Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate

This is a very good place to visit as it is a former summer retreat of John D. Rockefeller who was first American billionaire and the founder of Standard Oil. Well maintained and a great location with awesome views. However the "classic tour" does not let you see the whole house as the upstairs of the property is still private area owned by the Rockefeller family. The tour was about 2 hour and they took the group onto a bus ride from the ticket place to the Kykuit estate house.

Great experience at the Kykuit Highlights Tour. This tour is about 1.5 hours and covers the first floor of the estate and outside. There are other (longer) tours that include more of the estate if you like. All tours leave from the Visitor's Center. There is a large parking lot there...but there is also some overflow parking around the corner ii needed. The overflow lot is a short walk to the Visitor's Center. The center has a large shop with lots of gifts and souvenirs. There are also some snacks and bakery-items (coffee, tea, pastries) available for purchase. There are bathrooms and the ticketing area. You check in at the ticketing area and are given a hand band. A bus (very nice and comfy) will take the tour guests from the visitor's center to the estate...the ride is about 10 minutes. The tour guide will also be on the bus offering some information throughout the ride, including information on the structures and facilities within the larger estate as you pass those by. The tour itself was great...but I can see some may want to visit the other floors of the estate, which is only included in the longer tours. Lots of information throughout the tour. They do keep the schedule pretty tight though as I noticed our tour guide checking the schedule regularly to determine how much time to spend at each room. I understand this is crucial in order to accommodate the various timed tours but it does leave little room for asking questions and some of it felt a little rushed. Photography is ONLY permitted outside of the estate. You cannot take photos inside the estate. You are taken back to the visitor's center when the tour it completed. Overall I had a great visit. I would love to return to view some of the other offerings...such as the Philipsburg Manor. All staff I encountered were friendly and helpful.

Very cool estate and grounds. I only did the highlights tour, but if I had more time I would have liked to see the other floors. Love that mostly everything is original to the home. No pictures allowed inside.

I learnt so much from this tour: Stunning views, exquisite art work: it’s nice to learn about people who’ve built America. You have to buy tickets to see this place. I was amazed that the outdoor - an orange flams and railings were made by Tiffany. Very meticulously maintained. Loved the gift shop too.

I went to the Highlights tour for the Selected Highlights tour for the Kykuit, Rockefeller Estate on the weekend at 1 pm. To visit there, go to the Philipsburg Manor Visitor Center. Do not try to go directly to the Kykuit. There is a shuttle bus from the visitor center to Kykuit, and your tour starts from the visitor center. There is a ticket for Young Adults ($23), which is a little cheaper than the Adult ticket. For my tutor, it was one and a half hours long. I get to see the first floor of the house and the garden. The view of the Hudson River and the opposite side of the river is pretty. The garden and the entrance of the House are beautiful. I liked the lamps made by Tiffany. The Tea house dedicated to kids is also amazing. You can't bring huge bags and food into the House, and there's a free locker to leave your belongings. Water battle is allowed to drink outside the house.

Four stars, because the house itself is absolutely stunning—and I managed to make it out without being mistaken for an international art thief. Yesterday’s destination was Kykuit—a Gilded Age estate perched dramatically above the Hudson, built for oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller. It’s the kind of place that feels like a dream carved in stone: elegant, enormous, but somehow still inviting. Unlike most mansions of the era that scream “please don’t touch anything,” this one—lived in until the 1960s—actually feels like someone might still be home… in a silk robe, sipping brandy. (Although, obviously, you still couldn’t touch anything. Let’s not get crazy.) Photos inside were strictly forbidden—which was unfortunate and a little off-putting, especially since so many historic homes are moving toward encouraging it. The interiors are exquisite, but you’ll just have to take my word for it. The grounds, though? Unreal. Sculptures tucked into quiet corners, grand fountains, flawless lawns, and sweeping views of the Hudson and Palisades—which, by the way, Rockefeller casually purchased and preserved like a true billionaire environmentalist. Now, here’s the reason for the missing star: the security vibe. I was in a very small group—maybe 7 or 8 people—and we were being headcounted constantly, like someone might vanish into the hedges with a Tiffany lamp. There was a bag check at the front door. And at one point, I accidentally wandered into what looked like just another part of the garden (maybe 25 feet from my group) after being told to “explore” and suddenly several guides descended with walkie-talkies like I’d breached the Queen’s panic room. One of them actually said, “He’s off the tour,” which is how I found out 25 feet was “off the tour”. I totally understand the need to protect the estate, but the whole thing felt a bit like touring the Capitol from The Hunger Games—all elegance on the surface, but with an unsettling sense that security was one misstep away from swooping in with a net. Beautiful? Undeniably. Memorable? Of course. But it’s hard to fully enjoy when you feel like you’re being watched by invisible drones. Okay yes, I’m being a little dramatic—but only because I’ve never felt this on edge at a historic estate. Even Chatsworth, home to the actual Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and basically the Beyoncé of British country houses, was warm, welcoming, and didn’t make me pass through Checkpoint Charlie just to glimpse a side table.

Just a beautiful place, the house, gardens, grounds etc. we had a great time on the tour was originally apprehensive at the price ($55) but it was definitely worth it.

As enjoyable as the Breakers and the Vanderbilt's estate although not at as large. This house much more than the former provides a good representation of the Rockefeller values and personality. It was more personal than some of the large super mansions of the historic north east. The tour was longer than expected, very informative, they take their time, there is a shuttle to take you around the grounds. It is well worth the money. We would strongly recommend it.

Take my review with a grain of salt because I HATE most modern art-- and there was a lot of modern art. The house and grounds were absolutely beautiful, and I did enjoy seeing the family portraits/pictures and the old Asian artifacts. The views from the property are wonderful, and I absolutely loved how there was running water (in some form) almost everywhere. The carriage house has a great assortment of vehicles ranging from carriages to (I'm guessing here) late 60s cars. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, and I appreciated that when she was asked a question she didn't hahe the answer to, she just said she didn't know (so many would have just made something up). My dislikes: the bus smelled strongly of weed. Not accusing the driver, it very well may have been passengers. But it was stinky. The roped-off areas were very small in several rooms; we had to squish very close in order to fit. A group size 4-5 fewer would have made it much more comfortable. And I'm not sure why pics aren't allowed inside? Nothing is climate controlled or under glass....maybe no flashes, but phone snaps shouldn't be a big deal. Extra thing that I HATED, but might be right up someone else's alley--- this beautiful home, with such attention to detail that they match the trim of the bookcase to the trim of the wall-- and then they have this "art." In beautiful spaces where you'd expect a Monet or a Van Gogh, there's....some blotches with a red line through it. I don't get it.

9/16/23: Kykuit - The Rockefeller Estate is a must see! It was a perfect day weather wise to visit. You can either purchase tickets in the visitors center or online. All tours are guided. Kykuit offers 3 Tours: 1. Selected Highlights Tour- 1 1/2 hours. 2. Classic Tour- 2 1/4 hours 3. Grand Tour -3 hours We had taken the 2 1/4 hour "Classic Tour". Madeline was our wonderful and knowledgeable tour guide. The tour was perfectly paced-not too fast and not to slow. In order to visit Kykuit, you'll board a shuttle at the visitors center. The shuttle will transport you up a steep and winding hill. Inside, the estate has an array of beautiful Chinese and European ceramics, fine furnishings, and galleries of 20th century art. The barn/garage is a wonderful small estate itself. It displays all their old antique autos, a blacksmith station, numerous equestrian riding attire and so much more. Surprisingly, the floors are original. They look relatively new. In addition, you'll see overhead large uranium glass chandeliers with complimentary wall sconces. The grounds are lovely with incredible sculptures and a breathtaking view of the Hudson Valley.

We tried the three hour Grand tour. The departure on the shuttle was prompt and a quick ride to the estate. The tour of the house was super informative. It's very tight quarters, so some areas we were unable to see around other guests. My absolute favorite part was the gallery! I wasn't expecting to view Picasso tapestries and so many pieces of art The grounds are beautiful with expansive views of the Hudson. The grounds are filled with sculpture and art. This was a great day trip from upstate NY! Thank you Lisa for a lovely day.

Wasn't able to go visit, do to them not allowing children under 10 to visit, we have 3 and they have been to the Vatican which has way more valuables then this place. I'm sure Rockefeller is spinning in his grave since he had plexi-glass installed around the art so his kids could be kids and carry on in the house. Nothing new out of New York though, not a family friendly state.

The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable, courteous, and an excellent communicator. She herself is an artist and was able to provide details on the history of the property and items. Her personal touch made this tour an unforgettable experience. We opted for the grand tour and it may cost a little more, but it is definitely worth it, if you are interested in history. Also, it's romantic to simply stroll through the gardens and relax viewing the magnificent art. Our visit to Kykuit was the hit of our trip to the Hudson Valley. We visited on a Sunday morning in the summer and arrived early. The property is breathtaking! I felt as if we were in Europe. This trip made my husband and I feel as if we were on a second honeymoon.

Fantastic 2-hour tour today at Kykuit. Our guide, Laura Greenberg, was fantastic. She was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the Rockefeller family and the Kykuit compound. She engaged with everyone on the tour and took time to answer questions big and small. She displayed an impressive depth of information on all things Kykuit. This is an amazing tour of a family home that happens to have an astounding collection of modern art, among other things. And the gardens and views are not to be missed. Great experience, fantastic tour guide. Well done, Rockefeller Brothers Fund.

I'm rounding up to three stars for this review. Overall, very, very disappointed with our tour. Tickets: We strongly recommend buying tickets online in advance. Go to the office in Sleepy Hollow to pick up purchased tickets. The office is a mini-museum and tacky gift shop. The office also has bathrooms and free slow wifi. Bus: From the office, a small bus (think airport parking shuttle) will ferry you and the tour guide to the mansion. Mansion tour: We bought the "selected highlights" tour. It's not worth the price. Our tour guide was not very well organized and didn't attempt to include all members of the tour. The tour group size is far too large for the spaces visited. The interior sections of the mansion were very cramped and uncomfortable. Half the tour group was excluded from the rooms with the guide because the spaces were small. And the guide was completely oblivious to including all customers. Art: some very rare art (paintings, sculptures, etc) is in the mansion on the grounds. The tours fly through the art and often pass over the art. If you're interested in seeing something specific, research it in advance. But alas, if it's in the house, no photos. Overall impression: Some interesting history of gilded age excesses and the indulgences of the wealthy. But the tour operation is a mediocre operation poorly executed (think government with less passion but equal interest in taking your money). Misc: You can bring a small bottle of water into the mansion, but that's about all. NO interior photography is allowed, which is an odd rule for such a "museum."

Unbelievably experience and tour. I highly recommend the 3 hour overview of this outstanding property. The tour guide was so knowledgeable and it was great to learn the history behind this great family.

Prior to arriving: Book your tickets online. Some who showed up could not get a spot until hours later Things to consider: Check-ins are at the Philipsburg Manor Visitor Center. Parking up front is limited. I saw a sign for overflow parking, but I had no idea where it is. You will be placed on a bus for the ride up to Kykuit. There are no bathrooms at Kykuit and the ladies that checked us to use the bathroom before getting on the bus. Kykuit has no A/C inside the house, dress accordingly. Photos are only allowed on exterior. Things to do while you wait: across the street is the Old Dutch Church and Sleepy Hollow cemetery. Washington Irving is laid to rest here. Thank you for requiring masks inside the building and on the bus. Kykuit: I opted for the "Selected Highlights" tour. The house exterior and the property is gorgeous. The views are amazing! The house interior details are worth a see, but the interior rooms are too small for the size of the tour groups. There were 18 people on our tour. That is too many people. Let me explain: 1. You cannot hear the tour guide who had a great detail of information 2. tour guide could not keep track of us 3. the house interior rooms are too small for group of 18. The tour guide had awesome details of all the fabulous artwork in the rooms, but with so many people trying to see you had to take turns to see and then you missed the information. 4. No A/C in the house and with 18 people it gets hot quite fast and people that are hot get irritated, we had a few on the tour get upset and wander. Another tour guide came to assist to get the group together. In the end, this was not an enjoyable tour and I would not recommend to anyone. Just look at the pictures.

Too bad it is closed due to Covid. The home of John D Rockefeller. I understand, it has a great collection of sculptures, ceramics, and period furnishings. Also the grounds and gardens are magnificent.

This place is a gorgeous gem! The family still stays in one of the homes. They are known to be giving and very down to earth. The views and art are breathtaking... definitely book a tour if your in the area, you will not be disappointed! I've gone 5 times and each time I learn something different. The light fixtures are by Tiffany and so many amazing artist I will leave it at that!

Classic tour led by Barbara Ecket was worth every dollar, every step, every minute. She was knowledgeable, professional, and enjoyable, and made the estate of Kykuit come alive for us. An astonishing collection of world class art housed in a a sumptuous estate with stunning views.

Wonderful and informative tour by docent Barbara Eckert (not quite sure about the spelling of the last name). I took the tour two years ago and brought some guests here again. It was like a completely different tour. VERY I formative and well paced. You could tell that Barbara enjoyed sharing the information and stories and it was highly entertaining. The home, artwork, and especially the grounds were outstanding. The sweeping views of the Hudson River were outstanding. The artwork was world class - especially the modern art collection. If you like nature, art, and/or american history - there something for you at Kykuit.

What a beautiful place! My group of friends really enjoyed the tour of the Kykui Rockefeller Estate. Our guide was very knowledgeable and informative. We learned a lot about the Rockefeller family and the different buildings in the estate. You cannot come here by yourself so I recommend booking the tour early. During the Classic tour option, you will tour the main building & the surrounding gardens, and the carriage house with carriages and classic cars. A lot of great picture opportunities, views of the Hudson, and ART to see here (Picasso tapestries, etc.). Highly recommend.

I've been here twice and believe I will return, I learn something new every time I'm here, and it is also just a beautiful and relaxing place to visit. There is so much culture to be experienced on the estate and it is very mentally stimulating and inspiring. The Rockefellers were an educated and philanthropic family. This is great place to open up your mind to the power and influence great people can use to make a difference in this world even in a very different time. I recommend planning to come early so that you have your pick of your times.

Thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Kykuit. You definitely should order your tickets online to ensure your tour is locked in. We chose to do the Classic tour which is about 2 1/2 hours but definitely a good tour. It was perfect for us, not too long but plenty long enough to give us a great taste for the Rockefeller family and their mansion. The tour was very informative, our guide was Laura who actually lived on the premises for a while and actually came in contact with the family as a little girl. Her stories were so intimate and helped to bring the tour to life. Be warned, the tour could get a bit warm, no AC while on the top floors, so if it is hot be prepared to sweat but not a big deal. The grounds are so beautiful. The art and sculptures all throughout the home and grounds are amazing. I highly recommend a visit to this place, you won't be disappointed. We took our 5 year old grandson and he absolutely loved it, Laura was great in engaging with him and ensuring he had fun while we toured the Home. Nice touch! The one complaint I had was the souvenir shop which unfortunately had very little options. We love to purchase mementos of the places we visit and the options were slim to none. Regardless we loved the tour and highly recommend it.

The Rockefeller Estate was my husband and I's first official date. We held hands and it was sweet. You take a tour around the property and there are plenty of photo ops! You go inside the property and into their 'private' art collection where you see pieces that are not showcased in museums unless borrowed temporarily. We had a great time walking around and seeing the sites. There isn't much to do other then that! Gotta like walking and listening about recent history. The tour guide was very educated and had a lot to say about the property, art etc..

Had an afternoon to kill and didn't want to do this at home. Having been there at once before we thought it would be a worthwhile experience to walk around Kykuit and show our kids what the life looked like for some of the most powerful people in the world at one time. The estate is amazing situated atop the hill that you can see the Tappan Zee from it but not the other way around (I checked) is great. The estate also houses a large collection of various items including art and antique cars and sculptures and it is very interesting for the kids to see as well as educational. It's a little harder with toddlers because the old houses are not designed to have a stroller rolling through (small hallways and narrow stairs) but still it is fun for them to walk around the grounds playing.

Definitely a must-see if you are a history buff. It's like stepping back into the gilded age, and is the closest you will see to one of the American millionaire's mansions from an era long gone. Plus, it's a lot closer and easier than heading up to Rhode Island to see all the gilded age mansions from an era before income taxes on the rich. With the classic tour clocking in at 2 1/2 hours for $28 you get an expertly guided excursion of the main level of the home and the grounds. You also get to see the lower level of the house with includes an amazing collection of art that rivals what you will find in major museums - Picasso, Warhol, and many other artists from the well known to the obscure. The whole mansion houses all types of art from paintings to sculptures to Asian artifacts dating back to the Ming dynasty or older, including the beautifully manicured grounds. Art is everywhere, and the collection is absolutely priceless. The tour also included a trip to the stables and garage which houses a wonderful collection of antique sleds and horse drawn carriages. The garage has an awe inspiring collection of classic cars that will blow you away if you are a car buff. Just ridiculous. The Rockefeller family has a very interesting background, as each generation that lived here had it's good and bad about them. They were oil barons and art collectors that amassed a fortune not even rivaled by today's richest men. One thing that surprised me most was the massive amount of money they gave away to charities and philanthropic pursuits. From starting up colleges, to equal rights, to medical research, to countless others it was staggering. This is a terrific mansion tour that is best done on a dry sunny day as the views are magnificent, and the grounds are something to admire. Our tour guide Peter was the best - funny and informative. He was like a comedian savant and kept the tour interesting if rousing. He knew his stuff and would constantly quiz us with trivia questions and award us energetically with candy if we got it right. Very passionate and we learned a lot from him. So easy to get to as it's just a short train ride to the Tarrytown station. It makes for a great day trip and then dinner in town on main street. There is a shuttle service from the visitors center that provides transportation to and from the mansion. We learned that the cost of the tickets actually goes to the care and maintaining of the shuttles. It's a good use of the fee, and totally worth the admission and guided tour.

We took the Classic tour this morning and really enjoyed it. Although we've seen more gorgeous interiors, we still thought this was quite worthwhile. Our tour guide was terrific; incredibly informative and pleasant. We learned many interesting (and even sometimes fascinating) details about the Rockefeller family and some of the many items inside the mansion (note that photography isn't permitted indoors). The grounds (which overlook the Hudson) are really lovely and filled with beautiful statuary.

Absolutely LOVED our visit today to Kykuit. So much beauty, art and history and all told and shown so well by our guide Brian Langdross. He was a wealth of knowledge with good humor to boot! Highly recommend seeing this tour! We will be back.

Lovely way to spend a summer afternoon, the Rockefeller Estate is a must when staying in the area. Barbara was our tour guide in the Classic Tour and I felt we were lucky to be assigned to a small group which makes the experience a little more personal. She was enthusiastic and showed a deep interest on al the subjects and kept a smile throughout. The property is absolutely gorgeous, and all the stories that Barbara mentioned about Nelson allowed me to get an idea of what was on his mind when redecorating at the time the estate was his. Beautiful gardens, unique pieces of art by Picasso and many well known artists, and the first floor design that with views of the Hudson River were amazing. Highly recommend and just remember the Classic Tour takes over 2 hours and does not cover the 2nd and 3rd floors. That's the Grand Tour which takes over 3 hours. No photography allowed inside!

I am a historic preservation professional who has been visiting historic houses for over 40 years. This place is spectacular! The house, the collections, and the views are all without parallel. Our tour guide, Muriel, was excellent, a real treasure. We did the 3 hr grand tour and felt it was worth every penny.

I took the Grand Tour on a Wed. Morning. The tour was exactly on time. Neil, the tour guide, was extremely knowledgeable and personable! This tour was spectacular! I totally recommend a visit. Ordering tickets online was super easy and recommended. I love the gift store. Friendly helpful staff. Lots to do in the area as well.

I've been meaning to check the Rockerfeller's estate out for awhile and decided to visit during fall season. They have 4 different types of tours, classic, landmark, timesaver and grand tours. When I was looking at options online, I didn't understand they had so many different options and it was a bit pricey, but once I got to the estate, I realized why and it was worth every penny. The estate is humongous and they transport you from the visitor center to the house. They have different tour options since it's so big and some may want to focus on the gardens, some may want to do a quicker tour since the standard ones are well over 2 hours and if you include the time to wait at the visitor center and the shuttle rides, it was over 3 hours. Also, our guide was talking to us during all 3 hours flourishing us with information about the family and the estate, it was worth my time and money and made me want to come back for a landmark tour next time so I can look at other sculptures and gardens better next time. The Rockereller estate is amazing... the land is endless but surprisingly the house itself was pretty small, I mean compared to the land size. I immediately was remembering the summer houses I saw at Newport and how much bigger they were, I then realized Rockfellers actually lived here for 4 generations and it was practical as opposed to the summer houses in Newport that were used mostly for partying and inviting guests over the summer. The house is filled with amazing arts and the gardens outside is even better with the 'lookout' view from the house. Again, since it was my first time at Kykuit, I did the classic tour that focused on the house itself. Since the tour is pretty long, expect to spend almost full day if your tour happens to be in the middle of the day. But the guide is amazing and the estate is beautiful, you don't get bored at all. I'm definitely coming back for a landmark tour next time to see the estate in more depth. Oh, also, they are only open for certain months during the year so make sure to check out the calendar on their webiste.

Visited recently and thoroughly enjoyed it. I did the Timesaver Tour (1 hour, 30 minutes), which was terrific and left me wanting more. I'll definitely return for one of the longer tours. The one I did was a tour through the 1st floor of the house and outdoor garden areas. Our tour guide Dale was terrific; knowledgeable and passionate. A few tips: - They say to get there 30 minutes before but it is just a brief check-in where you get a sticker with your time on it. So arrival 10-15 minutes prior to your scheduled time is fine. - There were a few kids on our tour and Dale got them involved and answered their questions. So if you're wondering if it's good for kids, this Timesaver one for sure was. - The parking lot fills up and there is a sign for overflow parking, but this lot is pretty far away. If you see street parking nearby park there instead.

On a Hudson Valley weekend, we decided on a Kykuit tour on a whim and it did not disappoint. The classic tour was truly like 4 in 1: the gorgeous estate house itself, its beautiful gardens and views, the phenomenal collection of classical and modern art, and the large collection of carriages and classic cars. Everyone in your group will find something of interest. For me the art collection was a jaw-dropping surprise. It seriously rivals collections of the best museums in the country. Take the tour. You won't be disappointed!

Part historical house, and part art museum, Kykuit stands apart from other historical homes and is hands down the top attraction in Sleepy Hollow. With an amazing collection of works from modern artists (Warhol, Picasso, Miro, Calder, Brancusi, Betancue, etc) you should visit just for the art. Sadly this is not an art museum but a historical home and all this must be appreciated as you walk through with little time for careful study. Stunning architecture and views of the landscape throughout, though visitors are NOT given free access to the grounds. Still there is a sense of exploration as you are walked through a home that still looks like it was lived in. More updated than other historical homes, the home does not feel ostentatious and actually integrates well with its environment. Visitors are driven up from a seperate location, and note there is a bit of walking. (Elevators are available for those that need but limits somewhat your tour) Bathrooms are limited, (end of tour in carriage house) no food options other than what's at the initial visitor center, though there are places in nearby Sleepy Hollow. Expect limited cell service. Lots of great picture opportunities, nearby Irving home and Mill are much smaller. Note it sometimes closes for the season.

This place is definitely gorgeous, inside and out. You are going to want to buy your tickets in advance! We showed up and wanted tickets for the next tour which was a few hours later because we didn't plan ahead. You aren't going to get any more lavish decorators than the Rockefellers (except maybe the Vanderbilts), but this house is privately funded, so expect to pay more than at a National/State historic site. And what you do pay for, you have to pay more to see more of the house. It just seems a bit stingy for what they show you to then charge more to see upstairs. Still it's definitely something I'd recommend doing as it really is a treat for the eyes and if you go on a beautiful weather day it really makes it that much more enjoyable.

Beautiful tour and our tour guide was absolutely phenomenal! I don't remember her name but she worked there in the 60s and we loved hearing about her personal stories. She was so knowledgable and friendly! Best advice I can give is but your tickets in advance because some people had to wait at least an hour for the next tour. And hold on when on the bus because they drive pretty fast around those corners!

one of my favorite places to go in upstate new york! it's open seasonally and let me tell you this would be BEAUTIFUL to see in the spring. the gardens are just as expansive as the views. the mansion tour is fantastic. it's really an amazing piece of american history. wonderfully preserved rugs / chinese sculptures / art you name it, it's in here. definitely buy your ticket online ahead of time as i know during peak season, the tours will sell out. from what i hear it's also easily accessible via train/uber - my friend and i drove up.

I went to Kykuit while visiting my brother on 9/3/17. Although I lived nearby for several years I had never actually made it to Kykuit until this trip. In order to experience Kykuit you must purchase one of their tours. The tours do seem to fill up so I would recommend checking online on their availability before you show up. It is not an inexpensive tour. Although I understand that the group that runs the museum needs to maintain it; the higher price of the tour does not make viewing it accessible to everyone. Kykuit is a similar experience to what you'll find on similar tours of historical (estate) tours except for one slight difference, the "original" Rockefellers unique lifestyle. Our tour guide was very information and when we tried to squeeze into the small rooms within the mansion he explained the design had a lot to do with their religious beliefs. Apparently their religious beliefs did not promote parties and therefore the design of Kykuit reflects it. Although the square footage of Kykuit is massive, the living space is not designed for large crowds to gather. It has lots of small rooms. It felt a little claustrophobic trying to squeeze into them with a tour group. Therefore, I would not recommend this historical site for small children (it was hard enough trying to make room as an adult in the space, I can't imagine trying to wrangle a toddler within it). The outside of the estate is beautiful and its beauty was even evident on the rainy day we showed up. Although it was cloudy, it was almost impossible to take a bad picture of the grounds. (You're only allowed to take pictures on the outside of the estate.) The highlight for me was walking thru the Rockefellers' private museum in the basement. It was awesome to be up close and personal with modern art. I loved how our tour guide highlight the differences of the Rockefellers from the original family members to Nelson Rockefeller (the Mayor of NY) style. (The museum was more for Nelson Rockefeller than his previous family members.) In a nutshell worth a visit if you're in the area but not a good tour for little kids.

After buying a $30 ticket, and waiting 20 mins for the bus, our mediocre guide instructed me that my 13" w x 15" h tote bag was apparently too big and I had to check in. When I had bought the ticket on site, NOBODY told me my bag was too big and now I had 3 minutes to check in my bag before the bus left without me. The guild whom instructed me to check my bag even told the bus driver to just leave without me. REAL nice right? One of my family members told her and the bus driver to wait for me and not drive away. However upon boarding the bus, it was fine that one of our tour members had a standard sized backpack and another carried a small dog for 2.25 hour tour. I have to say this again: YOU CAN BRING A SMALL DOG, BUT NOT A TOTE BAG??? The house was fine, maintained well. Our guild didn't have answers to most of the questions our group asked her. It almost wasn't even worth asking because she didn't know. She had a low voice, and seemed very disheveled. Her information about the site was also jumbled. She stated her mother used to be part of 'the help' for the family that lived there, which is probably why she got this job, but she wasn't very knowledgeable compared to other guides. $30??? Not worth it. Go somewhere else. Terrible, laughable experience to tell. Bring your small dog, though.

What a wonderful experience that I had on the Kykuit tour! I highly recommend ordering your tickets on-line. You get sent an e-mail confirmation and you show up half an hour before your selected schedule tour time at the visitor's center to get a print out tag. I saw numerous people get denied tours based on the fact they sell out quickly - so be smart about it! As well, you have a handful of tour options all ranging in times and what you get to see on the tour exactly. I went with the Classic tour which lasted 2 hours and 15 minutes. I personally enjoyed this one, but time flew by because I was learning so much and had such a blast! I would recommend this one or even the 3 hour tour option. Once you get your print out tags you take a shuttle bus to the Rockefeller Estate, and in my case, our tour guide was waiting and greeted us once we got off. I'm not sure if you can request or find out what time's a certain guide is hosting a tour, but HIGHLY RECOMMEND going when Michele is working. She is absolutely wonderful! I have been on many, many tours and she has a way to captivate you from her first hello to all the astonishing facts you learn throughout the walk. She's funny, has a way of telling stories, and the more you engage the more she'll know what you want to know about the history of the estate and those who lived there. I cannot express how important a guide is when making whatever tour you're on an experience. Without giving away any cool fun facts - my only last thing is to just book a tour! You'll have a blast while learning.

Even though it clocks in at 3 hours, the Grand Tour, which goes through 2 levels of the house (plus some things on the lower level), the gardens, the coach barn, and the basement art gallery, moves at a brisk pace and there isn't any time for dilly-dallying. Sue, our guide, was great -- cheerful, knowledgeable, and you can tell she loves what she does. It was a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon, and for art lovers, it would be worth it just for the first class art collection. And, of course, you'll learn a lot about the Rockefeller family (for example, that John Davidson Rockefeller was the first American billionaire, and that he was a strict baptist, which is why there is no ballroom in the house). Note: no photography is permitted inside any of the buildings.

Hands down, Kykuit possesses one of the most impressive art collections I have ever seen- and I've seen many. I knew Happy Rockefeller loved the arts, but had no idea the estate would be so impressive. My advice would be to take the Grand Tour, as it is the most extensive of the tours and comes with a pretty incredible course in Rockefellar history 101 (I made that one up). But seriously don't fret, as you will certainly get your money's worth. If you love photography, Kykuit is one of those places that can't help but lend you a great backdrop for beautiful photos.

My husband and I visited Kykuit in mid-October, taking the Classic Tour. The Classic Tour is just over two hours long and very enjoyable. PARKING & FACILITIES: You must park at a visitor center in Sleepy Hollow and board a shuttle bus at the appropriate time with your tour guide. The visitor center has snacks, a shop, and rest rooms. Use the rest rooms at the visitor center. THE CLASSIC TOUR: Our guide, Patrick, was well informed and seemed to enjoy his job. The tour starts in the home and only grants access to a few of the first floor rooms. If I recall correctly we saw the office, living room, butler's pantry, modified china room, and a parlor or two. Throughout there are Chinese antiquities and some modern art. After completing the tour of the first floor rooms, you are able to explore some of the garden (the gardens immediately around the home). There are some fantastic statues, which are very well placed to thoroughly enjoy the art as well as the views of the Hudson. Upon finishing up in the garden, you are taken to the basement. In the basement are AMAZING pieces of art. You might as well be in the East Wing of the National Gallery of Art. While the collection is much smaller than the East Wing of the NGA, it is still impressive - Picasso tapestries, a small Calder, Andy Warhol, and more. This is all in a basement... Once done the the basement, once again you are brought outside for a short stroll to view a few more pieces of art and then you board the shuttle back to the visit the car barn. The car barn contains a few horse carriages, a few cars, displays sharing the restoration endeavors by the family (I had no idea they played a significant role in restoring Versailles). Upon completing the tour of the car barn, you take the shuttle back to the visitor center. THINGS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER: One thing that I wish we could have done is spent more time around some of the larger sculptures on the grounds. Possibly having the shuttle stop and allow the visitors to enjoy the pieces. There was an individual who had one leg in a cast. She had some difficulty getting around. The home has elevators, but separate docents/guides had to ensure she could meet us in the basement. I don't recommend the tour if you can not comfortably stroll for two hours with a few minor steps. We learned so much about the Rockefellers, their home, their art collection. The views of the Hudson are fantastic. I will say that the tour paints a very rosy picture of the family; very biased for obvious reasons. Pictures are only permitted outside, although several people on our tour took pictures with their smart phones. Worth the price of the tickets. Enjoyed it thoroughly.

This is one of the best attractions in the Hudson Valley. It's a convenient and fun weekend getaway from the city. I came here during the July 4th weekend and the weather was perfect. It was sunny, but not too hot and the views on top of the hill were fantastic. Our guide, Gail was fun and extremely knowledgeable about the Rockefeller family, the house and the art. If I had more time I would go back and do the more extensive tour only to see more of the art collection and the gardens. The Rockefellers sure did know how to live and also collect great art. There is almost a Picasso every direction you turn at one part of the house and some amazing unique tapestries commissioned by the family of Picasso's paintings. I definitely recommend the Metro North package for reduced admission on the tour and train ticket.

Excellent tour. Our guide was extremely knowledgable about every aspect of the interior and the grounds - she pointed out many really cool details and presented us with some of her personal favorites which was a great touch. The classic 2+ hour tour was a perfect way to see the grounds, collections and the carriage house.

Took the Classic tour today with Karen as our tour guide. Karen was very knowledgeable and eager to answer any questions we had. The grounds of the estate were beautiful from the majestic fountains to the fabulous water view of the palisades. The interior of the home was just as beautiful with its vast art collection. It also had a garage with antique cars and horse carriages. Excellent tour,thanks again Karen

Awesome tour. I had a good time. We got the classic tour which is not as long as the grand tour. I think if it's your first time going I recommend the classic tour. If you're in to history, art, antiques...you can appreciate this experience. It was beautiful and I would definitely like to go back and and go on the grand tour next time.

Im rating this museum only 3 stars, even if it's worth 4 stars at least, because I find that a museum so popular and world-renowned, everybody knows about the Rockefeller family, should have more consideration for foreign visitors that speak other languages than English. There's no explanation whatsoever in the house museum in other languages, well that passes, but there were no brochures in any other languages and no tour offered in any languages other than English. That's disrespectful towards the visitor that has taken all the efforts to travel to NY and the Mansion and she/he can't fully enjoy the visit. It would be nice to have some international information visible, even brochures or even better offer a tour in other languages than English, maybe at least in Spanish which is the second most spoken language in the world and also in the US (with more than 41 million Spanish speakers within US territory). Go for it be more international , it adds value to your institution!

Beautiful grounds and gorgeous views. I'm also a history nerd and loved learning about the Rockefeller family. I highly recommend the visit.

I was fortunate enough to have Mr David Rockefeller as my client and received a very personal and intimate tour of his home gardens and the rest of the Rockefeller estate! I was also honored to receive a tour of the family playhouse! I am for ever grateful to do business with Mr. Rockefeller and the experience was once in a life time Thank you Me. Rockefeller.

My partner and I participated in the three-hour grand tour this week. Our guide was an extremely knowledgeable British woman. The house, gardens, and grounds are beautiful. What sets Kykuit apart from so many historical houses is the fact that it contains so much high-quality art. The entire basement is full of modern art, including numerous Picasso tapestries. The grounds feature a variety of sculptures too. While I prefer the opulence of the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park, NY, the combination of the house, gardens, and grounds at Kykuit are stunning, especially as the leaves change color.

Beautiful place tucked away in the heart of Westchester. Stunning architecture and landscaping. A vast collection of embroidered Picasso and other fine works of art. I'd recommend the Grand Tour as it offers a glimpse of the 2nd floor, which is beautifully decorated. The grounds are amazing and there is a great picturesque view of the Hudson river from the terrace. Be sure to take lots of photos!

I have been to the Rockefeller Estate three times now, each time experience something new and wonderful. I have been on the Classic Tour (which includes the extensive basement art gallery & the coach barn with it's carriages & antique car collection), the Landmark Tour (which focuses on the house, the beautiful gardens and outdoor sculptures) AND the Grand Tour (which is the Classic Tour PLUS a rare visit to the 2nd floor bedrooms, and in our case, the seldom shown "Stone Grotto" at the end of the art galleries) I highly recommend the Grand Tour, although it doesn't run as many times a day, it is well worth the small up-tick in price and fewer scheduled times. Even the bus-ride into the property is wonderful, as you pass many of the larger garden sculptures spread throughout the estate property away from the mansion itself. The underground art gallery contains many periods of art, from 1960's pop to the only Picasso tapestries in the world. The gardens are amazing, and include the Temples of Venus and Aphrodite, The Tearoom, the Fountain of Poseidon, and outstanding views of Hudson Valley and the Hudson river. If you love art & sculpture, historic homes & mansions, or beautiful English gardens, there is something for everyone.

This was very enjoyable. The house was really classy and the tour was worth it in that it was almost 2 hours long. In other words, they don't take your money and give you a quick uninformative tour. It's quite the opposite. The guide was awesome and the information kept flowing and the tour was at a nice even pace which made for a great afternoon. I highly recommend this if your looking for something to do on a beautiful day. Great experience for all. Enjoy

Went in the grand tour. Our guide worked for the family years ago and was outstanding! We enjoyed it very much. Great way to spend an afternoon