A Private VIP Tour through the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park with an early dinner at the Historic Beekman Arms
(National Park Service image)
A unique opportunity to visit one of the Vanderbilt family’s great Gilded Age mansions hosted by The Gilded Gentleman
Join Carl Raymond, host of The Gilded Gentleman history podcast for an exclusive full day bus trip to Hyde Park in New York’s beautiful Hudson Valley for a truly unique visit to the great Gilded Age mansion built between 1896 and 1899 and owned by Frederick Vanderbilt and his wife Louise.
You’ll board a comfortable private coach in midtown Manhattan for the journey to Hyde Park, enjoy an exclusive tour of the Mansion with our private guides and then savor an early buffet dinner (included!) at the historic Beekman Arms inn (considered America’s oldest continuously running inn since 1766) and then return to Manhattan.
Date: Saturday, June 1st – 10:30 am – 8:00 pm
Very limited tickets!
Note: Guests must be at the designated pick-up point no later than 10:30 am sharp. Latecomers cannot be accommodated.
(National Park Service image) 
Louisa Vanderbilt’s Bedroom (NPS) 
The Hudson Valley north of New York City was one of the favored retreats of the Gilded Age elite. Famous estates that can still be seen today include the Roosevelt estate in Hyde Park as well as the Mills Mansion in Staatsburg nearby.
In the 1890s, Frederick Vanderbilt the grandson of the famed Commodore Vanderbilt commissioned Charles McKim of McKim, Mead and White to design his country estate and mansion. Much of the interior decoration was sourced in Europe by Stanford White and certain rooms were designed by Ogden Codman, Jr. Following Frederick’s death in 1938, the mansion was donated to the National Park Service who continues to maintain the mansion and the collection today.
The interior contains most of the original Vanderbilt decorative arts and furnishings and the mansion appears much as it would have during the Vanderbilt residency. Don’t miss this unique chance for an authentic view into the Gilded Age.
“Carl is the consummate host, I loved the insight he gave and his storytelling. I love his podcast and can’t wait to take another tour.”
Tour Host / Guides: The entire event will be hosted by Carl Raymond, host of The Gilded Gentleman history podcast who will provide commentary and insight to and from Hyde Park. The private tour of the mansion will be conducted by members of the staff of the National Park Service.
Highlights include:
- Fully escorted bus transportation to and from the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park with time to browse in the museum gift shop.
- Private guided tour by National Park Service guides through the mansion including the reception hall, the dining room, drawing and reception rooms, the Vanderbilt bedrooms, and servants’ quarters.
- A chance to see unique furniture and objects used by Frederick Vanderbilt and his family, many hand picked by Stanford White on his buying trips to Europe.
- Following our tour, we’ll reboard the coach for the drive to the Beekman Arms in Rhinebeck New York for our private buffet dinner. The buffet style dinner, in the inn’s Ballroom, will include Roasted Chicken Breast with lemon thyme jus (GF), Pasta Primavera with roasted vegetables, basil and grana padano (VEG), Roasted Atlantic Salmon with citrus white wine sauce (GF), vegetables will include Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts and Parmesan Risotto and our dessert selection will be a Chocolate Torte with salted caramel. Included with dinner are coffee, tea and soft drinks. Wine, beer and mixed drinks will be available and can be purchased separately, they are not included in the tour price.
The Tour
This tour is an approximately 9-hour bus trip up to Hyde Park and Rhinebeck, NY that includes an early buffet dinner. It begins and ends back in Manhattan.
Rates
$259 per person
What’s included:
- Private bus transportation to and from Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park from Midtown Manhattan
- Cost of tour and gratuity, and group admission to the Mansion
- An early buffet dinner at Beekman Arms
- As a special amenity, guests are permitted to bring drinks and snacks for consumption on board the bus, but must not leave any trash behind
- The bus has a restroom on board
Note: Guests must be at the designated pick-up point no later than 10:30 am sharp. Latecomers cannot be accommodated.
Also, no promo or discount codes can be used for this special VIP tour.
Duration
Approximately 9 hours from start to finish. The Mansion tour will be approximately one hour. Time will be allotted to stroll the grounds or visit the museum gift shop.
Ages
This tour is best suited for ages 12 and up. Children under 8 not admitted.
Your Host:
Carl Raymond is the host of the Gilded Gentleman History podcast. He is a regular lecturer and presenter for organizations and museums nationwide. In addition, Carl is a licensed New York City tour guide and gives periodic tours for Bowery Boys Walks.