Top Things to do in Hudson River Valley
Top Hotels in Hudson River Valley
- 1. Hampton Inn Albany-Western Ave/University Area
- 2. Homewood Suites by Hilton Albany
- 3. HYATT Place Poughkeepsie
- 4. Hampton Inn by Hilton New Paltz
- 5. Tarrytown House Estate
- 6. Homewood Suites by Hilton Poughkeepsie
- 7. Homewood Suites by Hilton Newburgh-Stewart Airport
- 8. Hilton Garden Inn Albany Airport
- 9. Hampton Inn & Suites Albany-Downtown
- 10. Hotel Nyack
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10 Historic Sites in Hudson River Valley That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Hudson River Valley, United States including Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, Square House Museum, Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park, Lyndhurst, Kykuit, Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, Staatsburgh State Historic Site / Mills Mansion, Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, Museum Village Inc.
Restaurants in Hudson River Valley
1. Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,511 reviews
Historic site features the home and estate of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Springwood, and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, the only Presidential Library used by a sitting president. It was conceived and built under President Roosevelt's direction and opened to the public in 1941.The Library's mission is to foster research and education on the life and times of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, and their continuing impact on contemporary life. Our work is carried out by four major areas: Archives, Museum, Education and Public Programs.
Reviewed By R4960NKjustinw - Hasbrouck Heights, United States
I have been on the tour of Springwood many times but not at the holidays. The tour was really interesting of birthplace of FDR and the home of his mother, Sara Delano Roosevelt. The house was supposed to be decorated for the holidays but only a Christmas tree in the library and the dining room set for dinner were the only holiday decorations in the house. The mansion will be going through a full renovation in April and then will be closed for a year so tour it now! The park ranger gave us an informative tour of the family, when the house was built and the additions added on, how the family grew here and the role the house played in the history of the United States especially in World War II. FDR continued to visit here after he became President and used it as his summer White House. Still it was his mother's home and Sara's influences are all over the house. Unlike other mansions, you could tell this was someone's home that was used at all times of the year. You can really see the family influences all over the house as if someone was still living here. It is a great tour and take time to visit the museum and walk through all the exhibits. It really does take two or three days to tour the house.
2. Square House Museum
3. Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By wreckthismess - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
This is a super plus for the area. Great for jogging, wandering, seeing deer, great architecture and the quaint towns strung along the trail.
4. Lyndhurst
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 543 reviews
Lyndhurst mansion is closed but the grounds are open! Daily Grounds Passes are available through December 20th. Overlooking the Hudson River in Tarrytown, New York, is Lyndhurst, one of America’s finest Gothic Revival mansions. Designed in 1838 by Alexander Jackson Davis, its architectural brilliance is complemented by the park-like landscape of the estate and a comprehensive collection of original decorative arts. Its noteworthy occupants included: former New York City mayor William Paulding, merchant George Merritt, and railroad tycoon Jay Gould. Lyndhurst is a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Reviewed By an0nym0us9999 - Memphis, United States
Lyndhurst was a dream estate built by Mr. Pauling that was sold to Jay Gould that overlooked the Hudson River. During Halloween, the house was decorated with Halloween decorations that took away from the overall historic feel of the house but was entertaining. I took the tour of the house it lasted about an hour and a half and get a good look at the furniture that was in the house during Jay Gould’s life. The house itself wasn’t anything extremely impressive. The most memorial piece of information about the estate for me was that the TV series, Dark Shadows, was filmed at Lyndhurst, and Barnabas’ and Angelique’s paintings from the TV series were displayed in one of the rooms. The house was built in a gothic revival style where ever door, window, room, furniture and et cetera had a parallel matching accompaniment. It was a enjoyable historic site to explore.
5. Kykuit
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 748 reviews
Grand home and grounds of this former Rockefeller estate offer a marvelous collection of modern sculptures, Chinese and European ceramics, fine furnishings and beautifully landscaped terraces and gardens. KYKUIT IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED UNTIL MAY 3. Please continue to check this listing or go to our website for updates.
Reviewed By LJL1974 - Middletown, United States
While the "classic" tour is slightly shorter and more limited than the grand tour, we did not feel at all shortchanged. The classic is over two hours (including the shuttle ride to/from visitor center at Phillipsburg Manor to Kykuit) and includes an extensive amount of the mansion interior as well as a wonderful tour of gardens and grounds, and the coach house. Our guide (Helen?) was amazing in her ability to fascinate us with information on the three resident generations of the Rockefeller family, the architecture and renovations of the main structure as well as the coach house, and the artists who created the amazing sculptures and other artwork throughout the home and grounds. This is a wonderful tour!
6. Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,097 reviews
Historically known as Hyde Park, Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site is one of the region's oldest Hudson River estates. For nearly two centuries, this place has been home to socially prominent New Yorkers. A superb example of its type, Hyde Park represents the domestic ideal of the elite class in the late nineteenth-century America. It provides a glimpse of estate life, the social stratification of the period, and the world of the American millionaire during the era historians refer to as the Gilded Age.
Reviewed By PJCM744 - South Windsor, United States
If you are an architecture person, this home emulates good design and outstanding quality. Not as grand as the Newport Mansions, but this suites the area and owner's vision and lifestyle. Enjoyed our guide's knowledge and he was able to answer questions. Grounds are to be appreciated as well.
7. Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,205 reviews
"All that is within me cries out to go back to my home on the Hudson River" FDR This quote captures FDR's connection to Springwood, the estate that he loved & the place he considered home. The first US Presidential Library was started by FDR here. Visit the Home of FDR and Presidential Library & Museum to learn about the only President elected to four terms.
Reviewed By marcopolopaloalto - Palo Alto, United States
Area is open to visitors to walk around on the exterior during this pandemic time. While we cannot get into Presidential Library or the home where FDR was born and adored, , it is still worthwhile stopping here and walking the grounds of the home and estate where FDR came to relax, and where he raised his young family. FDR donated 33 of the acres from his family estate to this Park, where his home is, and where the library is, and where there is a prolific vegetable garden growing today. The vegetables grown there are given to an outreach program. FDR was a beacon of light as President during WWII. There are story boards and photos posted throughout the grounds about the exceptional history; busts of Churchill and FDR; and views of the Hudson. Gardner’s were friendly and helpful.
8. Staatsburgh State Historic Site / Mills Mansion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 132 reviews
A Gilded Age mansion and estate directly on the Hudson River in the mid-Hudson Valley, minutes from the Vanderbilt Mansion, the Roosevelt Presidential Library and home, the Culinary Institute, and Rhinebeck. The mansion has its original furnishings, and offers house tours and programs. The estate grounds, now a New York State park, offer picnic facilities, walking paths along the river, and hiking trails in the woods. A New York State historic site, with a NY State golf course, marina, and campground within one mile.
Reviewed By Kaiticatd
Staatsburg Mill House greatly exceeded my expectations. It's truly the Downton Abbey of Upstate New York and was stunning at Christmas time. The house maintains all of its original furniture, so it's an absolute representation of the time period, which is both rare and special. The staff and volunteers we're exceptionally knowledgeable and friendly, especially with my 19 month old daughter. I'm looking forward to visiting again in the spring and checking out the grounds.
9. Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 717 reviews
Val-Kill is a special place that serves as a window into Eleanor Roosevelt's private and public life. Its understated beauty, natural setting, and unpretentious amenities may appear surprising to first-time visitors because of its simplicity; a vision that seems incongruous with expectations for the home of one of the most influential women in American history. The only National Historic Site dedicated to a first lady.
Reviewed By SherylS887 - Philadelphia, United States
This modest “retreat”home of Eleanor Roosevelt is so utterly charming - it reveals so much about the character of that remarkable woman. If you take a tour, there is a quite good film to start with, then you get to see the cottage where she lived and also the “stone house”. The guide was very informative and also entertaining.
10. Museum Village Inc
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 57 reviews
Museum Village is a living history museum preserving a vast collection of eclectic, 19th century artifacts for educational purposes. Using these artifacts and reproductions, we provide hands-on experiences and exhibits illustrating the transition from a rural to an industrial culture and economy in America, provoking thought and discussion about history. Exhibits include blacksmith shop, weaving, farm life, candle shop, firehouse, school house, log cabin, energy and the environment and a complete mastodon skeleton (only 1 of 3 in the entire world!). Special events include a Gem & Mineral Show, Summer Tours, Ghost Tours, a Civil War re-enactment (Labor Day Weekend), No Scare Halloween, Thanksgiving Tasting & Christmas In The Village. Check out our website for many more events!
Reviewed By mikechir - Stamford, United States
This is a true living museum. the grounds are well kept and the staff is overly friendly. as soon as you walk through the entrance you step back in time with chickens and other birds wondering around buildings that you can wander through and really get a great feeling of what life was for the early settlers. some of the building are attended by staff wearing period clothing and are more then willing to teach you about there craft. we really enjoyed our time there, we arrived at 11 am and took our time wondering around and enjoying the day did not realize that we were there until 3 pm. we can not wait to go back during the fall for the civil war reenactment.
