Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site became a National Historic Landmark in 1940. It is owned and operated by the National Park Service and is open for tours each day with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
The Home
The property, historically known as Hyde Park, was one of several homes owned by Frederick William Vanderbilt and his wife Louise Holmes Anthony. The 54-room Vanderbilt mansion was constructed between 1896 and 1899 and is an example of the Beaux-Arts architecture style. The mansion’s interiors archetypical of American Renaissance, blending European architectural salvage, antiques, and fine period reproductions representing an array of historical styles. It is a must-see for any history or architecture buff.
The historic site includes 211 acres of the original larger property that was once around 600 acres. Situated on land overlooking the Hudson River, the site has beautifully manicured lawns, formal gardens, woodlands, and numerous auxiliary buildings.
The Gardens
The Vanderbilt Mansion is home to Italian gardens detached from the house. The garden beds are arranged in a beautiful symmetrical style, true to Italian gardens. Frederick Vanderbilt himself added the rose garden which contained almost 2000 vintage rose bushes along with other kinds of roses.
Tours and Hours of Operation
The mansion grounds and gardens are open to the public from dawn to dusk for walking about, picnicking, or just enjoying a day outdoors along the Hudson River.
May 12, 2019 – October 26, 2019 the mansion is open everyday by guided tour only. Tours are offered throughout the day at: 9:15 A.M., 10:00* A.M, 11:00 A.M, 12:00 P.M, 1:00 P.M, 2:00 P.M, 3:00* P.M, and 4:00 P.M and 5:00 P.M. (Tour times are subject to change)
*Group tours of 10 or more people must make reservations in advance which are offered at 10:00 A.M, 1:30 P.M or 3:00 P.M only. On days when no group tour is scheduled these tour times will be available to the public (except 1:30 P.M).
October 27, 2019 – May 2020
Entrance to the mansion is available by guided tour seven days a week. Public tours are offered at 12:00 P.M and 4:00 P.M. Should unexpected high visitation occur, guided tours will switch to self-guided tours.
Group tours of 10 or more people must make reservations in advance which are offered at 10:00 A.M or 2:00 P.M only. On days when no group tour is scheduled these tour times (10:00 and 2:00) will be available to the public.
To make a group reservation call 1-877-444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov.
Admission Fees
Vanderbilt Mansion admission is $10 per person. Tickets and visitor information are available in the Visitor Center located in the building near the parking lot. Children 15 and under are free. Additionally, check out 2019 free days, courtesy of the National Park Service.
“You cannot beat the views from this location overlooking the Hudson River. The Mansion is breathtaking and an architectural marvel…a MUST SEE!”
—634MikeP634, TripAdvisor
Take Amtrak to Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site
Visit the beautiful Vanderbilt Mansion via Amtrak to Poughkeepsie Station—Don’t forget to use the See New York and Save 15% discount!
Get picked up from Poughkeepsie Station and taken to your reserved NYTRAIN Enterprise Rent-a-Car. Click here to reserve your car or call the Poughkeepsie office today at: (845) 485-2222.
