I’ve dusted off journals to share more details about parks and attractions that I visited during my year-long sabbatical. In September 2020, I traveled from New York City north to Hyde Park, New York.
It was challenging to be in New York City during Covid. When I caved and bought a car, it provided me with the freedom to explore. Hyde Park was always a place that was intriguing to me. I went with full knowledge that most of the sites would be closed, but grateful that I would still be able to walk the grounds and the trails around the home.
The Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt is a show-stopper. This stunning home sits on a hill overlooking the Hudson River. I wasn’t able to explore the house, but I was able to walk through the gardens and view his burial site. I also enjoyed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on a hill behind the house.
I want to get back to Hyde Park. They have a stunning visitors center that I could likely lose myself in for hours. I love the story of the Roosevelts and the impact that they (the entire family) have had on American history. Also, the home offers tours. I peeked into some windows and it just made me want to learn more about the building and how so many people lived in the house.
You could certainly spend a good chunk of a day here, or opt to visit a few of the other sites around the area, including the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site.
Missy’s Honest Take
Who this is perfect for: History lovers, FDR admirers, and anyone who wants to understand how one man navigated the Depression and World War II from a home on a Hudson River hillside. The house tour is essential — peeking through windows as I did during Covid made me desperate to come back and actually see inside.
The thing nobody tells you: FDR’s burial site is on the grounds, in the rose garden. It’s a quiet, dignified spot that most visitors walk past without realizing what it is. Take a moment there. It reframes the whole visit.
The FDR Presidential Library is on site: It’s technically a separate building but on the same grounds. If you love history, budget extra time — it’s genuinely one of the best presidential libraries in the country.
Combine with Val-Kill: Eleanor Roosevelt’s cottage is 2 miles away. The two sites together make one of the best history days in the Northeast — and they tell completely different stories about the same family.
Basics
Location: Hyde Park, New York
Parking: Available at a visitors center area, and then a quick walk over to the mansion
Bathrooms: Disclaimer that I went during Covid, so nothing was open. But I seem to recall signs for restrooms. Check the park website for updated information
What to wear: Dress for the season. You’ll walk around a bit outside, but it’s a fairly easy environment.
What to pack: You may want to bring snacks or a picnic to enjoy on the grounds.
Pet regulations: Pets are welcome in designated areas. Check out the pets page of the park website for updates
Best time to visit: Spring and fall are ideal — the grounds overlooking the Hudson River are spectacular in both seasons. Summer brings more crowds and tour booking pressure. If you go in summer, book your house tour online in advance; they sell out.
How long to plan for: Half a day minimum, full day if you combine with Val-Kill (Eleanor Roosevelt NHS) two miles away and the FDR Presidential Library on the same grounds. The library alone deserves a few hours if you love history — it’s one of the most compelling presidential museums in the country.
One More Thing – Catch Yourself Smiling moment
I ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on a hill behind Springwood, looking out at the Hudson River, and thought about the fact that FDR sat somewhere near this view while leading the country through its darkest years. He was paralyzed. The world was on fire. And somehow he found something here — a stillness, a perspective — that let him keep going.
I don’t know exactly what that was. But I sat there a little longer than I planned to, in case some of it was still in the air.
Some places hold something. This is one of them.