Hyde Park NY is a Hudson Valley town that is best known for being the hometown of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Other major attractions include a lovely mansion that was built by one of America’s wealthiest families and a well-known culinary school. Hyde Park NY visitors can also revel in the beautiful Hudson Valley scenery and the wealth of outdoor activities that can be enjoyed in the general region. Skiing, golfing, and biking are just some of the activity choices. The area comes to life in fall with the changing leaves and historic sites that celebrate Halloween.

Mansions & Historic Sites

New York Map

Hyde Park NY boasts a fine collection of mansions and historic sites. Anchoring this collection are the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site and the Vanderbilt Mansion. The FDR National Historic Site is maintained by the National Park Service, and among other things, it features the president’s estate (Springwood) and his presidential library and museum. Roosevelt frequented this residence throughout his life, and the historical house is now a museum. As for the Vanderbilt Mansion, it sits on more than 200 acres of land and is one of the country’s best examples of the kind of country palaces that wealthy industrialists were building during the Gilded Age. From the Vanderbilt Mansion grounds, visitors can savor views of the Hudson River and the distant Catskill Mountains. Other examples of mansions and historic sites that can be found in or near Hyde Park NY are the Mills Mansion and Val Kill Cottage. The Mills Mansion was the country home of Ogden Mills and his wife Ruth and is another architectural gem from the Gilded Age, while the Val Kill cottage is where Eleanor Roosevelt lived from 1945 to 1962.

Culinary Institute of America

The renowned culinary institute that calls Hyde Park NY home is none other than the Culinary Institute of America. Founded in 1946, this premier culinary college’s list of notable alumni includes some of the country’s most highly recognizable chefs and food industry personalities. Found on the Hyde Park campus of the Culinary Institute of America are several public restaurants. The institute also offers restaurants at its branch campuses in St. Helena, Calif. and San Antonio, Texas. It should also be noted that there is a Culinary Institute of America branch campus in the country of Singapore.

Hyde Park Hotels & Lodging

Hyde Park offers a variety of charming inns and bed and breakfasts. Examples include the Journey Inn B&B, the Inn the Woods B&B, and the Le Petit Chateau Inn. Complementing the inns and B&Bs are a few hotels and motels that can be a better fit for those who aren’t interested in the B&B experience or who wish to spend a little less on accommodations. For Hyde Park visitors who wish to go camping, the Mills-Norrie State Park is a good place to start. Found near town, it offers both campsites and cabins, not to mention a healthy variety of activity options.