE on anyone's bucket list! Our tour guide was extremely informative & helpful! I recommend this site as well as the Home of FDR down the road.

+6

Very beautiful grounds to walk, the view of the Hudson river valley is awesome. We got there on a Tuesday and they were not giving tours of the home, only Thursday- Sunday due to staffing. The rangers were very knowledgeable of the property. We walked the gardens and I'm sure in the spring time, they are beautiful, still are mid August, but some areas have been replanted and the roses are pretty much done for the season.

+6

Great surprise on our way up to Hudson New York. Make sure you take the time to walk down the path to the water's edge. It's an incredible place for a nice picnic. Hint: you can actually drive down there and with a little parking spot. Avoid you having to walk all the way back up! Will certainly return. It's a national park and well worth the visit if only for the water's edge.

Visiting the mansion compared to other historical houses wasn’t really worth the hour of touring. If coming with other people - donate what you’d like instead and just tour the grounds and the garden - it’s an awesome experience for photos and taking in the view!

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.

+5

$10 mansion tour fee for a 45-minute tour. If you only have a short time frame just get out of the car and walk around the mansion and grounds. Definitely sparks the imagination of what the gilded age lifestyle must have been like. That is, for a handful of people among millions.

+6

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.

+1

If you want to see a historic home from the Gilded Age, you shouldn't miss this one. This mansion is operated by the National Park Service, the interpreters are well versed in the history of the family, the era and all the changes that happened during the lifetime of the original owners. You cannot buy tickets in advance, just show up about 15 min before the time, they have tours nearly every hour, but beware, the better the weather the more people tend to come. It's a relatively easy walk for most ages, a shout out to Dimitri, he did a great job engaging his participants.

An amazing preserved mansion of the gilded age. The National Parks have done great keeping this for all to see. The garden have been brought back by a group of volunteers.

+6

Gorgeous, just gorgeous. Went in the summer and mansion had no AC- but fans that kept us all cool. $15 admission, wasn’t too bad. Got amazing pictures. Wonderful place for a weekend trip.

+6

Great house museum and grounds. Well maintained and great tour guide. You can walk around looking at rooms on each floor. Not all of house is on tour but impressive. The grounds have beautiful specimen trees. Walked down to Bard Rock which gives an interesting view of Huddon River.

+3

Beautiful mansion from the Vanderbilt. Built in neo classic style. The interior is stunning with European decorations and furniture. The guide was very knowledgeable. A must visit.

+6

The grounds are beautiful, the view of the Hudson River is outstanding.The goats who help with landscaping are cute and very docile . The mansion is beautiful,architecture is very interesting. Inside it was amazing yo see how the rich lived.A bit gaudy for my taste but some of the furniture was amazing. Our Ranger guide was very good and told us alot about the Vanderbilts.The mansion is not air conditioned so it is quite warm inside. Well worth the visit though.

+3

Love our national parks, this spot is absolutely beautiful. Amazing architecture, beautiful grounds and pretty gardens. I always appreciate going to an old historic house that maintains a lot of the original furniture to the people who made this spot historic. Worth the trip, worth a stop, I could easy spend a good portion of my day here.

Fantastic piece of history. Awesome architecture! A must visit when you’re in the area.

+1

Took a stroll through the grounds of the Vanderbilt Mansion and it did not disappointment. A beautiful place to spend a relaxing afternoon soaking up the beauty of God's creation.

+3

Fascinating! Gorgeous! If you like The Gilded Age (or History), this is a must see. I'm sure all the tour guides are great, but Joe was amazing. You can tell he loves his job. Really made everything come alive.

+2

Beautiful mansion with a rich history. Our tour guide was very knowledgable and presented very intetesting. Gardens are amazing. We really enjoyed every moment of visit.

+6

Such an amazing place to visit. So much history to learn from the excellent tour. Our NPS tour guide (Eric) was extremely knowledgeable and so patient with everyone's questions. He described so much information that influenced how this country grew let alone about the place itself and the Vanderbilt family. Highly recommend you visit and see if you can get Eric as your guide. As photos show, the estate is so well maintained and remains so impressive even now in 2024.

+2

I didn't manage to catch the tour this time. It's definitely something you want to book ahead of time. The grounds are amazingly vast. The views are just as magnificent as the mansion.

+2

Wonderful tour and experience! We were worried about getting tickets as we thought they might sell out but we showed up 20 minutes before the 12 pm tour and easily got tickets. I believe they have tours on the hour every hour so just show up a few minutes before and purchase at the mansion during Summer months (double check website to be sure). During other months I believe you can purchase ahead of time online. Our tour guide Cody was incredibly informative and professional. She knew every answer to every question and even offered to stay after a few minutes and answer additional questions. The tour is about an hour and there is no AC in the house but we were totally fine. There’s multiple fans in the house to cool you down which is helpful. Bring a bottle of water if you get thirsty/hot easily. The property is also gorgeous if you want to walk around and not pay for the tour. Highly recommend!

+1

AMAZING!! Let me say it again... AMAZING. Do not pass this up! Gorgeous views, rich history, beautiful gardens... list goes on and on. Small children may have a short attention span on tour. It's about 45 mins and very informational. You can freely walk around the floor in which your guide is on. **This National Site is FREE with a National Park Pass***

+6

Beautiful gardens! Such a nice place for an afternoon walk. The gardens are so pretty and picturesque. It's peaceful and quiet...you can visit the gardens or sit by the overlook for gorgeous views of the Hudson river. You don't visit with the goat along the way to the mansion and gardens. You need to purchase $10 tix for a one hour tour of the mansion - purchase ahead of time they do sell out. The gardens and overlook are free to explore.

+6

This was a spontaneous visit and we are so glad we went. We arrived right before the 1pm tour on a Holiday weekend and the group size was moderate. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about this Vanderbilt home and he threw in a few jokes which made the visit all the more pleasurable. If you don’t go for the tour, go for the views. You don’t need tickets to visit the outdoor space.

I went hiking around the mansion and it was an awesome view. There are giant trees everywhere. The views are amazing on top of bluff. If you are up for a three mile hike you should try it out. I thought it was absolutely beautiful and felt very safe. There are park rangers throughout the park. I would like to go back to get a view inside the mansion.

+6

We loved our tour and experience at the Vanderbilt mansion in Hyde Park. The ranger was knowledgeable and full of exciting and interesting facts (protect our parks and rangers at all costs!!!!!!!!! I cannot stress this enough in our current environment). This place is a true gem - we only stopped by on our drive south to stretch our legs and the hour long tour was very much worth it!!!

+3

A unique place The land is so peaceful, if you lived in the area would be the best place for daily walks

+1

Stopped here after going to FDR’s museum, and library. Purchased tickets to tour the house as this is the only way to see inside. Well worth the $10! Great guide was full of facts, history and knowledge. There is a wonderful loop trail you should hike if you have the time. Visitors center had an interesting family tree display that tied everyone together in the family.

+6

Magnificent grounds, gardens, pathways and Hudson River views. All the buildings on the property are also quite impressive. Tickets are required for tours of the mansion, purchased first come first served at the visitor's center. National Park passes are accepted. Tour days are limited. Grounds are open daily however

+6

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.

+6

**Disclaimer: We didn’t take the mansion tour, so the review is for the grounds only.** Plenty of parking spots, and the mansion tour is available for $15 and lasts a little over 1 hour. Tickets can only be purchased in person. The grounds are available for you to explore, with a garden area that I expect would be in full bloom in a month!

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.

+4

Visited on a weekend as a little day trip. I really enjoyed the tour and our tour guide spent just enough time explaining how the house was used, and was available to answer questions. Keep in mind there is no self-guided tour option so you must wait for each group tour to start. I’d recommend viewing the website ahead to get an idea of your times. This house was nowhere near as elaborate as the Newport Mansions, but is still a great piece of American history. Don’t forget to visit the goats in the back!

+2

This is a great place to visit with your dog. Many people were walking their dogs around the grounds, and there were doggy waste bags available if needed. The mansion was really neat and contained a lot of history. You do have to take a tour to see the inside of the mansion, so be prepared for that. There is little information on hauling a trailer, camper, or driving a motorhome into the park, but know you can enter, and there are a few long parking spots. The entrance and exit seem a little narrow, but we fit through with our truck and camper.

+6

Expansive grounds and landscaping. Take the inside tour and step back in time to the gilded age. Great for a few hours visit and a must see when in the Hudson Valley and Hyde Park area. Friendly guides who are very knowledgeable. The house tour has a lot of stairs and the house itself is not air conditioned so it can be warm in the summer.

+6

Really wonderful family activity. You walk the beautiful grounds for free or you can pay an additional $10 for the tour of inside the mansion. Our guide, was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the house and we really enjoyed our tour. We went on a weekday and didn’t have to wait to get tickets which was nice. Overall I would recommend this for a fun historical outing!

+6

During my recent visit to the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park, I experienced firsthand the grandeur and elegance that epitomize America’s Gilded Age. The mansion, built for Frederick William Vanderbilt in the late 19th century, stands as a stunning example of Beaux-Arts architecture by McKim, Mead & White. Walking through its 54 rooms, I was struck by the meticulous attention to detail — from the Italian marble floors to the exquisite Louis XIV-style furnishings and European antiques that fill the rooms. The interiors feel authentic, preserved carefully to reflect the lifestyle of an elite family at the turn of the century. What impressed me most was how the mansion balances opulence with comfort. Modern amenities for its era, such as electric lighting powered by its own hydroelectric plant, showcase the advanced engineering behind this historic home. The central Elliptical Hall is breathtaking and sets the tone for the rest of the house. The grounds are equally captivating. Spanning over 200 acres, the gardens are immaculately maintained and offer serene views of the Hudson River. The Italian terraces and rose garden, with nearly 2,000 rose bushes, provide peaceful spots perfect for a leisurely stroll or quiet reflection. Visiting in late spring, the flowers were in full bloom, which added to the overall experience. The guided tour was informative and well-paced, providing rich historical context without feeling rushed. The park rangers were knowledgeable and eager to answer questions, which enhanced the visit. Although I would have appreciated a bit more time inside some of the rooms to absorb the details, the overall flow worked well. In addition, the location’s proximity to other historical landmarks such as the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site and the Culinary Institute of America makes it an excellent day-trip destination for anyone interested in history, architecture, or simply enjoying a beautiful part of New York State. In summary, visiting the Vanderbilt Mansion felt like stepping back into a defining era of American history. For anyone in the Hudson Valley or passing through, it’s a must-see — a perfect blend of historical grandeur, architectural beauty, and natural splendor.

+5

A day before Christmas my partner and I decided to venture north to Hyde Park and take a tour of this piece of history given to us all by Louise Vanderbilt. We were pleasantly surprised to be the only 2 on the tour and are guide Megan did it proud! I highly recommend this tour and time if the year. A beautiful home with extensive gardens to enjoy all year long!

+6

Incredible views, worth the drive! Parking is free and you drive up the long driveway, which is beautiful. We walked the trails, the part by the water in the woods is very buggy. The mansion itself is breathtaking with a wonderful view of the Hudson River! The gardens are a must to visit, very beautiful and elegant. Especially in June when the roses are blooming. We walked around with a dog and dogs are allowed on leash.

+4

Amazing! It is a very peaceful and calm place, which is great for spending the day, walking in the park. The castle tour was excellent with a fantastic guide, well done, Eric was very clear, understandable, knowledgeable and professional. It's also fun, enough to make us laugh here and there. It was a very flashy castle, full of European charm, I mean marble/stone like gold.. really impressive…

+6

Such a beautiful experience at the Vanderbilt Mansion! We were the only ones in our time slot, so it felt like a private tour. About an hour long and such a cool way to see how life was lived during the Gilded Age. So much history and elegance in one place.

Okay, this is my favorite historic home/ mansion ever. Each room is a jewel box, with exquisite detail. There are some very grand public spaces, but the majority of the rooms are just perfect.

+1

A really beautiful national park site. It's free to get into the grounds and park and there's plenty of space to walk around and view the gardens. For $10 (per adult) you can take a tour of the historic mansion guided by a park ranger. The hour long tour takes you onto the first two floors and the basement of the mansion. You will likely have to take stairs to go up and down (the elevator was out of service when we visited due to lightning strikes and apparently it's hard to get repair people for an old elevator).

+6

Beautiful place. The grounds are so well maintained, perfect for a walk, and enjoy nature. The parking lot can get a bit busy, so I recommend planning your visit in advance. Our tour person was so knowledgeable and answered many questions about this new money mansion.

+6

This place is magical - like a time capsule. A great place to just take a walk, even walk the dog, there’s enough space to be away from other people as well. The mansion is gorgeous and the only downside to my trip was we couldn’t do the tour because we brought the dog 😂 otherwise gorgeous!

One of my favorites along the Hudson Valley tours! Our tour guide entertained us well in orating this grand house's real purpose to show off. And in our fun-run "periods of excess", this gilded age mansion really puts on an eye candy show!

+4

What a beautiful historical site located in the Hudson Valley! I have been to the Vanderbilt Mansion several times and there is always something new and exciting going on. The grounds are absolutely gorgeous, with stunning views and amazing architecture. The most recent time I went they were hosting a Music in the Parks night. Inside of the home is equally as beautiful, with great insights and knowledgeable staff guiding you through this historic mansion.

We took the tour of the mansion and learned so much about the Vanderbilt's and the Gilded Age and the new money and old money of the times. Our tour guide was super knowledgeable and was able to answer everyone's questions

+6

Carol flinn

Visited here over 20+ years ago, debated not taking house tour again. Glad we did take the tour!!! Saw more of the house, forgot enough details, tour cost covered by my Sr Park pass, and had a different Ranger. Did not regret revisiting this NHS.

+1

Daryna Do

The mansion is truly impressive, the richness of interior is simply amazing. Stunning landscape around. Everything is preserved very carefully – it is under protection of National Park Service. The Park Ranger told us an exiting story about Vanderbilt family, their ups and downs. Really recommend it for visiting.

+6

Ingrid Hill

This is a great mansion tour offered by the park service. The home is ornate and beautiful. Tours are plentiful and informative. Even if you dont wish for a house tour, the grounds and the garden is beautiful and a great place for a quiet stroll.

Laura Scott

Beautiful mansion to visit, lots of history on the family. No AC in the house but it wasn't terrible and it was a super hot day. Tour guide was very knowledgeable and the house has all the original furnishings which have their own story.

+2

Maria Resetar

Enjoyable history to be told. Great tour guide with lots of information. Tickets are required but available at the information desk.

+2

Beautiful and fascinating visit to the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park. The historical information was presented very well by the park ranger—friendly, knowledgeable, and happy to answer questions. The interior is truly opulent, and we were able to see the upstairs, main level, and basement. Walking the grounds adds to the experience. It can get warm inside during the summer months, but they do provide fans to help. A great stop for history lovers!

+6

Really quite an amazing place, well worth making a detour. The tour is conducted by a National Park Service person and is excellent. The building is better restored than most European castles.

+6

Such a gorgeous home from the gilded age. I love the history of the Vanderbilt family . You will feel wealthy when here.

+1

David L.

We visited on a Friday afternoon in late June 2025. When we arrived there were plenty of spaces in the parking lot. There were a lot of people here as well. We walked to the visitor center first. It was very ornate inside just like the mansion. There is an info desk at the back right of the main hall which had multiple rangers at. We rushed there first because we needed to get tickets to tour the mansion and it looked like a busy day. We did get tickets for the 5 of us for the 1PM tour. The tickets are $15/person and 15 years and younger are free. BUT if you have the NPS annual pass it's free for up to 4 people. So we had an annual pass and a 4th grade pass so we were fine. We also got junior ranger books here to work on. The NPS passport cancellation stamps are also in here on a table on the back left of the main hall. There were a few exhibits on the left side side in the adjoining rooms but it wasn't much. The bathrooms are to the right when you walk in. The kids worked on the junior rangers while we waited for our tour to begin. We did end up walking around outside exploring the gardens as well. We took lots of pictures and it was overcast skies so it was fantastic. We also walked out back behind the mansion which was beautiful as well. When it was time for our tour we met up with our group outside the mansion and all walked in together into the main atrium. The tour guides said we could listen to him talk or just start exploring the main floor. I think I was the only one who started walking around while we they were talking. I knew it was going to be a mad house after they finished talking. After they finish their talking everyone looks around and the rangers answers any questions you may have. We took a bunch of pictures. After a few mins they gather everyone back up and we moved to the upper floor and did the same thing again. The most interest factoid about the upstairs was the husband's and wife's bedrooms, which were separate. They had a special door that opened into each other's room but they had locks on them as well. The joke was that the wife's room had like 3 locks on it while the husband had just 1. You can probably understand why that was. wink wink. Lastly we went to the basement where the servants and staff lived and this is where the tour ends. Overall this was an amazing site. The mansion was so opulent and filled with such ornate stuff it was like a art museum. We would definitely come back here again to do the tour or even just walk around the property and gardens. Especially if we have the NPS pass anyways and can get in for free.

+6

Addison Schmitt

This is an absolute must-see in the Hudson Valley. The grounds are open and free for visitors and tours through the mansion are a modest price. Purchased in the 1940s, all items within the mansion transport you to a different time. Our tour guide was Eric, and was so friendly and knowledgeable. The tour was over an hour and took us through 3 different floors of the estate and multiple rooms. Each floor was unique and preserved in a respectful and tasteful way. I can’t say enough about how special this estate is and the grounds. I highly recommend the garden that is located next to the gardeners house and shed. A beautiful place for photos. Walks about the grounds are beautiful and is a perfect way to start or end the tour. The cost per person is $15 and is very informative. There are handicap accessible options for touring the estate that will allow access to all floors of the mansion.

+6

Elliott Williams

My wife and I visited this beautiful mansion in Hyde Park near the Roosevelt library . It was a tour and it was fun the architecture was great and I'm glad that now the average person can come and enjoy what was once only for the rich and few.

+6

Pam Regensburger

Amazing experience - we arrived at 10, easily found parking and got into the first tour ( approx 20 people in each tour). Mansion has floor fans that circulate warm stale air, so early in the day is probably the best time as no AC. Mansion itself is gorgeous and I believe we saw 18 rooms, fully decorated. Our guide, ranger Ryan was friendly and knowledgeable. The trails on the grounds were beautiful and if you go, definitely visit the flower gardens ( not on the official tour but a short trail away). We also drove to the abard Rock parking area , which only held about 8 cars bc th road to the rock was closed. We did the walk down and it was lovely on the river but the other all back in the heat was a tough trek. All in all, worth a visit to step back to time and station unknown to the majority of us.

+1

A really cool historic site with an amazing view of the Hudson Valley. I came a little too late for a tour but would love to come again to see the inside of the mansion.

+6

Sara Jones

Truly a wonderful experience! The tour takes you through the entire 1st and second floors, plus some of the basement. It's formatted as a listen to the tour guide for a while, then go off on your own and look around the floor for a bit, come back to the group, and so on. It was a great way to see everything at your own pace and be able to ask the guide extra questions. The tour is probably about an hour, but they do let you leave after the first floor if you don't want to continue. Our tour guide (I don't remember his name but he was from NJ!) was super knowledgeable about the Vanderbilts and the property. I could have asked about anything and I'm sure he would have had an answer! The grounds are stunning and very pleasant to walk around. There is a beautiful Italian garden, a giant carriage house, and various viewpoints of the Hudson river. For the price ($15), this can't be beat. It really is a beautiful place with an interesting history. Can't recommend it enough! This is a wheelchair accessible tour, with a wheelchair lift and an elevator. There are two staircases that are also used in the standard tour, thought the guide made it clear he was happy to operate the elevator if needed. The mansion is not air conditioned, so plan accordingly. Water bottles are allowed in, but other food and drink is not. I would not recommend bringing young children as you must be careful not to touch anything and do need to be quiet to hear the guide.

+3

Cam E

Nothing compares to the extravagance of the Gilded Age mansions and lifestyle. The Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park is a magnificent example, well-preserved on its perch straddling above the Hudson River. It's well worth a visit or two.

+1

Amber

I have always loved visiting here. From volunteering in the gardens, to running the trails. I have a beautiful picture of the view from the bench during each season and hung all four above my bed. Clearly it has a special place in my heart! But, after all these years, I finally got across to touring the mansion. First of all, the young man in the visitor building was so kind and informative… then our tour guide, Eric. He was phenomenal. So passionate and he guided us in a way that was engaging and answered so many questions. I love this place even more.. I feel so lucky to be so close by.

+2

Leslie Maclang

This is my fourth Vanderbilt home tour and though not as extravagant as the Breakers or Marble House in Newport, the way the park ranger told the story of Frederick and Louise Vanderbilt as well as overall Gilded Age living was so animated and compelling, this was my favorite tour thus far. The home is of course gorgeous (for a “cottage/farmhouse 😂” according to the Vanderbilts) but the storytelling was really first class. Can’t wait to come back to visit when the grounds are in bloom. Of note, tickets can only be purchased in person and it’s unclear to know when the next tour might be. I arrived at 12:30 and the next tour was at 2 but I drove 15 min to a nearby town to visit a cafe and was back right on time and without issue.

+3

Keith Duhamel

Great national park that allows those of us who are not wealthy to see how the other half used to? live(maybe many still do today). The park has great places to walk and enjoy the views of the Hudson River and you can walk the dog throughout the park. Did not get to go inside the house this time, but it is worth the visit to explore both the park and the mansion. The staff are friendly and informative.

+5

Yves Racine

I've liked the guided tour very much: lot of information given orally (but few written descriptions inside about the art pieces). It's sad though to see the mansion's state as the Federal funding is not enough to ensure its maintenance. The gardens are maintained by local volunteers, just to give you a hint.. In any other countries (like France as an example), maintenance would be done to illustrate this Gilded age of America.

+6

C Gordon

What a dream! This home is a beautiful masterpiece of the gilded era. Our tour guide was enthusiastic and very knowledgeable but not over bearing. She gave us plenty of time to wander around through the rooms on several floors throughout the home. I was fascinated with the details and the history. Highly recommend you take a tour yourself.

Kelly Hunt

Great tour, our volunteer tour guide was very knowledgeable, and did a great job! Beautiful location with stunning views. Gorgeous mansion!

+6

Abby

What a lovely gem outside of NYC! I want to especially highlight that the guides there are super friendly, helpful, and made the tour so much more informative and better. We went with family the day after Thanksgiving and our guide Ashley made the tour so wonderful! You have to go on the guided tour in order to go inside the Vanderbilt mansion, but the grounds are free to walk around and take pictures. We were able to get in with our national parks pass, which saved quite a lot of money. The inside of the mansion was so beautiful if you’re into the gilded age luxurious aesthetics.

+6

WISH

Stately, elegant, and full of history. The Vanderbilt Mansion is a stunning example of Gilded Age architecture, with beautifully preserved interiors and expansive gardens. Walking the grounds feels like stepping back in time — perfect for history buffs, architecture lovers, or anyone who appreciates classic grandeur. Well worth a visit.

Our primary purpose in coming up to Hyde Park was to visit the Roosevelt sites, but we figured we'd stop here at neighboring Vanderbilt Mansion since we were already in the area. It was well worth th…

The Vanderbilt mansion is excellence of yesteryear. My wife and I toured this mansion in upstate that's right NY . Every floor was a new view. And the grounds were simply amazing. Definitely a trip w…

Constructed in 1898, this was a seasonal residence for George and Louise Vanderbilt. All furnishings are original and most came from Europe. In 1940, Franklin Roosevelt purchased the home and over 20…

Visited with our BARK Ranger (dog), so we were unable to participate in the tour. We did meat a few rangers, and our pup became an official Bark Ranger. The Rangers that helped us were so nice and ki…

Visited with our BARK Ranger (dog), so we were unable to participate in the tour. We did meat a few rangers, and our pup became an official Bark Ranger. The Rangers that helped us were so nice and …

Great tour guide Ranger Ryan. Fabulous job of answering questions along with an excellent basic tour. Definitely worth seeing if you’re in the middle of the Hudson Valley

Great tour guide Ranger Ryan. Fabulous job of answering questions along with an excellent basic tour. Definitely worth seeing if you’re in the middle of the Hudson Valley

Our tour guide did a fantastic job as he gave us a peek into the lives of the Vanderbilt family and the social elite during the Gilded Age.

Our tour guide did a fantastic job as he gave us a peek into the lives of the Vanderbilt family and the social elite during the Gilded Age.

Beautiful! Not a long tour one hour with rooms to see at your leisure pretty much, Dimitri our guide was outstanding! We arrived about 5 minutes before the tour was leaving and they squeezed us in!…

We only live about an hour from the mansion and visit every 4 or 5 years. Glad we visited today. Our guide, Dimitri, was fabulous! He's incredibly knowledgable, witty and engaging. Probably one…

This place was amazing. The tour guide was very good and answered all questions thrown at him. The gilded age was like no other time in America. This was a summer home only and parties and hosting …

We stopped here on a recent NY and PA trip to historic sites. We were inspired to check out this and other mansions after seeing a documentary series on the industrial barons of the Gilded Age. It…

This site is so impressive as well as the history that goes along with it. Our tour guide, Ranger Ryan, was incredibly knowledgeable and entertaining. It was not the time of year to visit the gar…

Visiting historic homes can be fascinating as it gives us a glimpse into the past. This mansion is well-kept and definitely a beauty. The rich from the late 19th and early 20th centuries lived li…

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 o…

a very inexpensive and very interesting tour. If your legs are up to it, walk down to the Hudson (or drive if the gate is open) to Bard's Rock. The gardens are lovely, too.

We had a great time touring the mansion. Our tour guide was VERY knowledgeable in the history of the Vanderbilt’s family and home. I read Anderson Coopers book and the guild was spot on with the in…

The history of the Vanderbilt family is very interesting to us, and the Frederick and Louisa portion of the story is right in line with the rest of the family story. The views and the scenery we…

You can use a senior "America the Beautiful" pass for a free tour of the mansion. The home was bought for a steal by the National Park Service, which has maintained it for decades. "Over the top" i…

I wish the main house would have been open. The grounds were beautiful and FREE to walk around. There were families, runners , dogs and even a few young couples taking professional photos. Watch little ones around the side of the property that faces the Hudson, it is a steep drop. The Gardens were beautiful, even though there wasn't much blooming. I am excited to go back in the spring.

+6

Beautiful open park and grounds. Fabulous views of the Hudson from the property. Advise tour hours be posted on the website for better planning.

+1

Went there on a beautiful sunny day and it was amazing the views and the private tour was amazing but the walk way is dangerous no walking and looking around all cobblestones and pavers we uneven

Touring the mansion, and walking through the beautiful extensive, grounds of this national park, are a great way to spend a pleasant afternoon. Although the mansion is not as ornate and extensive as some of the other Vanderbilt mansions, our tour guide did a wonderful job of explaining the history and background of the Vanderbilts and the property.

+6

The tour was very informative. The only way to see the mansion and get to know the History. Tickets can be bought on arrival. The tour lasts an hour. Not a very kid friendly activity. Adults will enjoy it.

+5

Vanderbilt Mansion in NY offers guided tours every 30 minutes, with the last tour at 4:30 PM, so plan accordingly. The mansion, one of the Vanderbilt family’s “smallest” homes, is designed to embrace the outdoors, lacking central AC due to the time it was built which makes it a bit warm inside. Despite this, it’s impressive for a house meant for just one couple. The attached park is beautiful and enhances the visit. Although only guided tours are offered to visit inside, ticket checks are not strict.👀 Overall, it’s a great glimpse into the Vanderbilt lifestyle.

+3

Nice gardens and walk along the Hudson River. The house was beautiful and you get a glimpse into the Guilded Age.

Very nice park, but you must see the Mansion. They are running tours every 30 min until 5pm and it is only $10 per person for almost an hour long tour. The inside of the mansion is beautiful and it is still in its original state.

+6

They have scheduled tours and depending on when you get there, you may have to wait for your assigned time. The grounds are beautiful and you can definitely take a stroll in the Italian garden while waiting for your tour. The tour wasn’t as good as the Breakers because they don’t allow you in each of the rooms at all. They have a rope across the entrance to each room which really limits your ability to view each room.

+6

This is definitely worth a visit. The problem is you can't buy tickets in advance. I can't imagine that it would be that busy but maybe it is in the summertime. Even if you can't get in right away to tour the building you can tour the gardens and the property which is beautiful and has stunning views of the Hudson River

+4

The Vanderbilt family built 43 mansions in the US. This mansion is not as big or as impressive as some of the other mansions, but it is worth visiting if you haven't already seen the others.

+6

Lov Guns

Very nice half day trip. Worth doing. Park was very well cared for and clean. The National Park staff was very helpful and made the trip experience great. The mansion does not have AC or a public bathroom. The tour of the mansion was very nice, enjoyed it. The mansion has a nice flower garden. No food at the park. Outside the park theres food and gas ⛽️ stations within 20 mins. I recommend this National Park property for a visit.

+6

We patiently waited for the government to open up so we could visit some of the historical homes and mansions of the Hyde Park area before winter kicked in.\n\nHere we are, five (5) weeks later, on S…

I went to this home on a Saturday morning in March. This estate is located off of U.S. Route-9. Our tour was small and it was led by a docent. We saw three (3) levels of this house for about sevent…

I went to this home on a Saturday morning in march. This estate is located off of U.S. Route-9. Our tour was small and it was led by a docent. We saw three (3) levels of this house for about sevent…

This is definitely worth a trip. The grounds are gorgeous, with stunning views, lots of greenery and a really beautiful garden. The mansion is spectacular. The grounds are open until 8 pm and ar…

Enjoyed a wonderful and informative 1 hour tour. Tours are $10/person. They are free if you have the senior America the Beautiful National Parks Card. The mansion was owned by Frederick Vanderbilt.…

The gardens and home are well worth taking the tour. This mansion was owned by Frederick Vanderbilt. We had just been to the Biltmore which was owned by George Vanderbilt. This house is much small…

We had a lovely visit. Entrance fee was $10 each. Parking was free. Tour was an hour. A very knowledgeable and friendly park ranger was our guide which was the first and second floors plus the base…

It was definitely a cool place, but we didn't have time to do the tour so we're not able to go inside. The gardens were very beautiful. No gift shop so we were not able to get a magnet.

+6