Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site

Although the buildings were closed and unstaffed in late October due to federal closures, we visited the area and walked the grounds. Even from the exterior, we could enjoy the area — the vegetable garden, the building architecture and history, the beautiful views, and the inspiring artwork. Gratefully, there were few other visitors so we could go at our leisurely pace and spend time on the bench reflecting on how FDR and Eleanor created the government services that saved the country, even to today. An inspirational visit, it's a reminder that we have recovered from dark times before and can again.

What a historic and amazing home to visit! In visiting the FDR Library I also visited his home. You have to purchase a ticket to see the inside and it is with a park ranger tour. The ranger was very informative and gave us a great history about the Roosevelts and the home. I highly recommend visiting in conjunction with the presidential library.

The history of FDR is relevant today more than ever. What a spectacular national park. The home and grounds were beautifully preserved. Our guide was very knowledgeable with many stories about the former president and first lady. The little cafe has some nice food and drink options. The gift store is enormous. I would highly recommend this but you definitely need more than one day to see everything.

We visited on a Friday afternoon in late June 2025. There were plenty of parking spaces in the parking lot when we arrived. There were a few that were shaded by trees but they were all taken. First thing we did was run into the info desk to get our tour tickets. it's located to the right when you enter. We got tickets for 2:30PM. There is a short film that plays in the visitor center on every hour and half hour in the auditorium. This is straight ahead. Directly to the left next to the doors when you come in is the NPS passport cancellation stamps. There are a few here and it's on a nice wooden table with glass top. If you continue to the left it's the gift shop (New Deal Store) and it's a pretty big one. The bathrooms are to the right behind the information desk. Also that's where the restaurant/cafeteria is and is called Uncle Sam's Canteen. To get to the site where the house tour begins, you walk out to the left and walk down the path pass the presidential library. and then veer off to the right to the stables or horse barn area. You meet for your tour there and our kids sat on some benches here to work on their junior range books they picked up at the info desk. The ranger giving the tour will start here and then walk everyone over to the house where you enter through the front doors. You can look around while they are talking, which is what I did to take pictures before the masses started running around. I found the main floor to be much more interesting than the upstairs floor which is mainly bedrooms. The rangers will gather everyone up and move everyone to the next floor together. You exit from the second floor out the back where they have makeshift metal stairs put in that take you down and around the back and side of the house and throws you back out front. Sadly we were behind schedule and didn't really have much time to explore much more of the property. We went straight back to the visitor center to turn in our junior ranger booklets and got the badges and left for Eleanor Roosevelts House at Val-Kil just down the street. Overall it was a great place to visit. There was so much more we could've done here and explored. I think if we were ever int he area again we would visit. We only had about an hour to explore the entire site and we did not plan enough time.

Due to the government shut down, I could not go inside. It is what it is! I was able to walk the grounds and there was plenty of self information displays. You still got a feel for FDR live style. I walked the 2.5 mile wooded trail from his home to the Vanderbilt estate but that was closed too

This is such an awesome place to visit, our 3rd time. The history is so real when you are here. And the library is wonderful ,the artifacts they share from their family and lives is amazing. A must to experience.

This is the first presidential library and is well worth the visit. The park rangers are knowledgeable and answer questions with great detail and knowledge. The library, home and gift shop are all wonderful and well worth the visit. Family groups would certainly enjoy as this is a part of American history and conveys the times, life and loves of President Roosevelt's journey from child, adulthood and political career. Hyde Park and it's environs are also interesting with great food choices available. Come ... you won't be disappointed and if you have them... by all means bring your kids... you and they will learn a lot about President Roosevelt and american history!

It's very impressive place. The house has been preserved so carefully. It really transports you back to that time and you realize what a powerful background the Roosevelt family had… It’s definitely worth a visit.

7/9/25: We visited the historic home of FDR. It's a must see for all, no matter your political affiliation. All visits are by guided tour. Springwood was Roosevelt's birthplace. In addition, Franklin and Eleanor raised their six children at the family estate. The decor is understated, unlike like the Vanderbilt's. After FDR was stricken with polio, the home was designed for his wheelchair access. During the tour, the female guide spoke at length in a couple of areas. ***Think there should be some type of wall guide hand rail for those who are unable to stand for periods of time listening to the guide. The second floor of the home has a narrow walkway. I think the people that oversee the estate should consider my suggestion for people with mobility issues. This is why I took one star off. On the grounds, you'll see a statue of President Roosevelt and Sir Winston Churchill, FDR Presidential Library and museum, beautiful gardens and a café. Looking forward to going back to visit the FDR Presidential library and museum. Due to time constraints, we only saw half of it. In the Library and Museum, we did see an excellent exhibition of wonderful letters from famous persons (World Politicians, Scientists, Celebrities) to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Admission fees as follows: Federal Park Pass- Free Standard- $15 A parking lot is available outside the visiting center.

FDR is one of my favorite US presidents. Tickets for a 45 minute guided tour of the FDR home are $15 each. There were three of us so I bought the $45 pass which gives you and three others access to the FDR House and Vanderbilt House (which is a short trip north of the FDR house) for one year. And 10% off the gift shop. Beautiful historic home and I enjoyed learning (remembering) about FDR, Eleanor and the rest of his family. The snack bar/restaurant has fresh soup, sandwiches and salads and was reasonably priced. Overall a 4.5 and I hope to use my pass for the Vanderbilt house soon.

Amazing glimpse into the life of President 32 with a great tour of the facility. You may also visit the Presidential Library of Roosevelt which is in walking distance from his home. There is a separate fee to visit the presidential library, but you can easily spend many hours there with all of the videos and displays for this wartime president. If you are in the area I highly recommend. As always people SYOY!!

Very cool to be able to walk around inside FDR's house, where so many worldwide dignitaries stayed, and where it is 95% preserved the same way as when he lived here. You are only able to view it on a guided tour, but they do let you roam around on your own, starting on the first floor and finishing on the second floor. Make sure to check the tour times when you check in to the library (or better yet, check ahead). It was great to start with the house tour then have the rest of the day to explore the museum uninterrupted. But, it also might be cool to get all the history first then get to tour the house where it all happened. Definitely worth doing, but also not a dealbreaker if your schedule doesn't accommodate it.

Another National Park visited this weekend. This time The Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt The Roosevelt legacy has always been somewhere close to my heart and interests, since I've grown up in New York; feeling, as if I have "direct" ties to both FDR and Teddy (and Eleanor Roosevelt too). Be sure to check out the Franklin Delano Roosevelt presidential library, which is also on the same grounds is the home of FDR. National Historical Site Hyde Park, NY 8/23 Nikon D750 Home to the 32nd and longest-serving president of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt returned to Hyde Park often, drawing on this place to renew his spirit during times of personal and political crisis. Explore the Roosevelt saga in the homes of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, the exhibits at the nation's first Presidential Library, and over a thousand acres of gardens and trails.

We arrived at the visitor's center and got our tickets for the first house tour. Our tickets were free because we have a National Parks Pass. We walked to the stables where we met our tour group met our guide. There are also bathrooms near the stables if you need them before or after the tour. We had an excellent guide who gave us an overview outside and in the foyer and then let us wander and take pictures. She was available for questions from those who wanted to go more in depth, but didn't drone on for those who wanted less information. On the second floor, she again gave us some information before letting us wander and take pictures. You exit the house from the second floor by an exterior staircase. After the tour, we went to Franklin and Eleanor's graves in the garden and wandered around the grounds. There is also a gift shop in the visitor's center.

Mike gave a great tour of the FDR home and provided a lot of history and back stories. We also visited the library/ museum and thought it was great as well. FDR was a president for the people and should be a role model for all presidents.

More of a four star experience, but I'm giving it five because it's a pandemic and because it was great to see FDR's home. I loved seeing FDR's bird collection, his boyhood room. It was also awe-inspiring to see the bed on which he was birthed. I loved seeing his library with his wheelchair. It was all audio tour and dictated by social distancing. FDR's bedroom was not on view. And I'm ok with all this. I just wish I didn't feel so pressured to hurry by the rangers. Right now tours are 20-30 minutes tops, so I would do the FDR presidential library the same day. Tours are 10 dollars, reserve ahead online.

Top notch NPS site. Great interpretive content. House and lot are well maintained. All original furnishings inside, which is really cool to see. Tour guide was really informative and engaging. This is a must see NPS site.

Today after wandering the grounds of the Vanderbilt Mansion we decided to check out Franklin D Roosevelt's Home . It's in the same area so it wasn't out of the way. So glad we did ! There's also a Library and Museum on the grounds . Got to see where this beloved president was born and lived ! Beautiful grounds with some very lovely scenic views .Loved the old stables so cool inside !

I'm sure the Franklin D. Roosevelt home is a wonderful property, I won't know, because despite arriving early in the day after a multi-hour drive on a day it was reported to be open, I was told that a tour bus had come unexpectedly, and thus there were 'no tours available' in a rude way by an elderly person who couldn't be bothered explaining further. There is nothing in or near Hyde Park, NY, so it's a wasted trip, you are literally driving past a Dollar General to get to the Roosevelt site. It is a sad testament to one of the 20th century's most important people and a waste of a day off. I can't stress how important it is not to waste your time with this site. The pandemic period has broken the National Park Service, and until it's on its feet again or some enterprising politician decides to straighten it out, there's no reason to waste your time or support this broken system. How can a limited access site not have an online reservation system so people don't waste their time traveling? Why is it limited access in the first place? What about this property requires a tour, a dated and inappropriate approach to showing a museum? The site should be turned over to a charity or private organization that can run it properly, rather than being a jobs program for people sitting on their ass all day telling you why you can't see these national treasures left to us by our, eminently more capable, forebears.

This is the place where FDR was born, grew up, worked, and buried. The National park is having this place well organized. Tour is given every 30 minutes. I had a very experienced gentleman as the guide for my group, and within 20 minutes he told us all the interesting facts about FDR's life and his way of living back in the days. I plan to dig in a little further in history on my own. There is a cafe with snacks and drinks. The gift shop has many interesting items too, stop by there before you leave.

If you visit expecting a mansion of austere opulence the home of FDR will disappoint you. If you are interested in stepping back in time more than 80 years ago and getting a true feeling for the home Roosevelt grew up in and loved left as best as possible as it was then you will find the experience rewarding. As I did.

8-23-19 What an incredible president. What an incredible First Lady. They were an awesome team. This home, museum, and library could be an all day trip. We came on Thursday checked out allot. Then back on Friday for the tours. The home has original items. Tour guide gave her spill them we were aloud to walk around, take photos, ask questions. This would be great school field trip or family outing. Get the kids involved in the junior ranger program! Check out the photos! * Our tour guide Alexandra was full of personality. She's been my favorite guide to date!!

I did a tour of the home and land a few weekends ago. I really enjoyed the interpretation our ranger gave us, including preservation guidelines and historic contexts to the park, and house. Our guide was really good, but I have to say I was really sad and disappointed by the condition of FDR home. Half way through the tour I was so shocked by the condition of ceiling, walls, and furniture, that I had to ask. Luckily I was told in 2020 the home is going to temporary close for some months for much needed exterior and interior restoration projects! If you go from now through April not be too much shocked. Also, the books in FDR living room are already gone to conservation, as well as some framed work on the walls.

We did not do a tour of the Roosevelt Home, but we spent some time exploring the grounds on Memorial Day weekend. There's still a lot to see and do if you don't want to go in the building - there's a NPS Store, with brochures and maps of the grounds, and there's a spacious visitors center that covers some of the history of the property. There are plenty of gardens and fields to wander around, and they're very well maintained. You can tell why the Roosevelts came here, the views are gorgeous, and it's a beautiful area.

We were visiting Fishkill, NY and we were told that Hyde Park was about 1/2 hour away. Our flight at JFK wasn't until 6:00, so we decided to take a detour to see the home and library/ museum of FDR, the only President to have served 4 terms in office. There's different packages you can get, but you can only take a guided tour of the inside of the house. The museum can be done independently, and at your own leisure. The tour of the house took about an hour, and then you were allowed to roam the grounds. FDR and Eleanor are buried to the right of the house (or left of the museum). Don't miss it as you walk back to the museum. If you're pressed for time, I would say take the tour, and skip the museum for next time. We took the 12:30 tour, and saw about 40% of the museum. We left at 2:30 and arrived at JFK with time to top off our tank, and take the AirTrain to Terminal 5.

Visited this site after touring the Vanderbilt Mansion thats about 2 miles up the road in the morning. While the Roosevelt's certainly had wealth, their home is certainly modest compared to Vanderbilt's. You will start at the Visitors center, where you can buy tickets for the tour (and also to visit FDR's Presidential Library which is right nextdoor). Tickets are $20 for both sites ($10 to visit the library if you have a Annual Parks Pass) and the library ticket is valid for 2 days. The tour starts at the Visitor's center, which was about a quarter mile walk from the home. Our tour guide was good, but not the best that I've seen from the NPS - he still provided a lot of information! We visited in March, so there wasn't a lot of visitation (other than some school groups) which was nice because we got a smaller group. I think part of why our tour wasn't great is because our guide was used to leading larger groups through the museum. Many other reviewers have commented on the house's condition - which is deteriorating. They do plan to close the house for tours April 1, with a planned 7 month restoration (likely more like 12 months). As a result, when we toured, many of the artifacts and furniture in the house had been removed for storage - and some areas of the house were closed off. The house (and areas we could visit) were rather small, and due to the lack of artifacts - rather bland and simple. If you're in a pinch for time, the Vanderbilt Mansion down the street will be much more enjoyable and worth your time! But I do hope to come visit this place after the restoration and see what it looks like then!

If you are a history buff and are up for a drive in the country, this is a perfect place to visit. This is also the centennial year for our country's national park system, which provides yet another reason to visit. The home and library are situated on a beautiful piece of property. There are former farm lands, stables (no longer operational), gardens, library and family home. There are other buildings that are part of the property that we did not get a chance to visit because admittedly, we got a late start on our day. You need to book a tour to visit the house because only 50 people may be inside at a time. The guides are excellent. Our guide lived in town his entire life. He clearly loves his job and talking about the property. The tour begins at the mosaic in the entrance hall at the visitor's center, which provides a map for the entire property. Thereafter, the group can either walk to the home or take a bus for those of whom have difficulty walking. Our guide provided many interesting facts about the family and property. We were able to see the first and second floors of the home. The tour took about 45 minutes. It is well worth it. There is a lot to see. If you watched the Ken Burns documentary, "The Roosevelts: An Intimate History", you can see many of the things depicted in the film. Make sure to stop by the garden, which has a large selection of roses and zinnias. The library is quite extensive. It is the first presidential library that was built and it is clear that it has served as the model for others. Although it underwent a renovation several years ago, some exhibits could have been better organized chronologically and provided for better flow. Some of the best portions of the museum displaying letters from constituents. It shows how letter writing is really a lost art. It is also amazing to see how many of the issues from elections over 80 years ago are profoundly relevant today. Tickets are good for two straight days and there are plenty of things to do in the area including wine tastings, antiquing, farmer's markets, the Culinary Institute (fancy pants lunch for you foodies), and the other buildings on the grounds. We only visited one day but would like to return again this fall during leaf peeping season. We hear there is a kitchen tour that we would like to see.

I love visiting US National Parks, but also have enjoyed various historic sites under the jurisdiction of the national parks service. You can easily make a weekend out of visiting the Roosevelt historic sites in the Hyde Park area. The visitor center is welcoming...you can purchase tour tickets here for the Roosevelt home and/or presidential libatary and museum. There is a small cafe, gift shop, and introductory film in a small theater. You can either walk with the group to the home at your scheduled tour time or there's a shuttle for the handicapped. The mansion is impressive and the guide there will regale you of stories of the late president and all the meetings which took place at the home. The final resting spot of the former president is a short walk from the home. I definitely recommend a visit to those who like history. The home itself is in a very peaceful area, and is part of the charm of visiting. I didn't get a chance to visit the presidential library or other historic sites in the area, but will make it a point to return.

Republican over here but I'll put my political ideology on hold for now. The home, itself, is very nice. Has an authentic 30's feel to it. It was not a long tour as when we went they only let a few in at a time. You are allowed to take pics which was nice but don't touch. There are no major gripes here. It is most certainly worth a trip to visit the residence of our 32nd President.

Admission is $18 per person and includes access to the Presidential library and home. Check the website for tour times. Since we didn't have a lot of time, we opted for the free option to visit the gift shop and just walk the grounds and take pictures. There's still a lot to see by only staying outside, including the garden, FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt's grave, and the exterior of the home. A little walking is involved so I don't recommend going on a cold windy day like we had unless you don't have a choice.

I reviewed Springwood and the Library separately, so I'll treat this as the Visitor's Center review. Nice area - you can pretty much walk in and get tickets to the next tour (otherwise I recommend buying in advance online). There is a movie in the visitor's center that most people watch before they head out - but I watched it right before I left and found it really powerful to hear FDR and Eleanor speak at the end of the day, after being in their homes and spaces. The FDR house, estate, library, etc - are all a really special piece of American history, in a beautiful and natural setting. Definitely worth a day trip.

The tour begins in the Henry A Wallace Visitor's Center where you buy your ticket. The ticket price for the Springwood Home tour is $9 for adults over the age of 15 years. Seniors over the age of 62 the price is $6 dollars. National Park Passes for the Presidential Library are honored so for me it was $0 but Springwood does not honor the National Pass. Tours of Springwood from November-April are conducted at 10:30, 12:30, 2:30 and 4:00. Groups can range up to 39 people. The day I went there were 9 people which was very nice in the tight hallway upstairs. The tour also starts in the Visitor's Center on the large mosaic on the floor which depicts important landmarks in the area. Once assembled around the mosaic the tour guide will give you some background information on the Roosevelts. There is also a 22 minute video shown on the half hour in the Visitor's Center. In event you are early or late for the tour, the Presidential Library, Rose Garden and burial site, stables and grounds will more than occupy your time. After the Visitor's Center introduction you head to Springwood along a paved path. Two stops are made for more background information. The FDR birth room, dumb waiter and den were highlights in this two story home. FDR also had a taxidermy collection which is partially displayed. Most of the original furnishings are present which adds to the significance of the experience. There is no AC, flash photography, selfie-sticks, strollers, baby carriages, infant carriers, backpacks or tripods. No food or drinks allowed. There are restrooms in the Presidential Library and Visitor's Center but not in Springwood.

We arrived fairly late on a rainy Sunday, so we were too late for a house tour, but the outside and views from the backyard were impressive. The FDR Library, though, was an impressive experience. Self-guided and taking you through his upbringing, battle with Polio, political ambitions, personal life, and all the way through his extended presidency, the museum can easily occupy a few hours of your time. I appreciated that the museum was designed in a way to paint a picture of the whole man, faults and all. You get a nice mix of sets and items to view and historical summaries that lead you through developing events, such as Japanese internment and the buildup to the war. I don't have any other presidential museum experience to compare FDR to, but it stands on its own as a great educational and entertaining experience if you find yourself in driving range!

Lots of spots with picnic tables on the property to lunch al fresco and benches to enjoy the views. A great effort has been taken to ensure those with mobility issues can also visit - a shuttle between the visitor center and house, elevator at the house, etc. Tour staff on the visiting grounds as well as administrative staff from the Bellefield mansion regional headquarters are incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and sociable with curious tourists tramping about the grounds.

Was amazed to see the bedroom where FDR was born, and that the bedroom to Eleanor Roosevelt was once a closet (it is really small!) It is like walking back in time, especially with the D - Day exhibit! Great outing for the whole family!

This is a great way to spend a day! We had time off on a fee free day so we drove over from Boston for a visit. 3 1/2 hours to get here, which isn't too bad. Wish we had more time! We were able to get onto an earlier tour and spent time at the Library before it (reviewed at the Library's page, but it was great) and made it back just in time for our tour to begin. Lasting an hour, the tour goes by the library, burial site of FDR and ER, and Springwood. It was incredibly breezy and our guide kept us moving pretty well. The tour inside Springwood was cool because you got to hear about the family's lives and then explore a bit on your own. Then 25 at a time, we got to go upstairs. House is gorgeous and photos are allowed as long as you turn off the flash. One of the most interesting things you get to see is the elevator that FDR used to go between floors. He feared fire, so instead of having an engine driven one, he used ropes to go up and down. Great job keeping the structures up, NPS!

Visited FDR's home on a Friday in April as part of a day in Hyde Park. We paid the $18/person for the joint admissions fee to the presidential library/museum and a guided tour of the house. The museum was wonderful and very well-done, and though the house is well-maintained, our tour didn't blow us away. On the guided tour, you walk by the library and FDR/ER's burial sites before going into the home. The home is well-maintained and it's really interesting to see the rooms where FDR grew up and spent so much of his life. He welcomed foreign dignitaries into this house and adapted it for his use after he was paralyzed by polio. This house was important to him throughout his entire life and presidency, and it really felt like a part of American history. Our guide was very well-informed but not particularly engaging or enthusiastic, which is why we didn't love the tour. We noticed that our tour was run by a volunteer (vs. the tour we saw beginning later that afternoon, which was led by a park ranger), so maybe we were just unlucky. My main piece of advice is that -- if you're planning to tour both the home and the library/museum -- do the home tour first. We were a little bored during the home tour because our guide was repeating lots of the basic information about FDR that we had just learned in the museum.

My son and I made a "pilgrimage" to The Roosevelt National Historic Site two weeks ago. (Full disclaimer - in my opinion - as a trained historian - I believe that President Franklin Roosevelt, along with General Washington, and Abraham Lincoln, is one of the greatest presidents in the history of our republic.) So, aside from our visit being one of the most moving and inspiring experiences I have ever had, here are my more "objective" comments on the site itself. The physical plant, exhibits, information, and staff are top rate. The site is spacious, with excellent facilities in the Henry A. Wallace Visitor Center and friendly staff who provide orientation so that you can begin your visit. We began with a guided tour of Springwood, FDR's large home, which was led by a volunteer guide, Rich. Rich is retired from his professional career, but is a keen student of American history. He went out of his way to get to know the people on our tour (who were from several different countries as well as the US) and he incorporated comments and facts that were specific to the experiences of all of us on the tour. We were given ample time to visit the public spaces in the home and Rich made sure to answer everyone's questions. We felt that we really lucked out getting him as our guide. You should plan to spend two days visiting. We broke our two days up at the library and museum to cover 1882 to the election of 1940 on the first day and the continued through the war years, FDR's death and exhibits on the life and career of Eleanor Roosevelt on the second day. The exhibits are presented in multimedia formats -short films, interactive exhibits, and opportunities to sit by a kitchen table to listen to fireside chats (just as my mother and her family did when FDR first delivered them). And, the exhibits and materials do not whitewash some of the less than honorable facets of FDR's life and career - including his privileged and cosseted upbringing, his personal indiscretions and failures, and the internment of Japanese Americans during the war. And his disability and paralysis are fully disclosed, with pictures and exhibits that were never shown to the American people (that being a time when physical disabilities were considered weak and often shameful). Although we spent two days visiting, we did not have time to explore the other parts of the historic site, including Eleanor's retreat at Valkill and FDR's retreat at Top Cottage - we will just have to make another pilgrimage! Finally kudos and thanks to all the folks at our National Park Service - they are welcoming, knowledgeable, and great ambassadors for this great country.

Excellent place to visit to see our history. Worth a trip and now there's a special showing until almost the end of the year on D-Day. Free parking but some things have a cost associated with them. Definitely will be back...

Meticulous grounds and buildings, even on a busy 73 degree day. Excellent tour of the house and grounds. Museum and library very relevant. Great for all ages and abilities. An experience every American should have.

I visited the Franklin Roosevelt House in Hyde Park in November - it was a good time of year to go because it was not crowded at all. The estate is on a high bluff overlooking the Hudson River and is very scenic. We enjoyed the views. The House also has an excellent visitor center and museum that gives a very good overview of Roosevelt's life and accomplishments. The museum has many interactive exhibits and video presentations, with both permanent and temporary exhibits. Admission is $20.

If you are in the area and looking for something to do, this is a must. You get to explore the home and history of of a man who was president during such a pivotal time in US history. The home and presidential library/museum are worth the price of admission. You could spend all day in the museum alone! I don't want to give away any of the info you can learn on the tour, but amongst some of FDR's items from his time as assistant secretary of the Navy is a portrait of the commodore Oliver Hazard Perry. Also known as the hero of Lake Erie. For Ohioans he is somewhat of a cult hero, this man the bested his majesty's Royal Navy on our northern shores. So to see a portrait or him let me know that FDR knows as all good Ohioans know... Don't Give Up The ship. To me that made FDR seem like less of a myth and more of a man, and that is worth much more than the price of admission.

This part of hyde park is so pretty. THe landscape on the grounds is worth a trip in itself. Plus you really get to learn about FDR personally and politically, not to mention is amazing wife. There is really a sense of history here since he actually grew up here and came her throughout his adult life. There's not much to do in hyde park so you should go if you're there... but if you're a history buff like me then its worth making the trip

This place is quite large, be prepared to walk around. If you're here during the winter time, dress warmly. The grounds are well taken care of & it's very interesting all the different buildings on site. They have a garden, and stables, the home itself & of course the library and a few other places. I recommend you visit this place if you're in the town as a guest or a resident.

Amazing place! We loved it. The place is beautifully resorted and presented. Lots of history and beautiful grounds. Take the guided tour if possible. Lots of little known facts and info. A decent amount of walking so bring you walking shoes.

The tour would have definitely been 5 stars if there weren't 50+ of us allowed to do the tour at one time. That was way too many people to be intimate and enjoyable. We go on many, many tours and have never dealt with more than 15 people at a time. We paid $20 each to tour the home and visit the museum. The museum is modern and informative. The home was authentic and full of original pieces. You can see most of the first (none of the servants wing/kitchen area) and second floors, but none of the third floor. Before or after the tour you can visit the carriage house and also the rose garden where Franklin, Eleanor and Fala are buried. The museum ticket is good for two days so you can go back the following day. Overall, it was worth the trip and price of admission.. we just wish they had a limit on the amount of people allowed per tour to make it more enjoyable. Also, our tour guide was very good!!

Many of the reviews revolve around the home and grounds. What my daughter and I found of greater interest was top cottage. First there were only three of us on the tour as opposed to about twenty on the home tour. Second our tour guide, Mike, was extremely knowledgeable and had time to really answer questions more in depth. The facts about the hot dog lunch for the king and queen of England. What was factual and what wasn't in the Bill Murray movie "Hyde Park on Hudson". That FDR's driving was so bad that the queen rode back with the secret service! Yet he isn't recorded of ever having an accident unlike mrs. Roosevelt. It's true that there isn't much to see but I feel we got a better understanding of the president. Valkill is another gem with smaller crowds and as such the park service staff has more time to engage visitors. It feels less scripted and more relatable to the time and people who occupied these historic places. Kudos to the staff for the way they take care of the grounds, buildings, and so many other details that make this a wonderful place to visit

The library is the more interesting of the two places here, being the first of the Presidential Libaries to be established. It exhibits loads of intersting memorobilia from the Roosevelt years. The house has some personal effects of Roosevelt, but a lot of it reflects his mother's taste. People often remark about how dowdy it seems but one must remember that Franklin's branch of the Roosevelt family were the country bumbkin cousins whereas Eleanor, his fifth cousin, came from the sophisticated New York set. Nonetheless, anyone traveling in the Hudson Valley and having an interest in American history should stop here and at nearby Val Kill.

Beautiful place to spend a day. You really get to see a side to FDR that is impossible to get from history books. The grounds are a nice place to walk around in the summer, with lots of beautiful trees and a view of the Hudson River.

Mill street loft portfolio day was held here. Didn't get a chance to see too much. But it look nice enough. A very nice venue for a portoflio day event.

Between Springwood & the Library leave yourself plenty of time. The House Tour led by The National Park Service Guide lasts an hour you learn much about Franklin & Eleanor. The library & Museum you can spend hours. If you're an American & proud of it you'll feel great.

Great presidential library! It was so thorough and informational. Plan to spend a day here just to see everything. It is well worth the trip. The staff is so helpful and knowledgeable. You will get some great insight to the Roosevelt family and how they lived and worked. I highly recommend this library and museum.