Things To Do Near Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site
Start your visit by touring the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site. Then, tour the two cottages on the site. President Roosevelt used Top Cottage to escape with his closest allies while Eleanor used Val-Kill as her she-shed, and both have many personal mementos in them to see. You will also want to tour the presidential library before going on some of the hikes on this property.
Hiking Trails
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Eleanor’s Walk
This walk was where Mrs. Roosevelt would stroll with her dogs each morning, sometimes accompanied by her grandchildren. Especially in the spring, you will love seeing the hills covered with dogwood trees. This short hike also runs by a beautiful pond.
Location
4097 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, New York 12538
Length
1 mile
Intensity
Easy
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Farm Lane Trail
Farm Lane Trail starts opposite the main entrance to this national historic site. It passes through uplands and wetlands near the Roosevelt Home, Val-Kill, Top Cottage, the Home Farm, and FDR’s tree plantations. The graveled path is easy to follow and a great way to see all of Roosevelt’s Hyde Park properties.
Location
4097 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, New York 12538
Length
1.8 miles
Intensity
Easy
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Top Cottage Trail
Follow in the steps of kings and queens as they climbed to the highest point on this property to have private meetings with President Roosevelt. This trail runs from the main house to the private retreat. Once you reach the summit, enjoy stunning views of all the surrounding areas.
Location
4097 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, New York 12538
Length
1 mile
Intensity
Easy
Sightseeing
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Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site
See the exotic wood paneling, imported marble, lush velvets, and French tapestries when you tour the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site. Workers constructed this home for Frederick and Louise Vanderbilt to be one of America's most architecturally beautiful homes. Many of the materials used to build this home were recycled from Europe’s most famous homes.
Location
119 Vanderbilt Park Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538
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Ogden Mills & Ruth Livingston Mills State Park
The Staatsburgh State Historic Site within Ogden Mills and Ruth Livingston Mills State Park is an excellent example of a gilded mansion. This state park that lies next to Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park contains the oldest public golf course in America, the Dinsmore Golf Course. This park’s hilly terrain is the perfect spot to go on a hike, and you will also find terrific picnic spots.
Location
Mills Mansion 1 Road, Staatsburg, NY 12580
Museums
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Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art
Located on the campus of the State University of New York at New Paltz, the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art is divided into six galleries. See artwork from around the globe and from the last 4,000 years at this museum. Paintings, photographs, and metalwork are part of its permanent collections, but they also frequently host traveling exhibits.
Location
Hawk Drive, New Paltz, New York 12561
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Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum
The exhibits at Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum are geared for children under the age of 6. Numerous hands-on displays help kids explore science and math concepts in the world around them. It contains five exhibit galleries and an outside play area.
Location
75 North Water Street, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601
Nearby Shops and Restaurants
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Hyde Park Antiques Center
The building housing the Hyde Park Antiques Center was built in the late 1700s and used as a stagecoach stop for numerous years. It also served as the headquarters for President Roosevelt’s Secret Service detail. Find a vast array of antiques in this building, with many having tie-ins to the local area.
Location
192 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, New York 12538
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Harvest Moon Gifts LLC
Over 40 artists display their one-of-a-kind artwork for sale at Harvest Moon Gifts LLC. Soaps, floral, mugs, soaps, gourds, and home décor are all regularly available, with new items being added all the time. You will not want to miss visiting the year-round Christmas gallery.
Location
4158 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, New York 12538
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American Glory
Get refined barbecue and your favorite sides at American Glory. You will find various unusual barbecue styles from around the world, as the owner has traveled extensively. Local produce and fresh meat is used whenever possible.
Location
342 Warren Street, Hudson, New York 12534
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Apple Pie Bakery
Located at the Culinary Institute of America, Apple Pie Bakery Café offers a bright space where students and locals love to hang out. Grab a sandwich or a mug of soup and sit in the airy dining room. You will not only love the food, but also the décor, which includes plates from around the world and features food celebrations.
Location
1946 Campus Drive, Hyde Park, New York 12538