The Hudson Valley provides a spectacular array of sights and activities for everyone to enjoy. In particular, Hyde Park offers an insightful glimpse into American history, with mansions and estates still revealing life as it was in the past. Nature trails, wineries, antique shops, and restaurants Here are some nearby points of interest in Hyde Park and the Hudson Valley.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Home, Library, and Museum Located directly across the road from the Golden Manor Motel
Though Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882–1945) was elected president for four terms, his true home was not the White House, but his vast estate in Hyde Park. Springwood, as it was known, was his birthplace and lifelong retreat from the pressures of being a world leader. Situated on a grassy hill overlooking the Hudson River, the FDR estate is the final resting place of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Tours of his childhood home are given regularly, and archives of his presidency are housed in the museum and library.
Vanderbilt Estate Located two miles north on Route 9 from the Golden Manor Motel
A splendid example of Gilded Age opulence, the Vanderbilt mansion was bought in 1895 by Frederick Vanderbilt as a 600-acre country estate overlooking the Hudson River. Used as a spring and autumn residence, the Vanderbilt family used their own New York Central Railroad to travel to their Hudson Valley home. The fifty-four room Beaux-Arts mansion is luxuriously appointed with original furnishings and decor, providing an intimate look into the lifestyle of one of America's richest families.
Eleanor Roosevelt's Cottage at Val-Kill Located two miles away from the Golden Manor Motel
Val-Kill (Dutch for "Fall Stream") was Eleanor Roosevelt's private residence where she often brought friends for social and political visits. After FDR's death, Eleanor (1884–1962) made Val-Kill her home for seventeen years. The humble cottages amid the rolling hills were a gift from her husband, and Eleanor used the estate as a base from which she traveled and continued her important political work until her death.
The Culinary Institute of America Located one mile south of the Golden Manor Motel
The CIA is the premier culinary arts school in America, offering courses to more than eight thousand students in a variety of programs. The Hyde Park campus maintains award-winning restaurants, including the American Bounty, Escoffier, Caterina de' Medici, and St. Andrew's Cafe. Tours and shops are available to visitors of the school, which is located along the Hudson River. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends and in the fall. Call (845)471-6608 for more information.
Online Guides to Dutchess County and the Hudson Valley