This realistic FDR Home National Historic Site Guide helps you plan your next visit to this historic house museum.

Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt & Eleanor Roosevelt are national historic sites that preserve the legacy of the 32nd US President and the First Lady.

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Sights & Places of Interest

FDR Home National Historic Site is in Upstate New York. This park is a great place to learn about the President and his family. You could also see what life was in the early to mid 20th century.

Together with Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, these two parks have three house museums. The FDR Home, Val-Kill Cottage, and Top Cottage are open to guided tours.

Without a doubt, FDR Home National Historic Site is the most visited of these parks. Other parks attract far fewer visitors. As a result, it is a good idea to start your visit with the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

1. Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site

You could see Springwood, or the FDR Home, Garden, Gravesite, and Presidential Library & Museum at FDR Home National Historic Site. Check the entrance requirements for opening hours and fees.

The next section of this FDR Home National Historic Site Guide covers a visit to the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

1.1. Roosevelt Home Garden

Your visit to FDR Home National Historic Site will start at the parking lot near the Visitor Center. You need to stop by Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Education Center if you plan on touring the FDR Home.

A ranger will check for available spots on the tour. Your America the Beautiful annual pass will also get you free admission.

You will enter the Home Garden as soon as you start exploring the grounds. The Garden has a few different sections. A vegetable garden replicates the estate garden back in the day.

But the fruit trees will likely be the first thing you see. Try visiting FDR Home National Historic Site during the cherry blossom. The views could rival the cherry blossom in Washington, D.C.

Most cherry trees are in front of the FDR Presidential Library and Museum. But it might not be worth a $10 per person fee unless you like historic museums.

1.2. Rose Garden

It could be a better idea to continue your walk to the Rose Garden instead. This small garden has seasonal flowers in the spring, summer, and fall.

These blooming flowers are a sight to see. But the park visitors come to the Rose Garden to more than just admire the flowers.

In fact, they come to pay their respects to the President and the First Lady. The graves of both FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt are in the Rose Garden.

1.3. Springwood

You will reach Springwood, the FDR home, just mere minutes from the Rose Garden. It is a beautiful three story mansion with a portico.

The house dates back to 1793. Major renovations took place in 1850. They affected both the exterior and the interior of the house. Another redesign occurred in 1916.

The house is in a great shape despite its 230 year old history. You could admire it from the outside as you explore the grounds. But you would need to join a guided tour to see the inside.

1.3.1. First Floor

The next sections of this FDR Home National Historic Site Guide describe the rooms you will see on a house tour. The first and second floors of the house are mostly open to public.

You will find yourself in the spacious Entrance Hall once you enter the house through the front door. It is a good idea to go left from the Hall. A narrow Gallery will bring you to the Library.

It is the largest room in the house. The furniture pieces and other items in the Library are just as they were in 1941. There are nearly as many armchairs in this room as there are lamps.

The bookcases, sculptures, and portraits round up the notable pieces in the Library. Attention to detail and craftsmanship shine through in nearly every piece in this room.

The Library has a certain mid-century feel. It is easy to imagine how the President conducted meetings or read briefings in this room.

There are also a Music Room, Dining Room, Smoking Room, Study, and Kitchen on the first floor. You could only explore most of these rooms from the Hallway.

A waist deep glass panel makes sure that nobody walks into the rooms. As a result, you could get only a glimpse of the Smoking room.

1.3.2. Second Floor

The second floor has a few bedrooms. They range from FDR’s, Eleanor’s, and Sara’s room to Blue, Pink, and Green Rooms.

Each of these rooms belonged a different resident. You could tell the differences in the interior design and decoration choices.

You should stop by the Boyhood Room. This room has just a twin bed, a chest of drawers, and a nightstand. This is where the President spent his childhood years.

The second floor of the FDR Home pales in comparison with the nearby Vanderbilt Mansion. It is far less lavish. Also, the entire right wing of this floor is closed to the public.

1.4. Hudson River Valley

You should take a walk around the FDR Home after your tour. This walk is also a great idea if the park has already sold out all tour tickets for the day.

You will get amazing views of the Hudson River Valley. The groves are hiding the river from sight. But the green meadows, colorful forests, and distant mountains are still a scenic combination.

There is a small bench that overlooks the meadows near the South Porch of the Library. You could take a seat and enjoy the views.

1.5. Stables

Once you finish your walk around Springwood, you will arrive in a yard. It is home to a Shed, a Garage, and the Stables. The first two buildings are off limits to the public.

But you should take an opportunity to walk through the Stables. This coach house dates back to 1886. It makes it older than a handful of house museums, like the Meeker Mansion and the Winchester House.

The coach house has a few tools on display. The horse stalls and a tack room give you an idea of how the stables functioned back in the day.

1.6. Gardener’s Cottage

You will pass another scenic building on the way back to the parking lot. It is the Gardener’s Cottage. This building is also closed to the public.

But it is the starting point of the Forest Trail. This 2.9-mi (4.7-km) loop trail brings you to the groves on the banks of the Hudson River. You would gain 255 ft (78 m) in elevation if you chose to hike it.

1.7. Bellefield

As you get ready to finish your visit to FDR Home National Historic Site, do not skip Bellefield. This historic mansion is behind the Visitor Center near the exit from the park.

Bellefield was built in 1795, which makes it a bit similar to the Longfellow House in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Both mansions have some of the same design elements.

Bellefield is off limits to the public. You could only admire it from the outside. But there is a secret garden next to Bellefield. The Walled Garden has both native and exotic plants.

2. Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site

Once you finish exploring the FDR Home and grounds, you should head to Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site. While it is possible to hike between the two parks, a drive is much faster.

Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site protects Val-Kill, the home of the First Lady. You will be able to explore the grounds of this national historic site. But one could only hope to tour Val-Kill Cottage.

The next section of this FDR Home National Historic Site Guide discusses a visit to Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site.

2.1. Orchard at Val-Kill

You will drive on a narrow park road for about 0.4 miles (0.6 km) after entering the park. The main parking lot is about 0.1 miles (0.2 km) from the cottage.

You will find yourself next to an orchard. It dates back to 1931. Fruit trees and berries used to take up the entire space that is now the parking lot.

You could only admire the orchard from a distance. The trees are fenced off. You could only walk through the stone pillars towards the pond.

2.2. Pond

You have probably noticed a massive pond already as you were driving to the parking lot. This human made pond also dates back the 1930s.

It covers an area of nearly 7 acres. The pond surrounds Val-Kill from three sides. The east side is the only one that does not have a water barrier.

There are wetlands on each shore of the pond. Countless cattails attract birds. As a result, the pond at Val-Kill is an excellent place for bird watching.

You could see red-winged blackbirds and American robins without making any effort. Just look for a movement near the cattails.

2.3. Stone Cottage

You should hurry up and cross the pond via a bridge. It is a good idea to check in at the Stone Cottage Visitor Center as soon as you arrive. Getting to tour Val-Kill is not an easy undertaking.

Arriving within the park opening hours is only part of the equation. You would need to secure a free guided tour ticket to see the cottage. You could enquire if there are any free tickets left.

The Stone Cottage has a few exhibits. You will likely have the time to check them out as you waiting for the tour to start. You could also explore the grounds if you have time till the house tour.

2.4. Doll House & Recreational Amenities

You will find a tennis court and a swimming pool right next to the Stone Cottage. While the swimming pool was constructed in 1935, the tennis court dates back to 1950.

You could wander around the pool and the court as you learn more about this park and its famous residents.

The grounds also have a picnic fireplace and the Doll House. Both date back to the mid 1930s. They are on a peninsula further away from the main buildings.

You could only explore the Doll House from the outside. As a result, very few visitors find a reason to go as far into the park grounds.

But the Doll House has a story to tell. This building was relocated from the FDR Home estate to its current place in 1945. An entire house relocation could not have been an easy task back then.

2.5. Val-Kill

You will arrive at Val-Kill next. This cottage is the main building of this national historic park. It dates back to 1926. It is also the oldest building at this property.

The cottage has three distinct areas. Each of them has a kitchen, a bathroom, and a living room. This setup was necessary when the cottage was a factory for local handicraft.

While the factory closed in 1936, the interior design remained. The cottage has also three separate screened porches. Unless you get a spot on a cottage tour, they will be the only areas you could see.

2.6. Playhouse

There is one other notable building at Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site. The Playhouse was originally a garage and a tool shed. It later became a part of the factory and a meeting space.

You should also not miss the Cutting Garden. This small flower garden is right behind the Playhouse. The park personnel still take the time to grow roses and other flowers there.

Even if you cannot tour Val-Kill, a visit to Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site is worth the drive. A walk around the grounds with historic buildings and blooming flowers will be a cherry on top of your visit.

2.7. Top Cottage

If you are looking to extend your visit, you could hike uphill to Top Cottage. This building on a hill was used as a meeting space by the President.

The building is only open to guided tours. The park has not offered the Top Cottage tours in a few years. Here is to hoping that the tours resume next year.

Continue with this FDR Home National Historic Site Guide. You will learn more about ways to get to the sights, entrance requirements, and places to stay.

Getting to FDR Home National Historic Site

Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Sites are in Hyde Park, New York. The parks are about 3 miles (5 km) apart. You could cover this distance by car or on foot on a hiking trail.

These parks are about two hours by car from New York City. Albany, the state capital, is less than 1.5 hours away. You might think that NYC and Albany would also be the nearest airports to the park.

And you would be wrong. New York Stewart (SWF) is by far the closest international airport to FDR Home National Historic Site. You could be touring the home less than an hour after leaving the airport.

New York Stewart (SWF) has a few direct flights, including to Reykjavik in Iceland. But it is not a hub. Most visitors would need to fly to Newark Liberty (EWR), LaGuardia (LGA), or John F. Kennedy (JFK).

All three airports are just over 2 hours from FDR Home National Historic Site. Philadelphia (PHL) and Boston Logan (BOS) are the only other major airports nearby. They are 3.5+ hours away.

A car makes a visit to Roosevelt National Historic Site much easier. You could navigate between different park units and visit the nearby Vanderbilt and Staatsburgh mansions.

But there is a way to reach the FDR Home by public transport. You need to board a Hudson Line train from Grand Central to Poughkeepsie. 2 hours later you could board the J bus to the FDR home.

The whole journey takes about 3 hours to complete each way. You would pay $20 per person for the train ride and $1.75 for the bus ride each way. Service is very limited on the weekends.

Where to Stay near Roosevelt National Historic Site

FDR Home National Historic Site is in a touristy area of the Hudson River Valley. You could choose from a handful of places to stay in close to this park.

Poughkeepsie is the closest city with highly rated yet affordable hotels. Homewood Suites By Hilton Poughkeepsie and Hyatt Place Poughkeepsie are fantastic choices about 20 minutes from the park.

These places to stay are also near Crew Restaurant & Bar and Mill House Brewing Company. Both restaurants are great lunch and dinner spots in Poughkeepsie.

You should also not miss the Culinary Institute of America (CIA). You should try a dish from a campus restaurant.

Finding other places to stay near the park depends on your itinerary. If you are traveling north, Albany has a few hotels and vacation rentals.

Southbound travelers could look into Peekskill or Tarrytown. Do not miss your chance to stay in a historic castle at Castle Hotel & Spa.

Danbury, Connecticut is a good choice for travelers to Hartford, Connecticut or Boston, Massachusetts. It is a large town on Interstate Highway I-84 with places to stay.

If the road brings you to the Minisink Tristate Area, take a look at Newburgh, New York. This town is a gateway to sights in Northern New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Delaware Water Gap, Grey Towers, Ringwood State Park, and Ramapo Mountain are all within reach from Newburgh.

There is of course New York City. The largest city in the United States has an astonishing number of places to stay. Keep in mind that a car is not too convenient due to the parking scarcity in Manhattan.

But Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn boroughs have properties that offer free or affordable parking. Consider Residence Inn by Marriott The Bronx at Metro Center Atrium if NYC is your next destination.

Entrance Requirements & Passes

There are three different sites at Roosevelt National Historic Site. Each of them has different opening hours and entrance fees. It does not help that the official Fees & Passes pages are quite confusing.

Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site

The grounds of Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site are open from sunrise to sunset year round. New Year’s, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Days are the only exception.

You could only visit the FDR Home as part of a guided tour. The tours run from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily except for the same holidays.

The entrance and amenity use fees at FDR Home National Historic Site differ by activity and visitor. Here is a simple overview:

• Grounds: free for everyone
• FDR Home: $10 per adult 16 or older; free to America the Beautiful annual pass holders
• Top Cottage: $10 per adult in extended amenity fee; $5 for Interagency Service Pass holders

You could only purchase the tour ticket on site with a credit card. Or bring your America the Beautiful annual pass to get free admission to the FDR home.

The park only accepts tour reservations for groups with 20 or more visitors. Still, the tours often sell out. It means that you have to arrive fairly early in the morning to guarantee a spot.

FDR Presidential Library and Museum

The FDR Presidential Library and Museum is next to FDR Home National Historic Site. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except the three holidays. It has separate admission fees:

• $10 per adult between 16 and 62 years old
• $6 per senior older than 62 years old
• Free for children and Interagency Access pass holders
• No discount for other America the Beautiful passes.

Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site

The grounds of Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site are open from sunrise to sunset. The Val-Kill Cottage tours run Wednesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The park observes all major holidays.

There are no entrance fees to explore the grounds and tour Val-Kill Cottage. While the tickets are free, the guided tours only take a limited number of visitors.

Takeaways: FDR Home National Historic Site

Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Sites are true gems in Hyde Park, New York. These house museums and their surrounding grounds reflect the look and feel of the 1930s.

Each park is different and offers a new experience to its visitors. You could breathe history at the FDR Home and see a countryside appeal at Val-Kill.

The fee structure is outright confusing at FDR Home National Historic Site. You should be able to tour all buildings but Library & Museum and Top Cottage for free with an Interagency Pass.

Limited number of guided tour tickets presents a bigger problem. You would want to be at the Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Education Center as soon as it opens.

This way, you could get a ticket to tour the FDR Home right away. Go to Val-Kill next and try your luck. But you will not have enough time to see the Vanderbilt Mansion and Staatsburgh Mansion with this plan.

These historic mansions in Hyde Park also enjoy high visitation and deserve a mention. You might have to extend your exploration or make tough choices on what mansions to tour and to skip.

Take a look at this FDR Home National Historic Site Video Guide. And visit the YouTube channel for the latest videos.

Frequently Asked Questions

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