General Grant National Memorial

General Grant’s National Memorial is truly one of New York City’s hidden gems. Tucked between Riverside Park and Columbia University, the area itself is peaceful and beautiful—an unexpected oasis in such a busy city. As the final resting place of the 18th President, Ulysses S. Grant, and his wife Julia, the memorial carries a quiet sense of honor and history that’s immediately felt as you step inside. One of the standout parts of my visit was the theme of “out of the darkness and into the light,” something I might have missed entirely if it weren’t for one of the volunteers, Mr. Subhas. His knowledge, enthusiasm, and explanations brought the memorial to life and gave my visit so much more depth. The entire staff here was incredibly welcoming and helpful, making the experience even more memorable. This site deserves far more attention than it gets. If you’re a history buff, a national park enthusiast, or simply someone looking to discover something meaningful and overlooked in New York City, General Grant’s National Memorial is an absolute must-see.

Limited access times for the Mouseleum where a Park Ranger opens it up for you. Didn't visit the visitor center. Largest mouse lemme in North America.

Lived in NYC for many years, had never visited this site until today. The mausoleum is impressive, an amazing building with murals and sculptures inside (as well as Grant and his wife Julia). Free. The area is quiet, Riverside Park is quite lovely, but there isn’t much to see besides the memorial. There is a Visitors Center across the street. It holds small displays with a few memorabilia of the time. A video can also be viewed. There’s a store with books and other small items (patches, pins, etc.). Clean, accessible bathrooms. While the visitors center is accessible ♿️ the memorial itself is not. The site is also short staffed, with the visitor center closed during lunch time. If the visitor center is closed, the nearest bathroom is behind the monument, at the children’s playground. It was surprisingly safe and clean for a city park bathroom. It also was well populated with children and families.

Another historic place off my bucket list. I always suggest starting at visitor centers at national parks. The staff are very knowledgeable and we always watch the film. The films give you a good background about why it is a national park and lots of information about the park. Not crowded at within walking distance of restaurants.

If you are a fan of neoclassical architecture this is pretty amazing. If you think that building a giant mausoleum is a waste of taxpayer money this will drive you crazy. Either way it’s been built and it is impressive. I would guess it was based on Napoleons tomb as the design is basically identical.

This was more than I was expecting! Felt very much like Napoleon’s tomb (if you’ve been to Paris). There are tombs for General Grant and his wife, though she is buried elsewhere. Quite magnificent tomb and building. Highly recommend the visit.

This is worth the trip away from the usual attractions of south Manhattan. The memorial is impressive, with the tomb of General Grant and his beloved wife side by side. There are also the flags of the divisions under his command and around the tomb are busts of other generals. Next to the memorial is a small museum and shop which detail the life of General Ulysses Grant.

Tucked away in New York City is a lesser-known marvel that rivals the Pantheon and Lincoln Memorial in grandeur. The Grant Tomb is a tranquil oasis right beside the Riverside Park. Inside, President Grant and his wife are entombed below street level, with stairs leading down for a closer look. The monument features stunning mosaics depicting Grant's military achievements, as well as historic flags with significant ties to the former President.

I've visited this memorial during annual Harlem week festival celebrations. They have vendors and entertainment to celebrate the Harlem community. The surrounding area is big with areas to sit and enjoy the scenery. Please check out the other reviews for the historical and and your info.

Well we never actually went in to this place, apparently they do have tours however it was Mother's Day and we were on our way back to the hotel to go out for dinner, however until we were wandering by neither one of us my wife or myself even knew that this place existed. We really like the history behind this particular home and my wife and I truly enjoy touring places like this to learn more so we will be stopping back on our next trip.

I had the pleasure of visiting here on 6/18/2025. It is located in the beautiful Riverside Park. I went right around the time of opening and although they were slightly tardy (around 10 minutes) opening the facility, the nice gentlemen at the visitor center and the folks running the memorial tomb could not have been nicer. A must destination for anyone interested in US presidential history.

Bottom tier NPS site. Completely disengaged rangers. Visitor center has limited interpretive content. Memorial itself is needing significant maintenance. Not a site I would go out of my way to see.

What a shocking disappointment. Needs a good cleaning and improved lighting. Felt dark and dingy inside. The National Park ranger sat at the desk at the entrance and never looked up from his phone, or acknowledged any visitors. Very sad for a National Memorial.

Beautiful memorial, great piece of history The General took the lead in ending the civil war, Not only freeing slaves but arming them to fight After the War he did fight against the klan and was president as we were going into an industrial revolution There is plenty of parking here . The park rangers enjoyed speaking about the history of the memorial

Having visited NYC several times I finally got to visit this memorial when it's open. Being a history guy I was not disappointed, first it's huge with 2 levels. Everything is self guided and most of all it's free! Only took about 45 minutes to see it all but well worth it. Don't come here expecting tours or a gift shop, just a security guy sitting there doing his thing. Glad I got to see it at last.

The interior is finally open again. If you know anything about Grant, you know he wanted to do right, was a man of morals, but was constantly tortured by war and conflict. He tried his best to make changes in the country after the civil war, but his advisors and staff were unscrupulous. His legacy really is misunderstood. The grounds are beautiful. Greenery, plenty of seating. Close to Morningside Park and Harlem sites. There are usually unicyclists, jugglers, artists. This is the largest mausoleum in this hemisphere. The inside is imposing, glorious, and somehow sad too. The architecture is magnificent. This man lived such a difficult life, you have to hope he found some peace. Worth a stop when you're uptown.

To use an old joke from Groucho Marx, "Who is buried in Grant's Tomb?" If you answered our 18th president, Ulysses Grant, you would be wrong. He is not buried here. Rather, he is interred here, as his sarcophagus is above ground. The mausoleum is a perfect final resting place for him (and his wife, Julia). Along the Hudson River, not far from Columbia University, it is fitting for him to be here. No, he is not a New Yorker by birth (his birth state is Ohio), but he spent the last few years of his life in New York. In fact, he is the only president to date to be buried here in New York City. A simple and fitting (or grandiose and over the top) tribute to one of our finest general in the Civil War, and our finest general of that time since George Washington. After all, he was only the second Lieutenant General named since Washington. Pretty well deserved despite the iffy things he did as president, but I can overlook that based on his own military achievements. Just as his tomb overlooks one of the greatest cities in the world, as if he conquered it himself. What an honor.

Don't pass this up when you come to NYC. The incredible history alone of former President Grant is worth coming here. This is an enormous memorial created for Grant and his wife, Julia. It's such a beautiful area and very quiet as well from the usual noise of the city. The best part is that the park ranger that works inside is incredible! He was so knowledgeable about American history and gave great anecdotes and stories about Grant's life and the significance of the building. I would come here again in a heartbeat for the stories alone!

A great memorial to a General and who was President also. General Grant Memorial often gets overlooked. It's probably because there's so much else to see. Being hidden also doesn't help. This is also pretty impressive and should be checked out. Being kind of out of the way doesn't help attract visitors, but it's not all that bad. It keeps it from getting crowded. This isn't a large memorial. It has the caskets of Grant and his wife at the bottom. The room is surrounded by busts of his generals during the Civil War. Above ground there's several frescos. These depict scenes involving Grant that happened during the Civil War. It doesn't have much about his presidency. Of course since he wasn't considered an impressive president, it was wise focusing on his career as a general, which was one of the greats of all time. It doesn't take long to look around. Often a guide will give free history lessons and tours. Try looking ahead on the park website.

I love this national memorial. This is a great spot to relax outside on the benches or go inside, read the historical facts and see the tombs. This is in a very convenient location. There is plenty of street parking nearby. And, the memorial is easy to get to. However, with the updates ... the shop is located across the street. So, you do need to cross a busy road to see the memorial and the shop. I would highly recommend Grant's Tomb as a stop if you're in the area. I always love coming here and walking around.

Giving this 4 stars mostly for its historical value, and how it's a great anchor in the community. Grant's Tomb is hugely consequential in terms of its historical significance--especially in terms of US history sites in NYC--however the public space it provides is extremely valuable too. From the promenade leading up to the tomb, to the surrounding grounds, it's a great place for people to gather. Not sure how much this was in the design of the tomb, especially post-scale back versus the original design (which extended all the way down to the Hudson), however I know it's great for families in the area. What's not to like here is how rare it is actually open to the public, and the piss poor job done to run a proper tour. This is a hugely significant historic monument and it's treated with little respect. The 'exhibits' in the back can be read in 5 minutes, despite the wealth of Civil War info you can chew on if you go down south (ie: Savannah). This is an embarrassment, and it boogles my mind that we let monument like this go to waste instead of properly funding them for the public. Maybe we're not huge fans of tourists on the UWS, however Grant's Tomb stands out--it deserves better.

First time visiting today, still in awe from the experience. First things first: the memorial is BIG! There's plenty of street parking if you take advantage of the alternate-side schedule on surrounding streets. I was able to park right by the visitor center: so cash. The memorial itself is solemn and thought-provoking. Quiet, and not crowded at 10:30 AM. Walking down into the crypt is a must. Visit the website for more info about the tomb! If you live in New York, this is an essential destination.

This is a huge monument. Beautiful marble interior. Caution! It's only open on the hour and not on the half hour. And visitors center across the street is open all day

There is a nice building in the traditional architecture, similar to other nearby Columbia University main campus that houses General Grant's tomb. The inside of the tomb is closed due to the pandemic, as is the visitor center. This is in the middle of Riverside Park, which is a nice oasis on the west side of Manhattan. The grounds are serene and uncrowded. Can't give it five stars without going inside but the outside is very nice.

My dad is a HUGE history buff so we came as a family to see the Grant Memorial on Father's Day. The actual tomb is only open every other hour and we arrived on an off hour, so we started at the visitor's center. The center is quite small, with a teeny gift shop (with no postcards! what the heck kind of gift shop is that) and a room with a ~30 min documentary about Ulysses S. Grant playing in a loop. We wasted some time there before heading to the Memorial right as they opened up. The memorial itself is huge and very cool to walk through, even if you don't know anything about Grant or history. I mean, it's free, why not! The whole place was basically empty while we were there on a Sunday early afternoon, so I imagine you could pretty much go at any time without an issue. There's also a ton of free street parking nearby!!

I was super happy I finally got to see the resting place of President Grant over Easter weekend. It was one of those experiences I could check off my bucket list. Grant and his wife lay to rest in the largest mausoleum in the United States in NYC next to Columbia University. This is protected by the National Park Service just like his former homestead is in Crestwood (Saint Louis County), Missouri - which I have also visited. The mausoleum itself is open on all even hours: 10am, noon, 2pm and 4pm. It is closed on odd hours. The park ranger told me they had done a major renovation and set the hours so the park rangers could refocus their time elsewhere during the construction. Unfortunately, they just haven't switched back the hours yet to full time like he hopes they do. I didn't go to the visitor's center onsite since my main focus was to go see the site itself. However, looking back, I wish I could have gone. It is my understanding that it is full of useful information on Grant and his life plus how the mausoleum coming to pass. I peppered the park ranger at the site with questions and he told me all this. I had 20 minutes to visit before getting back across town to catch my bus back to DC. I'm happy I made the stop and experience this little piece of history.

The best part about this memorial is the mosaic benches! What a hidden gem in the city. The main monument is very lovely and it has a great view of the church across the street. sometimes they have some festivals here in the summertime, but mostly it's pretty empty and peaceful.

Beautiful setting with history thrown in. The Visitor's Center and Tomb are in separate locations. The Park Rangers are friendly. They don't get a lot of visitors on the cold winter. Take the 1 subway to 125th and it is a short walk to Riverside Drive.

The General Grant Memorial is a part of the National Treasure. It is very excellent, and very well preserved. The Grant Memorial was not damaged during the low days of NYC. If you go, travel by bicycle, or use a bus. Added plus is that Riverside Cathedral is nearby.

General Grant Memorial aka Grant's Tomb here lies General and 18th President of the United States Ulysses S. Grant (without doubt the country's most celebrated military general and one of many greatest U.S. Presidents) and wife Julia Dent Grant in granite. U.S. National Park Service recently renovated the mausoleum to its former glory and beauty for Grant's notable good deeds to form American history. On a clear day the memorial is visible on the Hudson River and adorns Riverside Park. General Grant Memorial is equivalent to Paris's Les Invalides for Napoleon Bonaparte's Tomb of which both are open for public viewing visits.

Be warned that the memorial itself has very odd hours - it's only open for an hour every other hour or something strange like that. Also, all it requires is a quick tour as it actually only has about four rooms and there's not much on the walls to read. But if you cross the street and take the steps down to the gift shop, you can get your stamp and watch a short film. While the space is very small, the film was quite interesting and is played upon request. When we visited, mid-day on a Friday, there was no one else there.

This a an under visited spot that is lovely-the tomb is gorgeous-a fitting resting spot for a general Who believed fervently in civil rights. The store with the 20 min movie is well worth a visit. Do watch the hours as others have mentioned. An easy subway ride from Midtown for tourists

the memorial/tomb itself is, to me, ludacris in its size and posture. Personally I went through it in less than 10 minutes. HOWEVER, the visitor center is a gem. It's hard to find - cross Riverside Drive south and proceed down the steps to the lower level of the overlook. There is an informative 20 minute film, and I learned a lot. Also, the park ranger on duty during my visit was engaging and frank in our discussions about President Grant, civil rights, etc. I left knowing more than when I came, so mission accomplished!

If you're a history buff or in the area, check out this site -- it's an impressive memorial, especially given that it's in Manhattan. It's up on 122nd and Riverside, just across from Riverside Church, not too far a walk from the 1 train. The memorial building has tombs of President Ulysses Grant and his wife Julia. Other than that and a collection of flags, there isn't much to see inside, though it's an elegant building. We were pleasantly surprised by the visitor center, which is a 2 minute walk from the memorial in the direction of the river. There were two friendly NPS park rangers inside and a very informative 20-minute video about Grant's life and his legacy. I only knew pretty basic info on Grant so found the video to be quite helpful. The visitor center also has some NPS items for sale and a place where you can stamp your NPS passport (note that they also have the Stonewall stamp here, since Stonewall doesn't have its own visitor center yet).

Great memorial in the Upper West Side of New York's Manhattan borough. I hadn't been here in 20+ years, so it was nice to see the General Grant Memorial again. Both U.S. President Ulysses Grant and his wife are actually buried here, Very nice and quiet place to check out if you don't want to deal with the huge crowds in the popular areas of Manhattan. Keep in mind that access to the viewing of the tombs is only available Wed-Sun at 10-11 AM, 12-1 PM, 2-3 PM, and 4-5 PM, so do plan accordingly.

The memorial is impressive on the outside. The unique shape of the "dome" on top is pretty cool, since it's not a dome at all, but a cone! In any case, the Memorial itself is simple. There is a central rotunda with plaques and statues around the edges. President Grant and his wife are actually buried here, and the tombs are sunken but visible from the first level. My favorite part of this place was actually the Gaudi-like design of the benches around the Memorial. It feels like Barcelona. I highly recommend a visit and a photo op here. The Memorial is free, but they close for an hour in the afternoon, then reopen, so make sure to visit their site and check the hours before you visit.

Who's buried in General Grant's Tomb? Well, technically no one is "buried", Ulysses S Grant (the countries most celebrated military general as well as one of the countries greatest presidents) and his wife (Julia Grant) rest in red granite coffins in an open crypt in the center of a circular gallery inside the memorial. The memorial which was completed in 1897 is the largest mausoleum in North America and the architecture (especially from the inside) is amazing. The memorial/mausoleum is well taken care of by the National Park Service and is open to the public from 9-5. This isn't a museum so don't expect lots to do and see but for what it is, it's amazing. It's really a shame there are people in the city who haven't come to pay their respects and check out this historic site. If you're going to take a trip up to 122nd st without any other plans up there feel free to check out the amazing architecture (inside and out) of the Riverside Church across the street (usually open to the public) and/or explore Riverside Park which goes from 72nd st to 129th street along the Hudson River

It's free and in a pretty neighborhood close to Columbia, but this place is uneventful. We were in and out in less than 10 minutes. It is the biggest tomb in the United States if you're into that. Also, skateboarding is a crime here. There were a bunch of kids getting yelled at to move on by the security guard.

Reasons for coming to the Grant Memorial: 1) You are an American with a great appreciation of history 2) You like to do things for free 3) You have been living in NY your whole life and have yet to come visit My friend and I fit all three of these categories, and went on a cool sunny Saturday afternoon. Be aware that the memorial is only open every other hour. Call to ask which would be the next hour it would be opened before making the trek here. Although the foot print is small, the overall grandeur of the domed roof and the atmosphere of awe surpasses the size. Busts of other generals guard the circumference of the memorial site around the marble tombs of Grant and his wife. Great to think, reflect, and be thankful. Be sure to check on the first floor the different flags that were used then and what they signify.

Its a cool tomb. I mean he is buried here with his wife. it is not just a museum, but a final resting place of one of America's greatest generals and later president. there is much more to this place than you would think the architecture is amazing in itself, even if history is not your thing. This place is definitely not visited enough or treated with as much respect for being a New York Landmark, which is really sad considering what and who is here.

Usually a grand mausoleum existed in the world are for kings, queens, emperor from ancient era, maybe some dictators from modern time but rarely you'll find a large mausoleum for one president especially from democratic country. So to be entombed together just with your spouse in this 8,000 tons of white granite with beautiful details in MANHATTAN surely proved how great and popular General Grant was when he passed away. The place was quiet when we went, it's bright and spacious on the first floor but darker with dim lightning and serene downstairs where the caskets are. The many silent bust accompanying gave a sense of power and loyalty.. The architecture is grand, elegant yet simple.This mausoleum perfectly serve the purpose of giving the last respect for one hero. We left with a feeling of how ordinary our lives are...

Nice memorial right on the Hudson. I am not sure where this ranks on places to visit in NYC, but kind of nice to get away from all the bustle of downtown.

The Memorial has been well reviewed by numerous Yelpers so I'm just going to add in a few points. - I agree with another reviewer that this place is definitely overlooked by the locals. When we were there the overwhelming majority of the visitors were from two bus/walking tour groups but other than that the place was deserted. - While they participate in the Junior Ranger Program, they do not have a booklet to fill out. To get the badge your kids just show up to the mausoleum and the ranger on duty will hand it over. While that's nice and easy, it defeats the whole purpose of the program which is to make the kids work a bit to find out something about the park that they're at. - The hours are a bit funky. They are closed Monday and Tuesday and while the visitors center is open from 9-5 the other days, the mausoleum closes between 11-Noon, 1pm-2pm and 3pm-4pm. If you show up during those times they give a free talk over at the visitors center instead. - Speaking of the visitors center. It's located not at the mausoleum but across Riverside Drive and then down some steps into this hidden grotto-like area. A visit here will not take very long but it is definitely worth your time to pay your respects to a great American leader who made some very important contributions to our nation's history.

The main reason to visit this place, is the tomb itself, inside the building with the dome. The inside does not have much. Just a collection of Civil War flags, and the coffins that has the remains of Ulysses and Julia Grant. Plus the busts of the Civil War generals, located in the basement, and surrounding the coffins. The architecture is really nice to look at, and just really grand. There is also a visitor center, which has a gift shop and small museum. The museum has a series of descriptions on the life and legacy of Ulysses Grant. Plus a short film as well. Located across the street, towards Riverside Park, you will find it below the pavilion with columns. There are signs that point the way. Worth a visit, and something to do while waiting for the tomb to open again. Speaking of which, the tomb is not opened the whole time, alternating hours between opened and closed. So check for hours ahead of time. If arriving during one of the times when it is not opened, you can spend the waiting time at the visitor center. Also, the lighting can be very bad, as the tomb is very dependent on sunlight. So it is recommended to arrive earlier in the day, to see this place, and take some good photos. It can be seen quickly, but the General Grant National Memorial is still worth a visit, mainly for the history buffs. But if you are not, then I think it can be skipped, as I don't think it is grand enough to really go out of your way to see it.

I went to the Park Service sponsered Grant's Tomb tour at night under candle light. That was amazing. Not only did I learn some good facts about the tomb, but the whole ambience of this masoleum was enhanced by the fact that there were candle light walkways.

This place is awesome! Grant's Tomb, formally known as General Grant National Memorial, is the final resting place of Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), the 18th President of the United States, and his wife, Julia Dent Grant (1826-1902). Completed in 1897, the tomb is located in Riverside Park in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Upper Manhattan in New York City, across Riverside Drive from Riverside Church. It was placed under the management of the National Park Service in 1958.

It can be difficult to rate where General Grant and his boo are buried, but overall, this place is quite average. I wouldn't make the trek up here unless I went to Columbia/was already in the area. And that I was. It's two stories, couple rooms with flags in 'em, some info thrown up on the walls, and down below, the caskets. One guard is there to hang out and sit. No restroom, it's outside somewhere. The outside looks like a typical DC monument, and it did look like it was from the movies on that cold, snowy day we went. Check out the structures, mini statues, and go down the street to see the grave of one little boy (all to himself, overlooking the waters).

It's a beautiful building but I did not get to experience it because it was completely gated off. Nice plaza and a good location right by Riverside park.

Cool place to check out for fans of American history or even if you're just looking for a cool new place to spend an hour hanging outside in Manhattan. It's a neat spot. Has statues and open space. Like a park. It's worth a trip there and a few pix for sure.

Parked right in front of this memorial, I made-out with the b/f for a good several hours on our 1st date. Nothing like having a big ol' tomb remind you of some goooood times. Ha! It's definitely a nice neighborhood to chill in late at night if you're looking for some sex-ay time. *ooowww* What can I say? I had a 'monumental' time...ha!

This place doesn't get enough traffic in my opinion. It's so beautiful! The architecture of the building and the caskets are so incredible. The NPS guy was super knowledgeable and very helpful!

It's a big tomb. I went there with a class on the History of NY. I also used it as a meeting place for a girl I met on the net. She was cool and attended Columbia at the time. We hung out around the campus. She wasn't my type and at the time, her ex-boyfriend's nickname was FLUFF DADDY! I really don't need some dude named FLUFF DADDY all in my face. Talking about "Why you wit my gurl bruh?" Honestly, the tomb is a bit boring unless you're REALLY into American history. There's not much to do inside. Either way, the tomb is visually pleasing.

I'll spare you any educational facts (see the other reviews, or better yet, go visit yourself). I will say that I was impressed by this Memorial, and it's definitely worth a visit. It's very much Les Invalides, but in Manhattan. Besides the stunning architecture, they do a nice job of giving a comprehensive view of General Grant's life.

Largest mausoleum in the US. Final resting place for General Grant and his wife. Extremely well done. The General lies in a large marble like sarcophagus in the basement level. You walk in and go to the large circular opening in the center and look down. Very impressive. Napolean I has a similiar place in Paris. First floor has some great history of the General, his real battle flags, history of the tomb and its construction, some Civil War murals and a small gift shop. I did find and buy his personal memoirs. A very impressive publicly funded tomb that sits in Riverside Park on the high bank of the Hudson. A "not to miss site" for civil war buffs.

Wait, who's buried here again? All yuks aside, it's a fairly neat little diversion if you happen to find yourself on a stroll through Riverside Park. I spent a couple of minutes just walking around inside and looking at the tombs themselves and was summarily on my way, perhaps slightly more historically informed than when I entered. If you're not a history buff, or if you handle fifty-dollar bills infrequently, you can get all your questions answered such as, "What does Grant look like?" and "Why the hoo-ha is he entombed in New York?" It's far from the most captivating monument in the city, but it's a nice refresher on all that Civil War stuff without having to go to Gettysburg or make friends with some of those creepy-geeky guys who do the reenactments.

Along with the Statue of Liberty, this place probably also gets filed under "New York Landmarks That Most New Yorkers Have Never Been To". But they should! Check out George Carlin's childhood neighborhood and see a true American hero's resting place. It is a very nice building and park, perfect for exploring on a nice day. Enjoy! To hell with Robert E. Lee! General Grant is the man!

Grant's Tomb is a neat little spot in the Upper West Side. An extension of Riverside Park, the tomb is one of the National Park Service's National Monuments. It is free and they give daily tours of the tombs, but what I loved about visiting this spot was the amazing mosaic benches that surround it! Bring a camera! Inside the actual monument you will find information on Grant, Civil War exhibits, a small gift shop (for all you Grant buffs out there), and the tombs. They are sunken below the first floor and the tour will actually take you down to see them up close, but I was fine just peering down on Grant and his wife. For more information, check out: http://www.nps.gov/gegr/ Also, check out the cute Sakura Park across the street. It is lovely and has some interesting history of its own! By the way, I took off one star for the grounds being a little messy. The mosaics need some up-keep, folks!