Top Cottage - Home Of Franklin D Roosevelt
Top Cottage - Home Of Franklin D Roosevelt
Top Cottage - Home Of Franklin D Roosevelt
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
131 reviews
Excellent
84
Very good
37
Average
6
Poor
3
Terrible
1
gypsyred
Sarasota, FL257 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
This is the home FDR grew-up in and raised in family in. The tour by the National Park Service is informative and interesting. You actually go into the house and are permitted to wander around and take pictures. One may also wander the spectacular gardens where FDR and Eleanor are buried along with the stable.
Written 15 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SeniorTravelerTF
Fort Atkinson1 250 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
It can feel hectic, trying to fit in the FDR home, the museum and Eleanor's cottage - but don't overlook this gem. We did each of those (all good) and came back the next morning for this. You ride on a bus a short distance to the cottage built by FDR for a respite and secluded spot. The park guide gave us an overview of the small cottage, but the highlight was a gathering in chairs on the porch as the guide explained who had visited, discussions that took place, and how FDR used it. Almost a "your were there" experience because of the knowledge and wonderful story telling ability of the guide. You will get the same experience because the same guide has been presenting for years.
Written 12 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cbaz128
Toms River, NJ186 contributions
Jun 2021
This little home has an interesting history, but the tour is anti-climatic compared to the other properties. However, to sit on the porch knowing the important figures in history who sat there long ago makes it worth it. We had a fun tour guide who really knew his FDR history. Unfortunately, the views from the porch that FDR enjoyed have long filled in with foliage and forestry.
Written 9 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christina B
Louisiana6 962 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
It was nice to see the house, but it is virtually empty. We sat on the back patio for too long. Basically just wasting time. I’m glad I saw the house & photos. Heard some stories, but ready to leave long before we did. 10-15 mins at the most there would be more than long enough.
Written 24 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hoosierfan_7
Illinois461 contributions
Sept 2014 • Friends
The only way to visit here is by taking a NP bus from the FDR visitor center. A National Park Ranger is on the bus telling about known and many unknown facts about FDR. Sitting on the porch in the wicker rockers listening to the ranger relating stories of FDR and his family was one of the best afternoons ever! They only allow a few people to go at a time, so make sure you purchase your tickets at the visitor's center. I also don't think they take the bus up to the cottage more than 2 times a day, so plan your trip accordingly. The tickets to Val-Kil are also available only at the Visitor Center and a limited number of people are allowed on each ranger led tour. Anytime you have an opportunity to go on any NP Ranger led activity, just DO IT! They have so much knowledge of the park where they work, it is always such an interesting tour.
Written 26 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary A W
Addison, TX106 contributions
Aug 2019
This is a must-do if you are in Hyde Park. The location was personally selected by FDR for his post-Presidential retreat. The cottage was also designed by FDR with his specific needs in mind, making it the first home designed *by* a disabled person *for* a disable person. Our guide was excellent, knowledgeable, and entertaining. Tickets must be purchased at the FDR Visitor's Center then you ride with the group in a van for 15 minutes to get to the location. Would highly recommend.
Written 26 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William C
South Lake Tahoe, CA31 contributions
May 2022
Hyde Park aka FDR Library has been on our "bucket list" for years. Driving up the Hudson Valley reach the estate was a beautiful experience itself. The Residence was well preserved and surprisingly accessible. Learning how FDR navigated the residence was intriguing. His Library was extremely informative and the personal office in the library was one he actually used! The scenery was breathtaking.
Nearby was ValKill, a residence used by Eleanor - not as much interest. A short distance away was the Vanderbilt mansion - worth touring but not as a special trip. Opulence at its best.
A short distance from Hyde Park was the impressive Culinary Institute of America. The grounds and buildings are also spectacularly beautiful. The "student restaurants" are open to the public and well worth stopping there to have a meal - our dinner was superb. Might need reservations.
North of Hyde Park was the beautifully maintained "Olana State Historic Site," former residence of amous landscape painter Frederic Church. Unfortunately the home was closed to visitors the day we we there but the outside was impressive - designed to take advantage of the views of the upper Hudson Valey.
Nearby was ValKill, a residence used by Eleanor - not as much interest. A short distance away was the Vanderbilt mansion - worth touring but not as a special trip. Opulence at its best.
A short distance from Hyde Park was the impressive Culinary Institute of America. The grounds and buildings are also spectacularly beautiful. The "student restaurants" are open to the public and well worth stopping there to have a meal - our dinner was superb. Might need reservations.
North of Hyde Park was the beautifully maintained "Olana State Historic Site," former residence of amous landscape painter Frederic Church. Unfortunately the home was closed to visitors the day we we there but the outside was impressive - designed to take advantage of the views of the upper Hudson Valey.
Written 10 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deborah S
Wellsville, KS75 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
Top Cottage was FDR's retreat from the 'big house'. It is accessed only by ranger-led tour; you park at the Visitor's Center at the main FDR Home/Museum site and the ranger drives the tour group up in a small bus. It was a great experience and really helps you round out the picture of FDR. Our tour, at least, also provided a unique experience with a round-table type discussion of FDR in general, as well as the specific site. I really enjoyed it.
Written 30 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Modernizing
Baltimore, MD255 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
I included this in my tour of the area. It is, at best, a 15 minute stop. Unfortunately, because of the way it is set up you have to take the park service bus. It takes forever and the bus does not return quickly. It is essentially a cabin in the woods.
Written 15 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lmk1126
Jefferson Twp, PA274 contributions
Sept 2017
We toured the FDR Library and his Hyde Park Home one day and the next day went to Val Kil and wanted to go to Top Cottage which was listed in the brochure and could not find any signs or directions to it. I am just wondering if it is still open as part of the entire Roosevelt exhibit.
Written 9 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you tour Top Cottage and Val Kill
Written 10 July 2022
Our senior national park pass included admission to the FDR residence and museum. ValKill (Eleanor’s cottage) was not open for tours
Written 11 July 2022
My husband & I both have a National Parks Lifetime Senior Pass. Will this entitle us to free entry to the house & guided tour of Top Cottage? Thanks. Cathy
Written 20 July 2019
My husband & I both have a National Parks Lifetime Senior Pass. Will this entitle us to free entry to the house & guided tour of Top Cottage? Thanks. Cathy
Written 19 July 2019
No. The National Park passes cover the tour of FDR's home. And the tour of Val-Kill (Eleanor's retreat) is free. But you still have to pay separately for the FDR Museum + Library and for Top Cottage. The Senior Pass does get you a discount, though. And I do recommend them both, although it will definitely take 2 days if you do all 4 (FDR home + grounds, Val-Kill, Top Cottage, and the Museum).
Written 25 July 2019
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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