The National Park Service and Metro-North Railroad make it easy for you. Spend a day at the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites. The National Park Service operates the free "Roosevelt Ride" shuttle bus service from Poughkeepsie Metro-North Station 7 days a week and will to take you to your choice of the Roosevelt sites and the Vanderbilt Mansion from May 1st through October 31. Leave the car at home, and get comfortable with history. Your day begins with a scenic trip up the Hudson River on Metro-North's Hudson Line to Poughkeepsie Station - one of the world's most beautiful train journeys!
A Roosevelt Ride Itinerary:
From the FDR Home and Library Site You Can Choose to Visit Any Two of These Sites:
Board a shuttle vehicle to the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site (Val-Kill). Get to know one of the 20th Century's most admired women, the "First Lady of the World" in her home and private retreat. While at Val-Kill you can shop at the Val-Kill Fair Trade Store. Val-Kill is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Take the shuttle to Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site. Tour the magnificent estate of Frederick and Louise Vanderbilt. Explore the social and economic history of the Gilded Age while touring an American Country Place with exquisite landscaped grounds and stunning Hudson River vistas.
Final Departure to the Poughkeepsie Station:
Whatever you choose, our shuttle bus will pick you up at the Wallace Center located at the FDR site for a 5:00 pm departure back to the Poughkeepsie Train Station to take the 5:40 pm train back to Grand Central Terminal.
For Roosevelt Ride Reservations, please call The National Park Service at 845-229-5320. The shuttle buses and tours are all wheelchair accessible.
Admission to the Historic Sites: Adults, $22 (plus applicable rail fare); Children under 15, FREE (plus applicable rail fare). Tickets DO NOT INCLUDE rail fare or lunch at Ms. Nesbitt's Café. The Roosevelt Ride Shuttle Bus itself is free.
New Roosevelt Farm Lane Tram Tour - Beginning June 1st, and running every Saturday and Sunday through October 26 is a new Farm Lane Tram Tour departing from the Wallace Visitor Center at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm. Experience the sights and sounds of Roosevelt Farm Lane as a Ranger guides you through some of FDR’s original tree plantings. FDR loved birds and all wildlife.
Bard Rock in the Hudson River at Vanderbilt Mansion will be open to vehicle traffic on Tuesday and Thursdays, from June 3rd through September 25th.