Eleanor Roosevelt
National Historic Site

Welcome!

The page below contains basic information about Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site. Visit our Expanded Web Site for more extensive information on trip-planning and historical information. The expanded Web Site also provides links to the related Hudson Valley tourism sites, Roosevelt family sites, and other sites of interest.

Attention Teachers: for a classroom-ready lesson plan on Eleanor Roosevelt, visit the Teaching With Historic Places page.

Visitation:

Highest in October, July, and August; lowest in January and February.

Location:

Dutchess County in the Hudson River Valley of southeastern New York.

Address:

Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site
519 Albany Post Road
Hyde Park, NY 12538

Telephone:

(914) 229-9115

Operating Hours, Seasons:

May through October: Open seven days, 9:00am - 5:00pm.

November through April: Open Saturdays and Sundays, 9:00am-5:00pm.

The grounds are open daily year-round until sunset.

Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Days.

Directions:

From New York State Thruway (I-87):
Exit 18 (New Paltz), take 299 east to 9W south, follow signs to Franklin D. Roosevelt Bridge. After bridge crossing follow overhead signs to Route 9 north to right turn onto St. Andrews Road (County Route 40A.) Proceed to Route 9G, turn left. The park entrance will be about a quarter mile on the right.

From the Taconic State Parkway (commercial vehicles prohibited):
Northbound vehicles - exit at Route 55 west (Poughkeepsie). Follow Route 55 west to Route 9 north. Proceed approximately 5 miles north, turn right onto St. Andrews Road (County Route 40A.). Proceed to Route 9G, turn left. The park entrance will be about a quarter mile on the right.
Southbound vehicles - exit at Red Hook onto Route 199 west. Take Route 308 from Route 199 toward Rhinebeck. Proceed to Route 9 south (left hand turn at light). Proceed approximately 12 miles to left turn onto St. Andrews Road (County Route 40A.) See directions from Northbound above. on Route 9.

From New York City: Henry Hudson parkway (Route 9A) to the Sawmill River parkway to Taconic State Parkway. See Taconic State Parkway (northbound) directions above. OR - Proceed north on the Palisades Parkway to the New York State Thruway (I-87). See directions from New York State Thruway (I-87) above.

From Long Island: Proceed west on the Cross Bronx Expressway to the New York State Thruway (I-87) northbound. See directions from New York State Thruway (I-87) above. OR - cross the Throgs Neck Bridge, follow I-95 to the Hutchinson River Parkway north to I-684 to I-84 west. Take exit for Taconic State Parkway north. Follow directions from the Taconic State Parkway (northbound) above.

From New Jersey: Proceed north on the Garden State Parkway onto the New York State Thruway (I-87). See directions for New York State Thruway above.

From Connecticut: Take I-84 west to exit 13 to Taconic State Parkway north. Follow directions for the Taconic State Parkway (northbound) above.

From Massachusetts: Take the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) to the Taconic State Parkway (south). See directions from Taconic State Parkway southbound above. OR: Take the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) to the New York State Thruway (I-87) south. See directions from New York State Thruway above.

Entrance Fees:

Entrance to the park is free.

Guided Tour Fees:

The Guided Tour of the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site costs $5.00 for adults. Children under 17 are admitted free of charge. Golden Age cardholders receive a 50% discount on the guided tour - this does not apply to family members. Golden Eagle cardholders and their immediate family members are admitted free of charge. Golden Access Passports and bonafide educational groups receive free entrance to the tour of Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site.

Visitors can purchase a combination pass to the Home of FDR National Historic Site, FDR Library & Museum, Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, and Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site at a reduced cost of $18.

Group rates

Less than 25 people: $40.00 flat fee WITH CONFIRMED RESERVATION. Without confirmed reservations, the fee is $5.00 per person.

 

25 - 50 people: $100.00 flat fee WITH CONFIRMED RESERVATION. Without confirmed reservations, the fee is $5.00 per person.

Facilities and Opportunities:

Exhibits: The furnished home of the Eleanor Roosevelt ("Val-Kill Cottage"), Rose Garden, Cutting Garden. An introductory film is shown in the Playhouse. The Stone Cottage, also on the grounds, is operated as a conference center by Eleanor Roosevelt's Val-Kill Inc. a not-for-profit organization

Trails, Walkways: Once arriving, all access is pedestrian. Walkways are unpaved and may have rough sections. Trails are for pedestrians only (no bicycles permitted). Trails are unpaved, and are generally wide and level. Some steep, wet, and rough trail sections can be found.

Programs/Activities: Regularly scheduled tours. Talks by rangers are held on a regular basis. Programs vary, and include themes dealing with Mrs. Roosevelt's political activities, personal challenges, home life, and international diplomatic efforts.

Lodging and Camping Facilities: None in park. A variety of hotels, motels, and camping sites are available in the area. For information call Dutchess County Tourism at 1-800 445-3131.

Food/Supplies: A wide variety of shopping, restaurants, and grocery stores are available in Hyde Park.

Accessibility/Special Needs: Only the first floor of the home is accessible to the physically impaired. Handicapped parking is also available.

 

Basic Visit Recommendations:

Allow one hour for a introductory film and tour. There are also landscaped grounds and walking trails; allow extra time for these.

 

Reservations/Permits:

The historic structures are at an advanced age and were designed for family living, not as public facilities. To minimize building stress, the maximum size of any group permitted to enter is 15 people. Larger groups will be admitted in two or more sections. School groups must have one chaperone for every ten students. These limitations require advance reservations for group visits of 10 people or more. This also helps us provide you with the best possible visit.

The site is a very popular tourist attraction in Hyde Park, especially during the fall foliage season. Advance group reservations are sometimes necessary months prior to your planned visit. Reservations are made by contacting us at (914) 229-9115, Mondays through Friday, from 8:30am to 4:30pm, eastern time.

 

Film Permits:

Filming permits are arranged on an individual basis (based on the size of the project, whether a movie, commercial, etc. and how much park staff involvement is required.) For additional information concerning special uses or filming permits, call (914) 229-7770

.

Climate, Recommended Clothing:

Summers are generally warm and humid, winters cold and snowy. Wear comfortable clothes. Sturdy walking shoes are recommended.