Hi, I'm looking for more information about visiting Hyde Park and the FDR home.

There's a combo option available here:

http://www.historichydepark.com/comm...ClientID=11050

Does someone know which of (1)-(3) listed there is preferable? The choices are Val-Kill (Eleanor Roosevelt), Top Cottage or more time on the FDR site.

I'm thinking Val-Kill is the best option, but can someone comment? Thanks.

Also how does Vanderbilt Mansion compare? Since I won't be driving, I'll have to take a taxi if I want to go. It's not covered by the shuttles from the National Park Service.

I just checked the link posted by janie in 2007. The link is actually still working. So apparently there's a combo option for FDR + Eleanor + Vanderbilt. But it looks like no transportation is not provided in this case.

In what I posted, transportation is provided, but Vanderbilt is not included. Thanks.

Can't help you since I haven't been (planning to go later this summer); but Aug 15-16 is the fee-free weekend at NPS. That includes the 3 NPS sites at Hyde Park:
http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm

Great, thanks. I'll keep that in mind. I guess it will be packed then.

maybe, maybe not. I'm not sure how well-known this is in the general public...

You should have e-mailed me rather than broadcasting this on Fodor's. Now I'll have to compete with all the Fodorites who suddenly want to visit that weekend.

Great - now the locals know about the free NPS weekend too!

There were 2 threads on the fee-free NPS weekends here.

Absolutely! FDR's mother saved EVERYTHING and it's there at the Presidential Library and Museum. There'a also the family home, Springwood, as well as FDR and Eleanor's private cottages. As mentioned above, the Culinary Institute shouldn't be missed. They have 5 restaurants where students showcase what they have learned, and you can build your own cooking skills at classes there. (You MAY not need lunch reservations, but for dinner or classes reserve a place in advance.)This is also the area of the Gilded Age mansions-- Vanderbilt Mansion and Mills' Mansion (Staatsburg), and Samual Morse's home Locust Grove. For more ideas on what to do in the area, see our story on our trip: http://www.notabletravels.com/destin...%20County.html