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Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site

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»Getting There
»Weather
»Activities
"The greatest thing I have learned is how good it is to come home again," Eleanor Roosevelt once told a friend. This simple statement expresses her love for the modest house near the Hudson River she called Val-Kill, the only home that was ever hers. The only National Historic Site dedicated to a First Lady, Val-Kill welcomes the visitor as Mrs. Roosevelt welcomed her many guests. Visitors may tour Mrs. Roosevelt's Val-Kill Cottage and enjoy the lovely gardens and grounds on the site.


Contact Information

4097 Albany Post Road
Hyde Park, NY 12538
845 229-9115 - Headquarters


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Getting There

By Plane
The closest major airport is Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, New York (near junction of I-87 and I-84). Several major carriers have daily flights to Stewart. Car rentals are available at the airport.

By Car
The park is located in Hyde Park, New York on Rt. 9G about 6 miles north of Poughkeepsie. Follow the link below for detailed driving directions.

By Plane
The Metro-North Commuter Railroad and Amtrak both stop in Poughkeepsie, about 5 miles south of the park. Call Amtrak 1-800-872-7245 or Metro-North at 800 638-7646 for information.
Taxi service to the park from the Poughkeepsie Train Station is available. Taxi service from other points in the local area is also available. The Dutchess County Loop Bus System stops in Hyde Park several times daily; call (800) 924-8702 for information.

Getting Around
Once arriving, all access is pedestrian.

Weather

Winters are generally cold and often snowy, summer warm and humid.


Activities

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.
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  • Educational Programs
  • Hiking
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Bird Watching
  • Nature Walks

Recommended Activities
Guided tour of Val-Kill Cottage, the furnished home of Eleanor Roosevelt (access is by guided tour only.) Program themes vary, and include Mrs. Roosevelt's political activities, personal challenges, home life, and international diplomatic efforts. The tour includes an introductory film.

Visitors are welcome to tour the grounds at their own pace. The Rose Garden, Cutting Garden, pond, and trails are all available.

The Stone Cottage, also on the grounds, is operated as a conference center by Eleanor Roosevelt's Val-Kill Inc. a not-for-profit organization.


A classroom-ready lesson plan on Eleanor Roosevelt is available at the link below.


 
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Find Hiking and Biking Trails
If you like to go hiking or biking, then don't forget to get a map and guidebook. Trails.com offers a great service that allows unlimited downloads of trail guides for a small monthly fee. They even have a 14 day free trial. Whether you are looking for day hikes, backpacking trails, mountain bike routes or just short nature stroll, they cover it all. So let Trails.com help plan your next outing.
RV Information
Are you planning on traveling with your RV? If you are, you should check out the Good Sam Club. The Good Sam Club offers discounts on camping, a free magazine subscription and great tips on traveling with your RV. You can also get a free no-obligation RV Insurance quote . Give them a look and enjoy your trip.
Gear Up For Your Trip
Once you have finished deciding where to go, it will be time to gear up. A great place for adventure travel gear is The National Geographic Store. They have all types of maps and guides to help finalize your vacation plans.